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Ellen wins People's Choice Award, thanks "my roommate Portia"

Sarah Warn

Last night, Ellen won the People's Choice Award for Best Talk Show Host again, and ended her rambling speech with "and to my roommate Portia, thank you very much, as well" (watch it here). Love that she made that point, and in such a humorous way.

Here are a few pics of Ellen accepting the award:

And two cute photos of Ellen and Portia de Rossi at the event:

I didn't actually watch CBS's broadcast of the awards — EW's PopWatch does a pretty good explaining why it's not worth it (with a nod to "the emotional fortitude it must take for Ellen DeGeneres to keep getting up there and smiling at the nice people who cheer for her when she dances her funny dance but refuse to give her the civil rights necessary to marry her 'roommate'") — but yay to Christina Applegate, Kyra Sedgwick, Angelina Jolie, Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood, and Tina Fey also taking home trophies.

(No comment on Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl" winning "Favorite Pop Song" — I think we've covered the problems with that song enough.)

See all the nominees and winners here.

Did you watch the show?

Sarah Warn's blog

Submitted by

Sarah Warn

on January 8, 2009 - 2:00pm.

TAGS ::

I love ellen!!

Submitted by

riotgrrrljaz (96 posts)

on January 8, 2009 - 3:32pm.

i did not watch the show but i did see the ellen clip right now and she is so awesome!

______________________________________________

We Want Revolution Grrrl Style Now! -BIKINI KILL

ELLEN IS #1

Submitted by

chilaxing (292 posts)

on January 8, 2009 - 3:40pm.

I watched the clip and she is just amazing! Ellen rulez!

ps. Portia is a cutie :-)

Congrats to Ellen

Submitted by

Bea (22 posts)

on January 8, 2009 - 3:50pm.

and woop woop for Katy winning best song compared to the ones she was up against!

REPLACE FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN WITH CURIOSITY.

A lot of the posts that I

Submitted by

Kat (105 posts)

on January 8, 2009 - 4:00pm.

A lot of the posts that I have come across on this website seem to really really hate Katy Perry's song. I thought it was great and I admit to singing along with it (only in my car though), it was catchy. I don't see why some people are so uptight about it, it's a song. I'm not trying to offend anyone, this is all just my opinion so please don't hate on me. And congratulations to Ellen, she deserves every award she gets.

Well you're not offending me!

Submitted by

Bea (22 posts)

on January 8, 2009 - 4:41pm.

I couldn't be happier for Katy to win. The song still makes me smile and sing along. I've said in one of my previous posts on the site, I don't get the big hoopla about the song and lyrics. I'm certainly not offended by them. So I'm definately with you on this one. I LIKE Katy.

REPLACE FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN WITH CURIOSITY.

I've always loved the song,

Submitted by

Kat (105 posts)

on January 8, 2009 - 4:48pm.

I've always loved the song, but then I came on this site and saw how people were reacting kind of...badly to it and it surprised me. I get why people say that it's stereotypical in a way, but I always saw it as just a catchy song and never really took it too seriously. I've been wanting to post about why people are hung up on it, but didn't want a backlash because I tend to cower easily when under attack. I'm just glad I'm not alone, thanks.

Well I used to like it...

Submitted by

Gaby (355 posts)

on January 8, 2009 - 5:16pm.

Until a lot of straight (as in narrow minded) people starting saying that me and my gf (both bi) where just doing what the song was telling us. That we were together cause the song was suddenly famous and all..... Otherwise I would be singing along because it really is catchy.

An explanation

Submitted by

Sarah Warn (4176 posts)

on January 8, 2009 - 7:27pm.

The issue isn't that "I Kissed a Girl" is a bad song - it's actually quite good, from the standpoint of being catchy, fun to dance to, etc. The problem is that the lyrics of the song trivialize/denigrate bisexuality and lesbianism in an time in which we have very little visibility on TV, and our civil rights are being denied because Americans don't take our relationships seriously.

In other words: it's all about context.

If there were a dozen hit songs about lesbian relationships, or bisexual women, Katy's song wouldn't be a big deal. It wouldn't be necessary to take it seriously, as you suggest, because there would be other songs that offer other portrayals of lesbian/bi women and relationships. But when it's the ONLY song about this topic at the top of the pop charts, and the people listening to this song have the power to take away our civil rights (and have in fact, just done so), then it makes sense to take this song seriously. Especially if you believe, as I do, that entertainment influences how people think, even if it's only in subtle ways (in fact, entertainment can be a powerful influencer because your guard is usually down when you're consuming it, so it's actually more subversive than more straightforward attempts to influence people).

