"When someone came at me or was very mean to me or made it clear that I was not welcome on the line, I still had my love for dance. I leaned into my dream as a child, and I was living it wholeheartedly, and they weren't allowed to take it away." — Jennifer Jones

For a century, the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes have represented the gold standard of precision dance, synchronized routines, and eye-high kicks. But for the first 63 years, that famous line failed to reflect the diversity of the audiences watching them, and the demographics of America herself. In 1987, that history changed forever when professional dancer Jennifer Jones was hired as the very first African American Rockette, making her unforgettable debut on television screens across the nation during the 1988 Super Bowl XXII halftime show!

In this episode, Sharon and Susan sit down with this groundbreaking icon to talk about what it was really like to break through a decades-old institutional barrier at just 20 years old. Jennifer shares the stage with us to discuss her incredible 15-year tenure on the line, her full-circle Tony Award-winning run on Broadway in 42nd Street, and her deeply personal, triumphant battle surviving Stage III colorectal cancer with that signature Rockette resilience.

🗣️ THE CONVERSATION

• STEPPING ONTO THE FIELD AT SUPER BOWL XXII: Overcoming intense nerves in a massive football stadium, learning complex precision terminology on the fly, and feeling the ultimate validation that she was exactly where she was supposed to be.
• NAVIGATING INSTITUTIONAL RESISTANCE: Dealing with antiquated industry mindsets regarding "uniformity," handling behind-the-scenes pushback from PR and management, and the crucial, historic knock on the door from the NAACP that forced Radio City to change.
• THE ART OF PRECISION DANCE: Moving your limbs "through peanut butter" to seamlessly look like a single dancer, and how the mental discipline of a professional athlete shapes a lifetime of character.
• FROM THE WIZ TO THE TONY AWARDS: How seeing vital Black representation on stage as a child inspired her dreams, and her breathtaking full-circle moment performing at the Tony Awards inside Radio City Music Hall.
• THE RHYTHM OF RESILIENCE: Her sudden diagnosis with Stage III colorectal cancer at age 50, learning to fiercely advocate for her own health when doctors brushed her symptoms aside, and her vital mission to spread awareness about early cancer screenings.

📦 AUDIOOGRAHY 
- WHERE TO FIND JENNIFER'S WORK

• Official Website & Socials: Connect with Jennifer at theofficialjenniferjones.com or on Instagram  and Facebook.com/RocketteJenn.
• The Books: Grab your copy of her powerful memoir, Becoming Spectacular: The Rhythm of Resilience from the First African American Rockette, or her beautiful children’s book, On the Line, online via HarperCollins and Bookshop.org or at your local bookstore.
• The Dancing Jen Doll! Check out the beautiful "Christmas Spectacular Dancing Jen" doll designed to accompany her children's book, available now at Walmart Marketplace.

🩺 HEALTH RESOURCES & VITAL ADVOCACY

• Get Screened Early: Colon cancer is being diagnosed in younger adults more than ever before. The routine screening age has officially dropped from 50 to 45. Listen to your body, advocate for your health, and learn more at coloncancercoalition.org
• Your Vote is Your Voice: Don't let your voice be silenced. Head over to Vote.org to check your registration status or register to vote today.

📻 CONNECT WITH 80s TV LADIES

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• Rate and Review: If the 80s TV Ladies bring you joy and laughter, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts to help other amazing ladies of the 21st century find the show!

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"Music videos were an avenue for women to break into directing, which was really important at the time. A lot of women basically got their start directing music videos because nobody wanted to do them... until they became super popular." — Susan Lambert Hatem

The great mid-season packing and moving marathon continues! In the second half of this double-header special, hosts Susan Lambert Hatem and Sharon Johnson return to count down the remaining legendary music videos that defined the MTV golden era. As they sort through decades of personal boxes, memorabilia, and old memories, they track the evolution of 1980s visual storytelling—from simple performance videos to cinematic masterpieces.

Along the way, they highlight the unsung female directing pioneers who shaped the medium and share unforgettable insider Hollywood stories involving space shuttles, Aerosmith rehearsals, and the infinite grace of Whitney Houston. Grab your headphones and join the ladies for the final leg of this high-energy, nostalgic tour down memory lane!

THE CONVERSATION

• The Mid-Season Packing Hiatus: Susan and Sharon share an update on their respective moves, navigating the emotional and physical heavy lifting of downsizing and uncovering hidden historical gems in old storage boxes.
• Female Directing Pioneers: The ladies discuss how music videos served as a vital gateway for groundbreaking female filmmakers like Mary Lambert and Penelope Spheeris at a time when traditional Hollywood doors were shut.
• Choreographers Step Out Front: Sharon breaks down Paula Abdul's iconic black-and-white debut for "Straight Up" (directed by David Fincher), mapping her legendary transition from behind-the-scenes Laker Girl choreographer to a front-and-center music superstar.
• Classic 80s Cameos & Cameo’s Word Up: A celebration of Cameo's "Word Up" featuring a remarkably baby-faced LeVar Burton as an overwhelmed police officer, alongside a dive into the origins of the phrase "wave your hands in the air like you don't care."
• The Reality of the Road: A look at Bon Jovi's cowboy-tinged "Wanted Dead or Alive" leads to a touching tribute to the grueling, marathon work ethic required of touring bands traveling from city to city.
• Sepia Tones & Lake Pedal Boats: Susan explores the Americana aesthetic of Rod Stewart & Jeff Beck's "People Get Ready" cover, pulling back the curtain on a rare 1965 pre-MTV performance by The Impressions filmed on pedal boats with the young stars of Dick Clark’s Where The Action Is.
• Susan's Disney & Cape Canaveral Tales: Susan shares an extraordinary behind-the-scenes story from her time in Disney broadcast publicity, recounting the legendary, high-budget Armageddon premiere launch party where Aerosmith played a private rehearsal concert directly in front of a lit-up space shuttle.
• Sharon's Oscar Rehearsal Memories: Sharon looks back on attending Academy Award rehearsals, offering a beautiful memory of Whitney Houston's profound kindness and grace toward a young fan while at the rehearsal for her iconic duet with Mariah Carey.
• The Welder with a Dream: The ladies champion Irene Cara's "Flashdance... What a Feeling" as an essential piece of 1980s feminist representation, reflecting on the film's rousing choreography and the publicity crew's spontaneous cubicle performances of "Armageddon: The Musical." But Susan wonders if the movie holds up on a rewatch?
• Fan Favorite Reruns Coming Up! To give the hosts time to complete their big moves, 80s TV Ladies announces an exciting lineup of fan-favorite rebroadcasts featuring insightful interviews with writer Nicole Levy and legendary showrunner Susan Fales-Hill exploring the legacy of A Different World.

