1 00:00:05,005 --> 00:00:07,841 Give me the, the rundown on how to say your name. 2 00:00:07,841 --> 00:00:09,051 -The rundown on it? -Yeah. 3 00:00:09,051 --> 00:00:10,677 It's DeGeneres. 4 00:00:10,677 --> 00:00:12,304 Sometimes in public bathrooms you'll find railings 5 00:00:12,304 --> 00:00:13,764 on each side of the toilet, and you think that's 6 00:00:13,764 --> 00:00:15,265 for the elderly or the handicapped. 7 00:00:15,265 --> 00:00:17,267 It's not so, it's for people who are that paranoid about 8 00:00:17,267 --> 00:00:19,728 catching germs they can balance themselves like... 9 00:00:19,728 --> 00:00:22,189 [narrator] Ellen exploded on the scene in the early 80s 10 00:00:22,189 --> 00:00:24,983 with her clean, uncomplicated comedy. 11 00:00:24,983 --> 00:00:27,986 She was talking about the things that make us all laugh. 12 00:00:27,986 --> 00:00:29,029 And something about the darkness, 13 00:00:29,029 --> 00:00:31,073 we just lose all of our inhibitions in the darkness. 14 00:00:31,073 --> 00:00:33,242 Is the popcorn really that delicious we must 15 00:00:33,242 --> 00:00:35,619 shovel handfuls of it into our mouth? 16 00:00:35,619 --> 00:00:38,080 Please welcome Ellen DeGeneres! 17 00:00:38,080 --> 00:00:39,331 [Shrieking] 18 00:00:39,331 --> 00:00:41,583 She created one of the most iconic moments 19 00:00:41,583 --> 00:00:43,835 in network television history. 20 00:00:43,835 --> 00:00:45,045 [Amplified] I'm gay. 21 00:00:45,045 --> 00:00:47,214 [Laughing] 22 00:00:47,214 --> 00:00:49,591 It really was a game changer, 23 00:00:49,591 --> 00:00:51,593 and it was monumental. 24 00:00:51,593 --> 00:00:54,930 Her roles in Hollywood were all about simple innocence. 25 00:00:54,930 --> 00:00:56,723 [Vocalizing] 26 00:00:56,723 --> 00:00:58,850 He's not coming back, you offended him! 27 00:00:58,850 --> 00:01:00,060 Maybe a different dialect. 28 00:01:00,060 --> 00:01:01,979 And when she launched a daytime talk show, 29 00:01:01,979 --> 00:01:03,647 it was the biggest thing on air. 30 00:01:03,647 --> 00:01:05,274 You just brought a friend to Bora Bora? 31 00:01:05,274 --> 00:01:06,275 Yeah. 32 00:01:06,275 --> 00:01:07,776 And you're just naked with your friend? 33 00:01:07,776 --> 00:01:09,987 Why are you putting me on the spot like this? 34 00:01:09,987 --> 00:01:12,322 Her entire stage persona was based on 35 00:01:12,322 --> 00:01:15,450 being nice and kind. 36 00:01:15,450 --> 00:01:19,538 Everybody loved Ellen. 37 00:01:19,538 --> 00:01:21,707 She was the friend next door, 38 00:01:21,707 --> 00:01:23,625 and you liked her. 39 00:01:23,625 --> 00:01:25,127 She is one of my very good friends. 40 00:01:25,127 --> 00:01:26,795 I love her so much. 41 00:01:26,795 --> 00:01:29,131 She is one of the best people on this planet. 42 00:01:29,131 --> 00:01:31,842 Until one day the curtain was pulled back. 43 00:01:31,842 --> 00:01:34,553 Three top producers are out at the Ellen show. 44 00:01:34,553 --> 00:01:37,347 It was some of the darkest times of her life, too. 45 00:01:37,347 --> 00:01:39,558 Toxic, phoney, hypocrite, liar. 46 00:01:39,558 --> 00:01:40,809 That's what she is. 47 00:01:40,809 --> 00:01:42,936 Suddenly everything Ellen stood for 48 00:01:42,936 --> 00:01:44,563 seemed to be a lie. 49 00:01:44,563 --> 00:01:46,857 I got to the core, and it wasn't... 50 00:01:46,857 --> 00:01:48,775 it was rotten, and it wasn't good. 51 00:01:48,775 --> 00:01:52,195 She demolished her brand. 52 00:01:52,195 --> 00:01:53,989 How did Ellen DeGeneres go from being 53 00:01:53,989 --> 00:01:55,907 the ambassador of kindness, 54 00:01:55,907 --> 00:01:58,744 to being tagged as the meanest person on TV? 55 00:01:58,744 --> 00:02:00,329 -Siri. -"Yes?" 56 00:02:00,329 --> 00:02:01,621 Spell the word bitch. 57 00:02:01,621 --> 00:02:04,666 "E-L-L-E-N." 58 00:02:04,666 --> 00:02:05,834 [Overlapping voices] Ladies and gentlemen! 59 00:02:05,834 --> 00:02:07,169 You're about to be entertained! 60 00:02:07,169 --> 00:02:09,046 Getting the laugh is the greatest addiction. 61 00:02:09,046 --> 00:02:10,422 They want more of it, they want more of it. 62 00:02:10,422 --> 00:02:11,840 She was getting death threats. 63 00:02:11,840 --> 00:02:13,675 It [beep] with your head! He's out of his skull! 64 00:02:13,675 --> 00:02:14,593 That's what took her down. 65 00:02:14,593 --> 00:02:16,219 This is a crazy story. 66 00:02:16,219 --> 00:02:18,847 ♪ 67 00:02:20,057 --> 00:02:21,975 When I was watching Lassie as a kid, 68 00:02:21,975 --> 00:02:23,935 they always made it look like Lassie was 69 00:02:23,935 --> 00:02:25,937 the hero of the show. 70 00:02:25,937 --> 00:02:28,523 Lassie was not the hero of the show, 71 00:02:28,523 --> 00:02:30,859 it was the people who were on there with Lassie 72 00:02:30,859 --> 00:02:33,195 who were the geniuses to figure out what the hell 73 00:02:33,195 --> 00:02:34,863 the dog was talking about. 74 00:02:34,863 --> 00:02:36,073 Do you remember this show? 75 00:02:36,073 --> 00:02:38,033 Raised in Metairie, Louisiana, 76 00:02:38,033 --> 00:02:41,370 Ellen DeGeneres' childhood is anything but simple. 77 00:02:41,370 --> 00:02:45,290 I was a normal kid. Loved dolls, 78 00:02:45,290 --> 00:02:47,250 was a tomboy also, but loved dolls. 79 00:02:47,250 --> 00:02:48,627 Loved babies. 80 00:02:48,627 --> 00:02:51,088 Ellen's parents divorced when she was around 13. 81 00:02:51,088 --> 00:02:53,590 She said that she was raised in a pretty "non-communicative" 82 00:02:53,590 --> 00:02:55,634 household, so, it was a surprise to her and her 83 00:02:55,634 --> 00:02:57,719 brother that her parents had been fighting at all. 84 00:02:57,719 --> 00:03:00,972 Ellen had a childhood like most comedians, 85 00:03:00,972 --> 00:03:02,265 it was a little dark. 86 00:03:02,265 --> 00:03:05,268 She moves in with her mother, who's suddenly a single mom 87 00:03:05,268 --> 00:03:08,480 and mourning the end of her marriage. 88 00:03:08,480 --> 00:03:10,273 Her mother battled depression, 89 00:03:10,273 --> 00:03:13,318 and that trickled down to affect Ellen. 90 00:03:13,318 --> 00:03:14,736 I think it was the first time I realized 91 00:03:14,736 --> 00:03:18,073 what kind of power, um... 92 00:03:18,073 --> 00:03:19,741 humour has. 93 00:03:19,741 --> 00:03:23,078 You know, she's crying one minute and then the next 94 00:03:23,078 --> 00:03:24,913 minute she's laughing hysterically, and I thought, 95 00:03:24,913 --> 00:03:28,250 that's, that's amazing to be able to do that for people. 96 00:03:28,250 --> 00:03:30,585 I think that maybe was the, the first seed of 97 00:03:30,585 --> 00:03:33,046 how Ellen got into this world of comedy. 98 00:03:33,046 --> 00:03:35,173 You know, people say there's a lot of 99 00:03:35,173 --> 00:03:36,842 descriptions of what that is. 100 00:03:36,842 --> 00:03:39,845 What, what making people laugh does for a person, 101 00:03:39,845 --> 00:03:44,641 the need for love, or acceptance, approval... 102 00:03:44,641 --> 00:03:47,102 all of those things are, I'm sure they're true, 103 00:03:47,102 --> 00:03:49,479 but it's a high. 104 00:03:49,479 --> 00:03:52,858 As Ellen hits her 20s, she upends her life. 105 00:03:52,858 --> 00:03:55,152 She moves to New Orleans, and she kinda comes into 106 00:03:55,152 --> 00:03:58,530 her own and starts being an adult living by herself. 107 00:03:58,530 --> 00:04:01,575 I was a waitress, I sold clothes, 108 00:04:01,575 --> 00:04:02,993 I was a vacuum cleaner salesman, 109 00:04:02,993 --> 00:04:04,911 and boy did that job suck. 110 00:04:04,911 --> 00:04:07,289 -You know that? -[Laughing] 111 00:04:07,289 --> 00:04:08,540 I mean, I did a lot of things. 112 00:04:08,540 --> 00:04:09,541 I didn't know what I was gonna do. 113 00:04:09,541 --> 00:04:11,668 Have you always wanted to do comedy? 114 00:04:11,668 --> 00:04:15,130 Um... no, I really didn't until I got on stage, 115 00:04:15,130 --> 00:04:17,549 until I was talked into it, because I didn't wanna, 116 00:04:17,549 --> 00:04:19,009 you know, do it. 117 00:04:19,009 --> 00:04:20,552 Soon after moving to New Orleans, 118 00:04:20,552 --> 00:04:22,596 Ellen is actively looking for work in the 119 00:04:22,596 --> 00:04:25,056 city's comedy scene. 120 00:04:25,056 --> 00:04:27,684 I'm driving down the street in the French Quarter, 121 00:04:27,684 --> 00:04:29,478 and there was a sign that said, 122 00:04:29,478 --> 00:04:31,521 'Opening soon Clyde's Comedy Corner' 123 00:04:31,521 --> 00:04:33,356 up on this banister. And I went inside, 124 00:04:33,356 --> 00:04:35,317 and I asked if the owner was there, 125 00:04:35,317 --> 00:04:36,943 and he happened to be there. 126 00:04:36,943 --> 00:04:40,322 I told him I was a comedian, and could I be the MC? 127 00:04:40,322 --> 00:04:42,115 Ellen has become fully committed to a 128 00:04:42,115 --> 00:04:44,159 career as a comedian. 129 00:04:44,159 --> 00:04:47,454 I won't say how old I am, but I'm pretty old, 130 00:04:47,454 --> 00:04:49,498 and I've been singing and playing the guitar 131 00:04:49,498 --> 00:04:53,293 my whole life, and I still do gigs. 132 00:04:53,293 --> 00:04:54,878 Why do I do that? 133 00:04:54,878 --> 00:04:57,672 I don't make any money at it, really. 134 00:04:57,672 --> 00:05:03,512 There's something you get from making people laugh 135 00:05:03,512 --> 00:05:06,515 as a group, anonymous people, 136 00:05:06,515 --> 00:05:09,726 that you can't replace any other way in your life. 137 00:05:09,726 --> 00:05:12,145 And boy, she's had it big time. 138 00:05:12,145 --> 00:05:14,064 ♪ 139 00:05:14,064 --> 00:05:17,484 By 1982, Ellen is flush with strong material and 140 00:05:17,484 --> 00:05:20,070 a desire for greater exposure. 