I love to talk TV and I really enjoy every exchange with Susan and Sharon, otherwise known as the 80s TV Ladies. When their podcast, 80s TV Ladies, launched, they invited me to be a guest. It was a blast and over the last two years, the two podcasts have furthered a shared exploration of how women have been represented on television and the impact that representation has had on society as a whole and females, of all ages, in particular. Like Advanced TV Herstory, their show features interviews and analyzes the work of women both in front of and behind the camera.

Our podcasts aim to help listeners understand how our culture shapes the television shows we watch and, in turn, how those shows shape our culture. Listen in on this engaging and informative look behind the scenes as we discuss the motivations, joys, and challenges of creating podcasts that highlight the contributions of women in television.

80s TV LADIES

Contacts

Website – 80s TV Ladies - https://www.80stvladies.com/ 

Website – 134 West - https://134west.biz/ 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/80sTVLadies/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/80stvladies/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@80stvladies 

Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/80sTVLadies

Awards

2024 Women in Podcasting, Nominee in Entertainment – VOTE at https://womeninpodcasting.net/80s-tv-ladies/  

2024 Webby Award – Best Indie Podcast  

2023 People’s Choice Podcast Awards - Best Art, Best TV & Film, Best Female Hosted 

MENTIONS

Podcast Episodes

80s TV Ladies (24 May 2023) – Advanced TV Herstory w/ Cynthia Bemis Abrams, Part One - https://www.80stvladies.com/episode/episode-201-welcome-to-season-2-advanced-tv-herstory-w-cynthia-bemis-abram-part-1

80s TV Ladies (31 May 2023) – Advanced TV Herstory w/ Cynthia Bemis Abrams, Part Two - https://www.80stvladies.com/episode/episode-202-advanced-tv-herstory-aw-cynthia-bemis-abrams-part-two

Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus (11 Apr 2023) – Jane Fonda on Female Friendships - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jane-fonda-on-female-friendships/id1678559416?i=1000608248297

Shows

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Cagney and Lacey, China Beach, Designing Women, Extraordinary Attorney Woo, Grey’s Anatomy, Lou Grant, My So-Called Life, Murphy Brown, Remington Steele, and Scarecrow and Mrs. King 

People

Annie Potts, Barney Rosenzweig, Diane English, Eilish Zebrasky, Eugenie Ross-Leming, Geena Davis, Jean Smart, Juanita Bartlett, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, Melissa Roth, Neema Barnette, Sergio Perez, Sharon Gless, Shonda Rhimes, Stephanie Zimbalist, and Tyne Daly 

Books 

Backlash: The Undeclared War Against American Women by Susan Faludi - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backlash:_The_Undeclared_War_Against_American_Women 

Lou Grant: The Making of TV’s Top Newspaper Drama by Douglass K. Daniel – https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/288376.Douglass_K_Daniel 

CYNTHIA BEMIS ABRAMS AND ATVH

ATVH Newsletter – tvherstory.com

Website - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/ 

Podcast Archive - tvherstory.com

Email - advancedtvherstory@gmail.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@advancedtvherstory

X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/tvherstory

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Media.Cynthia

Bluesky Social - https://bsky.app/profile/cynthiabemisabrams.bsky.social

PRODUCTION

Video - Nivia Lopez - https://nivialopez.com/

Audio - Marilou Marosz - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariloumarosz/

Music - https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/

Welcome to our annual anniversary episode where I share thoughts on the podcast's evolution —improvements, opportunities, and what’s in store for the future. With this look back at the podcast highlights and TV moments that have taught us and inspired us, I also recommit to our mission:  Connecting the dots of feminism & TV and American politics & culture.

Can you believe we’re heading into our 10th year?! When I started the podcast in 2015, I wasn’t sure where Advanced TV Herstory would go. But it's important to reflect on one's work, solicit and discuss feedback, and provide context for viewing the cultural mirror that defines American television. In today’s environment, simply put, this work feels more vital than ever.

About that feedback. How are we doing? What can we do better? What topics are of particular interest to you? Please connect at any of the resources listed below. Better yet, subscribe to the Advanced TV Herstory newsletter for special content and a more personalized space to explore and exchange. Your information is NEVER shared and, like the podcast, our newsletter is completely ad free. 

As always, thank you for listening and being part of the Advanced TV Herstory community. Cheers to another year!

