Vows

ROBERTA'S ATTENDANCE AT THE 30.1.98 TAPING OF THE LOST EPISODE "VOWS"

I am back to tell those (who were not as lucky as myself and Toby) about what happened last night at the Ellen taping. I was in the second row to the far right (when facing the stage). In front of Ellen Morgan's livingroom. This is where Ellen was standing when receiving questions from the audience. She comes prancing out to a lot of applause. Her smile just lights up your soul. She notices a group in the back with these paper fans. Some kind of an organization called, "Lesbians against boredom". Something like that. She jokes with them. "I guess they'll make an organization for anything." More jokes and discussion with them. This is the best part of the taping, because this is the real Ellen talking and not some writer telling her what to say. How witty and funny she really is. Of course the typical questions: do you want to do stand up again - yes; any word on renewing the show - no; would writing help - Honestly, I don't know (and she mentions the person in charge); will you sign this important garment-(reluctantly, but politely) Alright. Did you get a puppy for your B-day? - No, was a friends. Two dogs is enough; Do you pick out what Ellen Morgan wears - (she does that adorable skit of talking to herself like a split personality) Your not wearing that! Yes I am! (Than she assures us that ED and EM are different people). [Maybe Toby has a better memory than I. I just turned 41 (or am I 40?). ;-)]

THEN THE MAGIC MOMENT: I bravely raised my hand and her blue eyes met my brown eyes (what a rush) and she nodded her head. I stood up (it felt like I was in slow motion) and addressed the question first to the audience and then to Ellen. What a sport she is. Let me know if you want to know my question, otherwise I'll keep writing what I think most of you would like to know.

Joely Fisher takes the mike and talks about the performance she is in at Cal State (? sorry, don't remember location) that night and on Sat. to benefit the AIDS foundation. She had to leave right after the show to appear there. When she was sure there were no more questions, they went into action.

Ellen signs items between scenes. They do it on the kitchen table with flashlights sense it is dark between scenes. Anne was sitting on Ellen's lap during some of the signing. I had a paperback version of her book signed: Roberta - DREAM BIG! I guess that is her generic saying. She picked a good one.

Ellen was trying to share her drink with Anne, almost looked like teasing. She had a big grin on her face and was looking into Anne's eyes, but Anne wouldn't take a drink. They do all takes twice, so at times they will change something and ask the audience what was better. Ellen with the umbrella closed or open. They may even change a line and ask which the audience likes better.

Lisa Darr was taking a break just below the audience and the comedian in charge of entertaining us started funning with her. She is a good sport too. Would have been nice if the other stars would interact with the audience more. Maybe Anne could say something since she wasn't working. She didn't seem very relaxed. Maybe something was wrong. Ellen was very relaxed (and she was the one working).

WARNING: Don't read this if your the type that doesn't want to know what happens on the show prior to watching it. It will air in May.
Livingroom scene with dad and mom talking to Laurie about their plans to renew their vows. Mom messes up a lot (she is so adorable; they try to walk a script to her, but she confirms she already knows it). Ellen brings a drink of water. Laurie volunteers to help with the flowers and Ellen tries to tactfully come up with a lame excuse why they couldn't help. Laurie insists. When parents leave, Ellen shows her disapproval. Laurie insists they help.

Livingroom scene with mom in wedding dress in front of mirror. Laurie comes out in a attractive, slim white wedding attire (audience made lots of hoots). Paige comes out with a risque´ dress on. Ellen comes out with a hoop dress on and umbrella. Shoulders bare (she looks like Little Bo Peep). First shot she came out with the umbrella closed. Second time it was open. Audience liked the umbrella opened best. Funny dialog follows. Ellen, Laurie, and mom sit on the sofa. (Very funny because Ellen's hoop dress is awkward to sit in). Paige continually must go to the kitchen to answer the phone. Ellen is beckoned to talk to her dad on the phone. (Dad is sitting at the far stage pretending to be talking on the phone off camera. Even places his hand to his ear pretending he is holding a phone). He is acting like a nervous groom to be. Ellen gets done with him. Ellen is in charge of dropping off the check to the nudey bar for the stripper to perform at her dad's bachelor party. The joke you won't hear (because the audience liked the other line better) was Ellen referring to the good old days when kids just had to give their dad's a ceramic ash tray. When mom leaves, Laurie wishes there were stairs at the wedding hall so she could push Ellen's mom off (mom is driving her crazy with the wedding preperations).