141 00:05:20,070 --> 00:05:22,489 She submits a tape to 'Showtime' and is chosen as 142 00:05:22,489 --> 00:05:25,867 the network's funniest person in America. 143 00:05:25,867 --> 00:05:27,369 We write a letter to a friend, 144 00:05:27,369 --> 00:05:28,912 we run out of room on the front of the letter, 145 00:05:28,912 --> 00:05:31,831 we write 'over' on the bottom of the letter. 146 00:05:31,831 --> 00:05:34,668 What, are we writing to morons or something? 147 00:05:34,668 --> 00:05:38,255 Like they're going to read it, "And so Kathy and I-" 148 00:05:38,255 --> 00:05:40,006 Ellen DeGeneres. 149 00:05:40,006 --> 00:05:42,425 [Applauding] 150 00:05:42,425 --> 00:05:44,928 She is soon making her name on the comedy circuit. 151 00:05:44,928 --> 00:05:48,932 So like, if you would laugh, then he won't get it. 152 00:05:48,932 --> 00:05:50,934 [Laughing] 153 00:05:50,934 --> 00:05:54,521 To get paid for, for doing things that you made up, 154 00:05:54,521 --> 00:05:56,439 things that you say, "Yeah, this will be funny. 155 00:05:56,439 --> 00:05:58,358 They'll enjoy this." And you get on stage, 156 00:05:58,358 --> 00:06:00,986 and they actually are funny, and they actually do make 157 00:06:00,986 --> 00:06:03,363 people laugh, and you think you have this, 158 00:06:03,363 --> 00:06:06,741 this talent for making other people enjoy themselves. 159 00:06:06,741 --> 00:06:08,869 It's, it's the greatest thing in the world. 160 00:06:08,869 --> 00:06:10,996 As Ellen's professional life starts to grow, 161 00:06:10,996 --> 00:06:12,956 so does her personal life. 162 00:06:12,956 --> 00:06:14,916 She's come out to her friends as gay, 163 00:06:14,916 --> 00:06:17,752 and she has a girlfriend named Kat Perkoff. 164 00:06:17,752 --> 00:06:19,880 ♪ 165 00:06:19,880 --> 00:06:22,966 Ellen had experienced this terrible tragedy. 166 00:06:22,966 --> 00:06:26,344 Her girlfriend and her had had this terrible fight. 167 00:06:26,344 --> 00:06:28,471 They weren't on speaking terms. 168 00:06:28,471 --> 00:06:32,100 Ellen discovers that Kat has been unfaithful. 169 00:06:32,100 --> 00:06:34,519 Later that evening at a club, Kat tries to 170 00:06:34,519 --> 00:06:37,147 reconcile the situation, but Ellen pretends 171 00:06:37,147 --> 00:06:40,066 she can't hear her over the music. 172 00:06:40,066 --> 00:06:42,402 The two leave the club separately and Ellen 173 00:06:42,402 --> 00:06:45,071 notices a car accident on the way home. 174 00:06:45,071 --> 00:06:46,573 The next morning, 175 00:06:46,573 --> 00:06:49,534 she finds out that the crash involved Kat, 176 00:06:49,534 --> 00:06:53,455 and her girlfriend is now dead. 177 00:06:53,455 --> 00:06:56,291 It left Ellen heartbroken. 178 00:06:56,291 --> 00:06:57,792 Ellen was in mourning. 179 00:06:57,792 --> 00:06:59,294 She had to move out her apartment because she 180 00:06:59,294 --> 00:07:01,171 couldn't afford to stay in apartment that her and 181 00:07:01,171 --> 00:07:02,672 her girlfriend stayed in. 182 00:07:02,672 --> 00:07:06,635 She was staying in this raggedy place, 183 00:07:06,635 --> 00:07:08,053 sitting on a mattress, 184 00:07:08,053 --> 00:07:11,640 and she had this sort of epiphany. 185 00:07:11,640 --> 00:07:13,475 Wouldn't it be great if we could just pick up the phone 186 00:07:13,475 --> 00:07:15,894 and call up God and ask him these things? 187 00:07:15,894 --> 00:07:19,773 Just pick up the phone and call up God and... 188 00:07:19,773 --> 00:07:21,858 "Yeah, hi, God? It's Ellen. 189 00:07:21,858 --> 00:07:23,526 Ellen." -[Laughing] 190 00:07:23,526 --> 00:07:25,111 You got a little cold, God bless ya. 191 00:07:25,111 --> 00:07:27,364 -[Laughing] -Bless yourself. 192 00:07:27,364 --> 00:07:29,949 She creates a routine about speaking with God. 193 00:07:29,949 --> 00:07:31,951 It leads to a call. 194 00:07:31,951 --> 00:07:34,871 One that every comedian in the 1980s strives for. 195 00:07:34,871 --> 00:07:37,123 Would you welcome, Ellen DeGeneres. Ellen? 196 00:07:37,123 --> 00:07:40,960 ♪ [Applauding] ♪ 197 00:07:40,960 --> 00:07:43,463 The set that she gives on the Johnny Carson Show, 198 00:07:43,463 --> 00:07:46,007 which was one of the most pivotal moments of her 199 00:07:46,007 --> 00:07:48,510 career, was directly inspired by her 200 00:07:48,510 --> 00:07:50,261 grief in that moment. 201 00:07:50,261 --> 00:07:51,888 ♪ 202 00:07:51,888 --> 00:07:53,932 Yeah, hi God, this is Ellen. 203 00:07:53,932 --> 00:07:55,225 Ellen. 204 00:07:55,225 --> 00:07:57,060 DeGeneres... 205 00:07:57,060 --> 00:07:58,770 DeGeneres. 206 00:07:58,770 --> 00:08:00,480 What's so funny? 207 00:08:00,480 --> 00:08:02,273 [Chuckling] No, I never thought of that, 208 00:08:02,273 --> 00:08:03,900 it does sound like that, doesn't it? 209 00:08:03,900 --> 00:08:07,696 She was super driven, super focused, 210 00:08:07,696 --> 00:08:09,698 and super ambitious. 211 00:08:09,698 --> 00:08:12,450 Ellen's appearance has more than career implications. 212 00:08:12,450 --> 00:08:15,537 It arguably marks a shift in culture. 213 00:08:15,537 --> 00:08:18,206 It's always tougher for a, a woman to do comedy. 214 00:08:18,206 --> 00:08:20,500 I say that and men think I'm being chauvinistic. 215 00:08:20,500 --> 00:08:22,752 I think she had to work harder than any comedian. 216 00:08:22,752 --> 00:08:23,962 Number one because she was a woman. 217 00:08:23,962 --> 00:08:26,339 I think it was hard then because the people who were 218 00:08:26,339 --> 00:08:30,010 making the decisions were all guys in suits. 219 00:08:30,010 --> 00:08:31,636 In the wake of her breakout appearance 220 00:08:31,636 --> 00:08:32,929 on 'The Tonight Show', 221 00:08:32,929 --> 00:08:36,015 Ellen's profile increases exponentially as 222 00:08:36,015 --> 00:08:38,643 America embraces her brand of comedy. 223 00:08:38,643 --> 00:08:40,270 She had, like, a, a... 224 00:08:40,270 --> 00:08:42,480 you know, an every woman kind of a thing. 225 00:08:42,480 --> 00:08:45,191 She had a dry delivery. 226 00:08:45,191 --> 00:08:47,861 She took the, the dull and mundane and 227 00:08:47,861 --> 00:08:49,487 made it hysterical. 228 00:08:49,487 --> 00:08:50,947 [Applauding] 229 00:08:50,947 --> 00:08:53,825 In 1992, Ellen lands an HBO special, 230 00:08:53,825 --> 00:08:56,369 marking a crucial next step in her career. 231 00:08:56,369 --> 00:08:57,537 [Applauding] 232 00:08:57,537 --> 00:09:00,582 Her relentless drive also lands her her first regular 233 00:09:00,582 --> 00:09:03,209 small screen gig as a cast member 234 00:09:03,209 --> 00:09:05,503 on the Fox sitcom 'Open House.' 235 00:09:05,503 --> 00:09:07,922 ♪ 236 00:09:07,922 --> 00:09:10,759 You know I had dinner with Mr. Green once. 237 00:09:10,759 --> 00:09:11,885 Actually it wasn't dinner, 238 00:09:11,885 --> 00:09:14,846 it was more like a snack, really. 239 00:09:14,846 --> 00:09:17,432 'Open House' only lasts one season, 240 00:09:17,432 --> 00:09:19,976 but Ellen impresses network executives. 241 00:09:19,976 --> 00:09:22,061 They decide to take a chance and 242 00:09:22,061 --> 00:09:24,022 build a sitcom around her. 243 00:09:24,022 --> 00:09:26,816 Her personality really did 244 00:09:26,816 --> 00:09:30,320 allow her to segueway into a sitcom. 245 00:09:30,320 --> 00:09:31,571 Here's a crazy thing. 246 00:09:31,571 --> 00:09:33,198 They were auditioning for the pilot, 247 00:09:33,198 --> 00:09:36,034 and I went in. It was a chemistry read, 248 00:09:36,034 --> 00:09:39,913 or like a, a studio network test, with Ellen, 249 00:09:39,913 --> 00:09:41,790 reading with her in the room. 250 00:09:41,790 --> 00:09:44,125 I don't know if people know how, like, 251 00:09:44,125 --> 00:09:46,961 intimidating it is to go for these big network tests 252 00:09:46,961 --> 00:09:48,463 and they say how much they're gonna pay you and 253 00:09:48,463 --> 00:09:51,299 you start cashing the cheques before you get there. 254 00:09:51,299 --> 00:09:53,760 I was like, "I could buy a house after this." 255 00:09:53,760 --> 00:09:56,012 But I made Ellen laugh, 256 00:09:56,012 --> 00:09:58,264 and she made me laugh, 257 00:09:58,264 --> 00:10:00,141 and we had amazing chemistry and 258 00:10:00,141 --> 00:10:02,060 I got the job an hour later. 259 00:10:02,060 --> 00:10:05,063 The Ellen sitcom was about a single woman 260 00:10:05,063 --> 00:10:06,648 who owned a bookstore. 261 00:10:06,648 --> 00:10:09,818 It really is what we would now call a 'hangout comedy.' 262 00:10:09,818 --> 00:10:13,113 A bunch of friends getting together, 263 00:10:13,113 --> 00:10:17,158 going through sort of funny scenarios. 264 00:10:17,158 --> 00:10:20,495 We worked on a set where everybody was on time, 265 00:10:20,495 --> 00:10:23,456 where we came prepared, 266 00:10:23,456 --> 00:10:26,292 where we were able to improv, 267 00:10:26,292 --> 00:10:28,169 where we were able to try things, 268 00:10:28,169 --> 00:10:30,338 where it was encouraged. 