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/.

Diana Ross' 1983 Central Park Concert: TV and Music Herstory

Dec 2, 2015

Podcast Episode Description

In this episode of Advanced TV Herstory, host Cynthia Bemis Abrams explores Diana Ross’ legendary 1983 Central Park concert, where music and leadership collided amidst a torrential downpour. Discover how Ross captivated a bi-racial crowd, managed chaos with grace, and turned a challenging...

Treva Silverman: Writing Herstory on MTM - Part 3

Nov 23, 2015

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...

MTM’s Women Writers: Casting, Fashion & Rhoda - Part 2

Nov 18, 2015

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.

Armstrong shares...

MTM Women Writers: Chuckles, Rhoda & Reform - Part 1

Nov 12, 2015

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...

6 Lost Episodes of Cagney and Lacey

Nov 6, 2015

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 an ever-changing...