AUDIO-OGRAPHY

📹 REVOLUTIONARY 80s MUSIC VIDEOS PLAYLIST - PART 2
Artist | Song Title | Release | Picked By | Link

Paula Abdul | Straight Up | 1988 | Sharon | Watch on YouTube 
Pat Benatar | Hit Me With Your Best Shot | 1980 | Susan | Watch on YouTube
Eurythmics | Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) | 1983 | Sharon | Watch on YouTube 
Cyndi Lauper | Girls Just Want to Have Fun | 1983 | Susan | Watch on YouTube 
Cameo | Word Up | 1986 | Sharon | Watch on YouTube 
Bon Jovi | Wanted Dead or Alive | 1987 | Sharon | Watch on YouTube 
Rod Stewart & Jeff Beck | People Get Ready | 1985 | Susan | Watch on YouTube
The Impressions | People Get Ready | 1965 | Watch on YouTube
Genesis | Invisible Touch | 1986 | Sharon | Watch on YouTube
Van Halen | Jump | 1984 | Sharon | Watch on YouTube 
Irene Cara | Flashdance... What a Feeling | 1983 | Susan | Watch on YouTube 
Whitney Houston | I Wanna Dance with Somebody  | 1987 | Sharon | Watch on YouTube

PROTECT THE VOTE

• Vote.org: Check your registration. Stay engaged, make your voice heard.
• NoKings.org: June 13. Get ready for the real 250 Anniversary. Rise Up. Sing out. Keep organizing!
• DemocracyDocket.com is protecting our vote. Learn more. 

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"The more that things change, the more they stay the same... Nevertheless, we have to keep pushing forward. We have to keep moving that line forward in order to make a better tomorrow for all of us." - Sharon Johnson

Welcome to 80s TV Ladies The Winds of Ch-ch-ch-change!
In this special episode—the first half of an epic two-part spectacular—hosts Susan Lambert Hatem and Sharon Johnson are joined by their fabulous producer Melissa to talk about the massive personal transitions currently unfolding in all of their lives. With both Susan and Sharon in the middle of major moves, the ladies take a heartwarming, funny, and deeply honest look at packing up decades of memories, downsizing, and the emotional weight of nostalgia.

But a season of change wouldn't be complete without the ultimate 1980s soundtrack! The ladies kick off Part 1 of their definitive countdown of the 20 Most Revolutionary 80s Music Videos, diving into the first 13 incredible videos on their list. They explore how the golden era of MTV transformed visual storytelling, artist autonomy, and pop culture forever. From groundbreaking feminist rap anthems and synth-pop milestones to a full-blown Madonna masterclass and jaw-dropping stop-motion animation, this conversation is a sparkling, nostalgic reflection on turning the page to the next chapter.

