The television comedy “Ellen” is too homosexual, even for lesbian activist Chastity Bono. In an interview published in Daily Variety March 9, Bono suggested that the program’s ratings have suffered because series creator Ellen DeGeneres, who plays the title character, hasn’t kept her promise to keep “Ellen” in the mainstream of comedy.
“[‘Ellen’] is so gay, it’s excluding a large part of our society,” said Bono, daughter of singer/actress Cher. “A lot of the stuff on it is somewhat of an inside joke. It’s one thing to have a gay lead character, but it’s another when every episode deals with pretty specific gay issues.”
The ABC television network hasn’t announced its future plans for the program, which is on hiatus. But DeGeneres believes the program will not be renewed. As a meeting sponsored by the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, she said: “I came out on the show and in my life, and the network that aired it wanted me to go back in the closet. They may have won, because we’re not coming back and they have the power to cancel us. But they can’t cancel me. I am going to be here, and I’m going to do as much as I can.”
The program has been a target of conservative Christian organizations, including the American Family Association.
