Scott's World -- UPI Arts & Entertainment

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Ellen degeneres accomplished the impossible this week.

Single-handedly the blonde comedienne made the Emmy Awards worth watching, providing humor, dignity, beauty, poise, and a valiant aura.

All this from a performer who was something of a pariah in an industry and town that turned away from her because she had the courage to come out of the closet personally and on her TV series "Ellen."

In Hollywood where ratings and pedantic morality are more effectual than honesty, character and professionalism, DeGeneres stands out.

She showed them all, along with millions of viewers, that quality, sensitivity and good taste are still conspicuous elements in the American fabric.

Proof?

DeGeneres received a standing ovation from the jam-packed crowd. The first such demonstration of affection and respect for an awards show host in Hollywood memory.

She deserved it. In spades.

Yes, the Emmys lost out in the ratings to the most exciting World Series finale in decades, but the Nielsens might have been different had viewers known DeGeneres would imbue the bungling Emmys with respectability, charm and importance.

Following her singular triumph on the CBS awards show, DeGeneres, speaking of the ovation, told UPI, "It was a stunning, totally astonishing. I was so surprised I turned around expecting to see something like Barbra Streisand walking on stage.

"It's interesting," she said. "You are presented with these opportunities in life and you can look at them as stumbling blocks and you can fall down -- or you can just keep walking."

It was suggested her recent personal struggles and the loss of her show were growing experiences.

Laughing, DeGeneres said, "I don't want to grow anymore. Thank you; that's enough.

"I was thrilled when they called me to host the Emmys way back in July. A big opportunity to get back on television. Then it was canceled twice. But they stayed with me."

DeGeneres quickly found the audience on her side when she refused to overlook the reasons for the cancellations: the murderous assaults by terrorists on New York City and Washington.

Her opening monologue included the observation that Osama bin Laden and his followers would be put off by the sight of "a gay woman dressed in men's clothes, surrounded by Jews. I like to do my part."

She went on to introduce various star presenters and performers for the awards with humor and aplomb as few awards emcees ever have done.

Ellen is that increasingly rare performer in movies and television: a lady.

Her good manners and faultless taste elevated the Emmy Awards to a different plane without becoming stuffy or overwhelmed with self-importance.

There were none of Whoopi Goldberg's vulgar observations and sexual innuendoes; no Billy Crystal insider one-liners that draw laughs from the audience but mystify viewers in the boondocks.

Not since Bob Hope and Johnny Carson hosted the prestigious Academy Awards Oscar telecasts has an award show ringmaster done so much to enhance the show, combining sparkling wit and a sense of dignity.

DeGeneres would seem to be a natural choice to host the Oscar show in the near future.

Her easy familiarity with the celebrities and with the TV medium itself worked wonders for viewers.

Much as she enjoyed doing the Emmys herself, DeGeneres had zero time to bask in the warmth of her triumphant landmark performance.

The day following the awards she was back at work on her new television series "The Ellen Show," which has garnered disappointing ratings.

"I tried to give the Emmys the same sort of feeling that my show has," she said. "Comfortable and interesting for all viewers, men, women and children.

"Funny is funny, whether it involves gay individuals or not. The gay factor does set the show apart somewhat, but the first consideration is humor within a family structure.

"And it's gentle humor among people who care for one another, not the increasingly disappointing sitcoms with insult jokes and depressing or derogatory one-liners."

Proving her own humor still is intact, DeGeneres said her show's disappointing ratings may be due to its Friday night time slot, when the fewest number of TV sets are in use.

"I don't know," she opined, "maybe I'll get lucky and they'll put us in the 9 o'clock Sunday morning lineup."

She smiled and said she hoped to persuade CBS to move "The Ellen Show" to its very popular Monday night bloc of comedies.

The blonde, blue-eyed star said it is important to her that the new show attract a large and loyal audience.

"We have a very good and funny show and a fine cast with Cloris Leachman playing my mom," she said. "I love the show and what we're doing, and I'm confident that people who tune us in will be just as enthusiastic."