THE CONVERSATION

- THE WINDS OF CHANGE: Sharon, Susan and Melissa discuss the nature of personal and professional transitions—navigating the "two steps forward, one step back" rhythm of life and why we must keep pushing forward for a better tomorrow.
- THE FOREIGN COUNTRY OF THE PAST: Susan opens up about packing up her home after 19 years, three kids, a house full of pets, and how digging into old boxes feels like visiting a foreign country where “they do things differently there.”
- MOVING ACROSS THE U.S.A.: Sharon shares the bittersweet reality of leaving Southern California after 42 and a half years to move back to the Midwest, explaining how she is judiciously sorting through her life to downsize into her mother's home in Indianapolis.
- CUE THE ROBIN, DEER, AND EAGLE: Producer Melissa shares an incredibly moving, cinematic story about losing her mother and brother Dougie, and a persistent red robin that visited her window in Pennsylvania alongside a herd of deer and a majestic bald eagle overhead.
- LOVELY PARTING GIFTS & PRECIOUS VHS TAPES: The ladies talk about finding new homes for nostalgia, including Sharon giving away her classic Mark and Brian radio memorabilia on Facebook and her absolute refusal to let go of her original Star Wars trilogy on VHS—because the prequels simply do not exist!
- FRESHMAN YEAR AT THE COLISEUM: Susan reminisces about discovering her oversized 1984 Bruce Springsteen Born in the U.S.A. concert souvenir tour program from her freshman year at USC, back when legendary stadium tickets were only $25. (Actually, according to the internet, the tickets cost $17.50!)
- CH-CH-CH-CHANGES (PART 1): The main event kicks off as the ladies begin their countdown of the most revolutionary music videos of the decade, highlighting how the rise of MTV reshaped the cultural landscape.
- THRILLER (Sharon’s Pick): Sharon kicks it off with the music video credited with transforming music videos into the stratosphere - and into short, storytelling films. She also talks about learning the zombie dance and how it transformed her exercise routine!
- TAKING CONTROL (Susan's Pick): Susan spotlights Janet Jackson's seminal "Control" music video, directed by Mary Lambert (no relation, though Susan wishes she had pretended otherwise!). This was quite literally the album and song when Ms. Jackson declared her independence over her career after leaving her new husband, James DeBarge, and firing her manager (and father) Joseph Jackson. A revolutionary move and every song speaks to finding her voice.
- I'M STILL STANDING (Susan's Pick): A deep dive into Elton John's ultimate comeback anthem, exploring his personal resilience and the hilarious realization by the ladies that Dancing with the Stars judge Bruno Tonioli is one of the featured neon dancers in the video.
- LOVE SHACK (Sharon's Pick): Sharon and Susan takes a trip down the Atlanta highway looking for the B-52s' legendary "Love Shack" and celebrating its pure, joyful energy.
- LADIES FIRST (Susan's Pick): Susan pays tribute to Queen Latifah’s revolutionary 1989 feminist rap anthem "Ladies First" (featuring Monie Love) from her debut album, All Hail the Queen.
- THE MADONNA TWO-FER (Sharon's Picks): Sharon talk about her favorite two Madonna songs and music videos,  "Crazy for You" and "Express Yourself" and the groundbreaking visual style of the 80s Pop Queen.
- STUNNING ANIMATION (Sharon's Pick): The ladies marvel at Peter Gabriel's award-winning stop-motion animation masterpiece "Sledgehammer" created by Aardman Animation.
- PEOPLE HAVE THE POWER (Susan's Pick): Susan closes out Part 1 by honoring Patti Smith's powerful, timeless 1988 anthem "People Have the Power."

AUDIO-OGRAPHY

📹 REVOLUTIONARY 80s MUSIC VIDEOS PLAYLIST (PART 1)

Artist | Song Title | Release | Picked By | Link
Michael Jackson |  Thriller  | 1983  |  Sharon | Watch on YouTube
Janet Jackson | Control | 1986  | Susan  | Watch on YouTube 
Janet Jackson | Rhythm Nation | 1989 | Sharon | Watch on YouTube
Elton John |  I'm Still Standing | 1983 | Susan  | Watch on YouTube
The B-52's |  Love Shack | 1989 | Sharon | Watch on YouTube
Queen Latifah | Ladies First (w/ Monie Love) | 1989 | Susan  | Watch on YouTube
Madonna  |  Crazy For You | 1985 | Sharon | Watch on YouTube
Madonna  |  Express Yourself | 1989|  Sharon | Watch on YouTube
Public Enemy | Fight The Power | 1989 | Susan  | Watch on YouTube
Watch Do The Right Thing Opening Credits on YouTube
Tracy Chapman | Fast Car | 1988 | Sharon | Watch on YouTube
Tracy Chapman | Talking About A Revolution | 1988 | Susan | Watch on YouTube
Peter Gabriel | Sledgehammer | 1986 | Sharon | Watch on YouTube
Patti Smith  | People Have The Power  | 1988 | Susan  | Watch on YouTube
Watch the 2019 Patti Smith at the Public Theatre with 250 singers on YouTube (See Stewart Copeland play the frying pan!)


- Watch the 1971 film adaptation of The Go-Between. Find it on https://www.netflix.com/title/60011150. Or https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/the-go-between/umc.cmc.85tbxz7spm4ahwfo6qcfxue9.
- Dust off your VCR and watch the original Star Wars trilogy on VHS. Find it on https://ebay.us/m/OtvLP0. 

PROTECT THE VOTE
- Check out Democracy Docket https://www.democracydocket.com/case-status/filed/.
- Learn more about the ACLU https://www.aclu.org.
- Make sure you're registered to VOTE at http://vote.org/

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“Katie and I, our relationship could be a little exciting -- I had to watch my step, I had to toe the line. I had to behave myself or I’d get taken to the principal’s office... And she was the principal.” -- Bruce Boxleitner

REWIND EPISODE: The 80s TV Ladies - Sharon and Susan - are both moving! More details in our next episode. Meanwhile, please enjoy a few of our favorite episodes on repeat - consider it early summer rerun season. Let us know what you think about Bruce, Lee Stetson, and Scarecrow and Mrs. King. We think it's one of the most adorable interviews with Bruce Boxleitner ever. :)

In Part Two of their conversation, Bruce reflects on the differences between doing TV then and now, his relationship with Kate Jackson -- and how the long hours can sometimes turn your co-stars into your family…

Bruce Boxleitner’s television career started way back in 1973 with an appearance on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and he has since appeared in over 100 films and TV shows including Gunsmoke, Baretta, Police Woman, Hawaii 5-0, Babylon 5, Crossing Jordan, Commander in Chief, American Dad, Cold Case, Heroes, Chuck, NCIS, Supergirl, The Orville, When Calls The Heart, How The West Was Won, Bring ‘Em Back Alive, The Gambler and Tron.

