Entertainment
Laura Dern shares ‘the most incredible experience’ with Ellen DeGeneres
Laura Dern is looking back on what she calls one of the most meaningful moments of her career, opening up about her experience supporting Ellen DeGeneres during a groundbreaking chapter in television history.
Speaking on Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers’ Las Culturistas podcast, Dern reflected on the cultural weight of appearing in the 1997 two-part episode of the sitcom Ellen in which DeGeneres’ character came out as a sexual orientation, marking the first time a lead character did so on television.
Discussing the representation, Dern said real change often only happens when someone is willing to go first, even before society is ready.
She explained that culture eventually catches up to storytelling, but only because someone takes that initial step.
Nearly 30 years later, Dern said she continues to meet people who tell her the episode helped them understand themselves or find the courage to come out.
At the same time, she was honest about the personal cost of being part of that moment.
“I had the honour and privilege of being part of Ellen DeGeneres’ coming-out episode called The Puppy Episode, and it was a massive moment,” Dern said.
She noted that, in hindsight, people often assume it was instantly celebrated, but the reality was far more complicated and painful.
When the episode aired in April 1997, Dern said the expectation was that it would lead to empathy and acceptance. She recalled the assumption that audiences would open their hearts, embrace their loved ones and allow culture to evolve naturally.
Instead, the reaction was intense and hostile.
That backlash affected everyone involved, including DeGeneres and other guest stars.
Dern revealed that those connected to the episode faced years of heightened security, along with bomb threats and the loss of sponsors and advertisers during what she described as a chaotic period.
“The world went, ‘No, no, no,’” she said, adding that DeGeneres ultimately lost her show and that it took years for things to shift.
Despite that, Dern believes the long-term impact proves why taking risks in storytelling matters.
She pointed to her strong queer fanbase, recalling being honoured at the 2020 Independent Spirit Awards when she was celebrated her as an icon.
She said moments like that show just how far culture has come.
Dern remembered holding DeGeneres’ hand as she spoke the words out loud for the first time on screen, calling it “one of the most incredible experiences of my life”.
Although Dern said she never hesitated to take part in the episode, she acknowledged that both she and DeGeneres were professionally impacted afterwards.
Still, she said there has been “no greater gift” than being there in that moment, supporting DeGeneres through an emotional and historic scene that would go on to shape television and representation for generations.
More recently, DeGeneres has marked personal milestones with her wife, Portia de Rossi.
The couple, who married in 2008 and renewed their vows in 2023, regularly share tributes to one another online.
DeGeneres has described her wife as “the greatest gift,” a reflection of the life she has built years after that pivotal episode first aired.
For Dern, the experience remains a powerful reminder of why representation matters, even when the cost feels overwhelming in the moment.
She believes culture is shaped precisely by those brave enough to move forward before the rest of the world is ready.
Blake Lively has shared her feelings after a big update in her legal case with Justin Baldoni.
A judge recently dismissed many of her claims, including the sexual harassment ones but the case is still going on.
Even after this decision, Lively did not step back as she said that she is thankful that the most important part of her case will still go to a jury next month.
However, this means the legal fight is not over yet.
A Simple Favor actress also explained why she filed the case in the first place and according to her, she faced serious backlash after speaking up about wanting a safe working environment.
Talking about how this has affected her, Lively called the experience “unfathomably painful” and said clearly, “I will never stop fighting.”
The court has now reduced the case, but some claims like retaliation are still active and will be heard during the trial.
On the other side, Baldoni has denied everything and his team believe that the court’s decision supports him.
The case, connected to their film It Ends With Us will move ahead in May, where both sides will finally present their side of the story in court.
The White House stated on Saturday, April 4, to deny all claims related to U.S. President Donald Trump being admitted to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Social media is buzzing with rumours that the 79-year-old president is not in good health.
The speculations started when the White House announced at 11:08 a.m. (local time) that Trump would not make any appearances for the rest of the day.
This is a surprising statement from Trump because he is expected to be at the Mar-a-Lago facility over the weekend, where he plays golf.
The White House immediately responded, declaring that the claim was totally baseless and that Trump had remained committed to his responsibilities.
Health issues have become a consistent theme throughout Trump’s presidency. In particular, his mental and physical ability to serve as president has been brought into question due to several mistakes on his part.
His last known visit to Walter Reed occurred in October when he took an MRI. At that time, Trump said the scan was “perfect.”
In 2025, White House made it public that Trump is suffering from chronic venous insufficiency.
In this condition, veins in the legs struggle to return blood to the heart. However, the doctors assure that the condition is very common in older people.
The U.S. President is also seen wearing cosmetic patches often on the back of his hand.
The White House also denied all these rumours of a possible connection between the disease and cosmetic patches, citing that bruising is due to repeated handshaking, not linked to any vein disease.
The rubbery toy made by Massachusetts-based Schylling, NeeDoh squishies, has unexpectedly gone viral on social media.
The sales of the squishies have skyrocketed, leaving stores empty and resellers charging triple the price.
CEO Paul Weingard reported that the company sold through the entire year’s inventory within the first nine weeks of 2026.
While talking to Business Insider, Weingard said, “Literally within the first nine weeks of the year, we’d sold through the whole year’s inventory. No company can plan for that.”
NeeDoh was introduced by Schylling in 2017, but demand skyrocketed this holiday season after the advent calendar-style pack took off on TikTok and elsewhere online.
Schylling claims that NeeDoh is its biggest-selling product in 52 years.
The toy is priced between $6 to $10, but due to supply chain shortages, resellers on Walmart are selling it for $200.
Where to buy NeeDoh?
The toy is available at Schylling’s official website, the company’s Amazon store, Walmart, and Target. But due to the shutdown of factories in China during the Lunar New Year in February, the company is facing a significant shortage.
Are NeeDoh safe for kids?
According to manufacturers, NeeDosh squishies are manufactured from non-toxic thermoplastic rubber.
Additionally, there’s no BPA, phthalates, or latex. It also complies with U.S. toy safety standards. These standards make it safe for kids.
However, for extra caution, parents are advised not to give squishies to children under 3 years old as they pose choking hazards. The company recommends the toy for ages 5 and up.
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[CinePlex360] Please moderate: “Further tariff