Ellen (1994–1998)

Ellen Morgan a lesbian former book store owner deals with life through comedy and extensive rambling.

Creators:

Carol Black, Neal Marlens, David S. Rosenthal

Stars:

Ellen DeGeneres, David Anthony Higgins, Joely Fisher

Nominated for 4 Golden Globes. Another 10 wins & 23 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Ellen DeGeneres	...	Ellen Morgan (109 episodes, 1994-1998)
David Anthony Higgins	...	Joe Farrell (102 episodes, 1994-1998)
Joely Fisher	...	Paige Clark (96 episodes, 1994-1998)
Clea Lewis	...	Audrey Penney (80 episodes, 1994-1998)
Jeremy Piven	...	Spence Kovak (72 episodes, 1995-1998)

Storyline

Ellen Morgan is a neurotic, 30-something, bookstore employee who tries to get by life in dealing with her various friends whom include the outgoing redhead Paige, insecure photographer Adam, her unsure-of-himself cousin Spence, coffee shop guy Joe Farrell, the critical and obnoxious Audrey, and most challenging of all, Ellen also has to condent being around her annoying and overbearing parents Lois and Harold.

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Plot Keywords:

lesbian | bookstore | photographer | gay | lesbianism | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 March 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

These Friends of Mine

Filming Locations:

Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Black-Marlens Company, Touchstone Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (109 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The character of Audrey was dramatically re-written when she became a major cast member. In the first season she was in only one episode, as a character Ellen was long-time friends with but didn't like because she was always pessimistic and complaining. But by the end of the second season she was portrayed as increasingly chipper, upbeat and constantly optimistic

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Quotes

Ellen: Stray dogs, hungry people. Come on people, the solution is obvious.

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Connections

Referenced in The Opposite of Sex (1998)

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Soundtracks

"The Promise"
Written by John McElhone and Sharleen Spiteri
Performed by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts

User Reviews

Really Became More Than 1 Series

When I first started watching Ellen, I thought the first season was a new younger & more attractive LUCY. A lot of the early episodes I recall feature Ellen doing physical comedy & acting zany in a way which reminded me of LUCY. As a male, I actually found her attractive as a woman.

This continued for me into season 2 until I started to see her change into the leading up to the coming out episode. Leave it to me, even now I still find her attractive even though I know her wiring would have no interest in me. Of course, I would hope if I ever were to dream of romance with her, that she would be quieter when intimate.

I really think as the show evolved, that even though it was a great idea that she should come out on the show, I think the coming out caused the show to end due to the fact that once it was done, Ellen could not find her way back to the original sitcom premise of the show- entertainingly funny. When the show first started, that is where it was.

When it ended, too much ado with the fact that Ellen had changed, & the series lost it's comic edge. Ellen has gone on with a lot of other things since this show established her, & she does have a flair for comedy.

She has an intuition for what many audiences find funny & that continues to serve her well. I am not sure that her personal life is quite righted yet as she seemed to have some train-wrecks in her personal relationships since the series went off. To me, the first season is the best & the Ellen I got to know. Luckily she never got to know me as I would really creep her out. After all, not every man has ever found Ellen attractive, but for me she is.

On her daytime TV show, she even dances like I do - she fakes it well. By The Book this series introduced some serious talent to everyone. Ellen Degeneres best work was in this series, & her work in comedy clubs prior to doing this series.