Rosie: Ellen is contractually forbidden to talk about gay issues on her show

well, first of all I agree with you, ro might have the facts wrong, as she probably wouldn't lie about this on purpose. I can't quite believe that ellen signed such a contract, she doesn't mention Portia a lot, but she does sometimes mention her and says "we" all the time, so if she had signed such a contract than she wouldn't be allowed to talk to her at all! I hope that it's not true, because then it's perfectly ok for me, I totally understand ellen.

if it's true, then it matters and is really disturbing... but I guess we'll never know. 

"Normal is not something to aspire to, it's something to get away from." ~ Jodie Foster

Wow. Really? Can this be true? 

I can't beleive that she would have signed a contract like that, and if she did she must have broken it recently as i too have noticed (even from England, where we are a month or so behind the US) that she has become a little bit more vocal about gay topics. TR; that other bloke who i dont know who is out; the monologue she did about Portia's birthday; she read out an email from a straight woman responding (positively) to what Ellen and TR were saying about a celeb coming out of the closet helps kids to stay out of graves (like, suicide due to shame etcetc).

i really hope she hasnt got a contract like that. I hope osie just has her wires crossed.

I think its ok for Ellen not to be really outspoken on gay issues. She did pave a big road in the entertainment industry, and as far as positive role models go, she is the best. I dont think that she has to use her show as a soap-box because she does so many other good things through her show, and is so generous with viewers and with her time, i think that if she made a bigger deal about being a lesbian that would overshadow a lot of the great things she does.

Yet at the same time she doesnt deny her sexuality or attempt to hide it.

i think my favourite ellen moment ever was when she interviewed Tyra Banks, and Tyra was talking about having to pretend to be a guy and kiss a girl. Ellen's reaction to this - a subtle little comment - had her, tyra, the audience and me, in fits of giggles. youtube it if you can, it was brilliance!

I think ellen is striking a pretty decent balance. And good for her, she is, after all, more popular than ever. Who'd have thought 10 years ago that an out lesbain would host the oscars!!!

~I've been watching your world from afar, I've been trying to be where you are, I've been secretly falling apart...~

It’s all about class.  Rosie is no different than a guy bragging about his machismo.  Very tiresome.  Ellen is cool, funny, inspirational and classy.  No bragging needed.  She’s done more for the gay community and did it with character, humor and modesty.  I liked Rosie in the past, but now she needs to chill and go with the flow, get comfortable with who she is and add humor where needed.  The result is more powerful and constructive.

After her very-much-public coming out, it's hard to believe. Let's face it, Ellen basically hacked her way out of the closet with a fire ax, so it's difficult to fathom her signing a contract to go back in. I generally like Rosie, but she's been known to shoot her mouth off with very little to back it up.

 I watched Ellen's show when it first came on, but haven't seen it more than a couple of times in the last couple of years. It's a bit too glib, and often moronic, for me. Even the comedy bits got too cloying, and as for the interviews, I couldn't care less what any celebrity thinks about anything. So I don't know if she avoids gay issues or not, but in the show's first season, she made quite a few references to her gayness. One in particular stands out: the show opened with a pie-eating contest, and Ellen remarked how she likes pie. Then she said she likes pizza, and pudding, and then said "I guess I like to eat anything that starts with a 'p'," then pretended to look confused at the whoops from the audience.

Although I don't watch her talk show, the stand she took 10 years ago by coming out on her sitcom was awesome, and for that, she'll always be one of my heroes. And, if she ever does have the cast of 'The L Word' on, that one I'll Tivo...

Well I believe Ro. I like both Ellen and Rosie, and I don't find this to be any type of big bombshell. The Ellen show is a apolitical, light entertainment morning/afternoon show with a large midwest audience who, imo, would probably stop watching, no matter how many washing machines Ellen gave them, if she rattled on too much about being a lesbian. I wish she would stop her swooning over male guests though. She definitely gets annoying when she does that.

Why does the unibomber look-a-like, on Ro's right, never stop eating!? lol.

I'm with Rosie on this one. Although she has since posted a correction on her site.