269 00:10:30,338 --> 00:10:33,758 And then once it was, like, set, of course it was set, 270 00:10:33,758 --> 00:10:36,469 and then a second take was like all bets are off. 271 00:10:36,469 --> 00:10:37,595 [Drumming] 272 00:10:37,595 --> 00:10:40,265 I'll always be there when you talk to me. 273 00:10:40,265 --> 00:10:41,516 [Drumming] 274 00:10:41,516 --> 00:10:44,102 I'll always hear you. 275 00:10:44,102 --> 00:10:46,062 Ellen came into her truth and 276 00:10:46,062 --> 00:10:48,148 what she wanted the show to be. 277 00:10:48,148 --> 00:10:50,567 Paige, why would you just naturally assume they're mine? 278 00:10:50,567 --> 00:10:51,985 I mean, could they possibly be Spence's? 279 00:10:51,985 --> 00:10:53,236 Okay, they're mine. 280 00:10:53,236 --> 00:10:56,489 I think that you come to the table, quite literally, 281 00:10:56,489 --> 00:10:59,200 with authenticity and integrity, 282 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:02,287 and you want everything to be great and funny, 283 00:11:02,287 --> 00:11:04,122 'cause it is a sitcom. 284 00:11:04,122 --> 00:11:07,375 The show is a big success, but behind the scenes 285 00:11:07,375 --> 00:11:09,794 Ellen will reveal another side of herself... 286 00:11:09,794 --> 00:11:12,839 a deep-seated determination for perfection. 287 00:11:12,839 --> 00:11:16,217 I could only imagine what the pressure was on her. 288 00:11:16,217 --> 00:11:19,387 And an ambition so driven that it ignores 289 00:11:19,387 --> 00:11:21,347 the feelings of all others. 290 00:11:30,148 --> 00:11:32,150 Ellen's sitcom is ever more popular, 291 00:11:32,150 --> 00:11:35,153 but with growing success comes increased pressure, 292 00:11:35,153 --> 00:11:38,239 and a determination to push her team. 293 00:11:38,239 --> 00:11:39,991 It was a horrible show to write for because 294 00:11:39,991 --> 00:11:41,910 you had to reinvent the show every week. 295 00:11:41,910 --> 00:11:44,329 First of all, that week we were doing a show where 296 00:11:44,329 --> 00:11:48,791 the character of Audrey was pregnant. 297 00:11:48,791 --> 00:11:50,835 It had been okayed by the network and the studio 298 00:11:50,835 --> 00:11:52,170 and by Ellen. 299 00:11:52,170 --> 00:11:55,256 The script was written, we shoot on Friday, 300 00:11:55,256 --> 00:11:58,009 it's Wednesday night, we're all drinking, we've had wine. 301 00:11:58,009 --> 00:12:00,136 We were walking out on stage, and she turns 302 00:12:00,136 --> 00:12:03,181 to Dava Savel, who is one of the executive producers, 303 00:12:03,181 --> 00:12:04,807 turns to her and says, "By the way, 304 00:12:04,807 --> 00:12:07,101 I don't think I want Audrey to get pregnant this week." 305 00:12:07,101 --> 00:12:11,439 ♪ 306 00:12:11,439 --> 00:12:14,150 But not after the writers have been drinking and now 307 00:12:14,150 --> 00:12:16,903 know they have to go back and pull an all-nighter 308 00:12:16,903 --> 00:12:19,572 to write another story, that's different from 309 00:12:19,572 --> 00:12:22,367 replacing jokes, or a scene. 310 00:12:22,367 --> 00:12:26,663 When we got back to the office to start the night, 311 00:12:26,663 --> 00:12:30,833 or continue the night, she sent us all wine, 312 00:12:30,833 --> 00:12:34,837 bottles of wine. Now... 313 00:12:34,837 --> 00:12:36,756 That's not thinking. 314 00:12:36,756 --> 00:12:40,468 That's a sweet gesture, but it's a thoughtless gesture in 315 00:12:40,468 --> 00:12:43,680 the sense of that we'd all want to drink that wine, 316 00:12:43,680 --> 00:12:45,682 'cause we were already a little bit high, 317 00:12:45,682 --> 00:12:47,308 but we couldn't. 318 00:12:47,308 --> 00:12:49,435 The next day I understand she was upset because 319 00:12:49,435 --> 00:12:51,229 we didn't thank her. 320 00:12:51,229 --> 00:12:52,981 But Ellen is also pushing herself, 321 00:12:52,981 --> 00:12:54,899 and is struggling with the need to create 322 00:12:54,899 --> 00:12:56,651 something meaningful. 323 00:12:56,651 --> 00:12:59,320 Something authentic. 324 00:12:59,320 --> 00:13:01,406 I was, I was doing well financially, 325 00:13:01,406 --> 00:13:04,075 I was doing well professionally, but I didn't, 326 00:13:04,075 --> 00:13:06,869 I felt like I was not free. 327 00:13:06,869 --> 00:13:08,871 Everything felt like a lie. 328 00:13:08,871 --> 00:13:12,709 I saw my friend and a fellow performer 329 00:13:12,709 --> 00:13:16,796 come to the set with... 330 00:13:16,796 --> 00:13:19,757 pain, and fear, and angst. 331 00:13:19,757 --> 00:13:21,509 And then trying to be funny on top of that 332 00:13:21,509 --> 00:13:23,428 because she really wanted to be 333 00:13:23,428 --> 00:13:25,596 living in her truth. 334 00:13:25,596 --> 00:13:28,599 She invited all the writers to her house for a, a party, 335 00:13:28,599 --> 00:13:30,977 I think it was in the summer during hiatus... 336 00:13:30,977 --> 00:13:33,980 and she stood up in front of everybody and she announced, 337 00:13:33,980 --> 00:13:36,983 "I'm coming out on the show this season." 338 00:13:36,983 --> 00:13:41,404 All I remember was my partner does a U-turn, 339 00:13:41,404 --> 00:13:44,073 goes out to the balcony, and he said, 340 00:13:44,073 --> 00:13:46,159 "We can't do this." 341 00:13:46,159 --> 00:13:50,288 He felt like this was possibly gonna kill us. 342 00:13:50,288 --> 00:13:52,373 The 90s were a very different time from today. 343 00:13:52,373 --> 00:13:56,919 They were not welcoming to gay people in popular culture. 344 00:13:56,919 --> 00:13:59,297 Ellen's sitcom is on summer break, 345 00:13:59,297 --> 00:14:01,049 but rumours have gotten out and there's 346 00:14:01,049 --> 00:14:03,259 public speculation about what's going to happen 347 00:14:03,259 --> 00:14:05,303 next on the show. 348 00:14:05,303 --> 00:14:06,929 When is Ellen gonna come out? 349 00:14:06,929 --> 00:14:08,723 How is Ellen gonna come out? 350 00:14:08,723 --> 00:14:10,308 What is it gonna look like? 351 00:14:10,308 --> 00:14:13,436 Rumour about your character on Ellen, Ellen Morgan, 352 00:14:13,436 --> 00:14:15,104 you know, coming out of the closet. 353 00:14:15,104 --> 00:14:17,273 She was not true to herself on it. 354 00:14:17,273 --> 00:14:20,318 She didn't want to date men on the show anymore. 355 00:14:20,318 --> 00:14:22,779 I mean, is, is it, is it going to happen? 356 00:14:22,779 --> 00:14:24,447 Or is it not going to happen? 357 00:14:24,447 --> 00:14:27,241 And if it does happen, well, that's great, right? 358 00:14:27,241 --> 00:14:30,286 She couldn't walk around holding hands 359 00:14:30,286 --> 00:14:32,205 with her girlfriend. 360 00:14:32,205 --> 00:14:33,664 You're like in hard news right now. 361 00:14:33,664 --> 00:14:34,999 I love that you're- 362 00:14:34,999 --> 00:14:36,959 you know, I don't, I don't know. 363 00:14:36,959 --> 00:14:38,628 -Oh come on, you know. -Yeah, okay. 364 00:14:38,628 --> 00:14:39,754 You gotta know, it's your show. 365 00:14:39,754 --> 00:14:41,881 [Laughing] 366 00:14:41,881 --> 00:14:44,133 She couldn't be... 367 00:14:44,133 --> 00:14:47,970 look like a couple with anybody. 368 00:14:47,970 --> 00:14:50,264 Though the network bows to pressure from Ellen, 369 00:14:50,264 --> 00:14:53,601 the actual episode where her character will come out 370 00:14:53,601 --> 00:14:56,187 remains a closely guarded secret. 371 00:14:56,187 --> 00:14:59,315 Has there ever been anyone you felt you clicked with? 372 00:14:59,315 --> 00:15:01,359 ♪ 373 00:15:01,359 --> 00:15:04,570 And what was his name? 374 00:15:04,570 --> 00:15:06,280 Susan. 375 00:15:06,280 --> 00:15:08,533 [Laughing & applauding] 376 00:15:08,533 --> 00:15:11,661 The energy of the, of the tapings 377 00:15:11,661 --> 00:15:13,663 started to grow, and you could feel it, 378 00:15:13,663 --> 00:15:15,081 and when was gonna be the time, 379 00:15:15,081 --> 00:15:16,749 and we all knew, obviously, that when it, 380 00:15:16,749 --> 00:15:18,376 when it was gonna happen. 381 00:15:18,376 --> 00:15:20,545 I remember driving up to get to my street and 382 00:15:20,545 --> 00:15:22,380 it was completely blocked off. 383 00:15:22,380 --> 00:15:24,382 Someone was having a party on the block to watch it, 384 00:15:24,382 --> 00:15:26,217 and I thought, "Oh this is, this is sensational. 385 00:15:26,217 --> 00:15:27,927 This is really, really terrific." 386 00:15:27,927 --> 00:15:30,513 The official 'Come Out with Ellen' website 387 00:15:30,513 --> 00:15:34,183 claims that it's received 1,500 requests for 388 00:15:34,183 --> 00:15:37,311 its 'Come Out with Ellen' house party kits. 389 00:15:37,311 --> 00:15:39,021 I'm 35 years old. 390 00:15:39,021 --> 00:15:41,566 I'm so afraid to tell people. I mean, I just... 391 00:15:42,733 --> 00:15:44,360 Susan... 392 00:15:44,360 --> 00:15:45,903 [Amplified] I'm gay. 393 00:15:45,903 --> 00:15:50,158 [Cheering] 394 00:15:50,158 --> 00:15:52,201 When Ellen announced that she was gay into that 395 00:15:52,201 --> 00:15:56,372 loudspeaker, the audience started crying and 396 00:15:56,372 --> 00:15:59,876 applauding for, we had to stop tape for five minutes. 397 00:15:59,876 --> 00:16:02,003 It was, I mean, I'm choking up 398 00:16:02,003 --> 00:16:03,754 just remembering it. 399 00:16:03,754 --> 00:16:06,215 There was screaming, there was laughter, 400 00:16:06,215 --> 00:16:09,093 there was crying, there was emotion. 401 00:16:09,093 --> 00:16:14,182 It was like a vibration that will never, ever be repeated. 402 00:16:14,182 --> 00:16:16,726 There's a line in the show that I say to open it, 403 00:16:16,726 --> 00:16:18,311 to the therapist, "Nobody ever gives you a cake 404 00:16:18,311 --> 00:16:19,812 that says, 'Good for you, you're gay.'" 405 00:16:19,812 --> 00:16:22,023 And they, they, they wheeled out 406 00:16:22,023 --> 00:16:24,567 a huge cake that said, 'Good for you, you're gay.' 407 00:16:24,567 --> 00:16:27,403 It really was a game changer, 408 00:16:27,403 --> 00:16:29,030 and it was monumental. 