Advanced TV Herstory

Love TV? TV women have brought us great lessons in leadership, achievement and diligence. It’s time their stories are told and in many cases, placed in the proper context of the women’s movement, social change and political trends. Representation of women on TV – whether it’s in the news, programming schedule or sports – is a fraction of the amount of screen time men get. Yet every generation of women is profoundly impacted by what they see. It’s more than the memory of watching it, it’s the confidence that if a girl or woman sees another doing it, she is more likely to believe in herself.

Advanced TV Herstory connects the dots of TV and feminism with American politics and culture. Within each episode, we zero in on the life lessons discovered through research and analysis. Shows from every era and genre, and the women who made them, get their place in the spotlight.

Hosted and produced by Cynthia Bemis Abrams

Memoriam 2021

Jan 27, 2022

Cynthia recounts the lives and careers of talented TV women who died in 2021. While some died unexpectedly of disease, the long list features names of women who worked well into their golden years. Join this celebration of their impact on TV and come away with renewed energy to cheer on the amazing women in your...

Writing for Kids & Tweens’ TV

Jun 1, 2020

"A story is a story is a story." So says veteran TV writer Nina Bargiel who's been spinning live-action and animated yarns for years.

Nina is an LA-based TV writer and producer who currently writes on Mao Mao, Heroes of Pure Heart (Cartoon Network) and has other projects percolating. Nina describes her writing...

Mrs. America & 3-Dimensional Storytelling

May 3, 2020

Writing, storytelling and 3-dimensional characters are some of the many topics author/TV producer April Smith and Cynthia discuss. April shares behind-the-scenes insight into writing & researching Mrs. America. We also go back 40 years to discuss #MeToo and a timeless Lou Grant episode.

Trailer: Mrs....

Norman Lear's 70s Lady Bench

Jul 12, 2018

America's TV landscape was changing rapidly in the 70s. Popular characters in Norman Lear's portfolio of shows who went on to star in spinoffs. From The Jeffersons to Sanford & Son, black performers created memorable characters, bringing decades of stage and film experience to the small screen.

At Indianapolis' Pop Con,...

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...