Chapter_NN1 4_MC THE_AT PUPPY_NN1 EPISODE_NN1 In_II 1996_MC ,_, the_AT fourth_MD season_NNT1 of_IO the_AT hit_NN1 sitcom_NN1 Ellen_NP1 did_VDD n't_XX get_VVI off_RP on_II the_AT right_JJ track_NN1 --_NN1 the_AT ratings_NN2 of_IO the_AT show_NN1 's_GE season_NNT1 opener_NN1 dropped_VVD 27_MC percent_NNU from_II the_AT previous_JJ year_NNT1 ,_, and_CC critics_NN2 were_VBDR already_RR harping_VVG that_CST the_AT show_NN1 was_VBDZ getting_VVG stale_JJ ._. 
Producers_NN2 even_RR hinted_VVN that_CST another_DD1 shake-up_NN1 was_VBDZ on_II the_AT horizon_NN1 ._. 
Behind_II the_AT scenes_NN2 ,_, Ellen_NP1 DeGeneres_NP1 had_VHD thought_VVN long_RR and_CC hard_RR about_II having_VHG her_APPGE character_NN1 ,_, Ellen_NP1 Morgan_NP1 ,_, finally_RR come_VV0 out_II21 of_II22 the_AT closet_NN1 and_CC admit_VV0 her_APPGE preferred_JJ sexuality_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 even_RR talked_VVD to_II her_APPGE mom_NN1 ,_, who_PNQS was_VBDZ concerned_JJ that_CST Ellen_NP1 might_VM be_VBI jeopardizing_VVG her_APPGE entire_JJ career_NN1 ._. 
Some_DD gossip_NN1 publications_NN2 suggested_VVD that_CST the_AT producers_NN2 had_VHD thrown_VVN the_AT idea_NN1 around_RP for_IF years_NNT2 ._. 
Entertainment_NN1 Weekly_RR also_RR reported_VVN that_CST former_DA staffers_NN2 said_VVD Ellen_NP1 DeGeneres_NP1 was_VBDZ n't_XX ready_JJ to_TO come_VVI out_RP yet_RR and_CC was_VBDZ nervous_JJ about_II anything_PN1 that_CST hinted_VVD of_IO her_APPGE character_NN1 's_GE lesbianism_NN1 ,_, including_II one_MC1 episode_NN1 in_II which_DDQ Ellen_NP1 schemes_NN2 about_II how_RRQ to_TO become_VVI better_JJR friends_NN2 with_IW a_AT1 woman_NN1 she_PPHS1 has_VHZ just_RR met_VVN ._. 
Tabloids_NN2 reported_VVD that_CST Ellen_NP1 was_VBDZ uncomfortable_JJ with_IW some_DD suggestive_JJ scenes_NN2 and_CC had_VHD them_PPHO2 rewritten_VVN ._. 
Thanks_II21 to_II22 media_NN pressure_NN1 and_CC the_AT fact_NN1 that_CST Ellen_NP1 wanted_VVD to_TO be_VBI true_JJ to_II herself_PPX1 ,_, she_PPHS1 began_VVD exploring_VVG the_AT idea_NN1 of_IO coming_VVG out_RP with_IW her_APPGE television_NN1 persona_NN1 and_CC in_II real_JJ life_NN1 ._. 
"_" The_AT only_JJ reason_NN1 I_PPIS1 did_VDD that_DD1 is_VBZ because_CS ,_, you_PPY know_VV0 ,_, the_AT press_NN1 --_NN1 no_AT offense_NN1 --_NN1 is_VBZ very_RG inquisitive_JJ ,_, and_CC I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ constantly_RR trying_VVG to_TO dodge_VVI questions_NN2 and_CC hide_VVI ._. 
And_CC I_PPIS1 just_RR did_VDD n't_XX want_VVI to_TO do_VDI that_DD1 anymore_RR ._. 
