The Puppy Episode

"The Puppy Episode" is a two-part episode of the American situation comedy television series Ellen. The episode details lead character Ellen Morgan's realization that she is a lesbian and her coming out. It was the 22nd and 23rd episode of the series's 4th season. The episode was written by series star Ellen DeGeneres with Mark Driscoll, Tracy Newman, Dava Savel and Jonathan Stark and directed by Gil Junger. It originally aired on ABC on April 30, 1997. The title was used as a code name for Ellen's coming out so as to keep the episode under wraps. DeGeneres began negotiating with ABC in 1996 to have Morgan come out. When word of the negotiations got out, DeGeneres found herself at the center of intense speculation about when she or her character, or both, would come out. With DeGeneres hinting at her and her character's coming out both off-screen and within the show, the rumors were confirmed when the episode went into production in March 1997. Despite threats from advertisers and religious groups, "The Puppy Episode" enjoyed enormous success, won multiple awards and became a cultural phenomenon. Nonetheless, DeGeneres and her show quickly garnered criticism for being "too gay"; the series was canceled after one more season and DeGeneres and guest star Laura Dern faced career backlashes. Plot Ellen goes out to dinner with her old friend Richard, a reporter who is in town to cover a story. His producer Susan joins them for dessert and she and Ellen hit it off. Ellen goes back to Richard's hotel room. He comes on to her and an uncomfortable Ellen leaves. She runs into Susan in the hall and returns with her to her room. They continue to enjoy each other's company until Susan tells Ellen that she is gay and that she thought Ellen might be too. Ellen denies it and accuses Susan of trying to "recruit" her. After Susan jokes about getting a toaster oven for the recruitment, an agitated Ellen leaves Susan's room and returns to Richard's room, determined to have sex with him to prove to herself that she is not gay.