Has Television’s ‘Ellen’ Gone Too Far?

Last season, the TV sitcom “Ellen” generated both praise and protest when the lead character, portrayed by Ellen DeGeneres, revealed her homosexuality. The discussion continues this season, as Ellen looks for love and engages in a same-sex kiss. ABC has given the series a TV-14 rating, suggesting parental guidance for young viewers. Additionally, the network is placing parental discretion advisories, similar to the ones employed on “NYPD Blue,” before individual episodes of “Ellen,” angering the show’s star and many gay and lesbian activists. Has “Ellen” gone too far? ANNA MARIE STOLLEY talked to activists about the controversial program.

YES

SUE PEREZ

Volunteer, Traditional Values Coalition, Anaheim

“Ellen” has gone way too far, beyond absurd. It’s disgusting to have a main character on a sitcom come out of the closet like that. Then, this season, she is pursuing same-sex relationships and there are kisses between women. I am appalled that this is part of nighttime television entertainment.

To have homosexuality portrayed on television as acceptable goes against my idea of what is right and wrong. Two or three decades ago, our standard of morality was much higher. These days, those with a higher standard of morality have lowered their voices. We need to speak up.

When something decays, it decays everything that is all around it. That’s what happens when you have a few television shows that are not promoting healthy values. We don’t know what the long-term repercussions of shows like “Ellen” will be for the next generation.

The warnings placed before the show are a step in the right direction, but I question their effectiveness. A warning could just entice people to watch. It is also saying, “Maybe this isn’t acceptable to all of you, but we’re providing it anyway.”

The show should be dropped, and ABC should replace it with a more traditional family type show. Until then, we can’t support the sponsors of “Ellen.” We should write letters, encourage everyone to not watch the show and we shouldn’t watch it ourselves.

We need to let people know that there is a moral standard. Television is the No. 1 babysitter and it’s how society gets information. There’s a responsibility that goes with that, and our society should become more strict about what should and shouldn’t be aired.

NO:

JAMES D. KEY

Spokesman, L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, Hollywood

Having a lead character on a sitcom come out of the closet and pursue relationships is ground-breaking. We’ve also seen that the character’s coming out has not hurt the show’s ratings. “Ellen” has something that people want to see, and those protesting it represent a small but very vocal group.

Now, finally, gay and lesbian youth have someone with whom they can identify, someone who is breaking the myths and stereotypes about gay and lesbian people--that homosexuality is abnormal, perverted--perpetuated by religious extremists. I think that if those who are creating hysteria over “Ellen” truly are concerned about family values, they should welcome a show that helps families discuss issues of sexual orientation.

Putting warning labels on the show is ridiculous and offensive. Nobody is going to decide to become gay or lesbian just from watching the show. You don’t see warning messages before “Friends” or “Seinfeld,” and there hasn’t been anything on “Ellen” that’s any more risque than what’s on those shows. The irony is that there are many other shows in which characters are murdering each other that don’t have warnings, but ABC feels the need to protect viewers from a kiss?

The character is struggling with her identity as a lesbian, and the show is being true to what somebody would experience in that situation. Why can’t TV feature honest and funny portrayals of lesbian and gay relationships like we’ve always seen of heterosexual relationships? If the public weren’t interested or didn’t think the show was funny, they wouldn’t watch.