I_PPIS1 did_VDD n't_XX want_VVI to_TO feel_VVI a_AT1 sense_NN1 of_IO shame_NN1 ,_, "_" she_PPHS1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" So_CS I_PPIS1 decided_VVD to_TO come_VVI out_RP really_RR for_IF personal_JJ reasons_NN2 ,_, then_RT the_AT show_NN1 kind_RR21 of_RR22 ,_, you_PPY know_VV0 ,_, it_PPH1 seemed_VVD like_II a_AT1 fun_JJ idea_NN1 to_TO do_VDI with_IW the_AT show_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ very_RG naive_JJ in_II thinking_VVG it_PPH1 would_VM n't_XX be_VBI a_AT1 big_JJ deal_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 huge_JJ deal_NN1 ._. "_" 
Perhaps_RR it_PPH1 was_VBDZ easier_JJR to_TO make_VVI this_DD1 proclamation_NN1 through_II Ellen_NP1 's_GE on-screen_JJ character_NN1 first_MD ,_, or_CC perhaps_RR by_II announcing_VVG that_CST Ellen_NP1 Morgan_NP1 was_VBDZ gay_JJ ,_, Ellen_NP1 DeGeneres_NP1 could_VM relate_VVI more_RRR to_II Ellen_NP1 Morgan_NP1 ,_, something_PN1 that_CST the_AT producers_NN2 believed_VVN might_VM be_VBI missing_VVG from_II the_AT show_NN1 ._. 
Maybe_RR once_CS Ellen_NP1 's_GE character_NN1 came_VVD out_II21 of_II22 the_AT closet_NN1 ,_, the_AT show_NN1 's_GE ratings_NN2 would_VM gain_VVI a_AT1 boost_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ becoming_VVG more_RGR noticeable_JJ that_CST the_AT character_NN1 Ellen_NP1 Morgan_NP1 did_VDD n't_XX have_VHI chemistry_NN1 with_IW her_APPGE male_JJ dates_NN2 on_II the_AT show_NN1 ,_, and_CC marrying_VVG her_PPHO1 off_RP was_VBDZ n't_XX a_AT1 possibility_NN1 ._. 
"_" The_AT same_DA thing_NN1 that_CST applies_VVZ to_II Ellen_NP1 applies_VVZ to_II every_AT1 other_JJ situation_NN1 comedy_NN1 :_: who_PNQS you_PPY are_VBR as_II a_AT1 person_NN1 comes_VVZ through_II that_DD1 glass_NN1 screen_NN1 ,_, "_" said_VVD Harbert_NP1 ._. 
"_" All_DB the_AT big_JJ sitcom_NN1 stars_NN2 ,_, from_II Lucille_NP1 Ball_NN1 to_II Jerry_NP1 Seinfeld_NP1 ,_, basically_RR played_VVD who_PNQS they_PPHS2 are_VBR ._. 
We_PPIS2 asked_VVD Ellen_NP1 to_TO do_VDI a_AT1 very_RG hard_JJ thing_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ was_VBDZ play_NN1 something_PN1 other_II21 than_II22 who_PNQS she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ ._. 
It_PPH1 created_VVD problems_NN2 from_II the_AT start_NN1 ._. "_" 
When_CS Ellen_NP1 finally_RR announced_VVD her_APPGE decision_NN1 to_II her_APPGE staff_NN to_TO make_VVI the_AT pivotal_JJ character_NN1 change_NN1 during_II this_DD1 season_NNT1 ,_, the_AT producers_NN2 '_GE positive_JJ feedback_NN1 was_VBDZ exciting_JJ ._. 
Mark_NP1 Driscoll_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS had_VHD been_VBN writing_VVG for_IF the_AT show_NN1 since_CS it_PPH1 premiered_VVD as_CSA These_DD2 Friends_NN2 of_IO Mine_PPGE in_II 1994_MC and_CC was_VBDZ promoted_VVN to_II executive_NN1 producer_NN1 ,_, was_VBDZ thrilled_VVN and_CC knew_VVN that_CST this_DD1 was_VBDZ the_AT missing_JJ piece_NN1 to_II a_AT1 hit_NN1 show_NN1 ._. 
