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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. TV Writer April Smith on Lou Grant, Cagney and Lacey and Storytelling

TV Writer April Smith on Lou Grant, Cagney and Lacey and Storytelling

Jul 19, 2017

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams welcomes TV writer April Smith to Advanced TV Herstory to explore storytelling from a woman’s point of view — side by side with men in the writers’ room. Novelist April Smith shares her television journey, from Lou Grant and Cagney & Lacey to Chicago Hope and Emmy-nominated episodes. Smith’s story is one of persistence, vision, and creative grit, as she wrote across genres and decades with unmistakable voice.


This episode dives into:

  • Smith’s rise through Hollywood’s male-dominated writing rooms

  • Emmy-winning work on Lou Grant and dramatic arcs for Cagney & Lacey
  • How women’s voices shaped TV’s most powerful characters

  • Smith’s transition into writing thrillers and historical fiction

  • The balance of professional storytelling and political commentary

  • Reflections on character-driven drama and timeless storytelling lessons

April Smith's Website:  https://aprilsmith.net/