Nudey bar: Ellen walks into the closed, dark bar and stumbles onto the stage in a compromising position. As she gets off the stage, the owner comes in and says he is not hiring now. Ellen explains why she is there and hands him the envelope. He asks her what type of girl her dad would like. 3 strippers come in. They are introduced. Ellen checks them out. Bar owner leaves to prepare the buffet. One dancer has a cage with a snake as part of her performance. The one who studies dance goes on stage to show Ellen her performance. Ellen goes on stage to teach her how to calm it down (very funny scene). Even suggests wearing a turtle neck. They seperately filmed the 2 strippers responding to what Ellen and the stripper were doing.

Dining hall: Dad is in a Coast Guard uniform. He is very nervous. Tells Ellen his best man (her Uncle) is not well. You can hear the uncle, who is drunk, in the kitchen. Uncle comes out and hugs Ellen. Tactlessly asks Ellen (Laurie is next to her) how the lesbian thing is going. She replies it is better than what the salesman promised. Uncle's wife takes the drunk out of the room. Ellen's dad confides in Ellen. Doesn't know if he can express his personal feelings for her mom in front of all those people. Ellen assures him he can. Ellen is touched by his feelings for mom. Laurie and Ellen walk out to the patio and romantically look up at the moon while their close to each other. This is the scene where they kiss. Ellen sits Laurie down and then gets on her knees and proposes marriage to her. Laurie is shocked. Oh my God, your pregnant! exclaims Laurie.

Ellen didn't plan it very well, no ring (not even a napkin ring). Spur of the moment. When Laurie was over the shock, she said no I can't, I don't believe in same sex marriage because it isn't recognized. Ellen was taken back. Humiliated in front of all the plants that surrounded them. Laurie assured Ellen that if she would marry, it would be with Ellen, but she thought a ceremony of marriage was worthless. Ellen didn't care if it was legal or not, what mattered is how they felt about the marriage. Laurie: That's how I feel about it.
Ellen: What about how I feel about it? (isn't that just like a typical relationship?)
Laurie, not very sympathetic or romantic, said she would if that is what Ellen wanted. Ellen came back with a sarcastic remark. Paige came out to get Laurie, because EM's mom wanted only Laurie to fix her hair. Paige, dreamy eyed, looks at them and remarks what a great couple Ellen and Laurie are and one day they will be walking down the isle together. Ellen remarks, yeh a Safeway isle, if it's legal! By the way, Ellen is not wearing the little bo beep dress. She is, of course, in a pant suit.

Wedding ceremony: Laurie is brides maid and Ellen is the best man. Since Uncle Burt planned to make a speech, Ellen is put on the spot to make the speech. All she knows is the Patton speech. She goes into her stand up routine about the airline food. Uncle Burt gives Ellen the napkins he had his speech written on. She throws some out, because of there inappropriateness. She starts reading a poem Burt wrote: Once there was a man named Morgan who had a very large.... she throws that napkin away. Mom and dad take turns saying their heart felt feelings. I think it gets to Laurie. Then mom and dad kiss (after the cut, dad was still kissing. He looked like he was enjoying that moment). Dad said something after the kiss, but I didn't hear it. It must of been funny, because everyone was laughing. Second time around he didn't spend to much time on the kiss. His poor heart probably couldn't handle it. Laurie then saw how beautiful it was between people to speak their vows in public. Maybe she will change her mind.

Remember when I mentioned Lisa Darr was on break and the comedian was teasing her? He was asking her what was wrong, first she wanted to move in with Ellen, now she doesn't want to marry Ellen. What's up? Lisa simply said, Didn't get a big enough ring. I believe the show ended with an intimate scene in the dining hall where Laurie and Ellen discussed their love for each other and a napkin ring placed on the finger. Couldn't see that far and refused to look in the TV monitor. I would rather squint and see the real people on stage. Maybe Toby can enlighten us. This was my first time at the taping. Wow, I was surprised that asking the audience for input on scenes was not typical. Thanks for informing me. I feel special now! No more suspense. I may be a teaser, but I'm a pleaser too. Hope you enjoyed it. Wish you could all experience at least one of her tapings. It is a dream come true. Ellen will not disappoint you. She truly is a shining star! Roberta (over and out: not that kind of out, cb radio out)