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Ellen DeGeneres and Laura Dern Reunite
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It appears Ellen DeGeneres wasn’t the only one who was “out” after the famous “The Puppy” episode of her sitcom aired 10 years ago. Academy Award-nominated actress Laura Dern didn’t get an acting job for over a year after guest-starring as the woman who helped DeGeneres’ character come to terms with her sexuality.
“There was certainly backlash, I guess, we all felt from it,” Dern tells DeGeneres in a taped interview to be broadcast on the latter’s talk show this Monday (April 23).
For you kids out there who are too young to remember, “The Puppy Episode” became a huge national talking point when it aired on April 30, 1997. On the popular ABC sitcom, “Ellen,” DeGeneres’s character had had a string of bad luck in business and with men when she fell for her boyfriend’s co-worker, played by Dern. “Ellen Morgan” became the first openly gay leading character on broadcast television and DeGeneres made even more headlines at the time by appearing as herself on the cover of Time magazine alongside the headline “Yep, I’m Gay.”
Some 42 million people watched “Ellen’s” so-called “coming out episode.” Considering that “Will & Grace” caused barely a ripple (other than laughter at its bawdy humor) when it debuted about 18 months later, it’s hard to imagine now the attention this event caused. But as both DeGeneres and Dern make clear when they get together to commemorate the episode’s 10th anniversary, not all the reaction was positive.
“I’m just learning this about you right now,” DeGeneres tells Dern and the audience in an advance transcript provided by the talk show. “I had backlash. I didn’t work for three years. I didn’t have one phone call for three years. But Laura … she didn’t work for a year and a half after that episode just because she was on the show. I had no idea.”
Says Dern: “We look now at something that would be completely the norm on television, which is the great news. You were the pioneer of that. But, the challenges in the moment, [the] ‘Where the hell did everybody go?’ It feels awfully terrifying.”
Fortunately, DeGeneres knows how to lighten the moment. After thanking Dern for being a part of that important moment 10 years ago, she jokingly informs everyone, “I’m not really gay. It was a ‘publicity’ thing.”
“The Ellen DeGeneres Show” airs weekdays at 5 p.m. on WGCL-TV in Atlanta.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Diogenes
April 20, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this
[yawn!] I seriously doubt she cares about my sex life — why, then, should I care about hers?
By Gun Toter
April 20, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this
Who Cares?????
By Bill
April 20, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this
I keep my sexual preferences and my sex life to myself. Why does she, or the networks, think i give a damn about hers?
By Willie
April 20, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this
If only it were that simple and no one cared about anyone’s sex life. However, society, government, and the church still have a long way to go in letting go of that and allowing people to love who they love. Unfortunately so many in our society do seem to care about a gay person’s sex life. I long for the day when the question of ‘who cares’ can be answered with ‘no one’.
By Neil
April 20, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this
No she probably doesn’t care about your sex life, but the point is you get to talk about it if you want to. So can she. It is the “Ellen” show after all.
Let me know when the “Diogenes Comedy Hour” is on and I’ll Tivo it.
By Xelement!
April 20, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this
How about…Who gives a damn!!
By Michelle
April 20, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this
If nobody cares, than why are so many states trying to make it illegal for gay people to marry or even have “civil unions?” Sounds like a lot of people still have hang ups.
By JJ
April 20, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this
I for one, love Ellen. I love her show and watch it every afternoon. I have been a fan of hers since her stand up comedy days. I could care less what her sexual preference is. It doesn’t bother me in any way.
What I do care about is the kind of PERSON she is.
She does nothing but bring laughter and joy. She is never mean or evil or slanderous. She is just a person trying to make it in this world. She seems to have a very happy family, and her mother is in the audience just about every show. She is a happy person and makes others happy too. That’s what I care about. And it’s not just Ellen. I don’t care who you are or your sexual preference. As long as you are happy and a productive member of society, you can sleep with whomever you please. It’s none of my business.
By NiceGuy
April 20, 2007 2:27 PM | Link to this
Thanks a lot Ellen. Now every queer and lesbo feels they have to let me know who, and what, they’re having sex with.