However_RR ,_, convincing_JJ ABC_NP1 and_CC Disney_NP1 --_NN1 a_AT1 family-oriented_JJ company_NN1 --_NN1 was_VBDZ going_VVGK to_TO be_VBI a_AT1 difficult_JJ task_NN1 ._. 
While_CS the_AT meetings_NN2 were_VBDR top_JJ secret_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 was_VBDZ joked_VVN that_CST Ellen_NP1 should_VM get_VVI a_AT1 puppy_NN1 ._. 
"_" Yeah_UH ._. 
That_DD1 's_VBZ good_JJ ,_, "_" recalls_VVZ executive_JJ producer_NN1 Mark_NP1 Driscoll_NP1 ._. 
"_" It_PPH1 was_VBDZ an_AT1 indication_NN1 of_IO just_RR how_RRQ lost_VVD the_AT show_NN1 was_VBDZ that_CST they_PPHS2 would_VM be_VBI excited_VVN by_II Ellen_NP1 buying_VVG a_AT1 puppy_NN1 ._. "_" 
Once_CS the_AT episode_NN1 was_VBDZ approved_VVN ,_, and_CC as_II an_AT1 inside_JJ joke_NN1 ,_, the_AT writers_NN2 titled_VVN the_AT Ellen-comes-out_NP1 show_NN1 as_CSA "_" The_AT Puppy_NN1 Episode_NN1 ._. "_" 
Ellen_NP1 teased_VVD the_AT media_NN about_II the_AT coming_VVG out_RP and_CC dropped_VVD not-so-subtle_JJ hints_NN2 of_IO what_DDQ was_VBDZ about_RPK to_TO happen_VVI ._. 
According_II21 to_II22 GLAAD_NP1 ,_, Ellen_NP1 appeared_VVD as_II a_AT1 guest_NN1 on_II The_AT Rosie_NP1 O'Donnell_NP1 Show_NN1 and_CC said_VVD jokingly_RR that_CST her_APPGE alter-ego_NN1 ,_, Ellen_NP1 Morgan_NP1 ,_, would_VM be_VBI coming_VVG out_RP on_II her_APPGE sitcom_NN1 later_RRR in_II the_AT season_NNT1 :_: "_" Yes_UH ,_, the_AT rumors_NN2 are_VBR true_JJ ;_; we_PPIS2 'll_VM be_VBI revealing_VVG that_CST my_APPGE character_NN1 is_VBZ Llll_NP1 ..._... ebanese_NN1 ,_, because_CS she_PPHS1 enjoys_VVZ both_RR baba_NN1 ganoush_NN1 and_CC Casey_NP1 Kasem_NP1 ._. "_" 
GLAAD_NP1 also_RR reported_VVN that_CST O'Donnell_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS had_VHD not_XX yet_RR come_VVN out_RP publicly_RR ,_, responded_VVN by_II saying_VVG that_CST since_CS she_PPHS1 is_VBZ also_RR a_AT1 big_JJ fan_NN1 of_IO Casey_NP1 Kasem_NP1 ,_, "_" maybe_RR I_PPIS1 'm_VBM Lebanese_JJ ,_, too_RR ._. "_" 
Ellen_NP1 told_VVD Rosie_NP1 that_CST she_PPHS1 thought_VVD she_PPHS1 might_VM be_VBI Lebanese_JJ ._. 
Ellen_NP1 would_VM also_RR answer_VVI reporters_NN2 '_GE questions_NN2 with_IW ,_, "_" No_UH ,_, we_PPIS2 're_VBR adding_VVG a_AT1 new_JJ character_NN1 named_VVD Les_NP1 Bian_JJ ._. "_" 
Jennifer_NP1 Reed_NP1 ,_, contributor_NN1 to_II Queer_JJ Popular_JJ Culture_NN1 :_: Literature_NN1 ,_, Media_NN ,_, Film_NN1 and_CC Television_NN1 ,_, was_VBDZ excited_VVN about_II the_AT prospect_NN1 that_CST both_RR Ellens_NP2 were_VBDR coming_VVG out_RP :_: "_" This_DD1 was_VBDZ very_RG exciting_JJ news_NN1 for_IF this_DD1 lesbian_NN1 ,_, and_CC for_IF many_DA2 of_IO my_APPGE queer_JJ friends_NN2 ._. 
