Connect the dots of TV and feminism to American culture and politics with host Cynthia Bemis Abrams. Interviews with top names - in front of and behind the scenes - offer insights into TV that has shaped American culture and influenced the world. Check out episodes featuring interviews with women in television like Annie Potts, Margaret Cho and Kim Fields, TV directors, showrunners and writers, as well as academics and authors. Television veteran writers Georgia Jeffries, Victoria Riskin and…
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Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams interviews Dr. Clare Sears about her upcoming book on Killing Eve for Wayne State University Press’s TV Milestone Series . Dr. Sears explains why Killing Eve qualifies as milestone television . The series created groundbreaking queer representation and framing within the traditional spy thriller genre. Further, Sears explains how Killing Eve 's creators subverted the…
Summer means the anniversary episode of Advanced TV Herstory. Cynthia Bemis Abrams reflects on the journey of her podcast, sharing insights and stories that shaped episodes during the past year. She revisits instances from interviews and correspondence that fortify her examination of storytelling through TV, and how it documents social progress and challenges. Highlights: Gratitude and Community:…
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams examines the pivotal moments in TV talk show history where hosts overstepped boundaries and guests were challenged to stand up for themselves. Through a series of iconic examples like Lily Tomlin's poised resistance on The Dick Cavett Show and Joan Rivers' sharp retort on CNN, Cynthia highlights the crucial role of media training and self-awareness. When talk show hosts…
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams speaks with Denise Nicholas, the iconic actress and writer known for her roles in Room 222 (1969-75) and In the Heat of the Night (1988-95). Promoting her long-awaited 2025 memoir Finding Home , Denise opens up about her groundbreaking career in television, the cultural impact of her roles as Liz McIntyre and Harriet DeLong, and her transition to writing. Discover how her…
Advanced TV Herstory's host Cynthia Bemis Abrams takes listeners on a deep dive into the profound connections between television, feminism, and broader cultural and political shifts. Recorded in April 2026, Cynthia explores the implications of the newly revealed Epstein files and their potential impact on how we understand television from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s. She examines the role of powerful…
TV historian and host Cynthia Bemis Abrams welcomes Neal Sabin, Vice Chairman of Weigel Broadcasting, for a conversation about the enduring popularity of classic television and the role of "comfort TV" in modern broadcasting. Sabin oversees programming strategy for Weigel's widely distributed multicast networks, including MeTV, Catchy Comedy, Start TV, Heroes & Icons, Dabl, and Story Television…
Lifelong Minnesotan and veteran podcaster Cynthia Bemis Abrams reflects on Minnesota's outsized influence on American television, journalism, and culture in this timely solo episode of Advanced TV Herstory . Prompted by recent federal immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis beginning in December 2025, Cynthia revisits the mission of the podcast and reframes it through Minnesota's unique…
TV herstorian Cynthia Bemis Abrams spotlights Regina Jones, a pioneering media entrepreneur who made history as the first Black woman to publish nationally with a focus on soul music. In this episode, Cynthia is joined by Alissa Shapiro, executive producer of Who in the Hell is Regina Jones? , a documentary that explores Jones' impact and SOUL Newspaper, and premieres on Weigel Broadcasting's Dabl…
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams welcomes Mary Owen, daughter of Golden Age film and TV icon Donna Reed, to explore how The Donna Reed Show (1958–1966) pushed boundaries, challenged norms, and influenced portrayals of motherhood and feminism in sitcoms. Reed's character, Donna Stone, was the first TV mom to lead a show focused on everyday family life — earning her a Golden Globe and backlash from Second…
Award-winning showrunner Beth Sullivan joins host Cynthia Bemis Abrams for a deep dive into the creation and legacy of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman and The Trials of Rosie O'Neill . Sullivan, a UCLA graduate and screenwriting professor, shares how she built empowering female characters, assembled diverse ensembles, and balanced historical realism with emotional storytelling. The conversation also…
TV herstorian Cynthia Bemis Abrams reports back from a star-studded week in Los Angeles, where she met creators, paid tribute to icons, and reflected on the past, present, and future of women in Hollywood. In this personal recap, Cynthia shares highlights from her California adventure, including: Her visit to the Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) archives. Paying respects at the Forever…
