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

21st Century Nancy Drew

Oct 19, 2019

TV is once again attempting to bring legendary "girl detective" Nancy Drew to life. We dust off our very first episode for a look at past attempts to put the hugely popular Nancy Drew mysteries on the small screen. The book series' backstory is a fascinating look at ego & the evolution of publishing. Excerpts are...

Witches are Back! Classic Charmed and 2018 Feminism

Oct 18, 2018

The series Charmed, originally airing from 1998 to 2006 on the WB, can now be seen as a TV classic. Charmed tells the story of the three (sometimes four) Halliwell sisters who discover that they're powerful witches with the duty to fight all matter of evil.

With the 2018 reboot of Charmed premiering just earlier...

Anti-Heroines and Jessica Jones

Jun 14, 2018

This is beyond Green Acres! It's time we talk about complex women characters; those called "unlikable" who strive to do good or carry out justice, but take alternative approaches.

Guest Dr. Molly Brost (University of So. Indiana) discusses anti-heroines, top characters, traits & Marvel's Jessica Jones. Also, how...

Daria's Impact on Feminism

May 17, 2018

MTV's Daria gave representation and voice to women and girls who are smart, discerning and impatient. It aired 1997-2002, but the series impact is felt today in the action and leadership of feminist movements creating change across all aspects of American culture. Even if you've never seen a Daria episode, this episode...

Sex and the City & Us

Apr 5, 2018

NY Times best selling author Jennifer Keishin Armstrong dishes the details on her June 2018 book, Sex and the City and Us. Just as she did in her previous books on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Seinfeld, Armstrong delivers the full story of SATC's inspiration, creation, evolution, and epilogue.

Interview discusses...