Sep 20, 2018
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams explores Linda Bloodworth-Thomason’s
guest column in The Hollywood Reporter, which sheds light
on her creative exile. The low-profile showrunner of Designing
Women, Evening Shade, and other series details the
professional damages she suffered at the hands of CBS’ Les Moonves.
Cynthia examines Bloodworth-Thomason’s claims and ponders how
television might have evolved had she been allowed to continue
creating for prime-time.
In the late summer of 2018, headlines caught my
attention—reminding me why we cherish some of the finest writing
and acting in TV history, from Murphy Brown to
Designing Women. We must pay closer attention to the power
and influence of media. Linda Bloodworth-Thomason’s Hollywood
Reporter guest column illuminates the professional exile she
endured at the hands of CBS’ Les Moonves.
Episode Resources
Referenced Shows and Networks:
- Designing Women
- Evening Shade
- Murphy Brown
- CBS Television Network
Resources:
- The Hollywood Reporter article by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/linda-bloodworth-thomason-i-knew-harvey-weinstein-you-did-guest-column-1049819/
Related Episodes:
- That Girl and Sexual Harassment (4.14)
https://advancedtvherstory.libsyn.com/that-girl-and-sexual-harassment
Episode Life Lessons
- Abuse of power in the workplace forces talented voices into exile, altering the creative landscape.
- The loss of a mentor due to industry politics prevents growth and learning for the next generation.
- Media executives shape cultural narratives—whether for better or worse.