CYNTHIA BEMIS ABRAMS AND ATVH

ATVH Newsletter – tvherstory.com

Website - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/ 

Podcast Archive - tvherstory.com

Email - advancedtvherstory@gmail.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@advancedtvherstory

X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/tvherstory

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Media.Cynthia

Bluesky Social - https://bsky.app/profile/cynthiabemisabrams.bsky.social

PRODUCTION

Video - Nivia Lopez - https://nivialopez.com/

Audio - Marilou Marosz - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariloumarosz/

Music - https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/

We know her as Meemaw, Mary Jo Shively, Emmie Sims, and the voice of Bo Peep. But Annie Potts is hooked on helping others—she’s very hands on—and she’s here to tell us about that part of her life. In doing so, she inspires us with her commitment and challenges us to “turn the car around.”

Annie’s charitable organization, The Heart Channels, provides direct support quickly and creatively to people at critical crossroads in their life. Its mission reflects what Annie witnessed growing up—that wherever there was a need, people opened their hearts and quietly stepped in to help however they could.  

The Heart Channels also mirrors Annie’s belief that we are one human family, no matter where on the planet we are. By opening our eyes to the needs of others, we can respond lovingly and immediately—neighbor to neighbor and heart to heart.

I hope you’ll join us for this very special discussion. And please consider helping out. All donations to The Heart Channels—100%—are tax deductible and go directly to people in need.

FOLLOW AND DONATE TO THE HEART CHANNELS

The Heart Channels - https://www.theheartchannels.org/

On Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theheartchannels

On Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theheartchannels/

CONNECT WITH ANNIE POTTS

Cameo (all proceeds go to The Heart Channels) - https://www.cameo.com/anniepotts

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thisisanniepotts/?hl=en

CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY

ATVH Newsletter – tvherstory.com

Website - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/

Podcast Archive - tvherstory.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/tvherstory

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Media.Cynthia

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@advancedtvherstory/featured

PRODUCTION

Podcast Editing - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariloumarosz/

Music by Jahzzar - https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/

The Facts of Life & Living Single fans, enjoy a candid walk down memory lane in this interview with 40 year TV veteran Kim Fields. From parenting to finding voice, confidence and strength in this demanding world, our conversation covers it all, yet still leaves more to be discovered in her just-released autobiography, Blessed Life.

A few decisions transformed "A Different World" from a struggling, rudderless sitcom to the classic it became. Much of that was due to Debbie Allen stepping in as creative force and aligning the set, characters and plots to align more closely with an authentic Historically Black College & University (HBCU) experience.

Listen to the University of Michigan's nationally recognized Dr. Robin Means Coleman recount her research, which is found in essay form within Beretta Smith-Shomade's book Watching While Black: Centering the Television of Black Audiences.

Southgate Media Group podcast marathon, Elgin, IL

Feb. 26, 1996 CBS Monday night line-up, 4 women-centric sitcoms

Elizabeth Taylor's "Black Pearls" perfume line launch

The Nanny, Fran Dresher, 3rd season - directed by Dorothy Lyman

Can't Hurry Love, one season, starring Mariska Hargitay and Nancy McKeon

Murphy Brown, 8th season episode co-written by Diane English and Sarah Dunn

High Society, one short season starring Mary McDonnell and Jean Smart.

Cross promotion genius

Special live taping at Chicago's iO Theater, PodSlam is a fundraiser for pediatric cancer (Connor's Cure) & the V Foundation

Women wrestling on TV, frequent plot during the 70s & 80s; good vs. evil, Americans vs. Russians

Physical conflict, agency, defense, aggressiveness - all real aspects of life that we SHOULD be able to see women on TV express.

Resurgence: Netflix series GLOW (2017)

Vintage: Laverne & Shirley, season 3 episode 2; The Bionic Woman, season 2 episode 3; Dynasty, season 3 episode 23

It was the late 1970s and Norman Lear and Tandem Productions were on a winning streak. Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams draws the family tree of hits All in the Family, Maude and Good Times. Good Times, which aired 1974 to 1980 broke ground in many ways and Cynthia ties its development to a 1965 Federal Report: “The Negro Family: The Case for National Action." Before Good Times hit production, there was controversy over the Evans' family structure: single mother or nuclear family

Listen in to hear how and why Esther Rolle & John Amos stood firm to the family being led by two parents and how they endured six difficult seasons. Cynthia also pays tribute to Esther Rolle's lifetime record of civil rights activism.