The_AT hints_NN2 and_CC rumors_NN2 worked_VVD very_RG well_RR to_TO get_VVI us_PPIO2 to_TO watch_VVI for_IF what_DDQ would_VM come_VVI next_MD ._. 
The_AT excitement_NN1 was_VBDZ inseparable_JJ from_II our_APPGE unconfirmed_JJ knowledge_NN1 ,_, our_APPGE assumption_NN1 that_CST Ellen_NP1 DeGeneres_NP1 was_VBDZ herself_PPX1 a_AT1 lesbian_NN1 ._. 
Taken_VVN together_RL ,_, this_DD1 created_VVD a_AT1 very_RG queer_JJ atmosphere_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ based_VVN mostly_RR on_II the_AT open_JJ secret_NN1 ,_, the_AT wink_NN1 ,_, the_AT anticipation_NN1 --_NN1 and_CC it_PPH1 played_VVD itself_PPX1 out_RP both_RR on_II the_AT show_NN1 and_CC in_II the_AT media_NN about_II the_AT show_NN1 ._. "_" 
In_II 1997_MC ,_, Ellen_NP1 told_VVD talk_NN1 show_NN1 host_NN1 Larry_NP1 King_NN1 that_CST the_AT media_NN and_CC viewer_NN1 tease_NN1 was_VBDZ not_XX supposed_JJ to_TO last_VVI almost_RR the_AT entire_JJ season_NNT1 ._. 
Instead_RR ,_, it_PPH1 was_VBDZ supposed_JJ to_TO be_VBI short_JJ term_NN1 ,_, with_IW the_AT coming_VVG out_RP episode_NN1 as_CSA episode_NN1 10_MC ._. 
Instead_RR ,_, waiting_VVG for_IF approval_NN1 from_II the_AT corporation_NN1 pushed_VVD the_AT launch_NN1 date_NN1 back_RP further_RRR and_CC further_RRR ,_, so_CS the_AT teasing_NN1 continued_VVD ._. 
However_RR ,_, once_RR television_NN1 critics_NN2 got_VVD word_NN1 that_CST there_EX would_VM be_VBI a_AT1 gay_JJ main_JJ character_NN1 on_II the_AT show_NN1 ,_, they_PPHS2 expressed_VVD concern_NN1 as_II21 to_II22 whether_CSW the_AT show_NN1 would_VM succeed_VVI ._. 
Rich_JJ Heldenfels_NN2 of_IO Knight_NP1 Ridder_NP1 Newspapers_NN2 explained_VVD that_CST making_VVG Ellen_NP1 Morgan_NP1 gay_JJ would_VM n't_XX necessarily_RR make_VVI her_APPGE --_NN1 or_CC the_AT show_NN1 --_JJ funny_JJ :_: "_" Having_VHG a_AT1 gay_JJ character_NN1 does_VDZ n't_XX make_VVI Spin_NN1 City_NN1 a_AT1 good_JJ show_NN1 or_CC Mad_JJ About_II You_PPY a_AT1 bad_JJ one_PN1 ._. 
The_AT same_DA thing_NN1 applies_VVZ to_II Ellen_NP1 ._. 
Everyone_PN1 involved_VVD needs_NN2 to_TO figure_VVI out_RP how_RRQ a_AT1 gay_JJ Ellen_NP1 Morgan_NP1 makes_VVZ this_DD1 show_NN1 better_RRR ,_, even_CS21 if_CS22 the_AT publicity_NN1 brings_VVZ people_NN to_II the_AT show_NN1 ,_, they_PPHS2 wo_VM n't_XX come_VVI back_RP if_CS what_DDQ they_PPHS2 see_VV0 is_VBZ n't_XX funny_JJ ._. "_" 
Ellen_NP1 and_CC the_AT producers_NN2 decided_VVD that_CST Ellen_NP1 Morgan_NP1 's_VBZ coming_VVG out_RP would_VM take_VVI place_NN1 during_II a_AT1 special_JJ one-hour_JJ season_NNT1 finale_NN1 on_II April_NPM1 30_MC ,_, 1997_MC ._. 
