In a moment that shocked many across the country in 1997, Ellen DeGeneres decided to have her character on the show “Ellen” come out as gay, while simultaneously doing the same in real life. This moment broke barriers and lit the spark for realistic gay representation on TV and in the media going forward. Tonight we hear from the trailblazing team behind the sitcom hit. Join us for “TV on the Edge: Moments That Shaped Our Culture” at 9p ET/PT on CNN. | CNN Original Series

WOW, WHAT A MOMENT. On April 30, 1997, something happened. ABC's ‘Ellen’ became the first TV show to feature an LGBTQ lead come out, paving the way for a changing landscape of acceptance in entertainment. Thanks, Ellen DeGeneres! [Also, Oprah Winfrey and Laura Dern, I MEAN.] | Freeform