20/20 {ELLEN DEGENERES; THE NEIGHBOR WHO HAD ENOUGH; FASHION MODELS} (TV)
Summary
One in this series of news magazine programs. In the first segment, Diane Sawyer interviews actress and comedienne Ellen DeGeneres about the upcoming episode of the sitcom "Ellen," in which her character, Ellen Morgan, realizes she's gay, and the aspects of DeGeneres's own life that mirror those of Morgan. Interspersed between scenes from "The Puppy Episode," DeGeneres comments on the following topics, among others: the struggle she faced in deciding to tackle homosexuality on national television; the trouble caused by telling her family she was gay; how network executives reacted to her decision to proclaim Morgan was a lesbian, and the unimportance of ratings in her plan; the backlash from advertisers, network affiliates, and the religious right; her desire not to become a political or activist symbol; violence on television as more damaging to children than her show; the inspiration of Rosa Parks's courage; her childhood; her sexual encounters with both men and women; and her portrayal of Morgan as not typically feminine. After a brief tour of her house, DeGeneres discusses pressure from special interest groups; the celebration the cast and crew held after taping the episode; and the fact that she's "still the girl next door." In the second segment, "The Neighbor Who Had Enough," reporter John Stossel updates a story that 20/20 telecast about Danny Palm, a San Diego man who killed his neighbor, John Harper, for terrorizing the neighborhood. Although he was found guilty of murder, a judge recently ruled that the original sentence was unfair and reduced the verdict to manslaughter. The final report, "Fashion Models," by Arnold Diaz, covers scams that extort money out of people who want to become models. Katie Ford of Ford Models, Inc. and Paul Fisher of It Models -- both large, reputable agencies -- report that prospective models need only come to an open call or send snapshots to be considered. But a number of firms, such as International Model and Talent, charge interested clients up to one thousand dollars for photos and portfolios and rarely get them modeling jobs, according to former employee Stewart Bank. Finally, Donna Eller, head of the Models Guild, a union representing models, examines the misrepresentation behind modeling schools and explains that no prior training is necessary for modeling. Includes commercials, promos, and a public service announcement with Bo Jackson for the U.S. Department of Education.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: April 25, 1997 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:59:00
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:48870
- GENRE: News magazine
- SUBJECT HEADING: Fashion; Gays; Lesbians; Magazine; Television - Production and direction; Trials (Murder)
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1978-
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - Aquafresh toothpaste
- TV - Commercials - Benadryl allergy/sinus headache medication
- TV - Commercials - Bristol-Myers Squibb pharmaceuticals
- TV - Commercials - Florida's Natural juice
- TV - Commercials - Glad Spin-Fresh bathroom deodorizer
- TV - Commercials - I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Light spread
- TV - Commercials - Kodak cameras
- TV - Commercials - Lincoln automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Mazda automobiles
- TV - Commercials - McDonald's fast food
- TV - Commercials - Merrill Lynch financial services
- TV - Commercials - Pond's Prevent & Correct moisturizer
- TV - Commercials - Post cereals
- TV - Commercials - Rolaids antacid tablets
- TV - Commercials - Salon Selectives styling product
- TV - Commercials - Sears department stores
- TV - Commercials - Sprint telecommunications
- TV - Commercials - True Value hardware stores
- TV - PSA - American Lung Association
- TV - PSA - U.S. Department of Education
- TV - Promos - "I Am Your Child"
- TV - Promos - "NYPD Blue"
- TV - Promos - "Nightline"
- TV - Promos - "Politically Incorrect"
- TV - Promos - "Stephen King's 'The Shining'"
- TV - Promos - "The Kentucky Derby"
- TV - Promos - "Turning Point"
- TV - Promos - "U2: A Year in Pop"
CREDITS
- Victor Neufeld … Executive Producer
- George Paul … Director
- David Tabacoff … Senior Producer
- Meredith White … Senior Producer
- Shelley Ross … Producer, For "Out in the Open"
- Melissa Cornick … Producer, For "The Neighbor Who Had Enough"
- Warren Kozak … Writer
- Hugh Downs … Host
- Barbara Walters … Host
- Diane Sawyer … Reporter, Interviewer
- John Stossel … Reporter
- Arnold Diaz … Reporter
- Ellen DeGeneres … Guest
- Ted Koppel … Talent, "Nightline" promo
- Bo Jackson … Talent, U.S. Department of Education public service announcement
- Stewart Bank
- Donna Eller
- Paul Fisher
- Katie Ford
- John Harper
- Danny Palm
- Rosa Parks