ELLEN, AGAIN: PILOT {A.K.A. ELLEN SHOW, THE} {SERIES
PREMIERE} (TV)
Summary
The pilot in the comedy series about a failed internet entrepreneur from Los Angeles who decides to return to her small-town roots. This episode begins with Ellen Richmond, founder of homelearn.com, speaking with her staff, trying her best to remember their names. That night, Ellen drives back home to Clark to accept the Spread Your Wings award for her achievements. Arriving at her family's house, she is warmly greeted by mother Dot and sister Cathy. Cathy reveals that she has a new boyfriend, Donald, who she thinks is better than the shady beaus in her past. Ellen reveals that she just broke up with her girlfriend. Ellen bunks in her perfectly preserved childhood bedroom, which is decorated with posters of beautiful TV stars and tennis great Billie Jean King. Ellen asks Dot if she wants to move to California to live with her, though Dot declines. Dot reveals that she recently ran into Mr. Munn, Ellen's former economics teacher, who discussed the upcoming "Ellen Day." Also teaching at the high school is Rusty Carnouk, Ellen's prom date. Ellen visits Munn and Rusty, both of whom are elated to see her. Rusty still carries a torch for Ellen, until he learns she is gay. Munn thinks it would be great to introduce Ellen to Bunny Hopstetter, the school's "out" gym teacher. Though Bunny seems intrigued, Ellen politely excuses herself. Later, Ellen speaks to Munn's economics class. During the lecture, Ellen receives a phone call alerting her that her company has just gone under. Afterward, a bummed-out Ellen wonders what to do with herself while trying to enjoy the events of Ellen Day. At the event, Cathy shows Ellen her boyfriend Donald, who runs the cotton candy machine. Later, Ellen secures a new job, which she tells Rusty means that she has to get right back to L.A. Before leaving, Munn presents an embarrassed Ellen with her award. In her car and ready for departure, Ellen cannot go through with it, feeling unsettled. Ultimately, she decides to stay in Clark for a little while longer. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: September 24, 2001 Monday 9:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:21:26
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:83776
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; LGBT Collection
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 2001-2002
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Ellen DeGeneres … Executive Producer
- Carol Leifer … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer
- Mitchell Hurwitz … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer
- Suzy Mamann-Greenberg … Supervising Producer
- Andy Ackerman … Producer, Director
- Stewart Halpern … Associate Producer
- Vickie Perez … Associate Producer
- David Schwartz … Music by
- Ellen DeGeneres … Cast, Ellen Richmond
- Martin Mull … Cast, Mr. Munn
- Jim Gaffigan … Cast, Rusty Carnouk
- Cloris Leachman … Cast, Dot Richmond
- Emily Rutherfurd … Cast, Catherine Richmond
- Diane Delano … Cast, Bunny Hopstetter
- Jill Talley … Cast, Executive #2
- Jennifer Irwin … Cast, Meg
- Reggie Lee … Cast, Kwan
- Stephanie Erb … Cast, Executive #1
- Michael Luckerman … Cast, Caricaturist
- Billie Jean King