The thing is, when Laura Dern told Ellen she didnt get work for a year after the Puppy episode, Ellen replied by saying she didnt get any phone calls for work for three years. I suspect that when Ellen signed her first contract for her talk show she agreed not to talk about being gay. I think Rosie was right about that. But now Ellen is, no doubt, on at least contract two, and having won all those awards, started dating someone as famous as Portia, and has such a high profile, she can now say and do what she wants. It would explain why the conspicuous silence on all things gay has lifted in the last season... 

Did she, didn't she? Who cares. The woman put her hard-won career on the line for the sake of her honesty and personal credibility, so it seems extremely unlikely that she ever would have agreed to such a contract (or that anyone negotiating with her would be so stupid as to ask her to do so). But after all she did in the 90s, I'm sure she was keen to avoid becoming a one-note celebrity known "just" for being gay, and most likely deliberately underplayed the gayness somewhat to win new audiences. And, hey, it worked, so good on her! She also comes across as a pretty classy sort of person who doubtless wants to recover something verging on a private life. Her stand up comedy is more my cup of tea than the rather bland confection of her daytime show (or her sitcom), but more power to her.

Rosie O'Donnell, on the other hand, is what we in Melbourne would call a bogan and her blog should be seen as the rantings of the under-medicated.

Not Only But Also

Just figured I'd share what Rosie said on her blog about this.

Funny how people's hidden prejudices suddenly come leaping out at the slightest provocation. Some of the vitriol directed here towards Rosie has just been pure snobbishness..."undermedicated", "bogan", "no class".

Not everyone is lucky enough to be born with a silver spoon shoved up their ass.

Rosie had enough class to apologize for being mistaken; I look forward to some posters here doing the same.

That got out pretty fast.  It's all over the internet now.

I believe there was a talk that she shouldn't be "too gay" but I don't believe there was a formal contract involved.  It hasn't held true anyways, if there were, since there has been numerous gay references, some subtle and some obvious in many seasons.  She has mentioned both Alex and Portia.  I know people say that she's more than just a gay woman and the show is not meant to be a "gay" talkshow and while I agree with that, I don't want her to refrain from it.  I like the little stories.  They're cute.

And why is Rosie posting it on her blog?  Why is she the one to "expose" this said contract?

is a good person. I love that she plugs us habitually, but sometimes it would be nice if she would...well, not cause commotion. I think to Ellen, it's not about being gay. Obviously, I don't know her, but it doesn't seem like that is the biggest part of her. Whereas Rosie makes it sound like that is who she is -- the gay woman. Ellen is just a woman. I don't know which one is right (is she or isn't she allowed?) but either way, I love both of these ladies. 

www.MyLesbiology.com

I would not want to comment one way or the other on Rosie's claims. She is not exactly the eptiome of credibility--in fact a lot of her views border upon pure lunacy.

I think it is appropriate to comment that on Rosie's old show she was fully in the closet so far as America was concerned. She was known as the "Queen of Nice." Does anyone remember how she used to go gaw gaw over Tom Cruise--and that idea is repuslive regardless of sexual orientation.

Everyone knows Ellen is gay. And I have heard her discuss gay issues on her show. Its just not an exculsively gay or lesbian show. And I think that is great. There is more to her than just being a lesbian--and she is America's sweetheart even though everyone knows she is a lesbian.

What could be better for us?

The hype of The Ellen Show, really. I mean, what is she really doing that's new and unusual? Oh, wait, that's right, she's a lesbian.

I was thinking today (strangely enough, seeing this blog) that the only reason Ellen's done so well is because she's a lesbian. Don't get me wrong, that's fantastic.

Yet consider this - if Ellen were anyone else, would her show still be going? Really? I mean, she interviews celebrities. Like Conan and Leno don't? She talks. She fights for Animal Rights and helps people. I'm sorry, didn't Oprah do that? Or still does. The only difference between Ellen and all the other idiots out there with 'their' talk-shows is that Ellen is a lesbian.

