Ellen's  coming well-watched

In contrast to other television events soundly ignored by Oberlin students, the hype surrounding this week's episode of "Ellen" was not lost on many Obies.

Ellen Morgan, title character of the ABC television program "Ellen," came out of the closet to her friends, as well as over 40 million viewers Wednesday night, including several hundred Obies. This makes "Ellen" the first show on mainstream American television to feature a gay main character.

Ellen DeGeneres, the actress who plays Morgan, came out herself in the April 14 issue of Time Magazine, and appeared on TV news shows "20/20" and "Prime Time Live." She, along with partner Anne Heche, also appeared on Wednesday's episode of talkshow "Oprah."

The content of the show led some students to devote fully to the hype. Some students planned "Ellen parties" for the show. About 15 people attended a gathering at the Multicultural Resource Center (MRC), and an estimated 40 people watched the show in the lounge of Baldwin Cottage.

"We out-laughed and out-screamed the audience on TV," sophomore Betsy Ames, organizer of the Baldwin party said.

Although most students' opinions about the show were positive, they also expressed criticism. Even though the show was extended to a full hour, some thought that the story line moved too fast.

"Considering the audience that they presented it to, I think they did a good job," Conservatory sophomore Rashida Bryant said.

"There were a couple of cheesy spots but other than that I think they did a really good job," Ames said.

Jeremy Cobb, lifelong Oberlin and Cleveland resident, disagreed. "I felt that it was very ridiculous in the sense that it was used more as an exploitative way to bring up the ratings for the show," he said.

Cobb also fears that the light-heartedness of the show leaves the serious subject of coming out open to insensitive jokes. "In real life there are many stars who have come out of the closet but they didn't do it to improve their careers - they did it more because they cared about what they believed in," he said.

After the show, journalist Diane Sawyer interviewed DeGeneres, as well as her parents.

DeGeneres had revealed on an earlier show that her father had asked her to leave his home when she came out to him at 19. During last night's interview DeGeneres' father expressed regret for his actions and said they were done out of ignorance. This revelation struck a chord with some students.

"That was a really emotional moment for me to watch," college sophomore Jessica Reed said. "It was depressing, but I know that there are situations like that all the time, and even much worse."

Reed felt it was important to "bring Ellen down to earth," and to show that coming out is not always easy.

Many agreed that, despite the show's flaws, it had the potential to generate an important national dialogue.

"People might not agree with homosexuality but I believe the hype got them watching," said a Conservatory first-year.

All in all, many are glad that the seasons-long hint-and-nudge game is over. As Bryant sums it up, "as usual hype is always hype, but seeing is believing."