"_" For_IF me_PPIO1 ,_, "_" she_PPHS1 said_VVD ,_, "_" this_DD1 has_VHZ been_VBN the_AT most_RRT freeing_VVG experience_NN1 because_CS people_NN ca_VM n't_XX hurt_VVI me_PPIO1 anymore_RR ._. 
I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX have_VHI to_TO worry_VVI about_II somebody_PN1 saying_VVG something_PN1 about_II me_PPIO1 ,_, or_CC a_AT1 reporter_NN1 trying_VVG to_TO find_VVI out_RP information_NN1 ..._... 
I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX have_VHI anything_PN1 to_TO be_VBI scared_JJ of_IO ,_, which_DDQ I_PPIS1 think_VV0 outweighs_VVZ whatever_DDQV else_RR happens_VVZ in_II my_APPGE career_NN1 ._. "_" 
Fellow_JJ comedians_NN2 thought_VVD that_CST Ellen_NP1 was_VBDZ making_VVG the_AT right_JJ move_NN1 ,_, too_RR ._. 
"_" She_PPHS1 's_VBZ one_MC1 of_IO the_AT funniest_JJT women_NN2 on_II the_AT planet_NN1 ,_, "_" says_VVZ lesbian_JJ comic_NN1 Suzanne_NP1 Westenhoefer_NP1 ._. 
"_" But_CCB the_AT show_NN1 's_VHZ been_VBN mediocre_JJ at_RR21 best_RR22 ._. 
Ellen_NP1 's_VBZ coming_VVG out_RP would_VM be_VBI Christmas_NNT1 for_IF gay_JJ people_NN ._. "_" 
Unfortunately_RR ,_, not_XX everyone_PN1 felt_VVD as_RG free_JJ about_II the_AT decision_NN1 as_CSA Ellen_NP1 did_VDD ,_, and_CC she_PPHS1 started_VVD to_TO get_VVI a_AT1 sample_NN1 of_IO what_DDQ the_AT backlash_NN1 to_II her_APPGE life-altering_JJ decision_NN1 might_VM be_VBI ._. 
The_AT San_NP1 Jose_NP1 Mercury_NP1 News_NN1 quoted_VVD L._NP1 Brent_NP1 Bozzell_NP1 III_MC ,_, founder_NN1 of_IO Alexandria_NP1 ,_, Virginia-based_JJ Media_NN Research_NN1 Center_NN1 ,_, who_PNQS said_VVD Ellen_NP1 Morgan_NP1 's_VBZ coming_VVG out_RP created_VVD a_AT1 sense_NN1 of_IO horror_NN1 ._. 
Bozzell_NP1 rallied_VVD big_JJ names_NN2 in_II the_AT Christian_JJ conservative_JJ movement_NN1 against_II the_AT coming_NN1 out_II21 of_II22 Ellen_NP1 Morgan_NP1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 believed_VVD a_AT1 majority_NN1 of_IO viewers_NN2 were_VBDR appalled_VVN that_CST "_" there_EX are_VBR some_DD elements_NN2 in_II Hollywood_NP1 who_PNQS are_VBR bent_VVN ,_, come_VV0 hell_NN1 or_CC high_JJ water_NN1 ,_, on_II thrusting_JJ garbage_NN1 down_II the_AT throats_NN2 of_IO children_NN2 ._. 
The_AT world_NN1 is_VBZ full_JJ of_IO decent_JJ homosexuals_NN2 ,_, "_" Bozell_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" That_DD1 's_VBZ not_XX the_AT issue_NN1 ._. 
The_AT issue_NN1 is_VBZ their_APPGE lifestyle_NN1 ._. 