THE PART 2 CONVERSATION

• THE UGLY SIDE OF LEE STETSON: When Lee slaps Amanda in “Burn Out” (S2; EP.21) What was going on? --  “Kate said, “Hit me.” It was no fun. I didn’t enjoy doing it at all.”
• ON THE JAZZ: In Europe, Mel Stuart -- a saxophonist -- fell in with some local jazz musicians and ended up sitting-in in clubs all over Munich.
• DOUBLE TROUBLE: Bruce finds out the strange reason his stunt double Gary Davis did the pilot’s helicopter stunts with no safety cable!
• On doing network TV: “This is where I come off sounding like a grumpy old man, but in my day, we had fun. Nobody is having fun anymore. Because we have cell phones on the set, everyone’s on their cell phone. No one’s talking.”
• WHO CAN TURN THE WORLD ON WITH HIS SMILE? Bruce got his first gig on The Mary Tyler Moore Show because the producer owed his agent a favor.
• On doing a streaming series: “I’m doing a series now -- six episodes. They call that a series? I call it a two-parter.”
• Bruce gets a surprise walking onto the Gunsmoke set when he discovers the entire town is built inside a soundstage.
• On filming pilots: “George Clooney says he’s the king of the unsold pilots. Well, buddy, I’m the runner-up!”
• While shooting The Orville, Bruce finds out that the biggest SMK fan… is Seth McFarlane!
• How do you marry Lee and Amanda? Should you marry Lee and Amanda?

So, join Susan and Sharon -- and Bruce -- as they talk How The West Was Won, Ted Knight, Tron, Juanita Bartlett, Susan Diol, Police Woman. Plus pranking Martha Smith -- and Kate Jackson -- AND Beverly Garland… and the sad, tragic life of “Dean, the Boyfriend”!


AUDIO-OGRAPHY
Find out more about Bruce Boxleitner at Facebook.com
Follow him at Instagram.com/BoxleitnerBruce
Catch him on Cameo at Cameo.com/BoxleitnerBruce
Watch S2, Ep. 21: Burn out on Tubi

Get The Ultimate Fan’s Guide to Scarecrow & Mrs. King by David Johnson, Taya Johnston and Sabine Ludewig at Amazon. 

CONNECT
Visit 80sTVLadies.com for transcripts.
Sign up for the 80s TV Ladies mailing list.
Support us and get ad-free episodes on PATREON.


AUDIO-OGRAPHY
Find out more about Bruce Boxleitner at Facebook.com 
Follow him at Instagram.com/BoxleitnerBruce
Catch him on Cameo at Cameo.com/BoxleitnerBruce
Watch SMK for free at Internet Archive.
Watch S2, Ep. 21: Burn out on Internet Archive here. 

Read the NY Times review of Bruce’s 1973 Broadway play debut, Status Quo Vadis. And guess who else was in the cast? (Hint: Sam from Cheers!)   

CONNECT
Visit 80sTVLadies.com for transcripts.
Sign up for the 80s TV Ladies mailing list.
Support us and get ad-free episodes on PATREON.

VOTE
REMEMBER: Make sure you're ready.
Register or Check your US Election Registration at Vote.org
Be sure to vote in your primaries. 
Find out what's on your ballot at BallotReady.org

• July 15th this year is the 47th anniversary of President Carter's Crisis of Confidence speech. Read Susan’s play about the speech and the confidence it takes to be president in challenging times: Confidence (and the Speech) at Conchord Publishing DPS. 

Credits: 80s TV Ladies™ Episode RERUN 305: Produced by 134 West and Susan Lambert Hatem. Hosted by Susan Lambert Hatem and Sharon Johnson. Guest: Bruce Boxleitner. Sound Engineer and Editor: Kevin Ducey. Producers: Melissa Roth, Richard Hatem, Sharon Johnson. Associate Producers: Sergio Perez, Sailor Franklin. Music by Amy Engelhardt. Copyright 2024 2026 134 West, LLC and Susan Lambert. All Rights Reserved. 


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“Kate was able to go off script. Then I found I could go with her. Pretty soon we’re doing stuff that is not on the written page. That’s where we found the little ‘in-between’ moments.”  - Bruce Boxleitner

REWIND EPISODE: The 80s TV Ladies are both moving! More details in a later episode, so please enjoy a few of our favorite episodes on repeat - consider it early rerun season. Let us know what you think about Bruce, Lee Stetson, and Scarecrow and Mrs. King. We think it's one of the most adorable interviews with Bruce Boxleitner ever. :)

Susan and Sharon are so excited to talk with the star of one of their favorite 80s TV shows of all time -- Bruce Boxleitner from Scarecrow & Mrs. King!  Bruce’s television career started way back in 1973 with an appearance on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. He has since appeared in over 100 films and TV shows including Gunsmoke, Baretta, Police Woman, Hawaii 5-0, Babylon 5, Crossing Jordan, Commander in Chief, American Dad, Cold Case, Heroes, Chuck, NCIS, Supergirl, The Orville, When Calls The Heart, How The West Was Won, Bring ‘Em Back Alive, The Gambler and Tron.

In Part One of this two-part interview, Bruce reflects on getting the role of Lee Stetson, working with Kate Jackson and the cast of Scarecrow & Mrs. King and filming some of the show’s most memorable episodes during the summer of 1984 in Europe.

