Ellen DeGeneres’s replacement has to be a lesbian. James Corden would be a giant step backwards
Seven words, delivered with a straight face by Dakota Johnson last November on The Ellen DeGeneres Show could be identified as the start of the demise of Ellen DeGeneres.
“Actually, no, that’s not the truth, Ellen.”
Since that fateful exchange, countless accusations surrounding the talk show host have gained momentum. The most notable example from Kevin T Porter, a writer and comedian, whose March Twitter thread called for people to share their stories of DeGeneres’s allegedly abhorrent behaviour, directly contradicting the show’s central “be kind” message.
The thread received over 3,000 responses with people eagerly sharing their experiences of working, often very briefly, for the star’s popular talk show.
DeGeneres’s success has been based on her perceived likability and her replacement has to live up to that.
However, I think we have moved past the need for unthreatening queerness.
Being a notable, likeable queer does not translate to advances in LGBT+ rights.
Many of those who watch The Ellen DeGeneres Show will laugh along at her jokes and then switch off their televisions and vote for politicians who are actively working to restrict her rights.
If 2020 has shown us anything, it’s that we aren’t as far along in the fight for equality as we thought we were. Being visible is no longer enough, her replacement needs to be a visible, vocal advocator.
DeGeneres’s position as a high profile lesbian and how the landscape of LGBT+ rights has shifted since she came out is something that will never be forgotten.
But perhaps it’s time we make space for other queer voices and more diverse queer stories to enter people’s homes through daytime television.
Because although DeGeneres’s decision to live her life openly has opened doors for many, perhaps her palpable queerness has left many others behind.
Read more
Kevin Hart defends Ellen DeGeneres from claims she’s ‘horrible’
Former Ellen Degeneres Show DJ Tony Okungbowa felt ‘toxicity’ on set
How Ellen DeGeneres came to be accused of enabling a toxic workplace
The Ellen DeGeneres debate shows how polarised we have become
Ellen to continue hosting talk show amid investigation
investigation being launched by Warner Bros.
sitting next to former Republican president George Bush
