Outward

Who Is Ellen to Us?

Looking at how Ellen DeGeneres fits into the history and current landscape of queer media.

View Transcript
Illustration depicting a female with a microphone

Listen longer

Slate Plus members get ad-free versions of all Slate podcasts, plus extra segments, bonus episodes, and more. Try it free today.

Join Slate Plus

Episode Notes

This month, Christina, Bryan, and Rumaan talk to Slate sex-advice columnist Rich Juzwiak about the state of sex six months into the COVID-19 crisis. They discuss the sorts of questions he’s fielding, the limits of sexual creativity, and navigating casual sex during this time. Then the team digs into Ellen DeGeneres, how she fits into the history and modern landscape of queer media, and why she seems so disappointing.

Items discussed on the show:

“I’m Worried the New Sex Game My Wife and I Are Playing Isn’t Safe,” by Rich Juzwiak
“What to Do About Ellen,” by Christina Cauterucci and June Thomas

Gay Agenda

Bryan: UNHhhh on YouTube
Christina: The profile of Sarah Schulman by Molly Fischer in New York magazine.
Rumaan: Revisiting past sitcoms like 30 Rock and Ellen

This podcast was produced by Daniel Schroeder.

About the Show

Outward, Slate’s queer podcast, is a whip-smart monthly salon in which hosts and guests deepen the audience’s understanding of queer culture and politics, delight them with unexpected perspectives, and invite listeners into a colorful conversation about the issues animating LGBTQ communities.

All episodes

Hosts