Marlene Wagman-Geller

Apr 30, 2024 by Marlene Wagman-Geller

 

Ellen: “Haven’t you ever had sex dreams about people?”

Paige: “Ellen, I’m a doer, not a dreamer.”

   “Who shot JR?” In 1980, the question was on everyone’s lips, bumper stickers, and magazine covers. Television audiences were delirious to discover who had fired two .38 caliber bullets into the disreputable oil tycoon during the third season’s finale of Dallas. Seventeen years later, Ellen replicated the furor; on that occasion the question: Is she or isn’t she?

     Initially called These Friends of Mine, the show became Ellen as its original title was similar to the hit series, Friends. The program’s star, Ellen Morgan, was a single, thirty-something gal about town who managed Buy the Book, a bookstore-café. She hung out with her Los Angeles amigos who helped lessen the hurt of her unlucky in love landscape. In the series’ premiere, the greatest problem showcased Ellen’s chagrin over her unattractive photo on her new driver’s license. A subplot: her friend Holly’s humiliation over her boyfriend who barked like a dog during intercourse. Although a popular series, it could not escape comparison to Seinfeld that also centered on nothing-AKA the minutia of daily life.

    What transformed the Wednesday night ABC sitcom into a national tempest was when Ellen DeGeneres, the eponymous Ellen, informed her studio that she wanted to do what no television character had done before: emerge from the closet. To put her act in the context of the times: the government had recently instituted the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and the Defense of Marriage Act. Three years earlier, a 1994 charity event had dismissed Danish-British comedian Sandi Toksvig because the organizers did not want Princess Anne, who was to be in attendance, “to meet a lesbian.” Anxious to stave off a television tsunami over the hot- button social issue, studio executives suggested that the season four finale should instead involve Ellen getting a dog. Although a pet was not part of the program, the infamous segment bore the title, “The Puppy Episode.” The reason was to throw off suspicion and media leaks. Or, as Ellen put it, “Because we wanted to keep it a secret until it aired and because ‘Ellen Throws Her Career Away’ seemed too on the nose.”

     Nevertheless, the series had delivered hints as to its star’s sexuality. In one segment Ellen took such a long time rummaging in her closet that her friends yelled, “Are you ever coming out?” Further foreshadowing had occurred a week earlier when Ms. DeGeneres had appeared on the cover of Time magazine alongside the caption, “Yep. I’m Gay.” The reaction from readers ranged from commending Ellen’s bravery to a letter signed by the Reverend Jerry Falwell who declared the Times’ article, “an affront to decency in general.” He, along with televangelist Pat Robertson branded Ellen DeGeneres-Ellen Degenerate. One irate subscriber wrote, “Yep. I’m done.” By the time the story appeared, Ellen was dating actress Anne Heche; the couple appeared on an Oprah interview where they held hands. Ellen was out and in love.

    The plot line of the landmark segment involved Ellen’s encounter with her old friend, Richard, who was handsome, successful, and enjoyed her company. As it transpired, Ellen bonded with his co-worker, Susan, (played by Laura Dern.) When Susan admitted she was gay, something Ellen was not yet ready to acknowledge, in an act of methinks she doth protest too much, Ms. Morgan threw herself at Richard. 

    The official coming out moment of the series bore DeGeneres’ trademark humor. As Susan waited at the airport to catch a flight, Ellen joined her with the confession, “Susan, I’m gay.” As she spoke, she had accidentally leaned into the airport’s P. A. microphone, thereby blaring her secret to everyone in the terminal. A critic for Variety wrote, “If she is indeed committing career suicide, the woman is certainly going out in style.”

     The repercussion for exiting a closet that for centuries had come with an impenetrable lock was overwhelming; 42 million viewers tuned in for the groundbreaking segment. Other stars who appeared in the episode were k. d. lang, Demi Moore, Billy Bob Thornton, and Oprah, (as Ellen’s therapist.) Watching the show, Oprah sobbed, “I’m so proud to be a part of this. I’m so proud.”

     One repercussion was the local ABC affiliate in Birmingham, Alabama, refused to air the show as the station felt the content not suitable for family viewing. Advertisers such as J.C. Penny and Chrysler bowed out from pressure from conservative groups; there was an avalanche of hate mail, and bomb scares. A parental advisory warning needed to be run before each episode. On the other side, the show garnered an Emmy and a Peabody Award. Ms. DeGeneres stated that the outpouring of support was more important to her than the barrage of homophobia. Members of the L.G.T.Q. community thanked Ellen for her stance; some stated that she had saved them from suicide. In 2016, President Obama presented Ellen with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her intrepid act.