Key resource: Christine Acham's Revolution Televised: Prime Time and the Struggle for Black Power, (University of Minnesota Press, 2005) 

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams explores an international understanding of American feminism with Austrian cultural studies student Julia Krassnik. Julia has studied Susan Sontag's 1972 article on stereotypes and applied it to the timing and ensemble cast of Battlestar Galactica, which aired 2004-2009.

Cynthia and Julia discuss the Roslin character's defiance of stereotypes and her interest in power, leading a team through uncertain times and situations.

It changed the use and capacity of a Public Service Announcement (PSA). Tune in to hear host Cynthia Bemis Abrams explore wow the ASPCA landed famed-Canadian feminist singer/songwriter Sarah McLachlan and her hit, Angel.

Cynthia details the record-setting amount raised by the PSA effort and explores the tactics that raised visibility, yet invited discord.

Lessons learned in 2 years

Holidays that appear in TV plots: Christmas, not Mothers Day

Themes:

Woman's right to make her own health care decisions (Sissy Spacek's TV Movie & China Beach)

Daytime dramas & spectacles (Agnes Nixon, Levine's book & "Vulture Culture")

Careers & Legacies (Latina actress Marlene Forte, ventriloquist Shari Lewis, awesome feminist Dinah Shore)

Writer for TV (interviews with Susan Silver and April Smith)

Politics as seen in Geena Davis' Commander in Chief, Maude & the voice of Rosie O'Donnell and the women TV journalists who reported on Watergate scandal.

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams welcomed April Smith to Advanced TV Herstory, to discuss writing quality plots from a woman's point of view, side by side with men in the writers' room. Novelist April Smith got her start telling stories on TV for award winning shows like Lou Grant, Cagney & Lacey and Chicago Hope. She highlights her career that began writing short stories in Boston, but found her way to Los Angeles through help from friends. Series featuring April Smith's work include James at 15/16, Lou Grant Cagney & Lacey (writer & producer) and Chicago Hope

Smith's fiction work (mysteries, thrillers and historical fiction) includes the FBI Special Agent Ana Grey series.

Barbara Walters, Lesley Stahl and Connie Chung are the women who reported on the Watergate Scandal for the national news networks. That's the headline, says host Cynthia Bemis Abrams. Cynthia reviews the representation of women in journalism and how Walters ascended from Washington bureau to co-anchor of The Today Show. She later explains how Lesley Stahl and Connie Chung built strong careers out of opportunities created by Affirmative Action.

Resources:

Audition: A Memoir by Barbara Walters (2008)

Reporting Live by Lesley Stahl (2000)

Watergate's Legacy and the Press by Jon Marshall (2011)

Join host Cynthia Bemis Abrams as she launches a new limited series, TV Talk Shows, part of the Advanced TV Herstory podcast. 

In this first episode, Cynthia delves into a study that reveals women are more prominently featured in unscripted television shows than in scripted ones—another example of the industry’s inclination to front women in projects that are less expensive to produce. She also touches on the recent strikes by SAG-AFTRA and the WGA, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and representation in scripted television.

Cynthia then outlines the focus of the TV Talk Shows series, which will explore the historical context, memorable moments, and surprising controversies surrounding unscripted hosts and guests. The episode concludes by acknowledging the pioneering achievements of Della Reese as the first black woman to fill in for Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show and Betty White's stance against the broadcast network executives who were reluctant to feature performers of color on her 1950s talk and variety show. 

RESOURCES 

Foundation Interviews - Della Reese on Guest Hosting “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” - https://youtu.be/M8hfse64sFU?si=8cIu3DrRN2AIdiBL

The Television Academy Foundation – Della Reese - https://interviews.televisionacademy.com/interviews/della-reese 

“He Stays”: Betty White refused to remove Black dancer from her show in 1954 - https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2022/01/01/betty-white-black-dancer-arthur-duncan/9067252002/

 Retro Televisions – The Betty White Show (11-29-54) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7k23zM-eLoI

CBS Los Angeles KCAL - https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/women-more-represented-on-reality-tv-than-scripted-shows-sdsu-report-finds/

CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY

ATVH Newsletter - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/

Website - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/ 

Podcast Archive - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/advanced-tv-herstory

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/tvherstory

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Media.Cynthia

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@advancedtvherstory/featured

PRODUCTION

Podcast Editing - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariloumarosz/

Music by Jahzzar - https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/

UPN's strong line up of African-American centric programming in the late 90s & 00s.

