80s TV Ladies

“The thing I loved about the theater was ‘the puzzle’. And in television, it was a new puzzle every week. And I LOVED that.” – Mary Lou Belli, on the joy of directing. In a career spanning five decades, Emmy Award-winning director Mary Lou has directed episodes of Charles In Charge, Major Dad, The Hughleys, Girlfriends, Monk, The Game, Heart of Dixie, Devious Maids, Station 19, Black Lightening, N...

Is “Reservations for Eight” your favorite or LEAST favorite episode of “Designing Women”? How can a simple television comedy cause us to dive into a deep discussion of First Wave Feminism? Yes, it’s time for the 90’s TV Babies to weigh in on Linda Bloodworth-Thomason’s Designing Women. Serita Fontanesi, Sergio Perez and Megan Ruble were given the assignment: Watch nine seminal episodes of the seri...

On this special Bonus Holiday-themed episode, Susan and Sharon welcome Stan Zimmerman , co-writer of Ladies of the ’80s: A Divas Christmas . Stan Zimmerman is a prolific producer and director but is perhaps best known for his work with writing partner James Berg on A Very Brady Sequel and on the classic television as Roseanne, Gilmore Girls and The Golden Girls . In Ladies of the 80’s: A Divas Chr...

Susan and Sharon continue their discussion with the creator of Designing Women, Linda Bloodworth-Thomason (also Evening Shade , Hearts Afire , Filthy Rich , and more!). In Part Two of their conversation, Linda touches on the challenges of television production, her experiences with Dixie Carter, Delta Burke’s struggles on the show -- and the differences between the north and south. THE CONVERSATIO...

Susan and Sharon are honored to speak with the creator and writer of Designing Women, Linda Bloodworth Thomason. Novelist, playwright, documentary filmmaker and philanthropist, Linda is a five-time Emmy Award nominee who has created, written and produced such signature hits as "Evening Shade", "Hearts Afire", "Women of the House" and "Filthy Rich". Her TV writing career began with episodes of clas...

“She didn't twirl just a baton. That baton was on fire. And when she threw that baton into the air, it flew higher, further, faster than any baton has ever flown before, hitting a transformer and showering the darkened arena with sparks!” - Julia Sugarbaker Susan and Sharon continue “‘Designing Women’ November” with an episode devoted to the actresses – all seven of them – who played all those out...

Susan and Sharon get to sit down with writer/producer/show-runner Maggie Friedman to talk about the show that inspired her to embark on a career in television: Designing Women . Designing Women (1986-1993) was created by the legendary Linda Bloodworth-Thomason and starred Dixie Carter, Delta Burke, Jean Smart, Annie Potts and Meshach Taylor as the owners and staff of the Atlanta-based interior des...

“ Our ethical language lives in our popular culture. ” – Bryan Edward Hill Susan and Sharon welcome writer, producer, filmmaker, pop-culture philosopher and good friend Bryan Edward Hill. Bryan has spent the better part of the last 40 years processing the hundreds of TV shows and movies he watched as an only child – then later, creating his own work –- and then reflecting on how the two experience...

“When you’re doing the right thing, the right things happen” – Lynda Carter to David Johnson about creating “The Ultimate Fan’s Guide to Scarecrow and Mrs. King”. Susan and Sharon geek out with SMK experts David R. Johnson, Taya Johnston and Sabine Ludewig – the authors of “The Ultimate Fan’s Guide to Scarecrow and Mrs. King” - a #1 Bestseller in TV and Film on Amazon Books! How do three people fr...

“The key to good women-driven stories is… Sheryl Lee Ralph” – 90’s TV Babies Susan and Sharon welcome back the 90’s TV Babies! It’s been a while since we’ve seen them, but they’re back and ready for action. Serita Fontanesi, Sergio Perez and Megan Ruble take a look at “It’s A Living” – and they do not hold back! THE CONVERSATION Too many characters in Season One? The Babies don’t think so. Was Sea...

What’s your favorite 80s television theme songs? Susan and Sharon were invited to be on Dave Sloan and Holly Cantos podcast “What Difference Does It Make?” to talk 80s TV theme songs and retro music -- and they all had so much fun they’re bringing Part Two of the conversation here! If you want to hear Part One, here’s the link to the 80s TV Ladies episode of “ What Difference Does It Make ?” And g...

“It seemed possible in the ‘80s that someone would walk up to you at a train station and hand you a package – and you would take it!” -- Jeanette Valliere Welcome to Susan and Sharon’s very first “Fanbar” event – where we talk with outstanding fans of 80s shows. We’re starting off with a big one! Jeanette Valliere has been organizing the "Scarecrow and Mrs. King" Anniversary events since 2003, and...