   The coming out party carried a brief duration as the executives cancelled the show the following season. Part of the problem was Ms. Morgan had transformed from the girl next door to the lesbian next door. Nevertheless, because Ellen had shattered the small screen’s homophobia, subsequent shows such as Will and Grace, Glee, Queer Eye, Ugly Betty, and Modern Family were able to portray gay characters.

     Television’s first lesbian leading lady was born in Metairie, Louisiana, where she grew up in a lower middle-class home. Her Christian Scientist parents barred her from receiving vaccinations or even taking aspirin.  Her parents separated when she was fifteen, and Ellen claimed she suffered sexual abuse from her stepfather. Growing up in her religious family in the 80s led to her comment, “I didn’t see a lot of people like me on television when I was a kid-Peppermint Patty of course. As soon as I saw those sensible shoes, I knew. The creator said she wasn’t a lesbian, but good grief.” In 1986, the clown prince of television, Johnny Carson, invited the popular stand-up comedian to appear on The Tonight Show, a move that cemented her reputation. Carson, and America, was smitten. Although studio executives were hesitant to hire a gay person for a talk show, in 2003, The Ellen DeGeneres Show debuted. One of the draws was she lavished audience members with cash and prizes. For nineteen years, Ellen interviewed celebrity guests such as Beyoncé, Madonna, John Travolta, Barack and Michelle Obama, who showed off their dance moves along with their free-spirited host to an audience of millions. The show’s catch phrase, “Be kind to one another.” The greatest fan of Ellen who had become one of the most powerful people in entertainment was Ellen’s wife, Actress Portia de Rossi; People Magazine featured their wedding on its cover.  Ellen was the hostess of two Academy Award ceremonies, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and was the voice of Dory in Finding Nemo. Her personal wealth was in the 100s of millions, and she collected pricey real estate as other women did charms on a bracelet. She remained on the top of television’s hierarchy until she again became a target of cancel culture.

   The crumbling of her empire was allegations that Ellen presided over a “toxic workplace, where staff were subjected to harassment and abuse.” Amidst the scandal, Ellen signed from her signature show of whom Oprah stated, “Know that these are the glory days.” 

   Whether Ellen is more sinned against than sinner remains in the gray area of subjectivity. However, her finest moment was when she revealed her authentic self-her true glory day.

Chapter # 11: Glory Day ( 1994  )

Ellen: “Haven’t you ever had sex dreams about people?”

Paige: “Ellen, I’m a doer, not a dreamer.”

   “Who shot JR?” In 1980, the question was on everyone’s lips, bumper stickers, and magazine covers. Television audiences were delirious to discover who had fired two .38 caliber bullets into the disreputable oil tycoon during the third season’s finale of Dallas. Seventeen years later, Ellen replicated the furor; on that occasion the question: Is she or isn’t she?

     Initially called These Friends of Mine, the show became Ellen as its original title was similar to the hit series, Friends. The program’s star, Ellen Morgan, was a single, thirty-something gal about town who managed Buy the Book, a bookstore-café. She hung out with her Los Angeles amigos who helped lessen the hurt of her unlucky in love landscape. In the series’ premiere, the greatest problem showcased Ellen’s chagrin over her unattractive photo on her new driver’s license. A subplot: her friend Holly’s humiliation over her boyfriend who barked like a dog during intercourse. Although a popular series, it could not escape comparison to Seinfeld that also centered on nothing-AKA the minutia of daily life.

    What transformed the Wednesday night ABC sitcom into a national tempest was when Ellen DeGeneres, the eponymous Ellen, informed her studio that she wanted to do what no television character had done before: emerge from the closet. To put her act in the context of the times: the government had recently instituted the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and the Defense of Marriage Act. Three years earlier, a 1994 charity event had dismissed Danish-British comedian Sandi Toksvig because the organizers did not want Princess Anne, who was to be in attendance, “to meet a lesbian.” Anxious to stave off a television tsunami over the hot- button social issue, studio executives suggested that the season four finale should instead involve Ellen getting a dog. Although a pet was not part of the program, the infamous segment bore the title, “The Puppy Episode.” The reason was to throw off suspicion and media leaks. Or, as Ellen put it, “Because we wanted to keep it a secret until it aired and because ‘Ellen Throws Her Career Away’ seemed too on the nose.”