Tracee Ellis Ross led ensemble cast

Discussion with podcasters Stephanie Williams and Elizabeth Ajunwa of Let Go Let Flo

For more than 45 years, ventriloquist Shari Lewis (1933-1998) educated and entertained audiences on TV.

Lamb Chop, Charley Horse and Hush Puppy taught us simple humor, conflict resolution and a host of essential social and cognitive building blocks.

Children's mental health professional Dwight Hurst joins in the conversation about this talented woman's evolving career. Hurst produces The Broken Brain podcast.

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams interviews Bryan Johnson, the force behind the wildly successful niche fan site "The Concluding Chapter of Joan Crawford." Cynthia and Bryan discuss the careers of aging Hollywood stars, as depicted FX's "Feud: Bette and Joan." They go on to list Crawford's late career appearances on TV and why she chose to step back from the public eye.—Cynthia Bemis Abrams

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams has long thought of Florence Henderson's role of Carol Brady as having a worldwide effect. Every year at Mother's Day, Florence Henderson (1934-2016) sits atop every TV blogger's list. Cynthia finds Henderson's 2012 memoir, "Life Is Not a Stage: From Broadway Baby to a Lovely Lady and Beyond" fascinating. Henderson tracks her humble beginnings, to Broadway, clear through to her extensive television career.—Cynthia Bemis Abrams

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams welcomes Susan Silver, writer for TV's "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "Maude" and "Square Pegs" and other projects to talk about her memoir, "Hot Pants in Hollywood: Sex, Secrets and Sitcoms." Susan shares her path to becoming a TV writer and the supportive environments she encountered.—Cynthia Bemis Abrams

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams connects the television dots of the status of birth control, abortion and regional children's programming that led Sissy Spacek to produce the made-for-TV movie "A Private Matter." Cynthia creates the context of the popular Baby Boom children's show, "Romper Room" which in the Arizona market featured Sherri Finkbine as the "teacher." Finkbine was prescribed Thalidomide to relieve symptoms of morning sickness. The remainder of the true story is nothing short of tragic and historic.—Cynthia Bemis Abrams

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams connects the television dots of the status of birth control, abortion and regional children's programming that led Sissy Spacek to produce the made-for-TV movie "A Private Matter." Cynthia creates the context of the popular Baby Boom children's show, "Romper Room" which in the Arizona market featured Sherri Finkbine as the "teacher." Finkbine was prescribed Thalidomide to relieve symptoms of morning sickness. The remainder of the true story is nothing short of tragic and historic.—Cynthia Bemis Abrams

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams walks through the deep details of two powerful moments in morning news television. Audience favorites Ann Curry and Jane Pauley were unceremoniously dismissed from The Today Show for questionable reasons which Cynthia sees looking an awful lot like misogyny. Cynthia reviews the relationship between Ann Curry and network golden boy Matt Lauer. as well as the Bryant Gumbel spin on Jane Pauley's 1989 departure. Cynthia brings the topic of careers and power plays to the more recent actions by ABC's Kelly Ripa. As a morning television mainstay and from a different generation than Ann and Jane, Ripa controls her messaging in a new way, even if that assumes risk.—Cynthia Bemis Abrams

Resource: Brian Stelter's (then a reporter for the New York Times) 2013 book, Top of the Morning: Inside the Cutthroat World of Morning TV.

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams names "China Beach" (1988-1991) as the best-written and best-acted series ever. The expensive series about the Vietnam War as seen through eyes of American women is truly timeless. Cynthia provides a deep review of "Holly's Choice" from third season, which featured Ricki Lake as Holly, the donut dolly (aid worker). Drama unfolds in reverse, a powerful writing tactic if it executed well, which it was. Cynthia explores the many layers of meaning that stories of war often weave, only this time the different value placed on military lives versus civilian lives, as seen through the eyes of medical professionals, soldiers and women.—Cynthia Bemis Abrams

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams welcomed Cuban-born actress Marlene Forte to talk about her career and progress for Latinx performers and creatives. Marlene speaks candidly about her persistence in advocating for herself and others, and to rise beyond crying mother and beaten up girlfriend roles written for women of color. Cynthia and Marlene close out the chat with themes of persistence, friends and representation.—Cynthia Bemis Abrams

Advanced TV Herstory’s commitment to connecting the dots of TV & feminism and American politics & culture continues with an examination of the pioneering women writers during the early days of TV.

