When it comes to LGBTQ trailblazers, Ellen DeGeneres is top of that list. Her decision to come out both as a public figure and her television persona made waves across the country and her daytime talk show helped normalize the image of a gay host on public airwaves. Sadly (and unsurprisingly given the slow pace of progress) there was blowback when Ellen made her momentous decision - conservatives railed against a gay television character and its impact on “family values.” But what maybe was a surprise is that Ellen also got blowback from the LGBTQ+ community - as well as from many fans of the very show where she broke ground.

Rob teaches Ray and Daniel about Ellen’s early years as a standup comedian, including her breakout appearance on Carson; her casting in the starring role on the sitcom initially titled These Friends Of Mine; the key role that Oprah Winfrey played in Ellen’s story both in real life and on screen; how ABC supported DeGeneres’s decision to come out and wrote an entire season leading up to that event; and why, after Ellen’s unprecedented decision, many progressive critics felt that her television show actually suffered for it.

If you like what we’re doing, please support us on Patreon, or you can subscribe to our bonus content on Apple Podcasts. And we’d love to find even more listeners, so if you have time, please leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And if you have any other thoughts or feedback you’d like to share with us, we’d love to hear from you - feel free to email us or send us a message on social media.

Ray Hebel

Robert W. Schneider

Mark Schroeder

Billy Recce

Daniel Schwartzberg

Natalie DeSavia

“The Puppy Episode” Clip

Ellen Degeneres Makes Her First Appearance on Carson’s Tonight Show

“These Friends of Mine” Promo

“This Was A Thing” Theme Songs composed by Billy Recce

“Happy Bee”

• Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

•...