Cynthia Bemis Abrams sits down with actor and singer Stepfanie Kramer at the Paley Center for Media to revisit her trailblazing role as Sgt. Dee Dee McCall on Hunter (1984–1991). Together, they unpack: The cultural legacy of Hunter and its Reagan-era action show peers; Kramer's reflections on fame, aging in Hollywood, and leaving the series; Her influence as a feminist TV figure and enduring…
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams connects the dots between TV, feminism, and workplace protections in this powerful episode inspired by her law review article, co-authored with legal scholar Mary Trevor. Their work explores how decades of television shaped public understanding of sexual harassment, particularly the form known as quid pro quo. From prime-time depictions to real-life milestones like Anita…
Celebrate 11 years of Advanced TV Herstory with host Cynthia Bemis Abrams and special guest Elsie Escobar, Podcast Hall of Famer and co-founder of She Podcasts. This milestone conversation dives into the evolution of independent podcasting, technological innovations, and the power of diverse voices in audio storytelling. Cynthia and Elsie explore: Elsie's trailblazing journey as a Latina…
Award-winning writer and professor Georgia Jeffries joins Cynthia Bemis Abrams to reflect on her pioneering work in television and screenwriting. From her early magazine articles to Emmy-winning work on Cagney & Lacey, China Beach and Sisters , Jeffries reveals how she broke into Hollywood's writers' rooms and built a career defined by dramatic integrity and feminist storytelling. Georgia…
Why do cozy mysteries still dominate the mystery genre, decades after their prime? Cynthia Bemis Abrams welcomes Prof. Bridget Kies of Oakland University for an insightful conversation exploring the fan favorite series Murder, She Wrote (1984–1996) and the enduring appeal of the cozy crime format. Explore: Angela Lansbury's legacy as the iconic Jessica Fletcher; How Murder, She Wrote exemplifies…
From Lucille Ball to Tina Fey, from Joan Rivers to Margaret Cho, women have been rewriting the rules of comedy for decades, and they're not done yet. Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams is joined by Lynn Harris, founder of Gold Comedy, to explore the legacy and future of funny women on TV. Together, they dissect the comedic influence of legends like Mary Tyler Moore, Moms Mabley, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus —…
Cynthia says,"There's no better definition of representation than the career of Connie Chung." Look no further than TV news anchor Connie Chung's groundbreaking career for the textbook definition of representation. Advanced TV Herstory host Cynthia Bemis Abrams explores Chung's impact as a trailblazing Chinese-American journalist through the lens of her 2024 book, Connie, A Memoir . Revisit…
Cynthia Bemis Abrams sits down with Oscar-nominated documentary director Julie Cohen to explore her career in network TV journalism and filmmaking. The conversation covers Cohen's path to power as a storyteller, highlighting her work on films about Pauli Murray, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Julia Child. Cohen shares insights into her acclaimed projects, including: RBG (2018), the documentary about…
In this episode of Advanced TV Herstory , host Cynthia Bemis Abrams is joined by author Angela Beauchamp to explore how Eleanor Roosevelt, a trailblazing communicator, shaped early public affairs programming. They discuss Roosevelt's prolific media presence, from her "My Day" newspaper column and radio broadcasts to her groundbreaking television appearances. The conversation highlights how…
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams and filmmaker Lisa D'Apolito pick up the conversation about documentaries, this time about Gilda Radner and the 2018 film, Love, Gilda . In fall 2024, Lisa was a guest along with Mallory Lewis to discuss the documentary, Shari and Lamb Chop . Cynthia and Lisa explore Lisa's journey from acting to filmmaking and why Lisa uses her talents to tell the stories of women whose…
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams takes you to The Paley Center for Media in New York City, exploring its role in preserving television history and hosting key industry events like PaleyFest. Cynthia dives into The Paley Archive during her visit, recounting her observations while watching the iconic 1973 broadcast of Billie Jean King versus Bobby Riggs in the historic "Battle of the Sexes." Listen in as…
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams speaks with Karly Beaumont, creator of Core Temp Arts and contributor to TV Movie Mistress , about the comforting power of television. As a Dominican native and lifelong creative, Karly shares her journey as a podcaster and media critic, offering insights into how shows like Bluey, You're the Worst, and UnREAL are her emotional touchstones during challenging times.…
