'Coming Out' Is No Party for Gays without Sitcoms

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Byline: Burt Constable

For out-and-out TV suspense, it may not top "Who shot J.R.?" But for plain old "out" suspense the big question of the fall TV season has to be "Is Ellen gay?"

The popular ABC sitcom "Ellen," starring comedienne Ellen DeGeneres, is considering "outing" Ellen's character - bringing her out of the closet (filled with pant suits) and into the world of lesbianism.

Not since Murphy Brown had a baby out of wedlock has a fictional TV character ignited such real-life outrage. The mere hint of a lesbian plot twist on "Ellen" has spurred threats of an advertising boycott.

Meanwhile, Ellen DeGeneres is a lot like her TV character in …