Does that make sense?

I get what you're saying

Submitted by

Kat (105 posts)

on January 8, 2009 - 8:59pm.

I get what you're saying about the rights of the LGBT not being taken seriously and how Katy Perry's song didn't exactly help matters. Maybe I'm just not able to see it from a straight person's point of view of how 'ridiculous' gay rights would be and see "I Kissed a Girl" as just another typical song about lesbian/bisexual women that didn't work out and see it as proof that the LGBT shouldn't have rights. I didn't realize that that is how some (or most) people would respond to the song. I have a problem with assuming things and didn't think the song would further cause skepticism about the LGBT community's ability to have rights.

You're right, I didn't consider that the song might affect other people's views on lesbians/bisexuals as a whole as it is increasing the stereotypes. But I nonetheless still like the song. I will continue to sing along with it because it doesn't bother me. Maybe the song should bother me, maybe the lyrics should bother me, maybe the message it's sending should bother me, but I just can't bring myself to take the song as seriously as I should because that's just me. Maybe I'm just lazy?

To pop, to pause, to think

Submitted by

missmenno (3 posts)

on January 8, 2009 - 9:11pm.

I hear you, SW; I think you've really captured the point of view of those of us who might LIKE the catchiness and fun of the song but realise that its proliferation is really so much bigger and more complex than its pop-musical genius. I hear this song play at queer clubs and the part of me that loves to dance itches to hit the dancefloor. The part of me that tries to think through what our all-too-homophobic culture constantly throws our way for absorption, however, causes me to sit my butt down and cast a rather sad glance at the DJ and the hordes who've hit the dancefloor. I feel like we've been duped by the fun and the frivolity, and not just in this. And I definitely don't exclude myself from the equation, 'cause even when I sit my butt down to boycott "I Kissed a Girl", my blissfully oblivious toe still taps away, in spite of itself.

sigh.

Submitted by

golden X years (144 posts)

on January 9, 2009 - 3:12am.

life is already hard enough...pop music shouldnt be taken so seriously...

Though i totally understand all the view points on this subject...and the drunk girls who kiss for attention really make me mad...most of my feelings about it are that i just want to dance and obnoxiously sing along. But i don't think that makes makes me any less of an advocate for LGBT rights, or that i'm not someone who takes it seriously...because i'd like to think i'm pretty well informed [ thanks to AE ;) ]

Honestly, I would be really hype to see an interview with her on here! Sarah get on that :) Confront her with some of this stuff and see what she has to say. Hey, she could turn out to be a really great ally.

[ If an interview like this already exists then i apologize ]

I'm sorry

Submitted by

Bea (22 posts)

on January 9, 2009 - 6:49am.

I STILL don't see how Katy's song is sending these wrong signals. She's writing about something that has been going on for ages, girls gettin' drunk making out with other girls for fun, but still straight the next day.

I think the "problem" with the song is the bad timing of release for it. I don't think people would have had such a BIG problem with the song if it hadn't been for prop 8. I could be wrong but that's what I think.

REPLACE FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN WITH CURIOSITY.

oh boy..

Submitted by

mindgrapes (42 posts)

on January 8, 2009 - 4:29pm.

While I was super excited that Ellen and Tina Fey were among the winners last night, there were quite a few more moments where I wanted to gouge my eyes out. For instance, when Kid Rock defeated Coldplay for best rock song...or when Reese Witherspoon defeated Keira Knightley (now I love Reese Witherspoon as much as the next person, but getting puked on by a baby should not have overshadowed Keira's moving performance in The Duchess). I shake my fist at thee, "people"!

Heehee...Roommate

Submitted by

cosmiccowgirl (1071 posts)

on January 8, 2009 - 5:06pm.

I think Ellen is more genuinely funny now than she has ever been.

They are just great

Submitted by

Katiria **Kat** (34 posts)

on January 8, 2009 - 5:49pm.

Ellen is very clever and witty and the fact she said room-mate is funny yet sad....she is married she has a wife...its a shame that this country is so backwards!!!!