In this episode of Advanced TV Herstory , host Cynthia Bemis Abrams discusses the compelling documentary Shari and Lambchop with Mallory Lewis and director Lisa D’Apolito ( Love, Gilda ). The film chronicles Shari Lewis' life and her constant reinvention across a variety of roles—TV show host, magician, dancer, singer, actress, author, and even symphony conductor. Featuring archival footage and…
In the last 10-20 years, attitudes toward LGBTQ+ people in America have shifted due to more positive visibility and evolving cultural norms. Cynthia takes a look at two moments from 1970s television that revealed glimpses of LGBTQ+ allyship—a talk show moment and a 1974 episode of Police Woman . In 1970, June Lockhart appeared on The Virginia Graham Show and stopped the hostess in her tracks,…
"One look comparing TV from the early part of the 80s to the latter years reveals A LOT of change - technology, sophistication and subject matter most immediately come to mind," Cynthia observes. Advanced TV Herstory host Cynthia Bemis Abrams loves to talk TV. "I really enjoy every exchange with Susan [Lambert] and Sharon [Johnson], otherwise known as the 80s TV Ladies . When their podcast, 80s TV…
Welcome to this anniversary episode of Advanced TV Herstory which is our annual chance to reflect on past highlights and share vision. Join Cynthia Bemis Abrams as she reflects on a decade of podcasting, noting the journey, and growth that led the mission of connecting the dots between feminism, TV, and American culture. In This Episode Podcast Evolution: Explore how Advanced TV Herstory has…
Before Oprah. Before Arsenio. There was Della. Singer, talk show host, actor, minister, and cultural icon Della Reese shattered barriers across media genres — and made history as the first Black woman to host her own syndicated talk show in 1969. In this heartfelt episode, host Cynthia Bemis Abrams pays tribute to Reese’s remarkable career and unrelenting spirit. Drawing from Reese’s 1997 memoir…
In this special Mother's Day episode of Advanced TV Herstory , host Cynthia Bemis Abrams explores the profound impact of women who shape our lives, with inspiration from Victoria Rowell's compelling memoir, The Women Who Raised Me . Rowell, a two-time Emmy nominee and 11-time NAACP Image Award winner, shares her incredible journey through the foster care system and the women who nurtured her into…
In this engaging episode, we sit down with Dr. Sherry Ginn, the current president of the Pop Culture Association (PCA) and a renowned scholar in pop culture and science fiction. Recorded live at the PCA National Conference in Chicago, the discussion covers a range of topics, including: the evolution of science fiction in popular culture, the enduring legacy of Buffy the Vampire Slayer , and the…
Advanced TV Herstory host Cynthia Bemis Abrams delves into a captivating 1958 episode of Edward R. Murrow’s Small World , featuring Vivien Leigh, Samuel Goldwyn, and Kenneth Tynan. As we explore this rare television appearance, we uncover the dynamics of a conversation that challenges cultural norms of the time. With topics ranging from ethnic representation in theater to the transition of…
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams welcomes Yvonne Perry to Advanced TV Herstory . Yvonne is an award-winning actor, drama teacher, director, and intimacy coordinator. In addition to her work in film and prime-time television, she originated the role of Rosanna Cabot on As the World Turns . Yvonne's experience in daytime TV, with its groundbreaking storylines and thoughtful intimacy handling, has informed…
In this episode of Advanced TV Herstory , we celebrate the "Parade of Accomplished Women" by highlighting notable contributions of women in television, both in front of and behind the camera. Co-hosts Cynthia Bemis Abrams and Ashley Pacini delve into the legacies of women who have portrayed themselves on TV or represented the unseen, as well as those who have had prolific careers without becoming…
In this episode of Advanced TV Herstory , we celebrate the "Parade of Accomplished Women" by highlighting notable contributions of women in television, both in front of and behind the camera. Co-hosts Cynthia Bemis Abrams and Ashley Pacini delve into the legacies of women who have portrayed themselves on TV or represented the unseen, as well as those who have had prolific careers without becoming…
Advanced TV Herstory 's special series on TV Talk Shows examines one interview that became the focus of multi-year, high profile litigation. Big talk show moments, especially the controversial ones, provide snapshots that we can use to examine our politics and culture at a singular point in time. Some of the moments we discuss in this series may be unfamiliar to you or they may seem obscure or…
We know her as Meemaw, Mary Jo Shively, Emmie Sims, and the voice of Bo Peep. But Annie Potts is hooked on helping others, 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," an important phrase in a story she tells listeners. Annie's charitable organization, The Heart Channels, provides direct support…
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams proudly unveils 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…
