Advanced TV Herstory

Welcome to Advanced TV Herstory, the podcast that connects the dots of TV & feminism and American politics & culture. We tell the stories of women in TV who have had a profound impact on the confidence and aspirations of generations of girls and women.

We highlight the pioneering journalists, talented actresses, and gutsy writers who challenged societal norms and provide historical context for their achievements within the cultural and political trends of the time. By exploring the past, we ensure that the struggles, triumphs, and milestones of these women are not lost to history.

Hosted and produced by television scholar Cynthia Bemis Abrams, Advanced TV Herstory is more than just a podcast. It is a research-based examination of the evolution of television and women in our society. Each episode is an opportunity to inspire listeners to believe in themselves, challenge norms, break barriers, and shape the future of television and our world.

Learn more and subscribe to our newsletter at www.tvherstory.com/.

Designing Women's Earnest NYE: A Storytelling Classic

Dec 28, 2017

New Year's Eve storytelling on television is often hit-or-miss, but Designing Womendelivered a timeless masterpiecewith the January 1, 1990, episode "The First Day of the Last Decade of the Entire 20th Century."

Written by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason and directed by Harry Thomason, this heartfelt episode features the...

Gift Giving Recs for TV Fans

Dec 10, 2017

Still pondering what to get that hard-to-buy-for TV fan in your life? This podcast has your back, walking you through 5+ great gift ideas used in producing past episodes. All are classics or discuss classics! Designing Women, Diana Ross, Sports Night, a book about the making of The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Kim...

Kim Fields on Voice, Motherhood & A Blessed Life

Dec 9, 2017

From child star to seasoned multi-hyphenate, Kim Fields has spent four decades thriving in the entertainment industry. In this heartfelt conversation, host Cynthia Bemis Abrams sits down with Fields to discuss everything from motherhood and mentorship to voice, faith, and self-doubt — themes explored in Kim's...

Debbie Allen Shapes A Different World

Nov 14, 2017

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...

Elizabeth Taylor's Monday Night Takeover

Oct 17, 2017

What happens when one of Hollywood’s biggest icons subtly takes over network television for a night? In this live-recorded episode from the 2017 Southgate Media Group Podcast Marathon, host Cynthia Bemis Abrams breaks down a curious four-episode CBS Monday night lineup from 1996, all subtly promoting Elizabeth...