PRIMETIME LIVE {ELLEN DEGENERES} (TV)

Summary

One in this news magazine series co-anchored by Sam Donaldson and Diane Sawyer. This edition focuses on comedienne Ellen DeGeneres's recent declaration of her homosexuality, coming on the heels of the historic episode of her sitcom "Ellen" in which her character, Ellen Morgan, came out of the closet. Additional stories in this episode focus on intra-family child abductions and circus dogs. In the opening story, "Family Matters," Ellen DeGeneres discusses how she told her mother Betty DeGeneres that she was a homosexual. Betty discusses her concerns after hearing the news. Next, Sawyer discusses how devout religious people have reacted to DeGeneres's coming out of the closet. Ellen's older brother (and "Ellen" writer) Vance DeGeneres talks about his reaction. Ellen also discusses her father Elliot's negative reaction to the news twenty years ago. Elliot discusses having asked his daughter to leave the house after her revelation. Further questioning from Sawyer touches on such topics as: Ellen's current relationship with her girlfriend, actress Anne Heche; whether she wants children; her political thoughts on homosexuality; whether coming out of the closet will affect her monetarily; some final thoughts from her parents; and how she felt after taping the episode of her sitcom when her character came out.

Next, in a report titled "Where Are the Children?," John Quinones reports on children that have been abducted by their own parents, focusing first on Beau Arceneaux, abducted by his father Vaughn for twelve years. The story details the statistics surrounding parent/child abductions. Then, "Primetime" tries to aid in the rescue of some abducted children and further discusses the psychological impact these abducted children feel. "Primetime" follows as a father tries to track down his abducted daughter in Costa Rica. In the final segment, Judd Rose reports on a unique group of formerly pound-based dogs that have been rescued and now perform in The Big Apple Circus. Clown Johnny Peers shows off some of the 15 dogs he has rescued and then enlisted in his circus act. Includes commercials. This program is closed-captioned.

Details

• NETWORK: ABC
• DATE: April 30, 1997 Wednesday 10:00 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 0:58:58
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: T:48819
• GENRE: Education/Information
• SUBJECT HEADING: She Made It Collection (Ellen DeGeneres); Education/Information; News; LGBT Collection; Kidnapping
• SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1989-2012
• COMMERCIALS:
  • TV - Commercials - Ace hardware
  • TV - Commercials - Bayer aspirin
  • TV - Commercials - Benadryl histamine blocker
  • TV - Commercials - Degree antiperspirant
  • TV - Commercials - Ford trucks
  • TV - Commercials - Head Start volunteer services
  • TV - Commercials - I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Light butter substitute
  • TV - Commercials - Kodak film
  • TV - Commercials - Lifesavers mints
  • TV - Commercials - Mazda automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - McDonald's fast food restaurants
  • TV - Commercials - Nissan automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - One A Day vitamins
  • TV - Commercials - Sears auto center
  • TV - Commercials - Sprint phone services
  • TV - Commercials - The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis
  • TV - Commercials - True Value home stores
  • TV - Commercials - True Value home stores
  • TV - Commercials - Wendy's fast food restaurants
  • TV - Commercials - Werther's chocolates
  • TV - Promos - "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea"
  • TV - Promos - "20/20"
  • TV - Promos - "America's Funniest Home Videos"
  • TV - Promos - "Coach"
  • TV - Promos - "Ellen"
  • TV - Promos - "Family Matters"
  • TV - Promos - "Forrest Gump"
  • TV - Promos - "Good Morning America"
  • TV - Promos - "High Incident"
  • TV - Promos - "Home Improvement"
  • TV - Promos - "Nightline"
  • TV - Promos - "Politically Incorrect"
  • TV - Promos - "Sabrina the Teenage Witch"
  • TV - Promos - "Spin City"
  • TV - Promos - "Step by Step"
  • TV - Promos - "Stephen King's The Shining"
  • TV - Promos - "The Drew Carey Show"
  • TV - Promos - "The Kentucky Derby"
  • TV - Promos - "Tidal Wave"
  • TV - Promos - "World News Tonight"

CREDITS

• Shelley Ross … Producer
• Ceil Sutherland … Producer
• Paul Mason … Producer
• Diane Sawyer … Anchor
• Sam Donaldson … Anchor
• Chris Wallace … Reporter
• John Quinones … Reporter
• Judd Rose … Reporter
• Ellen DeGeneres … Interviewee
• Betty DeGeneres … Interviewee
• Vance DeGeneres … Interviewee
• Beau Arceneaux
• Vaughn Arceneaux
• Elliot DeGeneres
• Anne Heche
• Johnny Peers