In April of this year it will mark 10 years since "Ellen" came out publicly. It will also mark the 10th Anniversary of the 1hr long "Puppy Episode". That was the episode in which the TV character "Ellen Morgan" came out. It was a almost a year in the making. ABC/DISNEY had to put up with allot of controversy however thanks to "Ellen", and ABC president Jamie Tarsus "Ellen" came out. It was a milestone. It was history. It was the first time a lead TV character was gay. When the episode aired it was the #1 show of the week. It was also a critical hit. Something that the show never had before. That episode won an "EMMY" for writing. It also won the "PEABODY AWARD".
ABC however did not promote the last two episodes that aired the following two weeks. This was sad because the episode in which she tell her parents is a very funny and touching episode.
The show was now in major hot water the following year. Ellen Degeneres couldn't catch a break. Chasity Bono (who appeared in one of the coming out episodes) even called the show "TOO GAY" and Elton John said " Shut Up and just be funny". Ellen the TV show was tagged the following year with Parental Advisory warning. Before the show would air the Network had this on the screen, THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM MAYBE UNSUITABLE FOR ALL AUDIENCES VIEW DISCRETION IS ADVISED FOR THOSE UNDER 14. This did not make "Ellen" happy. Who could blame her. The show was at its creative best. 2 episodes are now some of the funniest shows ever made for TV. The episode called "The Gay Yellow Pages", and "Emma Thompson" are just great. ABC however did not even help the show. They failed to promote the show. The ratings sank and the show came to an end. Ellen Degeneres career also seem to be over. She had a hard time getting work. However if it wasn't for "Ellen" the show NBC would not of had the balls to air "Will & Grace". That show broke ground by having the Central male character be gay.
Ellen made major headlines durring the last season of "ellen" by voicing the fact she wasn't getting work. She also pointed out that ABC was not standing by her. However "ellen" would reemerge as a superstar again belive it or not with the help of Disney (VIA PIXAR).
Ellen was the voice in the Disney Smash "Finding Nemo". The movie was released the Summer before her talk show debut. Nobody thought her show would hit. . Her last TV job lasted less than 1 season when she had a sitcom on CBS. However "Ellen" the talk show became on instant hit with viewers. Ellen had made a huge comeback. Now she is hosting the the Academy Awards and its on ABC almost 10 years after the "Puppy Episode".
The world has changed since "Ellen" came out. She made life so much better for so many people. Its only fitting that she is hosting a show on a Network that years before was avoiding her and not promoting her. Now they can't stop promoting the fact she is hosting the Award show. Ellen Degeneres is making history again. The first openly gay person to host the Academy Awards. Its amazing but "Ellen" has come full circle at ABC. Way to go.
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