THE CONVERSATION

• GETTING THE SHOW: "I was in a daze. I ended up on the roof... The security guard down below: 'What are you doing up there?' 'I don't know!'"
• UN-“HAPPY DAYS”: How Bring ‘Em Back Alive fought a losing battle on Tuesday nights against Richie Cunningham and the Fonz… But how it led to Bruce’s most famous TV role of all time!
• CALLING ALL SPIES: What was it like auditioning with Kate Jackson -- in front of the same executives that just cancelled his last show?
• On Mel Stuart: “He was the best. I miss him so much. He made me laugh more than anyone I’ve ever worked with.”
• THE OLD CAR: Driving that ’63 Porsche Speedster around Washington, D.C. during the pilot: “It died after every take.”
• THE NEW CAR: a 1984 Corvette: “It fit me like a pair of fiberglass pants.”
• Gary Davis -- Bruce’s secret stunt double -- did all Lee Stetson’s stunts, and doubled for Bruce more times than you might think.
• NOT TOO MANY GUNFIGHTS AT 8PM: The Scarecrow editors assembled a gag reel of all the times top agent Lee Stetson lost his gun.
• SAVING MS. SMITH: While filming in Munich, Bruce and Martha Smith walked into the wrong punk bar. Bruce got her out -- but only after throwing some Stetson-style punches!
• Working in the Alps and in Amanda's house with Jean Stapleton -- “I wish she could have done more episodes.”
• One of Bruce’s favorite episodes? S2; EP1 “To Catch a Mongoose”
• S2; EP21: “Burn Out” -- and the scene where Lee slaps Amanda. How did that feel for Kate -- and Bruce?

So, join Susan and Sharon -- and Bruce -- as they talk Beverly Garland, James Garner, quirky humor, Scotland Yard, Lee Stetson’s wardrobe, “When should we kiss?”  -- and what happened the day Moonlighting premiered!

Make sure to join us NEXT EPISODE for Part Two of our conversation with Bruce Boxleitner!

AUDIO-OGRAPHY
Find out more about Bruce Boxleitner at Facebook.com 
Follow him at Instagram.com/BoxleitnerBruce
Catch him on Cameo at Cameo.com/BoxleitnerBruce

Watch SMK for free at Internet Archive.
Watch S2, Ep. 21: Burn out on Internet Archive here. 

Read the NY Times review of Bruce’s 1973 Broadway play debut, Status Quo Vadis. And guess who else was in the cast? (Hint: Sam from Cheers!)   

CONNECT
Visit 80sTVLadies.com for transcripts.
Sign up for the 80s TV Ladies mailing list.
Support us and get ad-free episodes on PATREON.

VOTE
REMEMBER: Make sure you're ready. Register or Check your US Election Registration at Vote.org
Be sure to vote in your primarys. Find out what's on your ballot at BallotReady.org

• July 15th this year is the 47th anniversary of President Carter's Crisis of Confidence speech. Read Susan’s play about the speech and the confidence it takes to be president in challenging times: Confidence (and the Speech) at Conchord Publishing DPS. 

Visit 80sTVLadies.com for more info.

Listen to 80s TV Ladies at YouTube. Subscribe and help us grow.

Don’t miss out. Sign up for the 80s TV Ladies mailing list!
Help us make more episodes and get ad-free episodes, video interviews, and exclusive content on PATREON.

"It was very dangerous to be a friend of the Harts because... yes, they were always getting killed." -- Stefanie Powers

Get ready for a masterclass in sophisticated glamour!
In this episode of 80s TV Ladies, hosts Susan Lambert Hatem and Sharon Johnson sit down with the incomparable Stefanie Powers. Known to millions as the elegant and erudite Jennifer Hart from the smash-hit series Hart to Hart, Stefanie redefined what a TV marriage could look like alongside co-star Robert Wagner—showing us a partnership that was sexy, equal, and genuinely fun.

But Stefanie’s legacy goes far beyond the "chauffeur and limousines" of the 80s. We dive into her history as a true television pioneer, including her groundbreaking role as the first woman to lead an hour-long series in the 1966 spinoff The Girl from U.N.C.L.E. Whether you're a die-hard fan of the Harts or a lover of television history, this conversation is a sparkling look back at one of the most iconic eras of TV.

THE CONVERSATION

• THE FIRST LADY OF ACTION: Exploring Stefanie’s groundbreaking role in The Girl from U.N.C.L.E. as the first woman to headline her own hour-long action series.
• THE LOVE OF HER LIFE: Led her to her 45-year lifetime legacy of conservation. Creating the William Holden Wildlife Foundation to honor and expand the work of William Holden.
• THE GREATEST STRIKE EVER: Getting the call from Aaron Spelling, writer Tom Mankiewicz, and Robert Wagner – and the lucky newspaper strike that led to her starring in Hart to Hart, instead of going to Broadway with Stacy Keach.
• HART TO HART: Diving into the "tennis match" rapport with Robert Wagner and the creation of a TV marriage built on equality, sexy banter, and high-stakes mystery.
• SOFTBALL COACH TO SHOWRUNNER: Stories of Sidney Sheldon, Leonard Goldberg, and how Aaron Spelling was Stefanie’s softball coach before he became the legendary showrunner and creator of so many hit shows, they often called ABC, Aaron’s Broadcasting Company.
• THE LA SCALA “THREE ROOMS: A look at the old Hollywood social hierarchy when Hollywood was a very small town.
• KIDDIES BALLET CLASS: The surprising shared history between Stefanie, Natalie Wood, and Jill St. John.
• STUDIO SYSTEM SURVIVOR: Stefanie reflects on her early days at MGM, being one of the last contract players, and working under the rigorous eye of brilliant - and monstrous - Jerome Robbins in West Side Story.
• WORKING WITH “FREEWAY”: Behind-the-scenes secrets of their canine co-star, including the hilarious truth about how they made such a friendly dog look like a fierce protector.
• A GLOBAL LEGACY: Stefanie discusses her 45-year journey as Founder and President of the William Holden Wildlife Foundation and her hands-on work in conservation and education in Kenya.
• SUCCESS VS. FAILURE: A candid look at why the industry prepares artists for failure, but rarely gives them the tools to navigate massive, life-changing success.
• WILLIAM HOLDEN WILDLIFE FOUNDATION: Why Stefanie believes that if you have a passion for a cause, you can’t wait for others—you have to be the one to step up. “Participation is not just asked for, it is required.”

