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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. Treva Silverman: Writing Herstory on MTM - Part 3

Treva Silverman: Writing Herstory on MTM - Part 3

Nov 23, 2015

Treva Silverman, the primary writer for The Mary Tyler Moore Show, broke ground as one of the few women in the writers' room during television's golden age. In this episode, Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, author of Mary and Lou and Rhoda and Ted, joins host Cynthia Bemis Abrams to discuss Silverman’s career, legacy, and the challenges of writing smart, funny TV from a woman’s perspective.

The conversation includes:
  • Treva Silverman’s influence on Lou, Ted, and Georgette;

  • The power of delegation and leadership in collaborative TV writing;

  • The cold audience response to the pilot episode and how it reshaped Rhoda;

  • Why humility and collaboration were key to the show's lasting legacy;
Silverman was part of a team that changed the game for women in television. From Emmy interviews to Armstrong’s deep research, this episode highlights Silverman’s voice, influence, and the second-wave feminist momentum that fueled her career.

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