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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/.

  1. All Episodes
  2. Elizabeth Taylor's Monday Night Takeover

Elizabeth Taylor's Monday Night Takeover

Oct 17, 2017

What happens when one of Hollywood’s biggest icons subtly takes over network television for a night? In this live-recorded episode from the 2017 Southgate Media Group Podcast Marathon, host Cynthia Bemis Abrams breaks down a curious four-episode CBS Monday night lineup from 1996, all subtly promoting Elizabeth Taylor’s "Black Pearls" perfume. Cynthia reveals how Murphy Brown, The Nanny, High Society, and Can't Hurry Love formed a loosely-connected marketing arc that spotlighted women-led sitcoms—and possibly one of the most elegant product launches in prime-time history.

We also reflect on Elizabeth Taylor’s legacy on daytime TV and her 1970 appearance on Here's Lucy, questioning how celebrity clout intersects with network promotion, feminism, and cultural moments that shape media history.


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