AUDIO-OGRAPHY

• Watch episodes of Hart to Hart on Tubi or Roku.
• Catch The Girl from U.N.C.L.E. on DVD at Ebay.  Or find it at Internet Archive.
• Learn more about the work of the William Holden Wildlife Foundation at WHWF.org
• Go directly to the WHWF DONATE page. 
• Check out her official website: StefaniePowersOnline.com
• Follow Ms. Powers on Facebook and Instagram.
• Watch Stefanie guest star in The Rockford Files episode, The Real Easy Red Dog at Apple TV.

VITAL READING

• Check out Democracy Docket here.
• Learn more about the ACLU here.
• Make sure you're registered to VOTE at Vote.org

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• Get 21% OFF on awesome sheets and pajamas at COZY EARTH.
  Be sure to use the promo code: 80STVLADIES.
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  • Email Us: [email protected]
  • Support the Show: Get ad-free episodes and bonus content | Support on Patreon
  
  🎭 SUSAN'S NEW VENTUREArts A La Carte – A non-profit dedicated to helping develop new works in theater.
  
  • Website: ArtsALaCarte.org
  • Instagram: @ArtsALaCarteLA

"Playing tennis you have to have a kind of rhythm and you have to hit the ball back. And good acting partners are good tennis players. They hit the ball back to you." -- Stefanie Powers

Visit 80sTVLadies.com for more info.

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“We asked her daughter, our friend Karin, to come on and talk with us about her mom, Linda, and what it was like to grow up the daughter of an eighties TV lady.” - Susan Lambert Hatem

Susan and Sharon welcome Karin Elstad — a modern TV powerhouse and Vice President at HBO — to celebrate the incredible life and legacy of her mother, the legendary television writer Linda Elstad. From the high stakes of Dallas, to family comedy One Day at a Time, to the hallowed halls of Fame, Linda was a prolific voice who helped shape the landscape of 80s television.

THE CONVERSATION

• A PROLIFIC LEGACY: Linda’s impressive career spanning over 20 television shows, including her work on iconic hits like Dallas, Fame, and The Facts of Life.
• ONE DAY AT A TIME: Diving into Linda’s time as a staff writer from 1983 to 1984 on the beloved series that defined a generation.
• AWARD-WINNING WRITING: Remembering Linda’s 1982 Humanitas Prize win for the television movie Divorce Wars: A Love Story, starring Tom Selleck and Jane Curtin, and her nomination for her work on Fame.
• SERVING THE GUILD: Linda’s impactful leadership serving on the Writer’s Guild Board of Directors from 1986 to 1990. And a ground-breaking cultural exchange between Award-winning United States and USSR screenwriters.
• MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS: Karin shares personal stories of growing up in the heart of the television industry and how her mother’s trailblazing career influenced her own journey to becoming a top executive at HBO.
• THE SCINTILLATING LADIES OF THE 80s: A look back at the shows that featured the complex mother-daughter dynamics we love, from The Golden Girls and Mama’s Family to Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Roseanne, and Kate & Allie.
• GREEN ENVELOPE DAYS: How much is the green envelope residual check Linda’s daughter receives for her mom’s 1980s television shows being rerun and streamed? Can you guess before the check is opened on-air?

AUDIO-OGRAPHY

• Watch episodes of Fame on Peacock and Dallas at YouTube or Amazon Prime.
• Catch One Day at a Time streaming on Tubi.
• Find Divorce Wars: A Love Story and other classic TV movies on DVD via Amazon or eBay.

VITAL READING

• Check out Democracy Docket here.
• Learn more about the ACLU here.

PROMO DEALS

• Get 21% OFF on awesome sheets and pajamas at COZY EARTH.
  Be sure to use the promo code: 80STVLADIES.
  Happy Shopping!
  
  MARCH 8TL DEALS BLOCK:
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  Cozy Earth (21% Off)
  🔗 Get them at: https://MyDeals.Page/19wy
  🎁 Code: 80STVLADIES
  
  📻 CONNECT WITH 80s TV LADIES
  
  • Official Website: 80sTVLadies.com 
  • Email Us: [email protected]
  • Support the Show: Get ad-free episodes and bonus content | Support on Patreon
  
  🎭 SUSAN'S NEW VENTUREArts A La Carte – A non-profit dedicated to helping develop new works in theater.
  
  • Website: ArtsALaCarte.org
  • Instagram: @ArtsALaCarteLA
  
  
  

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"I said, John, you know, it's a visual art. You don't give me something to do, at least I'm gonna be something to look at." - Morgan Fairchild 

To celebrate the 100th episode of our podcast 80s TV Ladies, hosts Susan Lambert Hatem and Sharon Johnson welcome actress, activist, and podcaster Morgan Fairchild to discuss her decades-spanning career and how television and auditioning have changed from in-person meetings to self-tapes and fragmented audiences. 