By_II portraying_VVG that_DD1 lifestyle_NN1 as_CSA perfectly_RR normal_JJ ,_, decent_JJ and_CC acceptable_JJ ,_, an_AT1 indecency_NN1 is_VBZ being_VBG perpetuated_VVN ._. "_" 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ hard_JJ to_TO understand_VVI the_AT negative_JJ reaction_NN1 to_II a_AT1 gay_JJ television_NN1 character_NN1 when_RRQ ,_, after_II all_DB ,_, Ellen_NP1 DeGeneres_NP1 was_VBDZ n't_XX the_AT first_MD to_TO portray_VVI a_AT1 gay_JJ character_NN1 on_II television_NN1 ._. 
In_II 1977_MC ,_, comedian_JJ Billy_NP1 Crystal_NP1 played_VVD Jodie_NP1 Dallas_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 gay_JJ man_NN1 ,_, on_II the_AT ABC_NP1 sitcom_NN1 Soap_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 weekly_JJ half-hour_NNT1 prime-time_NNT1 comedy_NN1 ._. 
There_EX was_VBDZ a_AT1 tremendous_JJ amount_NN1 of_IO backlash_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ involved_VVD the_AT mobilization_NN1 of_IO several_DA2 organizations_NN2 that_CST were_VBDR against_II the_AT show_NN1 ._. 
Nonetheless_RR ,_, reports_NN2 showed_VVD that_CST the_AT network_NN1 received_VVD 32,000_MC letters_NN2 of_IO complaint_NN1 before_II the_AT show_NN1 's_GE premiere_NN1 ,_, and_CC 8_MC out_II21 of_II22 195_MC ABC_NP1 affiliates_NN2 refused_VVN to_II air_NN1 the_AT show_NN1 ._. 
In_II 1991_MC ,_, the_AT award-winning_JJ longtime_JJ drama_NN1 L.A._NP1 Law_NP1 featured_VVD a_AT1 kiss_NN1 between_II two_MC women_NN2 characters_NN2 ,_, portrayed_VVN by_II actresses_NN2 Michelle_NP1 Greene_NP1 and_CC Amanda_NP1 Donohoe_NP1 ._. 
According_II21 to_II22 the_AT New_NP1 York_NP1 Times_NNT2 ,_, when_RRQ the_AT CBS_NP1 series_NN Picket_NN1 Fences_NN2 showed_VVD a_AT1 kiss_NN1 between_II two_MC teenage_JJ girls_NN2 ,_, the_AT network_NN1 insisted_VVD the_AT scene_NN1 be_VBI shot_VVN in_II semidarkness_NN1 ._. 
One_MC1 sitcom_NN1 that_CST created_VVD quite_RG a_AT1 stir_NN1 over_II a_AT1 gay-themed_JJ episode_NN1 was_VBDZ Roseanne_NP1 ,_, an_AT1 Emmy_JJ Award-winning_JJ sitcom_NN1 on_II ABC_NP1 from_II 1988_MC to_II 1997_MC starring_VVG stand-up_JJ comic_NN1 Roseanne_NP1 Barr_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS portrayed_VVD Roseanne_NP1 Conner_NP1 ._. 
In_II a_AT1 1994_MC episode_NN1 ,_, Roseanne_NP1 Conner_NP1 visited_VVD a_AT1 gay_JJ bar_NN1 for_IF the_AT first_MD time_NNT1 with_IW her_APPGE bisexual_JJ friend_NN1 Nancy_NP1 (_( who_PNQS was_VBDZ played_VVN by_II comedian_JJ Sandra_NP1 Bernhard_NP1 )_) ._. 
During_II the_AT episode_NN1 ,_, Roseanne_NP1 innocently_RR danced_VVN with_IW a_AT1 woman_NN1 ,_, played_VVN by_II Mariel_NP1 Hemingway_NP1 ,_, and_CC when_CS they_PPHS2 took_VVD a_AT1 break_NN1 and_CC sat_VVD at_II a_AT1 table_NN1 ,_, Hemingway_NP1 kissed_VVD her_PPHO1 ._. 
ABC_NP1 threatened_VVD not_XX to_II air_NN1 the_AT episode_NN1 ,_, but_CCB Roseanne_NP1 stood_VVD her_APPGE ground_NN1 and_CC insisted_VVD that_CST she_PPHS1 would_VM take_VVI the_AT episode_NN1 to_II another_DD1 network_NN1 ._. 
