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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/.

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  2. MTM’s Women Writers: Casting, Fashion & Rhoda - Part 2

MTM’s Women Writers: Casting, Fashion & Rhoda - Part 2

Nov 18, 2015

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams continues her conversation with author Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, digging deeper into the brilliant women behind The Mary Tyler Moore Show. In this episode, they explore how casting, style, and behind-the-scenes leadership shaped not just the series — but TV history.


Armstrong shares insights from her book Mary and Lou and Rhoda and Ted, focusing on the show's female writers and creatives:

  • Writers like Susan Silver, Jenna McMahon, Gail Parent, and Marilyn Suzanne Miller

  • Casting director Ethel Winant's eye for chemistry and strong ensemble balance

  • Costume designer Mimi Kirk and stylist Leslie Hall's visual influence on Mary, Rhoda, and Sue Ann

  • How “Rhoda” spun off — and the cultural impact of women-led storytelling

Armstrong recounts the discovery of writers who never expected their work to define a generation — or become a feminist TV landmark. It's a celebration of the unsung women who made MTM iconic.
 
YouTube Audio Version Available:
https://youtu.be/cl42oUL3GJI

Show Archived Comments

JM
almost ten years ago

I enjoyed the podcast and Armstrong's book very much. Just one correction: Winnipeg is in Manitoba, not Ontario.