409 00:16:29,030 --> 00:16:30,156 It was weird, I was getting phone calls, 410 00:16:30,156 --> 00:16:33,201 people from New York saying that the streets were empty, 411 00:16:33,201 --> 00:16:37,038 that places had closed down early. 412 00:16:37,038 --> 00:16:39,707 During commercial breaks or, or after a certain line 413 00:16:39,707 --> 00:16:41,667 you could hear cheering. 414 00:16:41,667 --> 00:16:44,837 I think she rose to, 415 00:16:44,837 --> 00:16:48,382 to this stratosphere that we talk about and, 416 00:16:48,382 --> 00:16:51,135 you know, the cover of 'Time Magazine' 417 00:16:51,135 --> 00:16:54,555 and, 'Yep, I'm Gay,' was a big deal for her. 418 00:16:54,555 --> 00:16:56,974 Not many people had done that. 419 00:16:56,974 --> 00:16:58,684 When Ellen came out on her show, 420 00:16:58,684 --> 00:17:01,395 it was this bold and brash decision. 421 00:17:01,395 --> 00:17:03,648 It was a powerful decision. It was a calculated decision. 422 00:17:03,648 --> 00:17:05,191 It was time for her. 423 00:17:05,191 --> 00:17:07,985 I was... 424 00:17:07,985 --> 00:17:11,322 filled with joy. 425 00:17:11,322 --> 00:17:13,282 But as the celebration around Ellen's coming out 426 00:17:13,282 --> 00:17:14,951 begins to recede, 427 00:17:14,951 --> 00:17:16,786 a backlash starts to foment. 428 00:17:16,786 --> 00:17:19,622 I think it was really post the show, 429 00:17:19,622 --> 00:17:21,541 post the actual coming out show, 430 00:17:21,541 --> 00:17:23,584 where it became the darkest. 431 00:17:23,584 --> 00:17:27,838 And I remember going to her home to, 432 00:17:27,838 --> 00:17:29,382 to huddle down with her, 433 00:17:29,382 --> 00:17:31,842 to hunker down with her, and it was very scary. 434 00:17:34,136 --> 00:17:38,557 Some anti-Ellen protestors rallied outside ABC today. 435 00:17:38,557 --> 00:17:41,686 Some people are coming out against the coming out hoopla. 436 00:17:41,686 --> 00:17:44,188 It turns me off. I don't think it's proper. 437 00:17:44,188 --> 00:17:47,316 I don't want my children or grandchildren exposed to it. 438 00:17:47,316 --> 00:17:48,943 I'm not an arch conservative, 439 00:17:48,943 --> 00:17:50,778 I'm a liberal, but there's no place for it. 440 00:17:50,778 --> 00:17:52,154 It's out of hand. 441 00:17:52,154 --> 00:17:54,740 All of the, the, the ripple effect that it had, 442 00:17:54,740 --> 00:17:57,201 the industry just went nuts. 443 00:17:57,201 --> 00:17:59,161 You can be as gay as you want, 444 00:17:59,161 --> 00:18:01,289 but if you upset the advertisers then 445 00:18:01,289 --> 00:18:02,915 we've got a problem, Ellen. 446 00:18:02,915 --> 00:18:06,002 And the industry just wasn't ready. 447 00:18:06,002 --> 00:18:08,379 It wasn't cool to be gay at that time. 448 00:18:08,379 --> 00:18:12,174 Many evangelical groups ran a campaign against it. 449 00:18:12,174 --> 00:18:14,093 They all came after Ellen. 450 00:18:14,093 --> 00:18:18,180 She's the first leading character in a leading sitcom 451 00:18:18,180 --> 00:18:21,017 in primetime to come out as a, 452 00:18:21,017 --> 00:18:24,186 as a homosexual on television. 453 00:18:24,186 --> 00:18:27,815 It is a precedent setter because if in fact this gets 454 00:18:27,815 --> 00:18:30,735 by the board, and the corporate America 455 00:18:30,735 --> 00:18:33,779 continues to pay the bill for that kind of garbage, 456 00:18:33,779 --> 00:18:36,365 it won't be long before God knows what. 457 00:18:36,365 --> 00:18:40,578 I remember we all were told to exit the stage before 458 00:18:40,578 --> 00:18:43,539 every taping so they could bring the dogs through to 459 00:18:43,539 --> 00:18:46,125 make sure there weren't bombs on the set. 460 00:18:46,125 --> 00:18:47,668 Yeah, there was a bomb threat. I don't- 461 00:18:47,668 --> 00:18:49,462 I didn't read the hate mail, so I don't know. 462 00:18:49,462 --> 00:18:52,173 But I know they didn't show it to Ellen. 463 00:18:52,173 --> 00:18:54,175 So it was pretty ugly. 464 00:18:54,175 --> 00:18:57,053 And then we would go on and do our show and 465 00:18:57,053 --> 00:18:59,930 make funny and be like a carnival ride. 466 00:18:59,930 --> 00:19:02,641 Their television program promotes homosexuality. 467 00:19:02,641 --> 00:19:04,143 Do you know what they say? 468 00:19:04,143 --> 00:19:08,356 "Hey, if you don't like it, turn it off." 469 00:19:08,356 --> 00:19:10,524 Okay, we will. 470 00:19:10,524 --> 00:19:13,569 What starts out as attacks from the religious right, 471 00:19:13,569 --> 00:19:17,156 soon turns into criticism from within the industry. 472 00:19:17,156 --> 00:19:21,118 How gay was the show? 473 00:19:21,118 --> 00:19:22,745 -How gay was the show? -Yeah. 474 00:19:22,745 --> 00:19:25,164 I could have, if it wasn't a struggle every single week 475 00:19:25,164 --> 00:19:28,334 to get that on the air, it, 476 00:19:28,334 --> 00:19:29,710 it would've probably been more. 477 00:19:29,710 --> 00:19:31,629 Even if it meant risking the comfort level 478 00:19:31,629 --> 00:19:34,048 of the audience? 479 00:19:34,048 --> 00:19:35,049 Yeah. 480 00:19:35,049 --> 00:19:37,843 We were watching Ellen find a relationship, 481 00:19:37,843 --> 00:19:42,932 which people didn't necessarily want to see. 482 00:19:42,932 --> 00:19:44,392 It started off great. 483 00:19:44,392 --> 00:19:47,186 We had big ratings, it's a giant hit. 484 00:19:47,186 --> 00:19:49,939 And then... 485 00:19:49,939 --> 00:19:51,482 it fell apart. 486 00:19:51,482 --> 00:19:52,942 And I don't think it had anything to do with 487 00:19:52,942 --> 00:19:55,236 the subject matter falling apart. 488 00:19:55,236 --> 00:19:56,612 It had to do with it got boring, 489 00:19:56,612 --> 00:19:58,072 the same show every week. 490 00:19:58,072 --> 00:20:00,658 My feeling was there's gonna be a big elephant 491 00:20:00,658 --> 00:20:03,619 in the room in every episode. 492 00:20:03,619 --> 00:20:07,915 It's so gay it's excluding a large part of our society. 493 00:20:07,915 --> 00:20:09,291 Ouch. 494 00:20:09,291 --> 00:20:12,294 I think the most important thing was that 495 00:20:12,294 --> 00:20:14,255 it just stopped being funny. 496 00:20:14,255 --> 00:20:16,257 By coming out she was essentially telling 497 00:20:16,257 --> 00:20:17,591 the world who she was. 498 00:20:17,591 --> 00:20:19,760 She was being more honest, she was being herself. 499 00:20:19,760 --> 00:20:22,721 And what the world said was, "We're not sure about that." 500 00:20:22,721 --> 00:20:26,267 Well, if you were to have her sitting here, 501 00:20:26,267 --> 00:20:29,520 it was some of the darkest times of her life too. 502 00:20:29,520 --> 00:20:32,523 Slowly the hype and the hatred begin to fade, 503 00:20:32,523 --> 00:20:35,192 but so do the ratings for the 'Ellen' show. 504 00:20:35,192 --> 00:20:37,903 ABC decides to cancel the series. 505 00:20:37,903 --> 00:20:39,905 Well, I believe we tried to give her more 506 00:20:39,905 --> 00:20:44,785 personal support, but again, I think her own passion 507 00:20:44,785 --> 00:20:46,454 got in the way of that a bit. 508 00:20:46,454 --> 00:20:48,664 She had a great opportunity and she knew it. 509 00:20:48,664 --> 00:20:50,916 To some extent she took advantage of it, 510 00:20:50,916 --> 00:20:53,335 to some extent she tried to take advantage of it 511 00:20:53,335 --> 00:20:56,213 too much, and the result was failure. 512 00:21:03,012 --> 00:21:05,055 Ellen DeGeneres will leave ABC. 513 00:21:05,055 --> 00:21:07,933 Her show canceled, her feelings bruised, 514 00:21:07,933 --> 00:21:09,894 and she leaves behind a fierce debate 515 00:21:09,894 --> 00:21:11,479 about what happened. 516 00:21:11,479 --> 00:21:14,732 Did she torpedo her own show by pushing a gay agenda? 517 00:21:14,732 --> 00:21:16,484 -And we cut! Woo! -[Applauding] 518 00:21:16,484 --> 00:21:17,985 Is everybody here right now? 519 00:21:17,985 --> 00:21:19,737 'Cause I'd like to say something. 520 00:21:19,737 --> 00:21:22,948 ♪ 521 00:21:22,948 --> 00:21:26,160 You, you've dealt with probably stuff that you 522 00:21:26,160 --> 00:21:30,539 don't deserve to deal with because... 523 00:21:30,539 --> 00:21:32,333 because of my views and because of what 524 00:21:32,333 --> 00:21:33,709 I've decided to do with my life. 525 00:21:33,709 --> 00:21:35,836 She thought she would never work again, 526 00:21:35,836 --> 00:21:38,297 that she was going to be canceled. 527 00:21:38,297 --> 00:21:41,509 It's been a wonderful, wonderful run. 528 00:21:41,509 --> 00:21:42,968 [Applauding] 529 00:21:42,968 --> 00:21:46,096 And thank you. Just, just thank you 530 00:21:46,096 --> 00:21:49,266 so much for being such good people. 531 00:21:49,266 --> 00:21:51,769 Her sitcom character came out of the closet straight into 532 00:21:51,769 --> 00:21:54,563 controversy and eventually cancellation. 533 00:21:54,563 --> 00:21:57,816 After that, the phone didn't ring much for Ellen. 534 00:21:57,816 --> 00:22:00,611 I think we all were lost at what to do next. 535 00:22:00,611 --> 00:22:02,446 We had all, you know, 536 00:22:02,446 --> 00:22:06,784 brought history making television to fruition. 537 00:22:06,784 --> 00:22:10,371 It's hard to catch lightning in a bottle twice. 538 00:22:10,371 --> 00:22:12,665 Until this year when she made a splashy comeback as the 539 00:22:12,665 --> 00:22:16,043 voice of 'Dory' in the year's biggest movie, 'Finding Nemo.' 540 00:22:16,043 --> 00:22:17,503 Forget things almost instantly. 541 00:22:17,503 --> 00:22:18,587 It runs in my family. 