My guest, Annie Berke, PhD, is the author of Their Own Best Creations: Women Writers in Postwar Television, part of the Feminist Media Histories book series by the University of California Press. 

With a focus on 1949-1963, Dr. Berke’s foundational work appeals to scholars and students as well as others with an interest in gender roles, women in the workplace, and the cultural influence of women in media. 

 Along with a review of under-studied and influential women writers profiled in the book, our discussion leads to some interesting places, including the emergence of second-wave feminism and how postwar and current-day writers share many of the same struggles.

I know you’ll enjoy this fun and fast-paced episode. Thank you for listening!

CONNECT WITH ANNIE BERKE

Website - https://www.annieberke.com/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-berke-ph-d-a102509/

Instagram, X (Twitter), and Bluesky - @sayanniething

RESOURCES

Pioneer Peg Lynch - https://around.uoregon.edu/content/library-exhibit-celebrates-legacy-tv-pioneer-peg-lynch

The Broadcast 41 by Carol A. Stabile - https://broadcast41.uoregon.edu/

CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY

ATVH Newsletter - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/

Website - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/ 

Podcast Archive - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/advanced-tv-herstory

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/tvherstory

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Media.Cynthia

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@advancedtvherstory/featured

PRODUCTION

Podcast Editing - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariloumarosz/

Music by Jahzzar - https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/

In this episode of Advanced TV Herstory, host Cynthia Bemis Abrams explores the cultural significance of daytime dramas with television scholar Dr. Elana Levine. Together, they examine how soap operas pushed boundaries and introduced groundbreaking storylines, from interracial relationships and birth control to HIV awareness. Learn how women writers and producers used daytime television to address controversial topics and reflect societal changes, leaving a lasting impact on the evolution of American television. Dr. Levine shares insights from her extensive research and forthcoming book, Her Stories: Daytime Soap Operas and US Television History.

• Her Stories: Daytime Soap Operas and US Television History by Dr. Elana Levine
• Related Episodes:
  
  • Pt. 1 Her Stories with Elana Levine

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams explores the feminist legacy of Dinah Shore, who claimed she wasn't a feminist. Cynthia charts Dinah's early years, her radio career and the (then-radical) stands she took to ensure Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole and other black performers received respectful treatment and airtime on TV and radio. As a woman with connections, she leveraged power in the 1950s that was rare. Cynthia goes on to explain how again Dinah leveraged her position to become the godmother to women's golf. Televised tournaments increased women player pay as Dinah fused her relationship with her national sponsors to add on the tournaments.—Cynthia Bemis Abrams

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams recounts an important and progressive holiday episode of the series, Bewitched, which aired 1964 to 1972. Cynthia first details background on how the series's development, with its Hollywood veteran Elizabeth Montgomery, along side two actors who played her mortal husband, Darren. Montgomery was married at the time to William Asher and both served as the series producers. Cynthia provides details of how the story treatment landed on the desk of noted woman television writer Barbara Avedon. The holiday episode, which aired Dec. 24, 1970, boldly addresses series underlying message of diversity and tolerance for a nation that was immersed in social change.

• Daytime Drama’s Place in TV Herstory Listen Here
• Related Episodes:
  • Pt. 2 Her Stories with Elana Levine
  • Pt. 3 Her Stories: Feminism & Inclusion in Daytime

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams takes a deep look at a series that only ran for a single season, 2005-2006, Commander in Chief. Cynthia recounts how it aired during the Bush administration and is one of the few characters who, as a woman vice president, ascends to presidency. Without revealing spoilers, Cynthia weighs in that the writing and plots offer a quality balance of sinister and good, as the lead character, played by Geena Davis, is a woman (wife, mother and daughter) of power surrounded primarily by men.

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams digs into the highly original and occasionally controversial character of Maude Finley of "Maude," a series that was spun off from "All in the Family." Cynthia details Bea Arthur's theatrical chops and reputation that made her Lear's top choice for the role. Cynthia also touches on the controversial topics explored by the series and why it became a sought-after cameo role for big name stars.