Fairchild recounts moving from Texas to New York after a young divorce, breaking in through open calls, landing Search for Tomorrow, then relocating to Los Angeles and getting an early role on Rafferty with Patrick McGoohan. She explains shaping layered “bad guy” roles with comedy, including Initiation of Sarah, Flamingo Road (and being labeled “too sexy for TV” by the Moral Majority), and Falcon Crest, where she pushed for a promised incest-repercussions storyline and used fashion as a visual hook.

She shares behind-the-scenes stories from Pee-wee’s Big Adventure with Paul Reubens, friendships with classic Hollywood stars, her AIDS activism and COVID education, and her new podcast with sister Catherine Hart, Two Bitches from Texas.

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
02:48 How TV Has Changed
04:46 Texas to New York Breakthrough
07:21 First Hollywood Job Story
11:43 Making Characters Pop
13:21 Becoming the Power Bitch
16:25 Too Sexy for TV
18:03 Falcon Crest Storyline Fight
21:38 Pee Wee Movie Chaos
26:27 Old Hollywood Friendships
31:53 Doubts and Survival
33:25 Career Doubts Persist
34:06 Divas Christmas Set
36:20 Sequel Push Lifetime
36:55 AIDS Activism Costs
39:17 Staying Engaged Today
44:29 Podcast With Sister
48:08 Guests And Format
49:33 Naming The Show
53:14 Bonnie And Clyde Double
55:28 Finding The Set and Meeting Warren Beatty
01:00:15 Podcast Plugs Farewell
01:01:55 Call Your Reps
01:02:23 Next Series Tease

AUDIOOGRAPHY
Find Morgan Fairchild at Morganfairchild.com
Listen to Morgan Fairchild and Catherine Hart at their website Two Bitches from Texas or wherever you find your podcasts.

Check out Morgan Fairchild's book, Morgan Fairchild Super Looks, at eBay
Find out more about Catherine Hart's acting classes at her website Heart and Soul
Connect with 80s TV Ladies at 80sTVLadies.com
Take action at 5Calls.org  

PROMO DEALS
Get awesome sheets and pajamas at COZY EARTH.
Be sure to use the promo code: 80STVLADIES.
Happy Shopping!

MARCH DEALS BLOCK
80s TV Ladies deals and discounts:
Cozy Earth (21% Off)
🔗 Get them at: https://MyDeals.Page/19wy
🎁 Code: 80STVLADIES

NEW DEALS - Just added!
Bear Knuckles premium leather work gloves (15% Off)
Afuera Coffee sustainable coffee (15% Off)
🔗 Get them at: https://MyDeals.Page/19wy
🎁Code: 80STVLADIES

📻 CONNECT WITH 80s TV LADIES
Official Website: 80sTVLadies.com 
Email Us: [email protected]
Support the Show: Get ad-free episodes and bonus content | Support on Patreon

🎭 SUSAN'S NEW VENTURE
Arts A La Carte – A non-profit dedicated to helping develop new works in theater. You can help us. Support the Arts! DONATE at ArtsALaCarte.org
Instagram: @ArtsALaCarteLA

Visit 80sTVLadies.com for more info.

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Help us make more episodes and get ad-free episodes, video interviews, and exclusive content on PATREON.

“ Barney and I were interviewed about that episode on Entertainment Tonight because the word “condom” had never been used on television before.” - Georgia Jeffries, Cagney & Lacey writer

Hosts Susan Lambert Hatem and Sharon Johnson welcome writer-producer-professor Georgia Jeffries, an Award-winning writer known for Cagney & Lacey, China Beach, and Sisters. Jeffries recounts growing up as an only child, loving The Twilight Zone, reading history, and finding an early spark for writing through school assignments and UCLA journalism and creative writing courses.

She talks about her time working as a freelance journalist while caring for her family. And the pivotal LAPD ride-along that inspired her first produced Cagney & Lacey episode, “An Unusual Occurrence,” which won a WGA Award. 

She compares the culture of Cagney & Lacey with China Beach, discusses unproduced pilots and projects (including HBO series, and an unmade Cher/Jessica Lange/to-be-directed by Frank Oz movie, Confessions) She reflects on writing episodes that tackled addiction, AIDS-era conversations, and sexual assault. Jeffries also shares details about her novel, The Younger Girl, current writing projects, and advice to emerging writers.

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
01:33 Childhood TV Influences
03:56 Good Girl Expectations
05:16 Finding Writing Path
07:48 Early Jobs and Teaching
10:43 LAPD Ride Along Story
14:34 Cagney and Lacey Breakthrough
16:09 Feminism and California Move
18:09 Film Journalism to Screenwriting
19:34 Unmade Cher Lange Film
24:16 Women in Film Opens Doors
29:47 HBO Script to Book Rights
34:54 Working Mother on Set
36:14 Writers Room Culture Then
39:55 Favorite Episodes Tease
40:09 Why This Story Matters
40:47 Writing Cagney and Lacey
44:28 TV Breaking Taboos4
6:45 Breaking Into Screenwriting
48:17 Saying Yes and No
49:11 Joy and Rejection
51:11 Unmade Pilots Heartbreak
52:55 China Beach Bigger Canvas
55:55 Writers Room Culture
57:50 Showrunner Dream Team
58:39 Vista Clara and Timing
01:00:31 Teaching at USC
01:01:07 Resist AI Stay Original
01:02:00 You Write Like a Man
01:04:33 Working on Sisters
01:06:27 The Younger Girl Novel
01:14:36 Prose Versus Screenwriting
01:16:49 New Work and Wrap Up
01:19:11 Where to Find Everything
01:21:58 Final Thanks and Callouts

AUDIOOGRAPHY
Find out more about Georgia Jeffries at georgiajeffries.com
Get Georgia’s book, The Younger Girl at Bookshop.org
Find out more about the groundbreaking and Emmy-winning show at CagneyandLacey.com
Call your Reps. Let your voice be heard. Go to 5calls.org
Watch on Roku for Sisters and China Beach. 

