By now, you all know my executive producer, Andy, is
very, very, very, very average.
[AUDIENCE APPLAUSE]
Not in every way, but in most ways, he's very average.
And last week we sent him to the U.S. Open
to play tennis with some of the best tennis
players in the world.
Here's how he did.
[LAUGHTER]
[THEME SONG]
[SINGING] He's an executive producer on the Ellen Show.
He works hard every day.
He's super, duper awesome at what he does,
but he's average in every other way.
Hi, how are you?
Nice to see you.
I took that 23andMe test, you know, the DNA thing.
And it said, this is true, that I had the same makeup
as an elite athlete.
There you go.
So my question to you is, I don't play tennis.
But if I started right now--
Yeah.
Once a week, for an hour, how long till I
could play in something like this?
In a tournament like this?
Never.
What would it be?
Never.
Unfortunately--
Really?
Yes.
Twice a week, I would need to do it?
Congratulations on winning Wimbledon.
Thank you very much.
That's a huge deal.
Well, yeah.
It felt very special.
We're very similar that way.
Because last year a lot of people
didn't think we would win the daytime Emmy for best show,
which I'm sure you know we did.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
And that was, so I know that we both are under the lights
and we know pressure.
[LAUGHTER]
OK, so here's what I have.
I have a backhand.
Uh-huh.
Forehand.
Uh-huh.
Serve.
Whoa.
And then when I win a point--
Wait, where do you get this form from?
Jewish summer camp is the only time I played.
[LAUGHTER]
Show me your forehand.
I do it that way.
Oh, you follow through?
Do the base like this--
And this and finish here.
You guys saw that?
He put his arm around--
we full on had a Ghost moment.
[LAUGHTER]
[MUSIC - RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS, "UNCHAINED MELODY"]
[SINGING] Oh, my love.
My darling--
How is this the best thing they have for me to change in?
Honestly.
Can we do a bathroom?
Jesus [BLEEP]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
So what do your serves clock at?
I've hit 156 before.
Let's keep it down around 140 today.
All right, here we go.
Dude, if he hits me, I'm done.
All right, you ready?
Oh, God.
[LAUGHTER]
Why are you laughing?
It almost went over the net.
How long have you been playing?
What age did you start?
I started when was four.
At about 10, it was when I fully committed to it.
Right.
And then I went pro when I was 14.
Same.
Yeah.
You ready?
Yeah.
Got your big girl pants on?
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Yeah, I'm going to run you, is what I'm going to do.
I'm using an undersized racquet, so that's why.
[LAUGHTER]
Oh.
OK.
I wasn't ready.
Now you're trying to hit me.
You're impressive at this.
I'll give you that.
How's it going?
Twins.
I have twins.
No really?
At what age did they go, oh, these guys got something?
We started playing tennis at two.
Right.
We had 100 trophies by seven.
My kids are 12.
They have one participation trophy for roller hockey.
You?
Mine.
You?
You!
Go.
Are you going to play at all?
It's a stupid sport.
Hey, Andy.
Finally, thank you for doing this.
Nice to see you.
Let's go, Andy.
Let's go.
Oh, God.
You got it.
You got it, got it.
Got it.
Come on, come on, come on.
No holding back.
Wait.
Come one, come on, come one.
Let's go, let's go, let's go.
That was out.
That was in.
Come on, man.
Ah, good luck.
Good luck.
Oh, yeah.
And you do this thing where you're running,
and you hit it like that.
What's that called?
It's called a Tweener.
Because like weiner?
Tweener.
Not weiner.
OK.
You're Swiss, right?
I'm Swiss, yeah.
Good cheese.
Let's see your back hand.
You made a big mistake there.
I know.
Oh, wait.
I'm pretty sure you're not allowed to do this.
Oh, no, we're not using that.
Here;s what I need you to do.
Let me help you out.
Stop with the instructions.
I need you to just win this.
ok.
OK.
Ah.
No.
I got it, I got it, I got it, I got it.
Oh, he did a weiner.
You.
No, you.
No.
Chaos won that point.
You guys have actually won matches?
What does it feel like to be ranked number one in the world?
I've never been ranked anything at anything.
I think you're pretty good at what you do.
Of course, you're with Ellen.
Can you call me every morning and make me feel good?
Yes, yes, yes.
Because when you work with Ellen, I don't get any of this.
You know what?
I'm going have you record it on my phone,
so you don't have to call me.
I'll just keep listening to it.
Hey, Andy, switch off all the lights.
Close your eyes.
Dive deep, deep into meditative state.
And listen to my voice.
You are the best-looking tennis player in the world.
You are amazing human being that is the best in what he does.
I'm quitting Ellen.
And take that into new day, raise your confidence.
And believe in yourself.
Love you, buddy.
Take care.
[APPLAUSE]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
I love you so much, Andy.
We'll be right back.