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams offers up a biographic profile of TV's "EveryWoman" Rosie O'Donnell. Cynthia details O'Donnell's humble beginnings and her early comedy roles in sitcoms that landed her a part in the film, "A League of Their Own." Cynthia provides background into the occasionally controversial, award-winning talk and variety show O'Donnell hosted 1996-2002 and her distinctly American interest in celebrity.

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams discusses daytime (audience-participation) shows from the 1990s and 2000s with media studies experts Kathalene Razzano, Loubna Skalli. Skalli, Razzano and their colleague Christine Quail, analyzed and cataloged the genre for their book, Vulture Culture: The Politics and Pedagogy of Daytime Television Talk Shows. Cynthia, Kathalene and Loubna look at the themes of Maury Povich, Jenny Jones and Judge Judy that can readily be categorized as misogynistic. Many of the "real" guests present issues about self-control, paternalism and self esteem.

In their book, Vulture Culture: The Politics and Pedagogy of Daytime Television Talk Shows, the authors look at “a culture that has its own logic, topicality, values, market and audiences.”

Maury Povich, Jenny Jones, Judge Judy: Misogynistic themes about self-control, paternalism, self-esteem

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams goes back-to-school to profile television's women high school teacher characters. It's a harder list to conjure up than one might think. The highlight reel goes back to the 1950s for characters that represented one of a few "respectable" careers available to women. Cynthia provides extra attention to extraordinary performances, positive messaging and quirky style and a special tip of the hat to the clever and progressive "Room 222."

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams welcomes noted television writer Susan Silver to discuss American politics and presidential campaign coverage from the broadcast and cable news programs. Cynthia and Susan showcase women reporters and analysts, during the campaign that features the first woman candidate from a major political party.

Cynthia Bemis Abrams welcomes Victoria Riskin, a second-generation filmmaker with a rich Hollywood legacy. Victoria's parents—Robert Riskin, a prolific, Oscar-winning screenwriter, and Fay Wray, best known for her role in the original King Kong—were instrumental in shaping the classic years of the motion picture industry.

And Victoria has crafted an impressive career all her own. She is a producer, writer, digital magazine publisher, PhD in psychology, and past president of the Writers Guild of America (WGA). She shares her experiences as WGA president and explains how power has shifted over time to the imbalance that has writers and actors on strike now in 2023.

We also learn how Victoria’s father tried leveraging his success with the studios to improve conditions for writers in the 1930s, but ultimately joined the Screen Writers Guild (SWG) as an early, active member. And, on the lighter side, you won’t want to miss Victoria’s stories from her trip to China with Norman Lear, Mary Tyler Moore, Larry Gelbart, and Carl Reiner.

Victoria knows Hollywood from deep inside. No doubt you’ll enjoy the interesting history and fun stories she shares with us. 

RESOURCES

Victoria Riskin's website - https://www.victoriariskin.com/ 

Fay Wray and Robert Riskin: A Hollywood Memoir - https://www.victoriariskin.com/index.php/about

Projections of America - http://projectionsofamerica.com/

The Last Best Year - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Best_Year

Bluedot Living -  https://bluedotliving.com/

CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY

ATVH Newsletter - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/

Website - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/ 

Podcast Archive - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/advanced-tv-herstory

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/tvherstory

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Media.Cynthia

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@advancedtvherstory/featured

PRODUCTION

Podcast Editing - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariloumarosz/

Music by Jahzzar - https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams begins the tradition of reviewing each year of podcasting, in this case, her first. She recounts the challenges of research, assumptions and listener engagement. As a leadership consultant and adjunct professor, Cynthia believes in reflection of past work, celebration of accomplishment and putting forth some prediction and plan for the future.

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams explores the 15th (final) season of NBC's "ER" and the accomplished Angela Bassett's presence as a lead character of the ensemble cast. The drama begins with exposition of department staff turnover and Cynthia details the workplace culture and tone set by Bassett's character, Dr. Cate Banfield. Over the course of the 9 month plot, Cynthia explores the well-crafted backstory that guides the complex and intense Banfield character.—Cynthia Bemis Abrams

TV Herstory was made for a number of reasons in 1992, when CBS' Murphy Brown proceeded with an unplanned pregnancy. Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams explores the controversy around the months-long plot line. Cynthia provides the seminal moments that include the celebrated, late actor Colleen Dewhurst as Murphy's mother Avery Brown, then-Vice President Dan Quayle's comments about Murphy's story arc and perception of fatherhood and the poignant performance by Candice Bergen AND her hair.

