Chrysler Won’t Advertise On April 30 ‘Ellen’ Episode

Something will be missing from the April 30 episode of the TV sitcom “Ellen” when the show’s lead character comes out as a lesbian: Chrysler ads.

Though the hourlong special, featuring guest stars Oprah Winfrey, Laura Dern and Melissa Etheridge, is expected to attract a huge audience, Chrysler decided to take a pass. So did General Motors and Johnson & Johnson.

“It’s the hype - not the show itself,” Chrysler spokeswoman Megan Giles said. “Basically when there’s a big media and public controversy about something, we don’t think it’s the best environment to try to sell our products. We offend one group or the other.”

The decision incensed gay employees at Chrysler’s headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich.

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, the gay media watchdog, was more temperate.

Specifically not calling for a boycott, GLAAD spokesman Allen Klein in New York said: “We do want our membership and the gay and lesbian community to confront Chrysler on this. We want to make sure the corporation understands that gays and lesbians buy cars.”

The Rev. Jerry Falwell had exhorted Chrysler, GM and Johnson & Johnson not to run ads during the controversial program.

But Chrysler said it had quietly made its decision before Falwell’s statements. GM and Johnson & Johnson reportedly also made their decision several weeks ago.

A Johnson & Johnson spokesman told the Indianapolis Star that the company was not a major “Ellen” advertiser in the first place. GM did not return a call seeking comment.

ABC spokeswoman Janice Gretemeyer said the network doesn’t discuss its advertisers and expects the episode to be fully sponsored.