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From Reuters/Variety's Jenny Hontz:
ABC Pulls 'Ellen' Until May Finale Wednesday April 15 8:03 AM EDT

HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - In what may be the final blow to ABC's "Ellen," the network has decided not to air any more episodes this season except for the one-hour finale on May 13.

Instead, the surprise midseason success, "Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place" will remain in "Ellen's" Wednesday 9:30 p.m. timeslot for the rest of the season.

ABC had planned only a limited run for "Two Guys," but the series has consistently outperformed "Ellen's" average in the Wednesday 9:30 p.m. timeslot, holding onto more of "Drew Carey's" 9 p.m. viewers. "Two Guys" in particular keeps many of the men who changed the channel when "Ellen" aired.

On average, "Two Guys" is the top-rated midseason series in homes (10.1 rating, 16 household share), adults 18-49 (7.8/20) and total viewers (14.5 million).

In its most recent airing, "Two Guys" rated a timeslot-winning 10.0/16, although the series has faced lighter competition than "Ellen" because Fox's hit "Party of Five" is on hiatus.

ABC has enough episodes of "Two Guys" ready to air because rival Fox Broadcasting Co. originally ordered 13 episodes, which were produced before Fox decided to let the series go to ABC.

The two additional episodes of "Ellen" that are in the can may actually air over the summer, sources say. ABC still contends that it hasn't decided whether "Ellen" will return next season, although insiders, and star Ellen DeGeneres, have said this season is the last.

"Ellen" had a controversial season as the first and only U.S. sitcom with a gay or lesbian lead character. Despite falling ratings and protests from some affiliates, "Ellen" won the prestigious Peabody Award and an Emmy for its highly rated "coming-out" episode last season.

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