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Ellen and Portia's "rehearsal" for "The Ellen DeGeneres Show"

Sarah Warn

On The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Ellen showed a very funny home video she made of her and Portia de Rossi "rehearsing" at home for Portia's first interview on Ellen's talk show.

Watch it here now:

If you can't see it here, you can also try watching on Veoh

I love how subversive this is — from Ellen casually using the phrase "my wife Portia" in the beginning, to introducing Portia with the joke, "I always know when my first guest wakes up on the wrong side of the bed," to the awkward greeting hug, to Portia playing a song on the guitar called, "Babe, I'm gonna leave you" (Ellen: "Yeah, that's not a good song").

Even though it's staged, just watching them banter this way — at home in their backyard, teasing each other the way all couples do — is subversive. It makes same-sex couples more relatable to Ellen's millions of straight viewers, many of whom still think we're like exotic animals in a zoo.

This provides one more way for people like Randy — who called in to NPR's "Talk of the Nation" lesbian visibility discussion this week to say he doesn't really understand homosexuality, but can connect with Ellen because of the antics on her show — to relate to us as human beings.

The fact that it's presented with humor makes it even more effective, since laughter makes you lower your guard (as Rachel Maddow pointed out when David Frum criticized her use of humor on her show).

But politics aside, this segment is also just plain funny and entertaining.

I'm looking forward to watching their "official" interview on the show on Monday, and not just because Portia looks fantastic in that green sweater, and Ellen's tie rocks. Here's a preview:

I could comment on the irony of them playing the Newlywed Game in light of Prop. 8, but this has been such a happy post so far, I refuse to sully it with bitterness. I'll save that for next week.

When you're done watching the videos, read this interesting new L.A. Times interview with Portia, and watch Better Off Ted next Wednesday at 8:30pm on ABC. (I've seen the first two episodes, and love it!)

UPDATE: watch the interview here.

Sarah Warn's blog

Submitted by

Sarah Warn

on March 13, 2009 - 6:59pm.

TAGS ::

Anyone else notice how the

Submitted by

TinaMW (12 posts)

on March 13, 2009 - 7:37pm.

Anyone else notice how the Newlywed game is present by eharmony and eharmony doesn't let same-sex couples on their site? I think it's pretty funny....

after the lawsuit was filed

Submitted by

sulelew (33 posts)

on March 13, 2009 - 7:40pm.

they do! But still kinda funny.

I think that it's only in

Submitted by

monica_ca (665 posts)

on March 13, 2009 - 8:33pm.

I think that it's only in New Jersey (where the lawsuit was filed) that they cater to same-sex couples.

Actually

Submitted by

K (171 posts)

on March 16, 2009 - 1:44am.

i work for eH and as part of the lawsuit the same sex matching is extended to all of the US.

can't wait

Submitted by

sulelew (33 posts)

on March 13, 2009 - 7:39pm.

Thanks for the clips! Looks like they had a hillarious time filming it.

thanks for that

Submitted by

Di (122 posts)

on March 13, 2009 - 7:47pm.

Thanks Sarah for posting this. I loved that video - so, so cute. I was afraid this whole thing would be awkward with Portia being on the show, but so far I like how Ellen's doing it with having a 'rehearsal' at their home. It sort of eases it in for Monday and gets people more comfortable maybe. I too like the casualness of the video...and it is quite funny. They play off each other so good.

very cool

Submitted by

7Up (637 posts)

on March 13, 2009 - 7:50pm.

It really is subversive and great, I've been loving the new activist energy Ellen's been showing on the show as a result of prop 8 and getting married, etc! I thought it was smart and funny this video, how America got to go through the awkwardness of the pre show experience with them, lol. I felt awkward watching it on tv today... made me feel more exposed... strange... it's more awkward than TLW because it's more real (LOL, surprise, ya right...)

I must say though, that while she's definitely attractive and charming, I still don't quite get Portia. She still seems more straight than a lot of straight people... But then I live in NY and that's a whole continent away from LA... Then again, I thought my gf of 9 years was straight before she hit on me, lol... Maybe Portia's just less public, that I'd get, I'd get it better if she wasn't an actress, lol, anyhooo.... time to stop speaking......