I realise my strong feelings about this might offend others. If you're still reading, please do no be offended as my opinion is my own, to which I am entitled, just as you are entitled to your own. Just please don't say it's that Mercy's an idiot, too. Well, you can say it, just don't post it!

You wrote: Funny how people's hidden prejudices suddenly come leaping out at the slightest provocation. Some of the vitriol directed here towards Rosie has just been pure snobbishness..."undermedicated", "bogan", "no class". 

You seem to be quoting exclusively from my post while suggesting somewhat aggressively that I have a silver spoon "shoved" up my "ass". I'm disappointed in you. A true bogan would have said "arse".

I didn't actually say Rosie has no class, but come to think of it, she hasn't. As for suggesting my prejudices are hidden, au contraire ma cherie. My prejudices are front and centre; the main one being a complete impatience with ill-informed, inflamatory bloggers who defame a pretty admirable person and cause an utterly absurd story to take off like wild fire in blogspace.

Not Only But Also

Whether or not such a contract ever existed, Rosie's comments are unfair because they vilify Ellen for something she never set out to do. The View is not The Ellen Show - 'Hot Topics' provides Rosie a forum for addressing... well, hot topics such as gay marriage and lesbian parenting. Ellen on the other hand gets a seven minute monologue to make a few cute quips and warm her audience up for the light-hearted fun ahead. As keen as I am to catch an 'I'm not quite straight' comment or a split-second Portia sighting, I know that the Ellen show was never designed to be too personal or political... that's the format and she sticks to it, and for that she can't be criticised...

Non-heteros of the world unite!

Last thing we need is an argument about bogans and silver spoons (not sure if that's what's going on exactly, sorry, wasn't really reading properly). We all know that the only bogan with a silver spoon is Ewen Gilmour, and he only uses it to open beer bottles.

Gobia - don't know what you've been watching and that's a great point you've got there. Yet again I say Oprah's been doing what Ellen's doing FAR longer. Regardless of what time of the day you're on, the shows are all the same. It's all hype, as far as I'm concerned. I guess I don't see Ellen as my 'Role Model', nor do I see how she's paved the way for lesbians on television. I don't believe that anyone's done that, I just think that times have changed. But I love a good conversation, so thank you for giving me something to think about - muchly appreciated!

The thing I've never understood about Rosie is - why hasn't she learnt yet that shooting your mouth off gets you no where? I mean, the number of times that woman has had to make some apology or another... I remember reading her book, too. What was it called? It was basically about how she met this young woman, through her TV show I believe, and this young woman needed help, etc, was suicidal, etc, and Rosie helped her through that, only to find out that it was all a prank. At least, I think that was the gist. And I remember reading it and thinking - perhaps if you'd kept your mouth shut, you'd have not have had to go through it. It would have been a rather emotional ordeal to suffer through, yet still it has not taught her a damned thing. How is it that some people can be so smart, yet so utterly stupid?

Cause Ellen never talks about being gay. Her stand up act before she had the Ellen show outdid Seinfeld in that it was about NOTHING. Her best jokes simply picked apart the banality of daily life. Elevators. Getting lost. Talking to strangers. Her comedy has never been political, topical, confessional or wild. She ain't about to change now.

Unlike Rosie, Ellen doesn't push ANY buttons, which is why Soccer Mom and Lawnmower Dad love her. I think it's a hoot that Rosie calls her on the contract, whether or not it's true or meaningful. Let Ellen answer to that one. Should make for an interesting show. For once.

I don't think Ellen would ever sign something like that, especially now. I think that she doesn't talk about the fact that she's gay all the time because she just doesn't, probably because she doesn't feel like it's necessary. I agree with the people that say The Ellen Show is not The View, and has a whole different purpose.

I agree that Ellen may have downplayed her being gay in the first years of her talk show, but I don't think that it was because something else made her do it (like a contract). It was probably a personal decision, based on her previous experiences with TV shows.

Despite all that, I think both of them are important in their own way, even if I don't agree with Rosie on a lot of things, and think it would be better for her (and for everyone) if she didn't say some of it.

