Ellen Feiss is famous because her dad’s computer ate her homework. Not famous in a can’t-walk-down-the-street-without-being-notice kind of way, but famous in the Warholian everybody-will-have-their-15-minutes sense.

Feiss, a student, is one of the stars of Apple Computer’s “switch” ad campaign, which features real people who have switched from PCs to Macintoshes. During her 30-second spot, she describes her PC experience as “kind of a bummer” and imitates her “berserk” computer going “beep beep beep.” You can watch the ad on Apple’s Web site, www.apple.com/switch/ads/ellenfeiss.html.

Interest in Feiss is intense, information about her elusive. Apple won’t divulge any details, aside from verifying she is a real teenager, but that hasn’t stopped thousands of admirers from discussing her online, building tribute Web sites and selling T-shirts, Frisbees, wall clocks, mouse pads, mugs and wallpaper – all emblazoned with her image.

Dressed slacker casual in a zip-up sweatshirt, her wind-swept hair pulled back from her face to reveal clear skin, full lips and cocker-spaniel eyes, Feiss would probably have slipped under the radar if she weren’t so darned cute. There’s another reason for her popularity: Her slightly slurred speech and reddish eyes have led to much speculation online as to whether or not she is stoned on marijuana – something that has made Feiss even more popular.

“We just thought she seemed like a cool, funny girl who deserved a little shrine,” said Jake Brown, 30, founder of the Chicago-based Ellen Fan Club at ellenfeiss.gloriousnoise.com. “I wanted to build a place for all the other Ellen lovers to share their thoughts with each other.”

And share they have, posting comments that are pro anti-Feiss, pro-and anti-drug, pro-Mac and anti-Mac.

“Does anybody know if she’s available to book for parties?” asked one fan on the Glorious Noise site. “Ellen Feiss for president! Woohoo!” declared another. “I think the ‘really good paper’ she is referring to are her Zig-Zags,” deadpanned another.
“That’s it? For this she’s famous? Save often, lady,” wrote one skeptic.