On Portia seeming straight . . .

Submitted by

sgrace (31 posts)

on March 14, 2009 - 6:22pm.

It seems pretty clear that Portia really adores Ellen (from the vacation videos etc., not just this video). Surely that's the most significant prerequisite for being gay? And she doesn't shy away from describing herself as gay either (not the old Anne Heche line - "I just fell in love with the person")

Don't take this the wrong way

Submitted by

Trix (457 posts)

on March 15, 2009 - 4:46am.

...but I really do think you need to meet more different kinds of queer people. Portia seems like a typical middle-class femmy lesbian or bi chick. Compared to super-femme het women, she's pretty staunch (how many ultra-feminine straight women her age would be into playing those kinds of games on the grass?)

they are soo cute

Submitted by

crazychets (114 posts)

on March 13, 2009 - 8:01pm.

I love watching TEDS its my daily fix of laughter

I record it daily and watch it when i get home from work, and can't wait for the Portia interview, the reheresal was funny, looking fwd to Monday. :-)

balance and perservance

Giggling For Joy For Ellen & Portia

Submitted by

Lunakiss (2054 posts)

on March 13, 2009 - 8:09pm.

www.myspace.com/lunakiss7.com

Ellen D is so great and so funny. Portia is such a doll and sweetheart for playing along with her wife for the show. OMG! Ellen said her wife on national tv(don't judge this is the 1st time I heard her say that b/c i don't have a tv.) When said it outloud it sounded so natural so right . Who knew this day would come...so cool...so cool =).

lmao!

Submitted by

MeltingCharcoals (680 posts)

on March 13, 2009 - 8:30pm.

I LOVE THEM I LOVE THEM I LOVE THEM!!!!

god Portia's hot and adorable! ---> i have to say. dad's homophobic but boy does he love ellen haha!

really excited to watch with mom

Submitted by

decoy (121 posts)

on March 13, 2009 - 8:33pm.

I am definitely going to watch this on Monday with my mom, who loves Ellen, and I'm really looking forward to her reaction. So far we watched the first clip that you posted and she thought it was funny and commented that "Portia is really pretty and seems extremely laid back." This is pretty big because it's one of the only times that my mom and I get to watch something together that is totally gay and totally awesome and since it's Ellen, who's hilarious and very familiar, I'm sure it's going to just seem just as natural to her that she's playing newlyweds with her wife as it is to me.

ellen&portia on the "ellen"show

Submitted by

swoopesbabe (57 posts)

on March 13, 2009 - 8:38pm.

that was so cute.ellen&portia,are perfact 4 each other.love them!

Oh my gosh

Submitted by

amaya (72 posts)

on March 13, 2009 - 10:59pm.

Those two are too cute together! I can't even list everything I loved about these videos.

Also, I've only seen Portia in character on Arrested Development so I didn't really know much about her personality. And wow, after seeing these, she seems amazing. But of course that makes sense since she is married to Ellen DeGeneres after all.

I am definitely going to watch Ellen on Monday and check out Better Off Ted.

aw, that was a great video.

Submitted by

Carone (113 posts)

on March 13, 2009 - 8:44pm.

aw, that was a great video. they're adorable together.

I have to admit, I don't

Submitted by

Kels. (66 posts)

on March 13, 2009 - 9:32pm.

I have to admit, I don't know why but before seeing this on Ellen I had always been a tad bit scared of Portia. Again, I don't know why.

But when she played guitar and pulled ellen away from the apple bin during their game session I instantly changed my mind. She's adorable.

ellen&portia

Submitted by

mrs.spoonlegs (146 posts)

on March 13, 2009 - 9:37pm.

they are so adorable!!! :D

I LOVE THEM!

Love them!

Submitted by

Tess (89 posts)

on March 13, 2009 - 9:55pm.

They are the cutest couple in the universe! Thank you so much for posting that clip it absolutely made my weekend.

Ahhhh, SO CUTE

Submitted by

junglequeen (83 posts)

on March 13, 2009 - 10:35pm.

This clip made me so happy :) Plus, I've had that Flo Rida song stuck in my head for the past couple of days.

Can't wait to see the episode and then call my mom up to see what her thoughts were, ha!