Ellen and Portia are so AWESOME!!!!

Ha Ha

Submitted by

Alisha (288 posts)

on January 8, 2009 - 6:38pm.

Ellen...Ellen...Ellen! Haha! So funny....and so sad because it's true....some would rather hear about a "roomate" than girlfriend or even better, WIFE! This country needs to start accepting the facts. Gays are here. No matter what. Try to twist it anyway they like...still here...still queer.

http://www.drunkduck.com/Empathy/

hehe

Submitted by

laurajessica23 (2 posts)

on January 18, 2009 - 6:17pm.

Still here still queer.....i like that!!

So Cute!

Submitted by

natz (84 posts)

on January 8, 2009 - 7:02pm.

Ellen and Portia make a gorgeous couple :)

Dr Horrible!

Submitted by

Zillah (62 posts)

on January 8, 2009 - 7:07pm.

...and congrats to Dr. Horrible's Sing-A-Long Blog, which won Best Online Sensation (although the award was not mentioned in the televised broadcast...again).

Was there a poll taken of Ellen's fans?

Submitted by

Nothing (468 posts)

on January 8, 2009 - 7:27pm.

Because I don't remember seeing the results of that. It's not real fair to assume that Ellen's fans voted Yes on 8. It could very well be that her true fans voted No. We'll never really know unless someone out there polled them. There are probably not a lot of right-winged religious zealots who frequent her show, unless it's to picket over her lifestyle choice. The people who can ignore Ellen's sexual orientation and view her show because she's a good entertainer are probably not the same ones who are going to vote yes to discriminate against her.

Well, I'm guessing that a

Submitted by

Triple A (14 posts)

on January 8, 2009 - 9:22pm.

Well, I'm guessing that a large percentage of the people who watch her show are just your regular ol' house wives. Many of which tend to vote more on the conservative side. There's still a lot of people who genuinly don't feel like voting Yes on things like Prop 8 is discriminating against gays.

MC Hyperfunkmaster E Diddy Ice Da

We're everywhere - even at home with children

Submitted by

deborina (16 posts)

on January 9, 2009 - 12:29am.

Triple A,

You're mostly right though I have to represent my people--the housewives. All my housewife peeps - gay and in opposing-gendered relationships - are anything but conservative. It's probably a regional thing more than a stay-at-home-mom thing.

Just felt the need to speak up for us housewives across the country...who love Ellen and voted no.

...but mostly you're right.

http://www.peachesandcoconuts.com

Fan of Ellen does not equal No on 8

Submitted by

Angie5x5 (240 posts)

on January 9, 2009 - 3:48am.

I personally know plenty of people who like Ellen (and other gay people) yet still voted yes on 8, and most of them aren't "right-winged religious zealots."

Yay Tina Fey won!!!

Submitted by

psyco (70 posts)

on January 8, 2009 - 7:50pm.

I didint see the awards but I´m glad tha Tina Fey and Ellen Degeneres won. Nice touch of Ellen to said that hehe, shes awesome.

Well Done

Submitted by

Elisabeth (41 posts)

on January 8, 2009 - 8:24pm.

That was brilliantly done. I have tears coming down from my face from playing that over and over again. Ellen has an amazing way of talking about political issues without really talking about them. This is even funnier than when she told John McCain "So you'll walk me down the aisle?"......I only watched part of the awards show yesterday, but if I had remembered Ellen was up for an award as favorite talkshow host I would have watched the whole thing. I'm glad Portia understood what Ellen was doing the camera went straight to her and she was laughed and nodded. It was like they expected her to look angry or something.

Side note: Is it just me or does Hugh Laurie look pissed off when the camera goes over to him the first time and then the seond time it does he has sort of a strained smile on his face. On a second note did anyone else see how the camera was on Portia for a while, but then when she went to...I don't know how to explain it but at 35 seconds they cut her off.

Happy for Ellen

Submitted by

AMN (239 posts)

on January 8, 2009 - 8:54pm.

It's good to see that Ellen continues to enjoy the popularity she does. After being cancelled and basically blacklisted for coming out, watching her succeed is just that much better. I didn't watch the show as I have little use for award shows in general. I figure anything I need to know will be reported on sites such as this, and/or captured on You Tube. I can do without all the over the top glitz and glamour, and discussions on who's shoes cost ten million dollars.

