Season 5 • Episode 22
LatestWhen Ellen's parents renew their vows, it prompts Ellen to think about taking her relationship with Laurie to the next level: marriage.
Ellen works in a Los Angeles bookstore called Buy the Book and hangs around with her friends discussing lovers, work and family.
Acting
Ellen's physical comedy — nobody owned awkward like her.
Writing
Meta before meta was cool; the show knew it was a sitcom.
Production
That bookstore set — peak '90s retail aesthetic.
Creators
Ellen DeGeneres, Neal Marlens, Carol Black
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The 'Puppy Episode' drew 42 million viewers and won a Peabody, but ABC slapped parental warnings on subsequent episodes — essentially creating the 'gay content' TV rating precedent.
Laura Dern, who played Ellen's girlfriend Susan, couldn't get work for a year after — Oprah, who also appeared, faced ratings backlash. The episode's title came from network execs suggesting Ellen 'get a puppy' instead of a girlfriend.
US