ABC_NP1 withdrew_VVD their_APPGE threat_NN1 and_CC aired_VVD the_AT episode_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 viewer_NN1 advisory_JJ ._. 
The_AT ratings_NN2 for_IF the_AT show_NN1 were_VBDR high_JJ --_NN1 approximately_RR 33_MC million_NNO viewers_NN2 --_NN1 and_CC the_AT complaints_NN2 were_VBDR lower_JJR than_CSN originally_RR anticipated_VVN ._. 
On_II the_AT long-running_JJ sitcom_NN1 Friends_NN2 ,_, Ross_NP1 's_GE ex-wife_NN1 left_VVD him_PPHO1 for_IF another_DD1 woman_NN1 ._. 
On_II January_NPM1 18_MC ,_, 1996_MC ,_, Friends_NN2 ran_VVD the_AT episode_NN1 "_" The_AT One_PN1 with_IW the_AT Lesbian_JJ Wedding_NN1 ,_, "_" in_II which_DDQ Ross_NP1 's_GE lesbian_JJ ex-wife_NN1 ,_, Carol_NP1 ,_, married_VVD her_APPGE lover_NN1 ,_, Susan_NP1 ,_, in_II a_AT1 wedding_NN1 officiated_VVN by_II Candice_NP1 Gingrich_NP1 ,_, the_AT gay_JJ sister_NN1 of_IO the_AT then_JJ House_NN1 Speaker_NN1 Newt_NP1 Gingrich_NP1 ._. 
In_II his_APPGE book_NN1 ,_, Gay_JJ TV_NN1 and_CC Straight_JJ America_NP1 ,_, author_NN1 Ron_NP1 Becker_NP1 explains_VVZ how_RRQ running_NN1 this_DD1 episode_NN1 during_II that_DD1 television_NN1 season_NNT1 was_VBDZ anticlimactic_JJ since_CS there_EX were_VBDR many_DA2 other_JJ gay-themed_JJ television_NN1 shows_NN2 ._. 
Regardless_RR of_IO the_AT prevalence_NN1 of_IO gay_JJ characters_NN2 in_II recent_JJ television_NN1 sitcoms_NN2 and_CC dramas_NN2 ,_, Ellen_NP1 Morgan_NP1 's_VBZ coming_VVG out_RP was_VBDZ a_AT1 landmark_NN1 moment_NN1 in_II television_NN1 history_NN1 ._. 
Ellen_NP1 would_VM be_VBI the_AT first_MD television_NN1 show_NN1 to_TO feature_VVI a_AT1 gay_JJ lead_NN1 actress_NN1 in_II a_AT1 sitcom_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 did_VDD n't_XX come_VVI without_IW its_APPGE opponents_NN2 ,_, though_RR ._. 
Similar_JJ to_II what_DDQ happened_VVD with_IW Soap_NN1 ,_, antigay_VV0 activists_NN2 launched_VVD their_APPGE own_DA campaign_NN1 to_TO keep_VVI the_AT Ellen_NP1 episode_NN1 off_II the_AT air_NN1 ._. 
Organizations_NN2 associated_VVN with_IW the_AT religious_JJ right_NN1 took_VVD out_RP a_AT1 full_JJ page_NN1 ad_NN1 in_II Variety_NN1 condemning_VVG the_AT show_NN1 ._. 
To_TO combat_VVI the_AT negativity_NN1 ,_, GLAAD_NP1 worked_VVD with_IW a_AT1 local_JJ Birmingham_NP1 gay_JJ pride_NN1 organization_NN1 to_TO help_VVI 3,000_MC local_JJ fans_NN2 watch_VV0 the_AT banned_JJ telecast_NN1 via_II satellite_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 launched_VVD a_AT1 "_" Let_VV0 Ellen_NP1 Out_RP !_! "_" campaign_VV0 to_TO create_VVI grassroots_NN2 support_VV0 and_CC developed_VVD Ellen_NP1 Watch_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 Web_NN1 page_NN1 dedicated_VVN to_II following_VVG the_AT title_NN1 character_NN1 's_GE journey_NN1 in_II her_PPHO1 coming_VVG out_RP process_NN1 ._. 
