Ellen DeGeneres: January 2009 Archives

Portia de Rossi has been in the spotlight in recent years mostly as the girlfriend and now wife of Ellen DeGeneres. But of course Portia is a wonderful actress and veteran of both "Ally McBeal" and "Arrested Development." Now she's set to co-star in the new ABC comedy series "Better Off Ted." Here is a portion of a press conference she was a part of for the show at today's session of the Television Critics Assn. Tour:

Q. Do you think Ellen will pop up on your show?
Portia: I think there is more chance of me popping up on her show. Unfortunately, I say unfortunately because it seems like a very awkward kind of interview. She will make it flawless. I am happy to talk about the show, so I am happy to go on her show and talk about it, I just hope she won't ask any personal questions. That is off limits.

Q. What are you going to do for your wedding anniversary [August 17]?
Portia: It is going to be something that I can do for Ellen, because she took care of the anniversary of us being together last year and it was amazing. I want to do something special, so if you have any ideas, let me know.

Q. How has marriage changed your life?
Portia: It is a very different way of being together. There is a peace to it and a sense of togetherness we didn't have before. I didn't realize it would change as much as it has, but it is so lovely.

Q. What was unexpected about marriage?
Portia: The ability to get married legally and to have my family, my mother especially, when I say the word wife, because it is legal and so there is that kind of formality to it, that makes it very lovely. We are very much a partnership and team. That wasn't surprising, but the emotions that went with that as a gay woman -- that I would be that relieved to have my mother be present at the ceremony and bless the union and to call Ellen her daughter-in-law.

Q. Any plans for Valentine's Day?
Portia: A lot of pressure today. I tell you what happens with our lives. We have our anniversary of when we got together, then we have Christmas, her birthday, my birthday and then Valentine's day and by the end of that whole thing, we are exhausted and broke.