By JJ
April 20, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this
See, if everyone would just mind their own business and stop worrying about others, ya’ll would all be alot happier. But then you wouldn’t have anything to complain about.
I choose to live my life in a way that makes ME happy. I don’t care if Bob or Steve or Marsha doesn’t like it. I’m not doing it for them, I am doing it for ME!!!
Alot of things are out of our control, and someone’s sexual preference is one of them.
If you don’t like it, go on about your business.
Just imagine what this world would be like if every one looked, dressed, sounded and acted exactly the same……
By Roswell Ed
April 20, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this
She was so feminine and sexy that it broke my heart when I found out she was a d**. I would have never guessed it in a million years. It was one of the damndest things I remember in my life.
The next thing you will be telling me is that JM J Bullock is gay!!
By BAMMAR
April 20, 2007 3:41 PM | Link to this
Ellen is gay was like learning there is no easter bunny or santa claus. You wanted to tell her “We kinda already knew it”.
By Roswell Ed
April 20, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this
What was the bid deal?
Didn’t Paul Lynd and Charles Nelson Reilly come out on TV every time they were on it?
By tina
April 20, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this
Whaaaat? Ellen Degeneres is GAY!?!!!!!! When did that happen? Get a grip. I’m straight. Does anyone really give a f.
By Mark
April 20, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this
I heard she drowned this afternoon
They found her face down in Rikki Lake.
By Open
April 20, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this
Why is it so freaking important for gay people to announce that they are gay? Okay darn it….” I’m heterosexual and you better accept me for who I am!”
By kf
April 20, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this
EVERYONE JUST NEEDS TO LOOOOVE EACH OTHER!
By Me
April 20, 2007 4:22 PM | Link to this
What people who are responding to this forum fail to recognize is that she took a major step for the homosexual community. She made it ok to be ‘gay’ on tv and in public. It’s not about if you care if she’s gay or not. It’s about the right to be yourself and not having to hide how you who you are and how you feel so that you can be successful in live and viewed as ‘normal’.
For the record, I am heterosexual.
By NiceGuy
April 20, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this
But it’s not “ok” to be gay. It’s unnatural. Heteros can procreate, and nothing’s more natural than that. Homos can not. Nature dictates that homosexuality is not supposed to happen.
By dick
April 20, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this
Helen is no more than a white Oprah. They both think everyone is dying to hear what they have to say and everyone is interested in their lives. I could care less if they are on TV or not.
By GoodFella
April 20, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this
NiceGuy needs to change his name to bigotboy.
By Roswell Ed
April 20, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this
Ludlow sez:
If a joke is truly funny the punch line can stand on its own. Here goes-
“Let me guess,” the doctor says. “Your boyfriend goes to Maryland?” “No,” the patient replies, “My girlfriend goes to Wellesley.”
By Willie
April 20, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this
I don’t have a problem with the queer folk. I was always afraid to try it, I might like it. I just LOVE them women. However, I don’t want the queer folk to marry, or have a civil union, cause if they do. Health Insurance cost will go through the roof. It is high enough, as is. The queer folk have a lot a AIDs, ect. As far as I am concerned, it isn’t broke, Lets don’t fix it.
By Roswell Ed
April 20, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this
One more time:
It has an extra long tongue and it only takes one finger to get it off!
By Roswell Ed
April 20, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this
Willie:
I might like it
Reads like you’ve put some thought into this.
I can honestly say that the reason I haven’t tried it is because I might like it. The reason I haven’t tried it is because I’m not GAY!
Please tell me that is not the reason you haven’t made out with your DAWG!
By Willie
April 20, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this
I did think about it. Back then, they kicked your tail out of service, and told everybody, you were queer. After spending a lot of my life chasing women, and catching quite a few. Heck, I didn’t want to start over. PS I sill love them women, I can’t do too much about it these days, But OH well, I can still reminisce about them. I guess I will never know for sure, and I ain’t goina start NOW.
By HR BuffnStuff
April 20, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this
Roswell Ed, lol…that’s a hilarious reference to Charles Nelson Reilly (aka “HooDoo” from Lidsville)! I used to love that show as a little kid.