ER - award winning and new concept medical show Sometimes, it just has to be done. Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams revisits "ER" to determine how well it's held up after its original run., Cynthia was a big fan of the writing and all-star cast and initially had a positive impression of the representation of women in medical profession. Cynthia profiles the characters of Carol Hathaway and Susan Lewis from the series' early years and is disappointed to find some missed opportunities for a more progressive approach to representation and storytelling.—Cynthia Bemis Abrams

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams enjoyed researching how MTV launched careers beyond the original five VJs. Talented women creatives had a new outlet at the intersection of video, musical and visual arts. MTV's rise came as cable TV's coverage of middle America plugged MTV directly into consumer living rooms. Decades later, Cynthia observes, sexism in the industry is rarely discussed. She profiles of women on the business side, agents of performers and video artists.—Cynthia Bemis Abrams

Resource: I Want My MTV: the Uncensored Story of the Music Video Revolution by Craig Marks and Rob Tannenbaum

Note: At one point, I suggest that the battle-tested video vet Sharon Oreck has enough stories to write a book. Well she did, in 2010. It's called Video Slut: How I Shoved Madonna Off an Olympic High Dive, Got Prince into a Pair of Tiny Purple Woolen Underpants, Ran Away from Michael Jackson's ... So I Could Bring Rock Videos to the Masses.

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams provides a short but detailed briefing on how and why Anita Hill became an instant household name. From the nationally televised hearings of the U.S. Senate's Judiciary Committee Hearings on the nomination of Judge Clarence Thomas to the U.S. Supreme Court, Hills frank statement about sexual harassment and toxic work environments was a booster rocket for cable's C-SPAN. Hill's prepared statement ranks 69 in American Rhetoric's Top 100 Speeches of 20th Century. Cynthia explains the aggressive questioning from male senators of both parties as well as Hill's work and legacy that followed the 1991 spectacle.—Cynthia Bemis Abrams

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams walks through the high and low points of women television detective characters. Detectives followed the emergence of women in title roles of series, which happened at the same time feminist milestones Title IX and the campaign to ratify the ERA was changing American society. High points include Pamela Sue Martin's walk out on the "The Nancy Drew Mysteries" (1978) set, the 13 episodes of "Mrs. Columbo," the spin off from an unseen character from the series "Columbo." Cynthia looks at "Charlie's Angels," Kate Jackson's reported influence on making the series more credible and the undervalued conclusion that there would be no "Cagney and Lacey" without "Charlie's Angels."

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams recorded this file just weeks before Anna "Patty" Duke's unexpected death. Duke, winner of an Academy Award, multiple Emmys and honored (pre-Tonys) for her Broadway performance of Helen Keller in "The Miracle Worker," performed for 60 years holds many important places in TV herstory. Cynthia recounts the impact the actor's 1987 best selling memoir "Call Me Anna" had on understanding and removing stigma around mental health. Duke candidly discussed bipolar disorder/manic depression on The Phil Donohue in 1987.—Cynthia Bemis Abrams

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams concludes, "it's all in the sound!" Cynthia's research began when she was reading about First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt who was a pioneering and prolific communicator. While not often on TV unscripted, Roosevelt appeared on Frank Sinatra's show in 1959 and recited a poem in a voice that sends chills up a spine, as a distinct American voice and sentiment. Just 15 years later, Betty Ford, unapologetic feminist catapulted to the role of First Lady. Cynthia details how the resignation of Vice President Spiro Agnew, led to Cong. Gerald Ford's (MI) appointment. In August 1974, President Nixon's resignation elevated VP Gerald Ford to the presidency and with him was Betty, his true partner. Betty cast a new mold for First Ladies, with her outspoken activism on health, addiction and women's issues.—Cynthia Bemis Abrams

Resources: Blanche Wiesen Cook's Eleanor Roosevelt: Volumes 1 & 2

Unscripted viewing of highlights of Super Bowl Halftime Shows t

Performances by 6 women, all available on YouTube. 

Omitted performances by major artists: Tina Turner, Mary J. Blige, Brittany Spears & Carol Channing because they either performed as a medley of talent or in the case of Ms. Channing, the video just isn’t available.

1982 with the Up With People performance.

1992 was the salute to the Winter Olympics that concluded with a performance by Gloria Estefan, 1996 Diana Ross arriving in a helicopter.