LOL

Submitted by

Fresh2Def (56 posts)

on March 13, 2009 - 10:33pm.

This segment was subversive. Especially since the background song is an ode to the joys of oral sex.

haha i thought the same

Submitted by

emily (351 posts)

on March 13, 2009 - 10:57pm.

haha i thought the same thing! very interesting choice of music.

Ops, didn't notice this was

Submitted by

BridgetIsTheGoddess (30 posts)

on March 14, 2009 - 5:09pm.

Ops, didn't notice this was here when I posted! "an ode to the joys of oral sex" LOL indeed!

I squeed a lot today

Submitted by

bananaf (194 posts)

on March 13, 2009 - 10:34pm.

when I watch the clips.

Cant wait to see the interview and the games.

Cutest couple ever!

Ellen and Portia

Submitted by

cowgal (276 posts)

on March 13, 2009 - 10:46pm.

Can't wait for the episode!

... Talk about subersive... Flo Rida and Katy Perry in the background.

that video was brilliant!!!! .... i so want to get married :D

Aww elle and portia!!!

Submitted by

Michie87 (617 posts)

on March 13, 2009 - 11:26pm.

ROFL!!! I was laughign my arse off interrupting my sis 'flashpoint' time XD haha. They are so cute together helll im not missing this show for nothing on mondayyyy!! as meltincharcoals one of my parents, my mother, is very homophobic but gets a kick out of Ellen, shecant wait for mondays show either XD. Im going to the show soon Cant wait!! :D :D . Btw, that tune she played on the piano, I cant remember its name!, what is it?? I havent played it in ages I forgot the damned name >__<. Anyone knows it?.

-------------------------------

Let it Rock,Let it roll

I believe

Submitted by

TruMischief (877 posts)

on March 14, 2009 - 12:04am.

I believe Portia was playing Moonlight Sonata,

actually...

Submitted by

uhhuhlindsey (6 posts)

on March 14, 2009 - 2:05am.

the song is fur elise, not moonlight sonata.

totally love the videos, btw. ellen and portia are adorable together.

wow, i never knew Portia

Submitted by

Clara (875 posts)

on March 13, 2009 - 11:41pm.

wow, i never knew Portia sounded somuch like mia Kirshner/Jenny. like when she says 'babe i'm gonna leave you'

also Ellen's laugh sounds like Spongebob (I think)

I love the thing when they were on that string together, Portia was sneaky! and i really like her now, adorable, even crushable, and yes oddly she did seem a little scary before, i don't know why we thought that..

________________________________

My AfterEllen/Bridget Video Game

"there's always time for a burrow..."

"We're getting fired, fired, fired, fi..

Portia...

Submitted by

ALibraOfHerOwn (55 posts)

on March 14, 2009 - 12:21am.

Portia is playing Fur Elise by Beethoven and yes they're beyond adorable, they are really great role models.

Thank you!! Yeah I

Submitted by

Michie87 (617 posts)

on March 14, 2009 - 12:54am.

Thank you!! Yeah I remembered after TruMischief mentiones the Moonlight Sonata masterpiece it hit home. SO, I guess you play piano too? :)

-----------------------

Let it Rock,Let it roll

ahh yes but I was wrong

Submitted by

TruMischief (877 posts)

on March 14, 2009 - 10:34am.

I was wrong, and a few people corrected me. I know maybe three classical pieces,

Thanks for the catch.

Hilarious, can't wait 'til

Submitted by

imamarshmallow (83 posts)

on March 14, 2009 - 2:09am.

Hilarious, can't wait 'til Monday!!!

They have good chemistry on-screen too. Loved the part when Portia was blindfolded looking for the seat lol, she looks adorable :D

Awww...

Submitted by

FrozenGrape (23 posts)

on March 14, 2009 - 2:17am.

That was so adorable! I can't wait to watch their interview and the Newlywed's Game.

They're so funny. I loved the 'apple game' and Portia just succeeding to get there at the same time as Ellen. Her 'victory air punching' is great. xD

And --- Yay for visibility. : )

"We come spinning out of nothingness, scattering stars like dust."

-Rumi-

That was adorable!