By Willie
April 20, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this
I maybe can understand why a woman would be gay, I eat a few t** myself, however the thought of doing anything with a male, just don’t turn me on. It makes me want to puke. I do have a queer lady friend, who says that 10 % of people is queer, 10% is straight, and the rest of you will do anything. Is she correct? I really am a bit slow, I don’t hate queer folk, black folk, or china folk. I think folk should do their thing, and let others do theirs. However, I do believe in the age of consent. If you molest a child, YOU should be terminated.
By Willie
April 20, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this
Remember. Them Queer folk, can’t reproduce, so they have to recruit. AND the people they will recruit, is YOUR children, and grandchildren. AND YOUR wife, and or husband.
By Jeff
April 20, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this
Who is Ellen DeGeneres?
By Some Georgia are so STUPID
April 20, 2007 6:00 PM | Link to this
It is so funny for me to read “Willie” comments. He is such a redneck. Who taught you how to write? There are some stupid and ignorant people on here. “Nice Guy” is a “Dumb Guy”. You said “homosexuality” is unnatural then why nature creates them. If you say that gay people choose to be gay than you are retard. Why would anyone want to go through life to be bigoted/hated . People who are bigot will have something coming to them when they last expected (God punishes people who hate). You people will have children/grandchildren and they will turn out gay and will hate you for your stupidity/ignorant.
By Grace
April 20, 2007 7:32 PM | Link to this
Hey, Willie - you’d be amazed how easy it is. Why just last night your mom and I…….
By Angie
April 20, 2007 7:34 PM | Link to this
You dumb asses. We talk about it because we’re still discriminated against and have no federal protection when it comes to employment, military service, housing, etc. Get it? Now crawl back under your rock and think about it.
By Jack
April 20, 2007 7:37 PM | Link to this
Willie, you’re a moron. The highest incidence of AIDS is with black women. Guess where they get it???
By Incredulous
April 20, 2007 7:53 PM | Link to this
This is for Mr. Nice Guy, but seriously lacking in the reasoning part of his brain. If being gay is unnatural because we can’t procreate, then how did we get here in the first place? Mother told me there’d be days like this. It’s a naturally occuring phenomenon, genius.
By Shut it
April 20, 2007 7:58 PM | Link to this
Yo, Open (surely, not as in open-minded??). That’s just it. You breeders talk about it ALL the freaking time. You don’t even think about it. You take it for granted, stupid. Take a look at what is on most of the billboards, TV commercials, movies, and so on. Oh, yeah. Try closing your mouth and opening your ears.
By Roswell Ed
April 20, 2007 8:03 PM | Link to this
We do taste like chicken!!
By j
April 23, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this
if you dont care then why are you reading this? just dont bother- and definitely dont bother to post a comment- god people are so ignorant
By PowerToThePeople
April 23, 2007 8:13 PM | Link to this
Laws that prohibit same-sex marriage have no rational basis. Marriage is not about procreation, otherwise we’d have laws that would require people to prove they have the ability and intention to procreate. I’m sick of hearing people say that same-sex relations disgust them. Your bigoted feelings are irrelevant. For instance, I was in the park the other day and I saw a shirtless morbidly obese man holding hands and kissing a woman. I found it disgusting because he was disgusting. But there are no laws that prevent the fat boy from expressing and sharing his love, despite my disgust. Your “disgust” over same-sex relations is equally irrelevant. Most modern countries allow civil unions or same-sex marriage. Even South Africa has same-sex marriage. South Africa! The United States is a socially retarded country.
By thats funny
April 23, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this
All the blogs lately are retarted not just this one.
By Rick
April 26, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this
Ellen DOES NOT talk about her sex life. She talks about her SEXUALITY. There is a really big difference. The reason she talks about is 1. It’s a part of her life and she’s allowed to. 2. She and others like her are still discriminated against based on sexual orientation. Those of you who don’t like her discussing her sexuality probably think Rosa Parks should have just sat quietly in the back of the bus.