Advanced TV Herstory

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams revisits the hit medical drama series ER (1994-2009) 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 examines the characters of nurse Carol Hathaway (played by Julianna Margulies) and Susan Lewis, M.D. (por...

MTV launched many careers beyond the original five VJs. Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams details the 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. In an instant, the VJs (video jockeys) Alan Hunter, Martha Quinn, J.J. Jackson, Marc Goodman and Nina B...

In this episode of Advanced TV Herstory , host Cynthia Bemis Abrams provides a compelling analysis of Anita Hill's historic testimony before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee in 1991. Hill's statements about workplace sexual harassment, given during the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas, became a cultural turning point, sparking national debates on gender, power, an...

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, Kate...

In this heartfelt episode of Advanced TV Herstory , host Cynthia Bemis Abrams honors the remarkable life and career of Anna "Patty" Duke. Just weeks before Duke’s unexpected passing, Cynthia reflects on her immense contributions to television, film, and mental health advocacy. From her Oscar-winning role in The Miracle Worker to her trailblazing public discussions about bipolar disorder on The Phi...

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams concludes, "it's all in the sound!" Cynthia's explains First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt immense influence through media. Eleanor pioneering and prolific communication came through her radio shows and newspaper columns. 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...

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams welcomes Dr. Wendy Burns-Ardolino, author of TV Female Foursomes and Their Fans , to discuss the groundbreaking 1989 Designing Women (1986–1993) episode, "They Shoot Fat Women, Don't They?" The episode tackled the tabloid-fueled controversy surrounding Delta Burke and her weight gain, which was sensationalized in the press as a supposed feud with showrunner Linda Bloodwor...

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 Th...

No podcast on women in television is complete without a long hard look at the life and career of Lucille Ball. Advanced TV Herstory host Cynthia Bemis Abrams found that even with a well-documented life, Lucy left this world as a bit of a mystery. 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 av...

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams explores Diana Ross' legendary 1983 Central Park concert, where music and leadership carried the day amidst a torrential downpour. Discover how Ross captivated a bi-racial crowd, managed chaos with grace, and turned a challenging performance into a cultural milestone. From the event's impact on early premium cable streaming via Showtime to Ross' resilience and bond with h...

Treva Silverman, the primary writer for The Mary Tyler Moore Show, broke ground as one of the few women in the writers' room during television's golden age. In this episode, Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, author of Mary and Lou and Rhoda and Ted , joins host Cynthia Bemis Abrams to discuss Silverman's career, legacy, and the challenges of writing smart, funny TV from a woman's perspective. The conver...

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams continues her conversation with author Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, digging deeper into the brilliant women behind The Mary Tyler Moore Show . In this episode, they explore how casting, style, and behind-the-scenes leadership shaped not just the series, but TV history as well. Armstrong shares insights from her book Mary and Lou and Rhoda and Ted , focusing on the show's f...

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams welcomes Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, author of Mary and Lou and Rhoda and Ted , to spotlight the pioneering women writers behind The Mary Tyler Moore Show. From interviews with MTM creatives to reflections on iconic episodes, this conversation sets the stage for a three-part series on women in the writer's room and their groundbreaking influence on 1970s television. Highl...

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams continues the examination of the early years and struggle of television's groundbreaking series, Cagney and Lacey . She reviews the Movie-of-the-Week / pilot that starred Loretta Swit as Cagney, alongside Tyne Daly and the challenges presented by the casting of Meg Foster and the network's decision to regularly change its time slot. Cancellations and resurrection are impo...

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams resumes her review of TNT's original series, The Closer (2005-2012). Cynthia examines Deputy Brenda Leigh Johnson's continued leadership growth, which created a rare long look of a police procedural female character. The series devoted energy and realistic depth to Brenda's challenges from Capt. Sharon Raydor, marriage, alcoholism, ambition, succession and professional bu...

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams takes a long look at her favor 4- woman ensemble drama. Sisters has been so relegated to obscurity that only 2 seasons on DVD, though some episodes can be found on YouTube. Cynthia remains loyal to the Emmy Award winning show (for cast and crew categories). Further, Cynthia explores the post-Sisters careers of Swoosie Kurtz, Patricia Kalember, Sela Ward and Julianne Phill...

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams considers the backstory of the creation of the hit buddy-cop series, Cagney & Lacey (1982-1988) to be essential feminist knowledge. Cynthia provides insights into the creative process and patience that defied network and production preferences, making the series stronger with every setback. Cynthia explains the roles of producers Barney Rosenzweig, Barbara Avedon and...

Advanced TV Hersto ry host Cynthia Bemis Abrams finds influence and representation throughout the depths of television, including the animated series, The Power Puff Girls (1998-2004). As Third Wave Feminism took root, a rare animated series featuring three main girl characters Bubbles, Blossom and Buttercup held up a magical, colorful mirror. Suddenly, for viewers of all ages, agency, problem sol...

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams provides the long overdue look at the primary women characters of Emmy award-winning series Hill Street Blues . Characters Lucy Bates (uniformed police officer) played by Betty Thomas and Joyce Davenport (confident public defender) portrayed by Veronica Hamel. The two characters provided moral and ethical voice in arcs and story lines that were otherwise the precursor to...

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams frames the appearance of the prime time serial drama genre of the 1970s, which began with Dallas and included Falcon Crest, Knots Landing, Dynasty and The Colbys . Cynthia discusses the series' longlasting appeal to the older audiences by casting acclaimed film actors Barbara Bel Geddes and Jane Wyman. For TV, these women filled roles considered rare: older woman with qui...

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams celebrates the early career and influence of Debbie Allen, the groundbreaking actor, choreographer, director, producer, and businesswoman. This episode explores her journey from Howard University to her star-making role as Lydia Grant in Fame (1982-1987). In both the film and TV series, Allen shaped the future of Black storytelling on television. Cynthia details Allen's e...

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams celebrates the classic coming-of-age drama My So-Called Life (1994-1995)and its creator and writer, Winnie Holzman. The Gen X drama revolves around mothers and daughters and has become a generational touchstone. While many of the short-lived series' stories revolve around timeless teenage angst, there's an undeniable, embedded perspective from Holzman, as female storytell...

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams recounts the heyday of feminism, when tennis ace Billie Jean King accepted the challenge to play the aging men's champion Bobbie Riggs in a prime time match. The backstory of King agreeing to the offer is fascinating and reveals the risk King took on behalf of feminism and the progress of Title IX, women's rights and the campaign to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. Reso...

Longtime Betty White fan, Advanced TV Herstory host Cynthia Bemis Abrams reviews the career and actions of the accomplished comedian and actor, Betty White. Working from Betty's own memoirs, Cynthia recounts how Betty was bitten by the acting bug and her early roles. Highlighting Life With Elizabeth , one of the earliest titled female in a comedy (1953-55), Cynthia observes the early traits of the...

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams examines the TNT original series that starred Kyra Sedgwick as Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson. Cynthia puts her leadership professor hat on to highlight the character's personal and professional growth of the series' first four seasons. Resource: The Leadership Challenge by William Kouzes and Barry Posner CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY Monthly Newsletter...