ELLEN NOT TVs FIRST GAY (Media Bitchings for May 11, 1998)

Another series finale is also airing this week, aside from Seinfeld. Ellen's last episode airs this Wednesday at 9pm. I would like to point out that the show isn't quite as ground breaking as everyone thinks. She may be the first main character of a sitcom to "come out", but she is not the first prominent sitcom character to be gay. Check out SOAP on Comedy Central. Billy Crystal played a very respectably written gay character who was VERY prominent in the series which was originally shot waaaay back in the late 70s. It's brilliant stuff and portrayed it's gay character going through many more trials and tribulations than Ellen has dealt with in her five season run. FYI!