542 00:22:18,587 --> 00:22:21,382 Well, I mean, at least I think it does. 543 00:22:21,382 --> 00:22:23,634 Um... hmm... 544 00:22:23,634 --> 00:22:25,386 Where are they? 545 00:22:25,386 --> 00:22:28,305 In the early 2000s, Ellen fights her way back. 546 00:22:28,305 --> 00:22:29,849 You know, you know what I want to say- 547 00:22:29,849 --> 00:22:31,308 and I really do mean this- I, 548 00:22:31,308 --> 00:22:33,686 I think it's important for us to be here because 549 00:22:33,686 --> 00:22:35,479 they can't take away our creativity, 550 00:22:35,479 --> 00:22:37,773 our striving for excellence, our joy... 551 00:22:37,773 --> 00:22:40,442 only network executives can do that. 552 00:22:40,442 --> 00:22:43,112 High profile gigs such as hosting the Emmys and a 553 00:22:43,112 --> 00:22:46,657 comeback HBO stand-up special return Ellen to 554 00:22:46,657 --> 00:22:49,243 her place as a bankable big star. 555 00:22:49,243 --> 00:22:51,495 From the ashes the phoenix rises. 556 00:22:51,495 --> 00:22:54,123 Now, the reality is 557 00:22:54,123 --> 00:22:55,541 you made money for so long 558 00:22:55,541 --> 00:22:57,543 you weren't stupid enough not to put some away. 559 00:22:57,543 --> 00:23:00,713 You'll figure it out, because you're a money maker. 560 00:23:00,713 --> 00:23:02,172 You're a money maker. 561 00:23:02,172 --> 00:23:04,091 We still were hanging out quite a bit, 562 00:23:04,091 --> 00:23:08,178 and she said she was gonna do a, a pilot for a talk show, 563 00:23:08,178 --> 00:23:11,098 and one of her guests was gonna be Tom Hanks. 564 00:23:11,098 --> 00:23:12,808 And I was like, "Well, that's gonna go." 565 00:23:12,808 --> 00:23:14,894 This is our very, very first show, 566 00:23:14,894 --> 00:23:17,062 and you are my very first audience. 567 00:23:17,062 --> 00:23:18,105 [Cheering] 568 00:23:18,105 --> 00:23:20,608 In 2003, Ellen DeGeneres debuts 569 00:23:20,608 --> 00:23:22,526 her brand new talk show. 570 00:23:22,526 --> 00:23:25,195 When Ellen got her daytime talk show, 571 00:23:25,195 --> 00:23:28,407 it was still the 'Jerry Springer' era. 572 00:23:28,407 --> 00:23:31,744 So, most daytime talk shows were trashy. 573 00:23:31,744 --> 00:23:33,621 You know, people throwing chairs, 574 00:23:33,621 --> 00:23:36,790 and people's pop surprise, "I'm your daddy" and, 575 00:23:36,790 --> 00:23:39,043 "I've got a surprise for you." You know, at the time, 576 00:23:39,043 --> 00:23:41,337 Ellen was just a breath of fresh air. 577 00:23:41,337 --> 00:23:43,005 So, but what do you do? Do you work out? 578 00:23:43,005 --> 00:23:44,882 -What do you do? -Well, it ain't cheap. 579 00:23:44,882 --> 00:23:46,675 -Yeah? -[Laughing] 580 00:23:46,675 --> 00:23:50,929 So, her talk show was a lot classier and 581 00:23:50,929 --> 00:23:53,223 a lot more fun than the competition. 582 00:23:53,223 --> 00:23:56,226 ♪ [Clapping] ♪ 583 00:23:56,226 --> 00:23:59,313 Ellen's show was supposed to be light and airy and... 584 00:23:59,313 --> 00:24:01,857 a good time and dancing and fun, 585 00:24:01,857 --> 00:24:04,360 and this kind of positive space. 586 00:24:04,360 --> 00:24:07,112 She is somebody that you do want to like, 587 00:24:07,112 --> 00:24:10,908 sit down and chat with, and this was gonna be 588 00:24:10,908 --> 00:24:12,618 an incredible success for her. 589 00:24:12,618 --> 00:24:14,953 I think everybody kind of knew it right away. 590 00:24:14,953 --> 00:24:17,831 At the heart of the show was Ellen's brand of comedy, 591 00:24:17,831 --> 00:24:21,543 which is always happy-go-lucky, goofy, 592 00:24:21,543 --> 00:24:24,588 sort of naive, but there's always a slight edge there. 593 00:24:24,588 --> 00:24:26,715 The last person I kissed was- blank. 594 00:24:26,715 --> 00:24:28,092 8-year-old kid in the audience last night. 595 00:24:28,092 --> 00:24:31,303 -That is gross. -[Laughing] 596 00:24:31,303 --> 00:24:33,722 It made her that person that you want to be around. 597 00:24:33,722 --> 00:24:35,474 I am terrified of porcelain dolls. 598 00:24:35,474 --> 00:24:37,559 [Laughing] Stop! Stop, man! 599 00:24:37,559 --> 00:24:40,437 The show was an immediate hit and it, 600 00:24:40,437 --> 00:24:42,940 pretty soon was bringing more viewers than Oprah, 601 00:24:42,940 --> 00:24:44,692 which is an incredible achievement. 602 00:24:44,692 --> 00:24:47,403 Ellen basks in her newfound superstardom, 603 00:24:47,403 --> 00:24:49,655 using her show as a platform to push 604 00:24:49,655 --> 00:24:52,032 a distinctly personal agenda. 605 00:24:52,032 --> 00:24:53,784 Today, I don't know if you know this, 606 00:24:53,784 --> 00:24:55,494 but it's 'World Kindness Day.' 607 00:24:55,494 --> 00:24:57,913 [Applauding] 608 00:24:57,913 --> 00:24:59,581 Since I preach kindness every day, 609 00:24:59,581 --> 00:25:00,708 this is a big one for me. 610 00:25:00,708 --> 00:25:02,376 This is like my Super Bowl or... 611 00:25:02,376 --> 00:25:05,045 or my World Series or my- 612 00:25:05,045 --> 00:25:06,964 I don't know any other sports. That's all. 613 00:25:06,964 --> 00:25:08,006 [Laughing] 614 00:25:08,006 --> 00:25:09,758 All along, Ellen makes kindness 615 00:25:09,758 --> 00:25:11,301 a big part of the show's appeal. 616 00:25:11,301 --> 00:25:12,678 She says, "Be kind to one another," 617 00:25:12,678 --> 00:25:13,971 at the end of every episode. 618 00:25:13,971 --> 00:25:16,390 She makes charity a part of the spectacle. 619 00:25:16,390 --> 00:25:18,517 It's not just funny, it's that you feel like 620 00:25:18,517 --> 00:25:20,310 you're watching someone who's using their platform 621 00:25:20,310 --> 00:25:21,311 to do good. 622 00:25:21,311 --> 00:25:22,646 Her motto was, "Be kind." 623 00:25:22,646 --> 00:25:24,398 She was the friend next door, 624 00:25:24,398 --> 00:25:26,275 and you liked her. 625 00:25:26,275 --> 00:25:29,153 So, to me, it was real. 626 00:25:29,153 --> 00:25:31,989 Ladies and gentlemen, winning tonight for 627 00:25:31,989 --> 00:25:33,866 favourite daytime TV host, 628 00:25:33,866 --> 00:25:36,076 favourite comedic collaboration, 629 00:25:36,076 --> 00:25:38,871 favourite animated movie voice... 630 00:25:38,871 --> 00:25:41,874 Ellen sells this idea of kindness with a capital K. 631 00:25:41,874 --> 00:25:43,542 It becomes a lifestyle brand, and not just 632 00:25:43,542 --> 00:25:45,419 like a moral value. 633 00:25:45,419 --> 00:25:48,380 She is one of the best people on this planet and 634 00:25:48,380 --> 00:25:50,340 no one is more deserving, 635 00:25:50,340 --> 00:25:52,509 the one and only, Ellen DeGeneres. 636 00:25:52,509 --> 00:25:54,887 For over a decade, Ellen's daytime talk show 637 00:25:54,887 --> 00:25:58,056 is a juggernaut, making her the most beloved and 638 00:25:58,056 --> 00:26:01,393 highest paid talk show host in television history. 639 00:26:01,393 --> 00:26:03,687 But as the show enters its 18th year, 640 00:26:03,687 --> 00:26:05,481 culture shifts. 641 00:26:05,481 --> 00:26:07,691 Scrutiny becomes currency. 642 00:26:07,691 --> 00:26:09,485 And for the first time, rumblings about 643 00:26:09,485 --> 00:26:12,237 Ellen DeGeneres being not what she seems 644 00:26:12,237 --> 00:26:13,947 float to the surface. 645 00:26:13,947 --> 00:26:16,074 The show did so many good things. 646 00:26:16,074 --> 00:26:18,535 Going on TV every day and telling people 647 00:26:18,535 --> 00:26:20,204 to be kind to one another... 648 00:26:20,204 --> 00:26:23,373 there's so much goodness and beauty within that. 649 00:26:23,373 --> 00:26:25,584 But it's like an apple, right? 650 00:26:25,584 --> 00:26:28,128 The apple is really, really good until you get to a core 651 00:26:28,128 --> 00:26:30,172 and then it's a different, it's a different thing. 652 00:26:30,172 --> 00:26:32,132 I got to the core, and it wasn't... 653 00:26:32,132 --> 00:26:34,510 it was rotten, and it wasn't good. 654 00:26:44,144 --> 00:26:47,689 In 2012, Ellen DeGeneres is one of the most powerful 655 00:26:47,689 --> 00:26:51,068 people in the industry, capable of making or 656 00:26:51,068 --> 00:26:54,071 breaking anyone she takes an interest in. 657 00:26:54,071 --> 00:26:56,573 ♪ WE ARE THE CROWD WE'RE C-COMING OUT, ♪ 658 00:26:56,573 --> 00:26:58,492 ♪ GOT MY FLASH ON IT'S TRUE ♪ 659 00:26:58,492 --> 00:26:59,993 ♪ NEED THAT PICTURE OF YOU ♪ 660 00:26:59,993 --> 00:27:01,787 ♪ IT'S SO MAGICAL. ♪ 661 00:27:01,787 --> 00:27:03,038 My name is Greyson Chance. 662 00:27:03,038 --> 00:27:05,165 I'm an artist and a singer-songwriter. 663 00:27:05,165 --> 00:27:07,918 She wasn't just one of the biggest champions, 664 00:27:07,918 --> 00:27:09,753 she was my champion. 665 00:27:09,753 --> 00:27:13,090 It was yesterday I saw your video, 666 00:27:13,090 --> 00:27:15,968 and you were sitting in math class, I believe, right? 667 00:27:15,968 --> 00:27:19,137 I finally excused myself from class and I called, 668 00:27:19,137 --> 00:27:21,431 and she said, "The Ellen producers just called." 669 00:27:21,431 --> 00:27:25,602 And I just remember multiple times her saying, 670 00:27:25,602 --> 00:27:28,730 "I wanna be in this for a long time with you. 671 00:27:28,730 --> 00:27:30,816 Your mentor, your guide through the industry. 672 00:27:30,816 --> 00:27:32,526 We're going to do this together." 673 00:27:32,526 --> 00:27:33,694 She looked at my mom that day 674 00:27:33,694 --> 00:27:35,779 and she said, "You will never have to work 675 00:27:35,779 --> 00:27:37,739 a day in your life ever again." 676 00:27:37,739 --> 00:27:39,992 You are... just be prepared. 