“Life’s not the French Riviera; life’s not a charity ball…” – theme song by George Tipton & Leslie Bricusse Susan and Sharon wrap up their thoughts on “It’s A Living” with a global look at everything “IAL” -- from their top favorite episodes, to the amazing careers of the stars – and don't forget that unforgettable theme song! So, if you’ve ever wanted to hear Sharon sing “You Only Live Twice”...

“Sonny Mann is a guy with great talent -- but no taste” – Paul Kreppel Continuing their deep dive into “It’s A Living”, Susan and Sharon sit down with beloved Tony award-winner, actor and director Paul Kreppel, known to 80s TV lovers as the “always on the make” singer and piano player ‘Sonny Mann’ on “It’s A Living”. Paul’s stage career began in 1968 with the Boston Improvisational theater group “...

"You could tell that they were afraid the show was too sexy..." - Jane Espensen Susan and Sharon start their look back at the under-the-radar 1980’s comedy “It’s A Living” with modern-day TV writer/producers Jane Espenson and Drew Z. Greenberg. Jane Espenson has written for shows such as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, “Once Upon A Time”, “Gilmore Girls”, “Jessica Jones”, “Battlestar Galactica” and “G...

“On Sundays, I couldn’t wait for Monday.” – Eilish Zebrasky, Head of Wardrobe for Aaron Spelling. Susan and Sharon get all dressed up and strut their stuff with legendary 80s TV and Film costume designer Eilish Zebrasky. For over 25 years, Eilish Zebrasky was the Costume Department Head for Aaron Spelling Productions, responsible for all the amazing clothes you saw on classic shows like “Murder, S...

Tumble out of bed/and stumble to the kitchen/pour yourself a cup of ambition And yawn and stretch and listen in as Susan and Sharon talk "Nine to Five": The TV Series with podcaster and founder of Weirding Way Media, Chris Stachiw. On this special cross-over episode with The Kulturecast, we dig into one of the strangest, funniest and least-known film-to-TV transplants: Nine To Five. The film “9 to...

“What do we want? Fair Pay! When do we want it? NOW!” The 80’s TV Ladies fast-forward from the 1980s to the RIGHT NOW – for a special "breaking news" episode about the ongoing 2023 WGA Writer’s Strike that is having a major impact on television production – and the future of entertainment as we know it. As the strike enters its third month writers and other guilds are calling out for “transformati...

“To be able to see it represented on TV means so much to a young mind." Susan and Sharon continue their celebration of Pride Month by welcoming JD and Denise, hosts of "The Rainbow Remix", a podcast featuring LGBTQ lifestyle news, music, arts, media -- and mixology! Denise Warner is an out lesbian and veteran podcaster going all the way back to 2006 with “The Lesbian Lounge". JD Danner is a musici...

What did Queer representation look like in 70s, 80s and 90s television? Could you say gay? Susan and Sharon kick off their Pride Month celebration with author, podcaster and video maker Matt Baume. His latest book, “Hi Homey, I’m Homo!” traces the evolution of LGBTQ+ characters on American sitcoms. His previous book - “Defining Marriage” - chronicles the personal stories of people who fought for m...

In Part Two of our conversation with Cynthia Bemis Abrams, host of the “Advanced TV Herstory” podcast, we continue our discussion of feminism in American culture and its effect on television as we delve into sports, politics, female stereotypes – and the unsung feminist heroes of Hollywood’s mysterious “Secret Sisterhood”. THE CONVERSATION WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE: What stereotypes were women assign...

Welcome to 80’s TV Ladies: Season Two! Susan and Sharon kick-off the new season with Cynthia Bemis-Abrams, the host of sister podcast “Advanced TV Herstory” -- a fascinating deep dive into the backstory of women in television, that connects the dots between TV, feminism, American culture and politics. In Part One of a two-part conversation, we’ll talk about the shows, actresses and characters that...

Episode 23 - Who ever thought we’d get this far?!? Susan and Sharon celebrate their first season finale with a wrap-up on “Cagney & Lacey.” How did a little idea about having a female “Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid” buddy movie turn into a legendary, award-winning TV series that spanned 7 seasons, 125 episodes and 4 TV movies? We discuss the show’s origins and controversies, its impact...

What do those crazy 90s kids think of 80s Cagney & Lacey? We’re gonna find out! Susan and Sharon welcome back Serita Fontanesi, Megan Ruble and Sergio Perez – the 90’s TV Babies! We asked them to watch three episodes: the original one-hour pilot, starring Tyne Daly as Lacey and Loretta Swit as Cagney; the “new” pilot with Meg Foster in the role of Cagney; and finally, Sharon Gless’s first turn...

What was it like to break into directing in the 1970s and '80s? Let's find out! Sharon and Susan are honored to talk with Emmy-winning director Karen Arthur. Karen started out as an actress on such shows as “Get Smart”, “The Streets of San Francisco”, “Mannix”, “That Girl” and “The Monkees”. In 1975 she made the transition to directing and has since helmed episodes of classic TV series including “...