If you're thinking this week's Time cover featuring hip-hop sensation Kanye West looks a little familiar, you're right. It features "the crouch" pose that was made famous when Ellen DeGeneres came out as a lesbian back in 1997.
"Yep, I'm Gay" / April 14, 1997
"Hip Hop's Class Act" / August 29, 2005
Kanye West was photographed by Kwaku Alston. Ellen DeGeneres was photographed by Firooz Zahedi. If you click on that side-by-side comparison above, you can see a larger version.
By the way, the DeGeneres article was called "Roll Over, Ward Cleaver" — a reference that probably left a lot of young people scratching their heads when it came out in the 90s and is less understandable today, relating to the classic TV sitcom Leave It To Beaver from the 1950s. You'll remember, if you're old enough, that Ellen was wrapping up her self-titled sitcom Ellen and preparing to go on an embarrassing public affection-bender with fellow actress Anne Heche. But, at the moment in 1997, here's what Time had to say.
"Her show's new direction will be groundbreaking not only for having a gay lead character, but for having a gay lead character who is not yet entirely comfortable with her sexuality — a departure from the normal run of things in the '90s, when gay characters on TV tend to be proud, assertive and more or less uplifting."
As for Kanye West, well, you can still pick up that issue on the newsstands and read for yourself.
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Instant History is all about the "first draft" of history. For over seven decades, both Time and Newsweek have provided a weekly snapshot of our lives — sometimes profoundly insightful and other times woefully inadequate but, in all cases, before conventional wisdom has time to set in. Like today's blogs...
Bryce Zabel is a working screenwriter/producer whose current credits include The Poseidon Adventure and Blackbeard. He was chairman of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences from 2001-2003. He maintains two other blogs: his flagship News! — Views! — & Schmooze! and Movies-Squared.
Article comments
1 - Temple Stark
A good post, though the connection between Ellen D. and Kayne W. for "historical" purposes is a little tenuous.
2 - Bryce
No historical connection implied here... this one was just for fun, based on the pose. There are some really interesting historical ones (Beatlemania, Watts Riots, JFK's inaugural, etc.) on the main site...
3 - Angie
I really don't get this blog page at all. What is the hidden agenda? Is it to insinuate that Kanye West is also gay like Ellen or maybe that he should be in some way associated with the shooting of Shug Knight?
Maybe to compare him to someone who has been accused of murder like O.J. Simpson? What really is the subliminal message you are attempting to send?
It seems senseless unless you have something to say...(hint-hint.
4 - sssshhhhhhhh
Damn Homie I was thinking the dude was gay as hell
(lol)Watch wat u say cause Jay-z's a FREEMASON!!