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

Women of The Americans

Apr 14, 2022

Cold War espionage with an 80s feminist touch - The Americans (FX, 2013-2018) gave us a new form of anti-hero in Elizabeth Jennings, played by Keri Russell. Cynthia and guest author Linda Mizejewski discuss the award-winning series' women, its commitment to accuracy and the bold approach of depicting spies as real...

TV's Single Women Caregivers and Gimme A Break!

Aug 23, 2018

In taking a look at Jeanine Furino's book All the Single Girls, the lead character single woman caregiver has evolved over 60 years. This episode looks at its historical context of 50s and 60s society as well as 1981's Gimme A Break!, which re-introduced us to a mammy character. Dr. Jennifer Fuller of Miami University...

Tending the Fandom

Jul 26, 2018

Women writers & directors bring a distinct lens to their jobs, so too have Dorothy Swanson and Liz Prugh led fan movements in ways that have benefited many. Hear more about how Swanson's "Viewers for Quality Television" grassroots efforts organized fans in the 80s & 90s to encourage and save excellent programming. Liz...

TV's Single Woman, The Feminerd

May 31, 2018

Author Jeanine Furino shares insight into her term, "Feminerd" and TV's single women characters who best fit the description. We talk about Feminerds that blossom professionally and find love and happiness, like Liz Lemon and Leslie Knope.

Furino goes out on a limb about Liz Lemon's impact on workplace fashion.

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TV's Single Woman, Who Doesn't Know What She Wants

Mar 22, 2018

Depending on your hours spent on TV, you may remember characters who came across as searching for or wishy-washy about life goals. We follow up with Jeanine Furino, author of (link below) All the Single Girls and conclude this very realistic role is more prevalent today.