Ellen (ABC 1994-1998, Ellen DeGeneres, Jeremy Piven)

Sitcom Ellen centered on Ellen Morgan, played by stand-up comedian Ellen DeGeneres, a neurotic bookstore owner in her thirties.

The series main focus was on Ellen’s dealing with her quirky friends, her family and the problems of daily life. The series is notable for being the first one in which the main character came out as gay, which DeGeneres’ character did in the 1997 episode ‘Puppy Episode’. This event received a great deal of media exposure, ignited controversy, and prompted ABC to place a parental advisory at the beginning of each episode.

The series’ theme song, ‘So Called Friend’ is by Scottish band Texas. A running gag was that each episode had a distinct opening credits sequence, resulting from Ellen’s ongoing search for the perfect opening credits.

production details
USA | ABC | 109×25 minutes | 29 March 1994 – 22 July 1998

Creators: Carol Black, Neal Marlens, David S. Rosenthal

cast
Joely Fisher as Paige Clark
Jeremy Piven as Spence Kovak
Ellen DeGeneres as Ellen Morgan
Clea Lewis as Audrey Penney
David Anthony Higgins as Joe Farrell

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