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

Pt 5 Finding the Feminist Lesson - Complicated Treasure: The Judy Garland Show -

Feb 1, 2019

What role does Judy & her series play in TV Herstory? Episode explores women storytelling, persistence, and sexism that serve as modern lessons about the power in and of TV, including one musical number from her December 1963 show, considered historic TV, about which few know.

Cynthia and Chicago-based, Emmy-nominated...

Pt 4 Herstoric TV Guests and Performances - Complicated Treasure: The Judy Garland Show

Feb 1, 2019

Judy's series served as a bridge of American talent, featuring stars of stage and screen at every point in their careers: Barbra Streisand, Ethel Merman, Mickey Rooney, Lena Horne, Lorna Luft, Liza Minelli, Diahann Carroll, June Allyson. These performances give us some moments in art and history allow a viewer to see...

Pt 3 Unmatched! Production Budget Pressure - Complicated Treasure: The Judy Garland Show

Feb 1, 2019

Cynthia and Chicago-based, Emmy-nominated performer and Garland Scholar Angela Ingersoll exchange feminist insight into this important television series. Its production value and budget broke records and ushered in a whole new look and feel for TV entertainment. Lack of leadership and network support begs questions that...

Pt 2 Angela Ingersoll Frames Judy's Legacy - Complicated Treasure: The Judy Garland Show

Feb 1, 2019

As we come upon the 50th anniversary of Judy’s passing, one look at the books, plays, and documentaries about her life reveals a certain pattern: primarily written and produced by men. Her life was surrounded by men.

Cynthia and Chicago-based, Emmy-nominated performer and Garland Scholar Angela Ingersoll exchange...

Pt 1 Judy Finally Makes it to TV - Complicated Treasure: The Judy Garland Show

Feb 1, 2019

Judy Garland's career in the 50s was made up of concerts, films and having kids. We explore why she resisted TV until her concert performances resurrected her career and confidence, resulting in a historic contract with CBS. Cynthia and Chicago-based, Emmy-nominated performer and Garland Scholar Angela...