677 00:27:39,992 --> 00:27:41,660 Your minds will be blown. 678 00:27:41,660 --> 00:27:44,621 She told my mom and I that for a very, 679 00:27:44,621 --> 00:27:47,040 very long time in her career, she had always 680 00:27:47,040 --> 00:27:48,750 wanted to do something in music. 681 00:27:48,750 --> 00:27:50,294 And at this point in her career, 682 00:27:50,294 --> 00:27:53,672 the way that she saw that dream sort moving forward 683 00:27:53,672 --> 00:27:55,215 was she wanted to start an imprint 684 00:27:55,215 --> 00:27:57,050 under a major record label. 685 00:27:57,050 --> 00:27:59,428 She had gotten an advance copy of the 686 00:27:59,428 --> 00:28:02,222 Justin Bieber documentary, at the time. 687 00:28:02,222 --> 00:28:03,932 It was like a month before it released, 688 00:28:03,932 --> 00:28:05,142 she'd gotten a copy of it, 689 00:28:05,142 --> 00:28:06,727 and she really wanted me to see it. 690 00:28:06,727 --> 00:28:09,563 So this DVD gets to us. 691 00:28:09,563 --> 00:28:12,190 I remember kind of being a little fussy about it, 692 00:28:12,190 --> 00:28:13,650 I don't want to watch it, 693 00:28:13,650 --> 00:28:15,193 but I remember talking to my mom 694 00:28:15,193 --> 00:28:16,320 and my mom saying, "You know what? 695 00:28:16,320 --> 00:28:18,155 We have like two or three more shows, 696 00:28:18,155 --> 00:28:20,157 and we're gonna be back in LA in a few days. 697 00:28:20,157 --> 00:28:21,325 You'll be off. 698 00:28:21,325 --> 00:28:22,367 Why don't we watch it together"? 699 00:28:22,367 --> 00:28:23,744 And I was like, "Okay, cool." 700 00:28:23,744 --> 00:28:26,079 A few days pass, we arrive in LA. 701 00:28:26,079 --> 00:28:28,415 I was at lunch with my mom, 702 00:28:28,415 --> 00:28:29,541 and she had received a phone call 703 00:28:29,541 --> 00:28:32,419 directly from Ellen, and I remember 704 00:28:32,419 --> 00:28:35,964 my mom took a step outside out onto the street, 705 00:28:35,964 --> 00:28:37,966 and I just remember as a kid watching her 706 00:28:37,966 --> 00:28:39,676 kind of pace back and forth, 707 00:28:39,676 --> 00:28:41,720 and I remember her trying to catch a word in and 708 00:28:41,720 --> 00:28:43,388 she couldn't, on the phone. 709 00:28:43,388 --> 00:28:44,681 And I was just looking, and I was like, 710 00:28:44,681 --> 00:28:46,058 "What's going on"? 711 00:28:46,058 --> 00:28:48,143 She came into the restaurant, my mom said, 712 00:28:48,143 --> 00:28:49,686 "She wants to talk to you." 713 00:28:49,686 --> 00:28:51,813 And the message that was expressed to me 714 00:28:51,813 --> 00:28:55,567 was how disappointed she was that I had not 715 00:28:55,567 --> 00:28:57,694 watched the documentary, 716 00:28:57,694 --> 00:29:00,280 and she spent a lot of time telling me that, 717 00:29:00,280 --> 00:29:02,950 "I took time to personally get this, 718 00:29:02,950 --> 00:29:05,535 and you were not able to watch it." 719 00:29:05,535 --> 00:29:07,996 And that's when I saw a completely different 720 00:29:07,996 --> 00:29:09,456 side of her. 721 00:29:09,456 --> 00:29:12,292 And in years later, you know, when I got a little older, 722 00:29:12,292 --> 00:29:14,753 my mom and I had rehashed that story a bit more, 723 00:29:14,753 --> 00:29:18,090 and my mom had told me that she had kinda come at her 724 00:29:18,090 --> 00:29:21,176 very, very hard and said things along the lines of, 725 00:29:21,176 --> 00:29:23,011 you know, "How are you raising him? 726 00:29:23,011 --> 00:29:24,471 What type of mother are you"? 727 00:29:24,471 --> 00:29:28,350 And these things that were pretty, pretty awful. 728 00:29:28,350 --> 00:29:32,437 And all of a sudden it became a little more like I kinda 729 00:29:32,437 --> 00:29:36,024 had to walk on eggshells, and I really had to behave, 730 00:29:36,024 --> 00:29:39,027 because if I didn't, she was gonna get nasty with my mom 731 00:29:39,027 --> 00:29:41,113 or she was gonna get nasty with me. 732 00:29:41,113 --> 00:29:45,033 And the second that, all of a sudden I wasn't going to 733 00:29:45,033 --> 00:29:48,245 get her to the success that she wanted, 734 00:29:48,245 --> 00:29:51,039 and to the imprint, she not only cast me aside, 735 00:29:51,039 --> 00:29:53,333 she casted aside the entire project. 736 00:29:53,333 --> 00:29:57,254 And any interaction with her from that day on was 737 00:29:57,254 --> 00:29:58,839 completely surface level and I was just 738 00:29:58,839 --> 00:30:01,675 another guest on the show. 739 00:30:01,675 --> 00:30:03,760 I think that I was a nice person to begin with 740 00:30:03,760 --> 00:30:05,429 and I hope I've gotten nicer. 741 00:30:05,429 --> 00:30:08,557 Is Ellen's culture of kindness just for cameras? 742 00:30:08,557 --> 00:30:11,393 In 2020, the same year as the pandemic, 743 00:30:11,393 --> 00:30:13,353 the same year that we're all stuck at home watching 744 00:30:13,353 --> 00:30:16,356 as much TV as possible, 745 00:30:16,356 --> 00:30:18,483 Ellen's facade starts to crumble. 746 00:30:18,483 --> 00:30:20,736 These reports come out that people on her show 747 00:30:20,736 --> 00:30:22,612 allegedly aren't being treated well and are 748 00:30:22,612 --> 00:30:24,322 unhappy with the environment. 749 00:30:24,322 --> 00:30:27,993 But Ellen is now facing a major PR problem following 750 00:30:27,993 --> 00:30:30,954 a Buzzfeed article that portrays the 'Queen of Nice' 751 00:30:30,954 --> 00:30:32,748 as the 'Queen of Mean'. 752 00:30:32,748 --> 00:30:36,168 A lot of the backlash built up around this Twitter thread 753 00:30:36,168 --> 00:30:38,336 that the comedian Kevin Porter posted, 754 00:30:38,336 --> 00:30:40,047 where he asked people for horror stories 755 00:30:40,047 --> 00:30:41,298 of interacting with Ellen. 756 00:30:41,298 --> 00:30:44,426 He tweeted that she is notoriously one of the 757 00:30:44,426 --> 00:30:47,054 meanest people alive, and asked for others to 758 00:30:47,054 --> 00:30:49,723 share their stories about her being mean. 759 00:30:49,723 --> 00:30:51,308 -Siri. -"Yes?" 760 00:30:51,308 --> 00:30:52,851 Spell the word bitch. 761 00:30:52,851 --> 00:30:55,687 "E-L-L-E-N." 762 00:30:55,687 --> 00:30:57,272 The staff that worked on the Ellen show, 763 00:30:57,272 --> 00:30:59,358 they couldn't have eye contact with her, 764 00:30:59,358 --> 00:31:02,569 there were allegations that Ellen and her staff 765 00:31:02,569 --> 00:31:05,489 yelled at people, yelled at people on their team. 766 00:31:05,489 --> 00:31:06,948 Well, let me tell you something. 767 00:31:06,948 --> 00:31:11,036 I did Ellen DeGeneres' show a couple of times, 768 00:31:11,036 --> 00:31:13,705 and the last time I did it, it was a long time ago, 769 00:31:13,705 --> 00:31:15,207 it was probably 10 years ago, 770 00:31:15,207 --> 00:31:18,543 I took note of how scared her staff was. 771 00:31:18,543 --> 00:31:21,254 Brad Garrett of 'Everybody Loves Raymond' fame 772 00:31:21,254 --> 00:31:23,632 and Leah Thompson from 'Back to the Future' 773 00:31:23,632 --> 00:31:27,594 have posted Tweets saying that she's not nice. 774 00:31:27,594 --> 00:31:30,055 So, it's a pretty tough moment 775 00:31:30,055 --> 00:31:32,057 to be Ellen right now. 776 00:31:32,057 --> 00:31:34,684 With her reputation suddenly in question, 777 00:31:34,684 --> 00:31:37,437 Ellen writes up an apology to her staff in 778 00:31:37,437 --> 00:31:39,898 an attempt to mitigate the damage. 779 00:31:39,898 --> 00:31:43,068 Ellen came off as somewhat defensive. 780 00:31:43,068 --> 00:31:44,736 It was during the summer, so I didn't 781 00:31:44,736 --> 00:31:46,822 have any platform to respond to it. 782 00:31:46,822 --> 00:31:49,324 She was sort of implying that there was some kind of, 783 00:31:49,324 --> 00:31:52,661 you know, behind the scenes conspiracy to take her down. 784 00:31:52,661 --> 00:31:54,121 I mean, I really didn't understand it. 785 00:31:54,121 --> 00:31:56,373 I still don't understand it. 786 00:31:56,373 --> 00:31:57,666 Yeah, I thought, I thought 787 00:31:57,666 --> 00:31:59,334 something was going on that, that... 788 00:31:59,334 --> 00:32:01,378 because it was too orchestrated, 789 00:32:01,378 --> 00:32:03,004 it was too coordinated. 790 00:32:03,004 --> 00:32:05,507 I don't think they felt she was sincere. 791 00:32:05,507 --> 00:32:07,551 I don't think they believed it. 792 00:32:07,551 --> 00:32:09,344 With her career under siege, 793 00:32:09,344 --> 00:32:12,556 more bad news is on the doorstep for Ellen. 794 00:32:12,556 --> 00:32:14,432 The culture at Ellen's talk show has been under 795 00:32:14,432 --> 00:32:16,810 a harsh spotlight for the past few weeks. 796 00:32:16,810 --> 00:32:18,979 And just as Ellen vows to make changes, 797 00:32:18,979 --> 00:32:21,731 these new allegations are painting an even more 798 00:32:21,731 --> 00:32:23,817 disturbing picture behind the scenes. 799 00:32:33,076 --> 00:32:35,787 When I first heard the allegations against Ellen, 800 00:32:35,787 --> 00:32:39,082 I was like, "What? What"? 801 00:32:39,082 --> 00:32:42,836 I thought, my first reaction was, it was unfair. 802 00:32:42,836 --> 00:32:45,672 But then it kept coming out, and it was when 803 00:32:45,672 --> 00:32:47,674 Warner Brothers did a, 804 00:32:47,674 --> 00:32:50,343 did an inside investigation. 805 00:32:50,343 --> 00:32:53,513 As Ellen struggles to contain a flurry of allegations that 806 00:32:53,513 --> 00:32:55,724 she allowed a toxic work environment, 807 00:32:55,724 --> 00:32:57,809 the situation escalates. 