GLAAD_NP1 organized_VVD "_" Come_VV0 Out_RP with_IW Ellen_NP1 "_" house_NN1 parties_NN2 in_II more_DAR than_CSN 1,500_MC households_NN2 nationwide_RL and_CC signature_NN1 parties_NN2 in_II New_NP1 York_NP1 ;_; Los_NP1 Angeles_NP1 ;_; Washington_NP1 ,_, D.C._NP1 ;_; Kansas_NP1 City_NN1 ,_, Missouri_NP1 ;_; and_CC San_NP1 Francisco_NP1 ._. 
These_DD2 parties_NN2 brought_VVN together_RL more_DAR than_CSN 4,000_MC people_NN and_CC the_AT Ellen_NP1 cast_VV0 to_TO watch_VVI the_AT event_NN1 live_VV0 ._. 
Ellen_NP1 's_GE brother_NN1 ,_, Vance_NP1 ,_, was_VBDZ more_RGR concerned_JJ about_II her_APPGE safety_NN1 ._. 
However_RR ,_, he_PPHS1 hoped_VVD that_CST Ellen_NP1 would_VM achieve_VVI her_APPGE goals_NN2 with_IW this_DD1 episode_NN1 and_CC send_VV0 a_AT1 positive_JJ message_NN1 about_II the_AT gay_JJ and_CC lesbian_JJ community_NN1 to_II the_AT American_JJ public_NN1 ._. 
"_" It_PPH1 was_VBDZ 7_MC p.m._RA (_( three_MC days_NNT2 before_II filming_VVG )_) ,_, and_CC someone_PN1 says_VVZ there_EX is_VBZ someone_PN1 on_II the_AT phone_NN1 claiming_VVG to_TO be_VBI Oprah_NP1 Winfrey_NP1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 pick_VV0 up_RP the_AT phone_NN1 expecting_VVG it_PPH1 to_TO be_VBI a_AT1 hoax_NN1 ,_, and_CC I_PPIS1 hear_VV0 Tammy_NN1 ?_? 
Oprah_UH !_! and_CC we_PPIS2 begin_VV0 to_TO discuss_VVI the_AT possibility_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 is_VBZ one_MC1 of_IO the_AT 25_MC most_RGT influential_JJ people_NN in_II America_NP1 ,_, so_RG once_RR we_PPIS2 got_VVD her_PPHO1 we_PPIS2 knew_VVD the_AT potential_NN1 was_VBDZ gon_VVGK na_TO be_VBI huge_JJ ,_, "_" said_VVD Tamara_NP1 Billick_NP1 ,_, casting_NN1 director_NN1 ._. 
"_" Huge_JJ "_" was_VBDZ the_AT understatement_NN1 of_IO the_AT year_NNT1 ,_, but_CCB not_XX everyone_PN1 thought_VVD that_CST the_AT episode_NN1 would_VM be_VBI a_AT1 good_JJ thing_NN1 ._. 
Time_NNT1 magazine_NN1 asked_VVD various_JJ creators_NN2 and_CC producers_NN2 for_IF their_APPGE opinions_NN2 ._. 
Dick_NP1 Wolf_NP1 ,_, creator_NN1 of_IO Law_NN1 &;_NULL Order_NN1 ,_, predicted_VVD that_CST Ellen_NP1 would_VM suffer_VVI from_II the_AT change_NN1 ._. 
Bruce_NP1 Helford_NP1 ,_, producer_NN1 of_IO Drew_NP1 Carey_NP1 's_GE sitcom_NN1 ,_, admitted_VVD that_CST he_PPHS1 would_VM n't_XX have_VHI been_VBN so_RG bold_JJ ,_, calling_VVG it_PPH1 only_RR a_AT1 temporary_JJ spike_NN1 in_II the_AT ratings_NN2 if_CS the_AT rest_NN1 of_IO the_AT show_NN1 still_RR is_VBZ n't_XX funny_JJ ._. 
Only_JJ time_NNT1 would_VM tell_VVI ._. 
