A DVD Review: The Ellen Show

Between Ellen DeGeneres' landmark ABC sitcom "Ellen" (on which her coming out was something of a national event) and her current Emmy-winning daytime talk show, DeGeneres starred for less than a season on a little-seen CBS sitcom "The Ellen Show."

Recently released on DVD, I watched a number of the 18 episodes that were produced and was struck by several things: the first of which was that in the very first episode, Ellen's character is just casually out as a lesbian, not a big deal. No "Yep, I'm Gay" Time Magazine cover or guest spots by Laura Dern and Oprah Winfey or tabloid stories about Anne Heche! On the 2001 series, Ellen is just a gay dot.com exec who ditches the rat race to work as a high school guidance counselor in her hometown.

The DeGeneres timing is impeccable but I was also struck by the fact that it just wasn't all that funny. It was one of those shows that is amusing and clever and might elicit several chuckles, but not big laughs or momenjts that stay with you. Still, I gotta say, the talented Cloris Leachman (Oscar winner, multiple Emmy winner) is terrific as Ellen's kooky mom. There's also a wonderful reunion in one of the later episodes between Leachman and Mary Tyler Moore who co-starred as Mary and Phylls in that classic 70s sitcom. And in that episode, look for a brief cameo from Ed Asner (Lou Grant).

MTM is a big fan of Ellen's and vice-versa with Moore also doing a guest stint on "Ellen" during its four year run on ABC. Speaking of that show, the fourth seasonof "Ellen" (coming out episode included) is out on DVD Aug. 8.