808 00:32:57,809 --> 00:33:00,520 Staffers at 'Ellen' alleged a culture of racism, 809 00:33:00,520 --> 00:33:02,939 fear, and intimidation at the show. 810 00:33:02,939 --> 00:33:05,317 They asked to go on leave for mental health, 811 00:33:05,317 --> 00:33:07,235 and when they came back they found out that 812 00:33:07,235 --> 00:33:08,945 their job had been terminated. 813 00:33:08,945 --> 00:33:10,572 If you went against her, 814 00:33:10,572 --> 00:33:12,824 you might be boycotted in this industry. 815 00:33:12,824 --> 00:33:13,992 You might have a hard time. 816 00:33:13,992 --> 00:33:16,453 One Black staffer said that she underwent a 817 00:33:16,453 --> 00:33:18,205 number of racist micro-aggressions. 818 00:33:18,205 --> 00:33:20,248 This morning three top producers are out 819 00:33:20,248 --> 00:33:21,583 at the 'Ellen' show. 820 00:33:21,583 --> 00:33:23,835 Warner Brothers confirming to NBC news that 821 00:33:23,835 --> 00:33:26,630 executive producers, Ed Galvin, Kevin Leman, 822 00:33:26,630 --> 00:33:29,049 and co-executive producer, Jonathan Norman, 823 00:33:29,049 --> 00:33:30,550 have all parted ways with the 824 00:33:30,550 --> 00:33:32,969 Emmy award-winning daytime series. 825 00:33:32,969 --> 00:33:36,389 "I am 100% categorically denying these allegations. 826 00:33:36,389 --> 00:33:38,350 I have never had a single complaint of any 827 00:33:38,350 --> 00:33:40,727 misconduct against me in my career." 828 00:33:40,727 --> 00:33:44,731 The people who were actually being accused of 829 00:33:44,731 --> 00:33:46,942 the harassment and, and the misconduct 830 00:33:46,942 --> 00:33:49,694 were producers on the show, not Ellen herself, 831 00:33:49,694 --> 00:33:51,279 which we should be very clear about. 832 00:33:51,279 --> 00:33:54,658 But when you put all of those together, 833 00:33:54,658 --> 00:33:58,536 what you get is the poisoning of one of the 834 00:33:58,536 --> 00:34:01,081 best reputations in Hollywood. 835 00:34:01,081 --> 00:34:03,541 Now the question is, was she in the dark? 836 00:34:03,541 --> 00:34:05,585 Or did she turn a blind eye? 837 00:34:05,585 --> 00:34:07,671 Despite a Warner Brothers investigation that 838 00:34:07,671 --> 00:34:09,589 forces out three of her producers, 839 00:34:09,589 --> 00:34:11,758 the accusations levelled against Ellen 840 00:34:11,758 --> 00:34:15,011 continue to paint an increasingly dire portrait. 841 00:34:15,011 --> 00:34:16,846 Toxic, phoney, hypocrite, liar. 842 00:34:16,846 --> 00:34:18,390 That's what she is. 843 00:34:18,390 --> 00:34:20,558 Hannah Muscat was with Ellen from the beginning, 844 00:34:20,558 --> 00:34:23,603 in 2003, when the talk show was launched. 845 00:34:23,603 --> 00:34:25,480 We were told from the very beginning, 846 00:34:25,480 --> 00:34:27,732 "Don't talk to Ellen. Don't do this. 847 00:34:27,732 --> 00:34:30,110 You can't, you know, go into her office." 848 00:34:30,110 --> 00:34:32,529 It was very nerve wracking, very stressful. 849 00:34:32,529 --> 00:34:34,781 We all walked on eggshells all the time. 850 00:34:34,781 --> 00:34:38,285 Muscat says, despite Ellen's 'Queen of Nice' reputation, 851 00:34:38,285 --> 00:34:41,037 it became clear early on that it would not be 852 00:34:41,037 --> 00:34:42,289 a pleasant place to work. 853 00:34:42,289 --> 00:34:44,582 You are the exec producer, 854 00:34:44,582 --> 00:34:47,210 or you hired the exec producer. 855 00:34:47,210 --> 00:34:48,962 Your name is on the door. 856 00:34:48,962 --> 00:34:52,507 You are responsible for what goes on. 857 00:34:52,507 --> 00:34:57,512 You are responsible for how your staff is acting. 858 00:34:57,512 --> 00:34:59,180 It had built up, which means it had 859 00:34:59,180 --> 00:35:00,765 been going on for a long time and people 860 00:35:00,765 --> 00:35:03,476 didn't say anything, until finally, it was 861 00:35:03,476 --> 00:35:06,730 the straw that broke the camel's back. 862 00:35:06,730 --> 00:35:09,816 When you look at comedians, Hollywood stars in general, 863 00:35:09,816 --> 00:35:12,902 you always kinda wonder the context of, 864 00:35:12,902 --> 00:35:14,154 what's their childhood? 865 00:35:14,154 --> 00:35:15,488 What's their journey been like? 866 00:35:15,488 --> 00:35:17,615 And for Ellen, it really feels like 867 00:35:17,615 --> 00:35:21,536 she was super driven, super focused, 868 00:35:21,536 --> 00:35:24,164 and super ambitious, and it kinda, 869 00:35:24,164 --> 00:35:27,208 probably was fuelled by some of the awful things 870 00:35:27,208 --> 00:35:29,419 that happened to her as she was a child. 871 00:35:29,419 --> 00:35:32,589 After Ellen's mom and dad divorce, 872 00:35:32,589 --> 00:35:34,841 Ellen's mom later got married. 873 00:35:34,841 --> 00:35:36,593 She has said that 874 00:35:36,593 --> 00:35:38,595 her stepfather began sexually abusing her 875 00:35:38,595 --> 00:35:41,598 when her mother got cancer. 876 00:35:41,598 --> 00:35:43,683 My mother had just had a mastectomy, 877 00:35:43,683 --> 00:35:45,518 she had breast cancer... 878 00:35:45,518 --> 00:35:49,648 and he told me that he thought he felt another lump 879 00:35:49,648 --> 00:35:52,942 in her other breast and he needed to feel mine. 880 00:35:52,942 --> 00:35:54,527 And then it escalated to more and more, 881 00:35:54,527 --> 00:35:56,237 trying to do more. 882 00:35:56,237 --> 00:35:58,782 And then, she was out of town and one night tried to 883 00:35:58,782 --> 00:36:00,241 break the door down when I was sleeping, 884 00:36:00,241 --> 00:36:02,827 and I had to kick a window out and go sleep in a 885 00:36:02,827 --> 00:36:05,372 hospital overnight and just stay on the floor. 886 00:36:05,372 --> 00:36:06,498 And I couldn't, it's a small town, 887 00:36:06,498 --> 00:36:08,792 so I couldn't tell people why I was there. 888 00:36:08,792 --> 00:36:12,128 Ellen told her mom what her stepdad had done, 889 00:36:12,128 --> 00:36:13,505 and Ellen's mom wouldn't believe her. 890 00:36:13,505 --> 00:36:15,548 So, she did confront him about the story? 891 00:36:15,548 --> 00:36:16,883 Yeah, but he said I was lying 892 00:36:16,883 --> 00:36:20,261 and then she stayed with him. 893 00:36:20,261 --> 00:36:23,056 So that, that made me really angry. 894 00:36:23,056 --> 00:36:24,933 That really is like the ultimate form of betrayal, 895 00:36:24,933 --> 00:36:27,727 realizing that you don't have your mom's support and 896 00:36:27,727 --> 00:36:29,270 you're not safe at home. 897 00:36:29,270 --> 00:36:30,688 To escape the abuse, 898 00:36:30,688 --> 00:36:32,440 Ellen moves in with her father, 899 00:36:32,440 --> 00:36:33,858 but the hope that everything will be 900 00:36:33,858 --> 00:36:36,361 better there is soon shattered. 901 00:36:36,361 --> 00:36:37,904 Her father, you know, is remarried and 902 00:36:37,904 --> 00:36:40,281 has his own children, his own family... 903 00:36:40,281 --> 00:36:42,617 and so, Ellen comes to a point where she wants 904 00:36:42,617 --> 00:36:44,869 to tell her dad that she's gay. 905 00:36:44,869 --> 00:36:47,414 The woman who he's married to 906 00:36:47,414 --> 00:36:49,874 had two daughters, 907 00:36:49,874 --> 00:36:52,001 and they asked me to 908 00:36:52,001 --> 00:36:54,212 move out of the house after that. 909 00:36:54,212 --> 00:36:57,882 And she's being told that she's dangerous in some ways, 910 00:36:57,882 --> 00:36:59,592 that she can't be around children 911 00:36:59,592 --> 00:37:01,928 or a traditional family life. 912 00:37:01,928 --> 00:37:03,847 So, that obviously sends a message. 913 00:37:03,847 --> 00:37:06,975 That was bad... 914 00:37:06,975 --> 00:37:08,977 because they loved me, and I loved them, 915 00:37:08,977 --> 00:37:13,064 and they didn't want me in the house. 916 00:37:13,064 --> 00:37:14,149 I mean, the story of what happened to Ellen 917 00:37:14,149 --> 00:37:16,443 when she came out to her biological father is 918 00:37:16,443 --> 00:37:18,361 familiar to a lot of queer kids. 919 00:37:18,361 --> 00:37:20,155 It's maybe a more extreme version than some people 920 00:37:20,155 --> 00:37:23,158 experience, where, you know, a lot of people live in homes 921 00:37:23,158 --> 00:37:26,161 that, where they feel disapproval. 922 00:37:26,161 --> 00:37:28,746 In this case, she was literally not approved and 923 00:37:28,746 --> 00:37:30,373 asked to move out. 924 00:37:30,373 --> 00:37:34,085 When you face rejection and trauma growing up, 925 00:37:34,085 --> 00:37:36,337 the pressure isn't necessarily about 926 00:37:36,337 --> 00:37:38,506 what other people are telling you to do. 927 00:37:38,506 --> 00:37:41,551 The pressure is about internally how you prove to 928 00:37:41,551 --> 00:37:44,095 other people that you are worthy. 929 00:37:44,095 --> 00:37:48,683 So, if I internally have a storm inside of me, 930 00:37:48,683 --> 00:37:51,102 I'm gonna create that on the outside of me. 931 00:37:51,102 --> 00:37:56,357 So, I see the laser focus on the goal being 932 00:37:56,357 --> 00:37:59,152 very chaotic to the people around her. 933 00:37:59,152 --> 00:38:02,822 And I think that edge is informed by life. 934 00:38:02,822 --> 00:38:05,325 I think that edge is informed by 935 00:38:05,325 --> 00:38:09,245 having had to keep a big part of 936 00:38:09,245 --> 00:38:11,664 who she was hidden for so long. 937 00:38:11,664 --> 00:38:15,126 Because I didn't have the privilege of being protected, 938 00:38:15,126 --> 00:38:17,670 so nobody around me gets that privilege either. 