2003 halftime stages that featured Shania Twain and No Doubt, led by Gwen Stefani. Madonna’s in 2012 and Beyonce & Destiny’s Child in 2013.

Labor Day 2023 will mark the major event of a combined strike of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild—American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). Both unions are currently led by women: Fran Drescher, Meredith Stiehm, and Lisa Takeuchi Cullen.

Even prior to the two union merger in 2012, SAG and AFTRA had elected nine strong and inspiring women to lead their labor causes like health and pension benefits, residuals, and managing during COVID. The WGA, first led by a woman in 2001, represents writers on a myriad of issues like credit, contracts, and benefits.

Today, these unions are on strike, with primary issues of artificial intelligence to create content and fabricate performers, and how payment formulas for writers and performers will be commensurate with successful streaming. Since the WGA declared its strike and actors followed, Advanced TV Herstory has stood resolutely with all the talented creators. This episode tells of the dedication to workers’ rights and social progress within a distinct and complex business model.

AUDIO CLIPS & RESOURCES

Fran Drescher - https://youtu.be/J4SAPOX7R5M

Gabrielle Carteris -  https://www.sagaftra.org/videos/president-gabrielle-carteris-discusses-sag-aftra%E2%80%99s-covid-19-efforts

RCA Selectavision commercial - https://youtu.be/dFtyMNTD2f4

ABC7 in Los Angeles - https://abc7.com/wga-writers-guild-strike-rally/13303288/ 

https://www.sagaftra.org/

https://www.wga.org/

CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA BEMIS ABRAMS and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY

ATVH Newsletter - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/

Website - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/ 

Podcast Archive - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/advanced-tv-herstory

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/tvherstory

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Media.Cynthia

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@advancedtvherstory/featured

PRODUCTION

Podcast Editing - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariloumarosz/

Music by Jahzzar - https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams chats with Wendy Burns-Ardolino, PhD and author of "TV Female Foursomes and Their Fans" about an important episode from "Designing Women." The plot for "They Shoot Fat Women, Don't They?" was a result of months of tabloid headlines asserting that showrunner Linda Bloodworth-Thomason was not getting along with star Delta Burke. Rumors circulated that Burke's weight gain had become an issue and that she was becoming increasingly "difficult to work with." Cynthia and Wendy discuss how the 1989 episode was ahead of its time for calling out fatshaming.—Cynthia Bemis Abrams

Resources: Delta Burke's 1998 Delta Style: Eve wasn't a size 6 and neither am I

Wendy Burns-Ardolino's (2015) TV Female Foursomes and Their Fans: Featuring the Golden Girls, Designing Women, Living Single, Sex and the City, Girlfriends, Cashmere Mafia and Hot in Cleveland

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams welcomes Wendy Burns-Ardolino, PhD and professor at Grand Valley State University (MI) to discuss her study of the four-female character construct found in television sitcoms. Burns-Ardolino's research and interest led to her authoring her 2015 book "TV Female Foursomes and Their Fans." Cynthia and Wendy walk through a number of sitcoms presented in the book, including The Golden Girls and Living Single. Wendy details the many different ways Yvette Lee Bowser, "Living Singles'" seasoned showrunner, made the series bolder and more novel than its competition.—Cynthia Bemis Abrams

No podcast on women in television is complete without a long hard look at the life and career of Lucille Ball. Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams found that even with a lot of research, Lucy left this world as a bit of a mystery. There's just not much written. Ball seemed to have kept wisdom to herself (or at least kept it closely held). Cynthia navigates Ball's public appearances and statements gleaned from available sources, finding points where Ball's humility and pride are profound. Kennedy Center Honors and then-Pres. Ronald Reagan celebrated Ball, but it's important to understand the contexts of Ball's run in with the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) and Communist blacklisting. There's the marriage and divorce from the Desi Arnaz and how it resulted in a settlement that included the studio. From talk shows to famous quotes, Cynthia walks a detailed history that makes Lucille Ball a solid feminist.—Cynthia Bemis Abrams

Great resource: Stefan Kanfer's Ball of Fire: The Tumultuous Life & Comic Art of Lucille Ball.

* Two TV interview clips (Johnny Carson Tonight Show 1969 and a Barbara Walters Special 1977) retrieved from YouTube contain background noise that we were unable to filter out.