As for Katy Perry, I'm hoping she just fades into the background. I am one of the people bothered by "I Kissed a Girl", and I despise the "You're so Gay" song. Aren't open-minded, intelligent celebrities doing PSA's declaring it's wrong to use gay as a slur or insult? Yet, for some unknown reason, Ms Perry is an act at Dinah this year?? I just can't wrap my brain around it. Please tell me it's just an early April Fool's joke.

"That which you believe becomes your world."

Oh WOW

Submitted by

Elisabeth (41 posts)

on January 8, 2009 - 10:12pm.

I didn't know about the you're so gay song so of course I had to look it up, and I could not believe what I was listening to. Good thing it isn't summer or else a fly could have flown into my mouth since my jaw dropped and practically hit the floor.

They

Submitted by

Kimmaayy..! (743 posts)

on January 8, 2009 - 10:40pm.

looked so beautiful last night =)

So happy too!

http://kiiimmmaaayyy.blogspot.com/ CHECK IT!

Yes!

Submitted by

bananaf (194 posts)

on January 9, 2009 - 12:38am.

You did it again, Ellen. They both looked so beautiful. (And I'm lovin their wedding rings...)

I don't think Ellen is THAT

Submitted by

Lauren (183 posts)

on January 9, 2009 - 3:18am.

I don't think Ellen is THAT funny and I feel like a lot of her popularity is from being a lesbian.

sad, sad, sad

Submitted by

season (23 posts)

on January 9, 2009 - 9:46am.

yea, really, i feel so sad with Ellen's line for Portia. But... let's go on with our lives and continue spreading the LOVE :)

Big up Katy Perry

Submitted by

blue-c (234 posts)

on January 9, 2009 - 1:12pm.

Let me tell you why I love Katy Perry and will always be grateful to her for saving my relationship. My girlfriend has a 14 year old daughter (from a heterosexual marriage) who had a very, very difficult time accepting our relationship. She was angry, resentful and disgusted by the whole concept. She treated both her mother and I with absolute contempt because the concept of two women together was so alien to her. She worried about what her friends would think and how they would react. We tried everything we could to try and make her understand. When Katy Perry's song came out and everyone from 4 to 40 was singing it...in her 14 year old mind it made our relationship acceptable and even 'cool' and her entire attitude toward us an our relationship changed. What those of you who are so politically correct don't understand is that any positive spin on homosexuality can never be a bad thing. She took a lot of the stigma away for a lot of teenagers who themselves will one day be adults and perhaps thanks to her, be a little more open minded and tolerant. So jump off your high horses and your soapboxes and thank her for paving the way...at least a little.

seiously "no one"?

Submitted by

G0dot (111 posts)

on January 10, 2009 - 12:32am.

love alicia keys and love love love "like you'll never see me again", but "no one" is just a big fat NO! it was good at first, but got annoying and old really fast. "with you" > "no one"

sucks that the online dance battle didn't win =( and LOL at them misspelling kobe bryant's name wrong on the website

YAY!

Submitted by

ice cream (not verified)

on January 11, 2009 - 3:41am.

She truly deserved to win in my opinion, she's by far the most entertaining and good hearted person on tv, she's so damn genuine and likeable and to put a spin on it - my rolemodel :)

The roommate comment kicked a** ;)

Visibility matters!

Submitted by

cookies (19 posts)

on January 11, 2009 - 4:15pm.

Thank you Ellen!

http://www.theplanetcast.proboards106.com

hey there ellen and portia

Submitted by

timsy (27 posts)

on January 15, 2009 - 5:36am.

hey there ellen and portia look great together and she deserver this award

Orange?

Submitted by

Aeriana Eve (28 posts)

on February 10, 2009 - 12:46am.

Maybe it's just me, but doesn't Ellen look...orange? Granted, they just returned from Bora-Bora for the holidays, (love that they showed vacation videos on the show!) but it's a little bit too "whoa orange" for me!

heya

Submitted by

just_kayla (2 posts)

on March 1, 2009 - 9:05pm.

i love that ellen and portia are both vegan. Yeah i agree about Katie Perry, she has made the concept of (for lack of better words) girl on girl a little more cool. has anyone heard the song i kissed a boy by cobra starship, perhaps it will have the same effect on male on male relationships :p

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