I get tired of people complaining that Ellen doesn't talk about her private life enough and that Rosie talks about hers too much. It is silly. They are two very different shows, with different formats. The View has always had women who tell us great details about their home life, their husbands, their kids etc. Rosie is doing what she is paid to do. Talk shows like Ellen, and Rosie's previous show, don't have that as part of their format. How much about David or Conan's personals lives do we know from what they say on their shows.

Now that said, the live blog that Rosie's comments were made on, is totally unscripted and off the cuff and wonderful.  But I think she forgot she wasn't just talking to her personal friends when she made the comment about Ellen's contract. People have written her many times asking basically the same question, and on the written blog she has been very careful about her response.

Interesting.

I like both Ellen and Rosie (although Rosie really gets on my nerves with her in-your-face constantly shit) but I don't believe Rosie. She may have been kidding or something (I don't know if she would outright lie) but it's not true. Just watch the show to see the evidence. Ellen talks about Portia more and more and has had several interviews about gay issues. TR Knight, Laura Dern, etc etc. Plus her material has never been about being gay or stirring shit or anything.

haikuboxer said it better:

"Cause Ellen never talks about being gay. Her stand up act before she had the Ellen show outdid Seinfeld in that it was about NOTHING. Her best jokes simply picked apart the banality of daily life. Elevators. Getting lost. Talking to strangers. Her comedy has never been political, topical, confessional or wild. She ain't about to change now."

Even if you look at her stand-up like the "Here and Now" show which was in front of a mostly gay audience (available on youtube, it's hilarious, watch it) she only references her coming out at the start and moves on to other things. She's just not as obsessed with it as Rosie. Which isn't hard. And sometimes it's a good thing. She mentions her partner and some of her hard times when she came out but she doesn't go on and on boring gay and straight alike.

as far as im concerned, ellen can do what she likes. she's paid her dues. im just glad to see her rich and famous and being where she always wanted to be. rosie should really check things out before she starts blabbing. dont get me wrong, i like them both, but god i cant stand the way rosie posts in her blogs! its so annoying.

Peanuts.

I just thought I'd contribute something stupid to a pretty serious conversation for a laugh.

i've been watching ellen's show for about 6 months (yeah, i'm a little behind), so admittedly, i've missed the first few seasons.  I'll agree on one thing, it's very subtle, and i can probably count the number of lesbian/gay references on one hand.  But let's look beyond what Ellen actually says.  What other female host does a talk show with a tie and sneakers?  Be happy that someone is out there representing us.  Yeah sure, she doesn't jump on the gay bandwagon and do her gay dance every show (fans of her standup will know what i'm talking about), but at least she's OUT there. 

I was disappointed on one episode where she had the actor who plays Tim (forgot his name and can't be bothered to do a search lol) from the L Word, and not ONE mention of the show.

As for Rosie, I don't actually watch the show, but I've heard how outspoken she is.  About this supposed contract of Ellen's... Rosie was just expressing her point of view - which isn't a crime. 

Didn't Rosie admit to signing a contract not to cut her hair when she went on The View?

And I actually agree with you, Sarah. As a lesbian who just lives her life and doesn't shove anything in anyone's face, I've been told by many people that I was the one who proved to them that homosexuals weren't all rainbow-clad Pride-obsessed people whose entire life revolved around being gay--in short, I helped blurred the line of division for them. Some might say I sold out and assimilated, but how can anyone tell me how to live my life? Doesn't that go against the whole idea of tolerance and acceptance that the LGBT community extols?

I feel like Ellen is much the same way. She continues to assert her homosexuality in other more subtle ways--the pantsuits, the haircut, the way she walks and talks, bringing Portia to events--but she also shows that lesbians can fit into a place in society and don't need to destroy it as the conservatives are convinced we want to do.

And anyway, do you hear Oprah talking about her personal life all the time? Or Letterman, Leno, or Conan? The only person I can think of who regularly talked about her personal life on her show was Rosie, and I remember how absolutely sick people got of hearing about her kids' latest trip to the bathroom (Kelly Ripa is like this too, actually). Sometimes, there just isn't any time for the host's personal life.

"Out of the box is where I live." -Starbuck