Advanced TV Herstory , host Cynthia Bemis Abrams explores the groundbreaking contributions of women writers in the early days of television with special guest Annie Berke, PhD. As the author of Their Own Best Creations: Women Writers in Postwar Television , Dr. Berke explains the pivotal roles these women played from 1949 to 1963, highlighting their enduring impact on American politics, culture,…
Hollywood legacy meets union leadership in this revealing conversation with Victoria Riskin. A second-generation screenwriter and former President of the Writers Guild of America West, Riskin brings stories from inside the industry's golden era—and the picket lines of today. Advanced TV Herstory host Cynthia Bemis Abrams and Riskin discuss the evolving power dynamics between writers and studios,…
In this union-themed episode of Advanced TV Herstory , host Cynthia Bemis Abrams delves into the rich history and ongoing struggles of entertainment unions, particularly focusing on the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild—American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). As we approach Labor Day 2023, the episode highlights the significant role women have…
From host Cynthia Bemis Abrams: A lot has happened politically and culturally since Advanced TV Herstory launched eight years ago. In this anniversary episode, I celebrate a number of wins while also reflecting on the importance of learning from history to avoid repeating past mistakes. For example, Lee Grant, an Oscar and Emmy-winning actress, overcame being blacklisted during the anti-Communist…
In the second of our two-part episode, host Cynthia Bemis Abrams continues talking with Elva Green about her book, The Jeffersons: A Fresh Look Back. Green offers insights, interviews, behind-the-scenes stories, and rare photos from the iconic TV series that was a spin-off of All in the Family . Green reflects on one of the best episodes from the 7th season of the show, which featured a…
In this first of a two-part episode of Advanced TV Herstory , host Cynthia Bemis Abrams welcomes Elva Green to discuss her book, The Jeffersons: A Fresh Look Back . Ms. Green shares her personal journey as a writer and the impetus for the book, which offers insights, interviews, behind-the-scenes stories, and rare photos from the iconic TV series. Green interviewed cast and crew members, including…
In this episode of Advanced TV Herstory, host Cynthia Bemis Abrams takes a critical look at the groundbreaking sitcom Cheers , focusing on the iconic female characters, Carla Tortelli and Diane Chambers. Cynthia examines the complexities of these characters, portrayed by Rhea Perlman and Shelley Long, respectively, and their impact as strong female figures in 1980s television. The episode explores…
This is part one of a two-part conversation with author and TV/film historian, Lee Gambin. His double-volume work, Tonight, On a Very Special Episode: When TV Sitcoms Sometimes Got Serious , provides a launch pad for our thoughtful and fast-paced discussion of the issues and activists behind TV's "very special episodes," which date back 50 years or more. These TV events—featuring familiar, beloved…
I am very excited to share the first of a two-part conversation with author and TV/film historian, Lee Gambin. His double-volume work, Tonight, On a Very Special Episode: When TV Sitcoms Sometimes Got Serious, provides a launch pad for our thoughtful and fast-paced discussion of the issues and activists behind TV's "very special episodes," which date back 50 years or more. These TV events,…
In 1989, Oprah Winfrey produced and starred in the two-part TV miniseries, The Women of Brewster Place , which was based on Gloria Naylor's award-winning debut novel. The book, and the movie, explore a variety of personal issues and social themes faced by seven Black women who live in an urban housing project. When, just for fun, we asked the new artificial intelligence software, ChatGPT, to…
On this episode of Advanced TV Herstory , we connect the dots between TV and feminism with American culture and politics by remembering the 1979 television miniseries, Backstairs at the White House. The series is based on the New York Times bestseller by Lillian Rogers Parks, a seamstress in the White House from 1939-1961. Parks based the book on her own experiences and on those of her mother,…
As we wrap up our two-part In Memoriam for 2022 by honoring women women in television who died this past year. Some are famous names and faces, but we also pay tribute to those who were less visible yet made significant contributions to TV, both in front of and behind the camera. This celebration is the perfect time to reflect on the importance of acting as a champion for other women. Their…
Our In Memoriam episodes have become an annual tradition. As the universe of known, talented women in TV gets larger every year, so too does the number of women that we honor. In this first of two episodes, we highlight some of the women of music and theatre who made significant contributions to our culture and society. We lost some very big names in 2022, but as you've come to expect with these…