Submitted by

pancreas (298 posts)

on March 14, 2009 - 3:18am.

That was adorable!

:)

Submitted by

Twentysomething (25 posts)

on March 14, 2009 - 3:22am.

They are super cute!! I can't wait to see this show...the newlywed game looks like it will be pretty funny :)

"There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart. Pursue these." ~Michael Nolan <3

hey ohmygosh this hasnt

Submitted by

X_Predictable_X (116 posts)

on March 14, 2009 - 4:40am.

hey ohmygosh this hasnt been shown on tv yet has it? as i havent been watching on tv much lately as i've been having to work, so i hope i havent missed it!

that video of them "preparing" for the interview on ellen is hilarious, i couldnt stop laughing! :) i love them both to bits. can't wait to see the interview. :)

Im Excited

Submitted by

Mars (75 posts)

on March 14, 2009 - 4:53am.

I love how there premoting there same sex marriage to a new level. And who could agrue? Every one loves Ellen. And whoever doesnt love ellen is just Jelous and Love Pochia.

Though seeing some contervesy would be amusing.

So adorable

Submitted by

Pesto the Pirate (84 posts)

on March 14, 2009 - 4:58am.

That was SO cute.

Can they be on TV more often together?

cant wait 2 watch this episode

Submitted by

nina (37 posts)

on March 14, 2009 - 5:09am.

They look so cute 2gather didnt know Portia culd be soo cute havnt seen much of her except on Ally mcbeal n yeah a lil bit on nip/tuck

sum ppl say dat u dnt no wat u hv until u loose it but its not like dat. U always knw wat u hv u just nvr thot u wud loose it

you've already watched the first 2 episodes?

Submitted by

CaroL (126 posts)

on March 14, 2009 - 6:03am.

how?! omg I wanna watch it so bad!!

maybe this show will finally fill the empy hole Arrested Development left on me when it ended :P

www.myspace.com/carolconti

Aw they're so cute. I

Submitted by

Hopeless_Savage (382 posts)

on March 14, 2009 - 6:06am.

Aw they're so cute.

I love Portia :P

Made my day

Submitted by

Jenn (62 posts)

on March 14, 2009 - 7:34am.

anything ellen does is so funny.

i felt bad though because i woke up my gf from laughing.

Make FREE LEGIT money online. I've made 60 bucks in just two weeks already. Once a month check that really comes in handy!

http://cashcrate.com/1146972

Wonder

Submitted by

D0nna (331 posts)

on March 14, 2009 - 8:21am.

If they would invite me over for dinner....

aaaw

Submitted by

Cullen (87 posts)

on March 14, 2009 - 9:17am.

Now i gotta go check my blood sugar level ^_^

I can not stop watching this...

Submitted by

Caitlin (89 posts)

on March 14, 2009 - 9:19am.

I can not stop watching this - they are so perfect together. If I end up in a relationship half as healthy as theirs looks then I will be a very happy girl. :)

Can't wait for Monday!

"I love how subversive this is - "

Submitted by

Leigh7 (52 posts)

on March 14, 2009 - 10:06am.

I love how Ellen kept using the words "natural" and "normal" as well... :)

They are both absolutely adorable in those clips!

What a song choice...

Submitted by

BridgetIsTheGoddess (30 posts)

on March 14, 2009 - 10:15am.

I LOVED the practice interview and I thought they looked adorable together! I love when they're talking and looking to each other in the beginning and then in the end cuz they just ooze chemistry!!! And I looved the song choice "it's getting on it here so take off all your clothes" while they figure out how to greet each other!!! And they when they're playing blind-folded musical chairs and the song in the background is saying "you spin my head right round, right round; when you go down, go down down" LOL images just kept popping up in my head!

~Rachel i didn't notice

Submitted by

rache86 (23 posts)

on March 14, 2009 - 11:28am.

~Rachel

i didn't notice that at first!!! haha very aweomse. I really loved the chemistry as well.

chemistry times a hundred

Submitted by

tated (15 posts)

on March 14, 2009 - 10:57pm.

This was what I found the most groundbreaking about the video: having crazy chemistry and showing it. Yard games? Blindfolds and apple contests? Yowsa!

Also, throw a barbeque and invite us!

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