     Nevertheless, the series had delivered hints as to its star’s sexuality. In one segment Ellen took such a long time rummaging in her closet that her friends yelled, “Are you ever coming out?” Further foreshadowing had occurred a week earlier when Ms. DeGeneres had appeared on the cover of Time magazine alongside the caption, “Yep. I’m Gay.” The reaction from readers ranged from commending Ellen’s bravery to a letter signed by the Reverend Jerry Falwell who declared the Times’ article, “an affront to decency in general.” He, along with televangelist Pat Robertson branded Ellen DeGeneres-Ellen Degenerate. One irate subscriber wrote, “Yep. I’m done.” By the time the story appeared, Ellen was dating actress Anne Heche; the couple appeared on an Oprah interview where they held hands. Ellen was out and in love.

    The plot line of the landmark segment involved Ellen’s encounter with her old friend, Richard, who was handsome, successful, and enjoyed her company. As it transpired, Ellen bonded with his co-worker, Susan, (played by Laura Dern.) When Susan admitted she was gay, something Ellen was not yet ready to acknowledge, in an act of methinks she doth protest too much, Ms. Morgan threw herself at Richard. 

    The official coming out moment of the series bore DeGeneres’ trademark humor. As Susan waited at the airport to catch a flight, Ellen joined her with the confession, “Susan, I’m gay.” As she spoke, she had accidentally leaned into the airport’s P. A. microphone, thereby blaring her secret to everyone in the terminal. A critic for Variety wrote, “If she is indeed committing career suicide, the woman is certainly going out in style.”

     The repercussion for exiting a closet that for centuries had come with an impenetrable lock was overwhelming; 42 million viewers tuned in for the groundbreaking segment. Other stars who appeared in the episode were k. d. lang, Demi Moore, Billy Bob Thornton, and Oprah, (as Ellen’s therapist.) Watching the show, Oprah sobbed, “I’m so proud to be a part of this. I’m so proud.”

     One repercussion was the local ABC affiliate in Birmingham, Alabama, refused to air the show as the station felt the content not suitable for family viewing. Advertisers such as J.C. Penny and Chrysler bowed out from pressure from conservative groups; there was an avalanche of hate mail, and bomb scares. A parental advisory warning needed to be run before each episode. On the other side, the show garnered an Emmy and a Peabody Award. Ms. DeGeneres stated that the outpouring of support was more important to her than the barrage of homophobia. Members of the L.G.T.Q. community thanked Ellen for her stance; some stated that she had saved them from suicide. In 2016, President Obama presented Ellen with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her intrepid act.

   The coming out party carried a brief duration as the executives cancelled the show the following season. Part of the problem was Ms. Morgan had transformed from the girl next door to the lesbian next door. Nevertheless, because Ellen had shattered the small screen’s homophobia, subsequent shows such as Will and Grace, Glee, Queer Eye, Ugly Betty, and Modern Family were able to portray gay characters.

     Television’s first lesbian leading lady was born in Metairie, Louisiana, where she grew up in a lower middle-class home. Her Christian Scientist parents barred her from receiving vaccinations or even taking aspirin.  Her parents separated when she was fifteen, and Ellen claimed she suffered sexual abuse from her stepfather. Growing up in her religious family in the 80s led to her comment, “I didn’t see a lot of people like me on television when I was a kid-Peppermint Patty of course. As soon as I saw those sensible shoes, I knew. The creator said she wasn’t a lesbian, but good grief.” In 1986, the clown prince of television, Johnny Carson, invited the popular stand-up comedian to appear on The Tonight Show, a move that cemented her reputation. Carson, and America, was smitten. Although studio executives were hesitant to hire a gay person for a talk show, in 2003, The Ellen DeGeneres Show debuted. One of the draws was she lavished audience members with cash and prizes. For nineteen years, Ellen interviewed celebrity guests such as Beyoncé, Madonna, John Travolta, Barack and Michelle Obama, who showed off their dance moves along with their free-spirited host to an audience of millions. The show’s catch phrase, “Be kind to one another.” The greatest fan of Ellen who had become one of the most powerful people in entertainment was Ellen’s wife, Actress Portia de Rossi; People Magazine featured their wedding on its cover.  Ellen was the hostess of two Academy Award ceremonies, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and was the voice of Dory in Finding Nemo. Her personal wealth was in the 100s of millions, and she collected pricey real estate as other women did charms on a bracelet. She remained on the top of television’s hierarchy until she again became a target of cancel culture.

   The crumbling of her empire was allegations that Ellen presided over a “toxic workplace, where staff were subjected to harassment and abuse.” Amidst the scandal, Ellen signed from her signature show of whom Oprah stated, “Know that these are the glory days.” 

   Whether Ellen is more sinned against than sinner remains in the gray area of subjectivity. However, her finest moment was when she revealed her authentic self-her true glory day.

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