Ellen DeGeneres isn't your typical successful celebrity. She values honesty in her productions to show her real self to her audience. Currently, Ellen is the executive producer of her show The Ellen DeGeneres Show which aired since 2003. This is a late-afternoon-ish/daytime talk show where Ellen invited many famous celebrities to come talk about various topics. Her show is widely known for dancing, because Ellen loves to dance with her audience at the start of her shows. Ellen incorporates her production staff to the show by scaring them, surprising them, or sending them off to hunted houses (with Amy, writer of the show) before the audience members.
Although she is an enormously successful celebrity, her path getting throughout her career wasn't an easy one. According to Biography, Ellen started as a stand-up comedian in 80's and slowly appeared in t.v. shows overtime. Show after show, Ellen gradually started to gain recognition for her humor and acting. During Ellen, which was probably the peak of her career since her debut, Ellen came out publicly in the 90's through the performance in her sitcom. The 90's wasn't the greatest period of time to announce homosexuality because this was when there weren't many openly-gay celebrities coming out publicly. Ellen took her many years to reveal herself to her audience because she feared that her coming-out would bring consequences to her life. Indeed, she was right. Afterwards, ABC was overwhelmed with criticism and backlashes for airing even after coming out publicly. The studio tried to appeal to the conservatives by putting disclaimer before the show aired to inform them that Ellen's homosexuality might be inappropriate for children.
In "Commodity Lesbian" by Danae Clark, there appears to be several reasons why lesbian population are consider outsiders and not consumers of focus. Clark identifies the targeted consumer groups to be "1. identifiable, 2. accessible, 3. measurable, and 4. profitable" (Clark 143). In the case with Ellen, before Ellen came out, she focused in gaining viewers, popularity, and giving what the viewers wanted to see. According to Clark, she either might have done this to target the "main" consumer group, or to be targeted as the "main" consumer group. Clark's point is somewhat proven true because Ellen ultimately had her show cancelled after coming-out since she became an outsider and was not part of the "main" targeted group. Overall, Ellen transitioned from being an author to an auteur. The purpose and her intention of her career was to appeal to all audiences, but it seems that she works and creates her shows for herself.
In terms of her recent successes, Ellen's career has been taking off more than ever. According to Irish Central, two of the top TV personalities that are favored by republicans are Bill O'Reilly (of course) and Ellen Degeneres (really??). Even OnTopMag found that Ellen Degeneres was favored by republicans. This indicates that Ellen came a LONGGG way in her career. She broke a lot of barriers and stereotypes, and I find that this is a reason for her success. She didn't work to only appeal to conservatives (at the beginning of her career) or only liberals (after coming-out), but she worked to portray her true self, honesty.
Personally speaking, I believe that the survey reported by Irish Central and OnTopMag really reflects the public. I grew up in a conservative family and a conservative nation. Homosexuality was absolutely unheard of back the 90's in South Korea. I'm assuming that any celebrity who came-out like Ellen would have faced severe consequences. However, my mother, who is also a devote christian and conservative (in terms of homosexuality), loves Ellen. This doesn't only pertain to my mother, but it seems as if many people like my mom forgets about the fact that Ellen's identity and is sucked into her charm and humor. I am curious to see how Ellen's career and influence will transition from here. It is very difficult for a woman like Ellen to be accepted by two opposite parties. However, she was able to obtain success and be truthful at the same time, and this is what I believe is the greatest talent that Ellen has.
Personally speaking, I believe that the survey reported by Irish Central and OnTopMag really reflects the public. I grew up in a conservative family and a conservative nation. Homosexuality was absolutely unheard of back the 90's in South Korea. I'm assuming that any celebrity who came-out like Ellen would have faced severe consequences. However, my mother, who is also a devote christian and conservative (in terms of homosexuality), loves Ellen. This doesn't only pertain to my mother, but it seems as if many people like my mom forgets about the fact that Ellen's identity and is sucked into her charm and humor. I am curious to see how Ellen's career and influence will transition from here. It is very difficult for a woman like Ellen to be accepted by two opposite parties. However, she was able to obtain success and be truthful at the same time, and this is what I believe is the greatest talent that Ellen has.
Reference
Danae Clark - "Commodity Lesbianism"
Redding/Brownworth - "Catherine Saalfield" and "Debra Zimmerman" from
Film Fatales: Independent Women Director
by IrishCentral Writer Staff, Irish Central
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