939 00:38:17,670 --> 00:38:19,172 Ellen would always tell stories about fighting 940 00:38:19,172 --> 00:38:23,092 bullies in childhood, or standing up for the innocent. 941 00:38:23,092 --> 00:38:25,845 And, you know, in the end, 942 00:38:25,845 --> 00:38:28,097 the thing that takes her down is 943 00:38:28,097 --> 00:38:31,059 this impression that she actually is a bully herself, 944 00:38:31,059 --> 00:38:33,686 and there's something really sad and tragic about that. 945 00:38:33,686 --> 00:38:35,855 There was something almost mythical about the way that 946 00:38:35,855 --> 00:38:39,901 her reputation for kindness was getting totally torn down 947 00:38:39,901 --> 00:38:43,655 in spectacular fashion in front of everybody. 948 00:38:43,655 --> 00:38:45,865 I would argue that 949 00:38:45,865 --> 00:38:49,786 she demolished her brand, 950 00:38:49,786 --> 00:38:51,371 almost entirely. 951 00:39:00,129 --> 00:39:02,215 After more than 3000 episodes and 952 00:39:02,215 --> 00:39:04,509 2,400 celebrity interviews, 953 00:39:04,509 --> 00:39:06,719 that's a wrap for the Ellen DeGeneres show. 954 00:39:06,719 --> 00:39:09,305 The daytime TV star telling the Hollywood Reporter, 955 00:39:09,305 --> 00:39:11,683 "As great as the show is, and as fun as it is, 956 00:39:11,683 --> 00:39:13,601 it's just not a challenge anymore." 957 00:39:13,601 --> 00:39:15,103 So it was crazy, and it was quick. 958 00:39:15,103 --> 00:39:17,355 It, it, it happened really fast, and... 959 00:39:17,355 --> 00:39:20,275 and we woke up one day and it was over. 960 00:39:20,275 --> 00:39:22,193 Unable to mollify her detractors and 961 00:39:22,193 --> 00:39:24,445 fully clear her reputation, 962 00:39:24,445 --> 00:39:26,698 Ellen DeGeneres chooses to end 963 00:39:26,698 --> 00:39:29,284 her talk show after 19 seasons. 964 00:39:29,284 --> 00:39:31,411 This is my last season, in case you didn't know that, 965 00:39:31,411 --> 00:39:33,329 and if you didn't know, surprise! 966 00:39:33,329 --> 00:39:34,497 -It's my last season. -[Laughing] 967 00:39:34,497 --> 00:39:37,542 I went to Ellen's show to sit in the audience to go, 968 00:39:37,542 --> 00:39:40,003 I wanted to dance with her and meet Ellen and 969 00:39:40,003 --> 00:39:41,379 hug her and tell her, 970 00:39:41,379 --> 00:39:43,464 "Welcome to the talk show arena! 971 00:39:43,464 --> 00:39:46,175 I'm so proud of you! You told those folks!" 972 00:39:46,175 --> 00:39:48,303 We are all standing there waiting for 973 00:39:48,303 --> 00:39:49,804 our girl Ellen to come out. 974 00:39:49,804 --> 00:39:52,307 She comes out, she goes up on stage, 975 00:39:52,307 --> 00:39:55,310 and then she does the opening and we're just so excited. 976 00:39:55,310 --> 00:39:57,103 The big blue eyes, and she's funny, 977 00:39:57,103 --> 00:39:59,856 and we're laughing and giving it, giving it, giving it. 978 00:39:59,856 --> 00:40:02,025 And then the commercial break comes, 979 00:40:02,025 --> 00:40:03,818 and we're all expecting like, 980 00:40:03,818 --> 00:40:05,403 "Come on up here, talk to us, girl"! 981 00:40:05,403 --> 00:40:08,239 And I'm, I'm like, "Hey, girl, hey"! 982 00:40:08,239 --> 00:40:10,074 You know, I'm like, "Hey..." 983 00:40:10,074 --> 00:40:11,951 ♪ 984 00:40:11,951 --> 00:40:14,787 Ellen never turned to the audience. 985 00:40:14,787 --> 00:40:18,041 Never said like, "Y'all, I'm so glad you're here." 986 00:40:18,041 --> 00:40:21,085 Ellen sat there as if we weren't even there. 987 00:40:21,085 --> 00:40:23,296 I just found it so odd because there was 988 00:40:23,296 --> 00:40:25,381 so much love there for her. 989 00:40:25,381 --> 00:40:27,467 How could you just not turn and say, 990 00:40:27,467 --> 00:40:29,594 "I love you" back? 991 00:40:29,594 --> 00:40:31,471 You know, what I wanted to do when I started out is, 992 00:40:31,471 --> 00:40:33,848 is make people happy, and make people laugh. 993 00:40:33,848 --> 00:40:37,310 But then, this has turned into something so much 994 00:40:37,310 --> 00:40:40,146 better for me that I get to change people's lives. 995 00:40:40,146 --> 00:40:42,732 I think it's wholly unfair. 996 00:40:42,732 --> 00:40:46,110 Ellen DeGeneres was the first person who called me back 997 00:40:46,110 --> 00:40:50,448 in the pandemic when I was making a video for 998 00:40:50,448 --> 00:40:52,617 raising money for the Navajo Nation because 999 00:40:52,617 --> 00:40:54,202 they didn't have ventilators. 1000 00:40:54,202 --> 00:40:56,245 And Ellen was the first person to call me back, 1001 00:40:56,245 --> 00:40:58,414 and say, "What do you need"? 1002 00:40:58,414 --> 00:41:00,541 Well, I love you, and I... 1003 00:41:00,541 --> 00:41:03,294 so appreciate you and what you have 1004 00:41:03,294 --> 00:41:06,547 given to the world over the last 19 years. 1005 00:41:06,547 --> 00:41:09,384 The contribution is, it's endless. 1006 00:41:09,384 --> 00:41:11,928 With her talk show ending prematurely, 1007 00:41:11,928 --> 00:41:15,765 her fan base divided and revelations still coming, 1008 00:41:15,765 --> 00:41:19,227 Ellen DeGeneres' legacy becomes murky. 1009 00:41:19,227 --> 00:41:22,313 I think the saddest thing about this whole Ellen 1010 00:41:22,313 --> 00:41:26,776 revelation is that she exploded from within, 1011 00:41:26,776 --> 00:41:31,531 imploded from within, that the staff imploded. 1012 00:41:31,531 --> 00:41:34,033 That's the structure of your show. 1013 00:41:34,033 --> 00:41:36,953 And that the audience didn't come to her rescue, 1014 00:41:36,953 --> 00:41:38,955 those are the sad things. 1015 00:41:38,955 --> 00:41:40,832 To have a tainted legacy because of 1016 00:41:40,832 --> 00:41:42,625 the way you treated people. 1017 00:41:42,625 --> 00:41:44,544 There are people out there who, 1018 00:41:44,544 --> 00:41:49,632 when a prominent gay woman is accused to be harsh, 1019 00:41:49,632 --> 00:41:52,510 mean, insensitive, inhuman... 1020 00:41:52,510 --> 00:41:54,887 all their stereotypes are confirmed. 1021 00:41:54,887 --> 00:41:58,141 And so, I would bet that part of that sentiment, 1022 00:41:58,141 --> 00:42:00,184 wanting her to fit the stereotype, 1023 00:42:00,184 --> 00:42:02,019 has driven some of the backlash. 1024 00:42:02,019 --> 00:42:04,897 She looked at the news, she looked at TikTok, 1025 00:42:04,897 --> 00:42:06,983 she looked at all these places and said, 1026 00:42:06,983 --> 00:42:08,568 "How do I make this a part of the show, 1027 00:42:08,568 --> 00:42:10,319 as opposed to only bringing on celebrities 1028 00:42:10,319 --> 00:42:12,447 who are going to promote a thing?" 1029 00:42:12,447 --> 00:42:16,951 She opened the door and then people ran through. 1030 00:42:16,951 --> 00:42:19,954 There's nothing that Ellen could do that would erase her 1031 00:42:19,954 --> 00:42:22,373 importance in the history of Queer television. 1032 00:42:22,373 --> 00:42:24,083 -[Applauding] -Thank you, thank you. 1033 00:42:24,083 --> 00:42:27,170 I so, I so appreciate the support, and it's, 1034 00:42:27,170 --> 00:42:31,090 it's been really hard to convince people that I can, 1035 00:42:31,090 --> 00:42:34,802 you know, do a daytime show and be this person that 1036 00:42:34,802 --> 00:42:37,597 I know that I am and that I've always tried to be. 1037 00:42:37,597 --> 00:42:40,141 And this is a huge thing for me and I, 1038 00:42:40,141 --> 00:42:41,768 I'm so happy doing it and I hope... 1039 00:42:41,768 --> 00:42:44,103 [Cheering & applauding] 1040 00:42:44,103 --> 00:42:48,024 My friend Ellen DeGeneres has done a tremendous 1041 00:42:48,024 --> 00:42:50,860 amount of good for the world. 1042 00:42:50,860 --> 00:42:54,071 For the LGBTQ plus community, 1043 00:42:54,071 --> 00:42:57,450 for moms at home that needed a friend 1044 00:42:57,450 --> 00:43:01,078 and needed a laugh or a good cry during their day. 1045 00:43:01,078 --> 00:43:02,955 [Applauding] 1046 00:43:02,955 --> 00:43:04,373 When we started the show, 1047 00:43:04,373 --> 00:43:07,043 I couldn't say 'gay' on the show. 1048 00:43:07,043 --> 00:43:08,878 I was not allowed to say 'gay'. 1049 00:43:08,878 --> 00:43:11,506 I said it at home, a lot. I, you know, 1050 00:43:11,506 --> 00:43:13,758 "What are we having for our gay breakfast"? Or... 1051 00:43:13,758 --> 00:43:15,009 [Laughing] 1052 00:43:15,009 --> 00:43:16,928 "Pass the gay salt." 1053 00:43:16,928 --> 00:43:18,137 "Has anyone seen the gay remote"? 1054 00:43:18,137 --> 00:43:19,639 Things like that. But... 1055 00:43:19,639 --> 00:43:22,391 we couldn't say 'gay.' I couldn't say 'we' 1056 00:43:22,391 --> 00:43:25,436 because that implied that I was with someone. 1057 00:43:25,436 --> 00:43:27,230 Sure couldn't say 'wife' and that's because 1058 00:43:27,230 --> 00:43:29,273 it wasn't legal for gay people to get married, 1059 00:43:29,273 --> 00:43:31,150 and now I say 'wife' all the time. 1060 00:43:31,150 --> 00:43:33,736 [Applauding] 1061 00:43:33,736 --> 00:43:37,031 I think that you can catch people on a bad day, 1062 00:43:37,031 --> 00:43:39,951 and I think you're allowed to have a bad day. 1063 00:43:39,951 --> 00:43:44,497 I think that if you spend your life being kind, 1064 00:43:44,497 --> 00:43:47,375 and being good, I think that you are 1065 00:43:47,375 --> 00:43:50,127 allowed to have a really shitty day. 1066 00:43:50,127 --> 00:43:54,632 And maybe she had those. You know? 1067 00:43:54,632 --> 00:43:58,010 I know I have. It's unfair to, 1068 00:43:58,010 --> 00:44:00,763 to make a judgment about someone without knowing 1069 00:44:00,763 --> 00:44:02,807 all the parts of the story.