PROMO DEALS
Get awesome sheets and pajamas at COZY EARTH.
Be sure to use the promo code: 80STVLADIES.
Happy Shopping!

MARCH 8TL DEALS BLOCK:
80s TV Ladies deals and discounts:
Cozy Earth (21% Off)
🔗 Get them at: https://MyDeals.Page/19wy
🎁 Code: 80STVLADIES

📻 CONNECT WITH 80s TV LADIES

• Official Website: 80sTVLadies.com 
• Email Us: [email protected]
• Support the Show: Get ad-free episodes and bonus content | Support on Patreon

🎭 SUSAN'S NEW VENTUREArts A La Carte – A non-profit dedicated to helping develop new works in theater.

• Website: ArtsALaCarte.org
• Instagram: @ArtsALaCarteLA

CELEBRATE 100!
OUR 100th EPISODE is coming! Don't miss our special episode with Ms. Morgan Fairchild!! 

Visit 80sTVLadies.com for more info.

Listen to 80s TV Ladies at YouTube. Subscribe and help us grow.

Don’t miss out. Sign up for the 80s TV Ladies mailing list!
Help us make more episodes and get ad-free episodes, video interviews, and exclusive content on PATREON.

90s TV Babies Meet The Golden Girls: Uncovering Timeless Comedy | 80s TV Podcast

Join co-hosts Susan Lambert Hatem and Sharon Johnson as they welcome back the “’90s TV Babies”—Sergio Perez, Sailor Franklin, and Serita Fontanesi—plus first-time (almost silent) guest: the 20s² TV Baby Theo —for a 2026 discussion of The Golden Girls.

The group is assigned a lineup of key episodes across Seasons 1, 2, 4, 6, and the two-part series finale.

They catch up on the last six months: Serita welcomes baby Theo (nearly six months old), shares his love of his Paddington bear, and talks about returning to work; Sailor celebrates a new solo apartment in South Pasadena, a promotion to visual and performing arts associate at a nonprofit, and performing in a 134 West variety show (“Merry Queerness: A Wildly Inappropriate Holiday Show”) featuring a “Last Christmas” number; Sergio describes his first “adult summer” without children’s theater, a year in a new apartment with Koji, and travel to the dunes at Pismo Beach.

Theo’s teething, sock-removing, and foot-in-mouth milestones frequently steal the spotlight.

On The Golden Girls, the guests discuss its lasting impact, rapid-fire joke writing, and how boldly early seasons tackled topics like LGBTQ+ themes, age gaps, consent/power dynamics, teen pregnancy, grief, and loss—often balancing heart with humor. 

Sergio admits he’s watching the series for the first time and praises the show’s intelligence and influence on later sitcoms; Sailor highlights the value of 24-plus-episode seasons and names Dorothy as her favorite; Sergio chooses Rose and admires Betty White’s performance.

They single out “Mrs. George Devereaux” for its emotional weight and structure, and critique the pacing and feel of the series finale’s ending. They also touch on behind-the-scenes context discussed on the podcast, including Estelle Getty’s later-season memory issues and reported tensions between Bea Arthur and Betty White, and briefly fan-cast a hypothetical reboot.

The episode includes a Cozy Earth ad read (41% off with the show’s promo code - ONLY GOOD UNTIL MARCH), mentions a 40th anniversary Golden Girls special on Hulu (2025), shares Serita’s Venmo for diaper money, and plugs Susan’s arts organization Arts à la Carte

The hosts preview upcoming episodes featuring writer/producer/professor Georgia Jeffries (episode 99) and announce Morgan Fairchild as the special guest for the show’s 100th episode.

THE ASSIGNMENT
If you want to watch what the 90s TV Babies watched…
Here is your assignment should you choose to accept it:

S1E1 Pilot, The Engagement
S1.E9 Blanche and the Younger Man
S1.E13 A Little Romance
S1.E25 The Way We Met
S2.E02 Ladies of the Evening
S2.E24 To Catch a Neighbor
S4.E15 Valentine’s Day
S6.E9 Mrs. George Devereaux
S7.25 & S7.26 One Flew Out of the Cuckoo’s Nest

BONUS EXTRA CREDIT EPISODES
S2.E5 Isn’t it Romantic
S2.E21 Dorothy’s Prized Pupil
S6.E14 Sister of the Bride
S7.E2 The Case of the Libertine Bell
S3, Ep1 - Friendship and Memories


00:00 Welcome Back + Golden Girls Episode Assignment
02:24 Meet the Nineties TV Babies (and Baby Theo!)
03:24 Serita’s Life Update: New Baby, Time Off, Paddington Bear
05:04 Sailor’s Update: Shows, Audio Fixes, and Holiday Performance
11:11 Sailor’s Big News: New Apartment + Promotion
12:20 Sergio’s Update: Post-Theater Freedom and Travel Adventures
18:57 Back to the Show: Everyone’s Golden Girls History
24:29 Sailor’s Take: Why Golden Girls Still Hits in 2026
28:39 Campy vs. heartfelt: unpacking the dream episode’s wild tonal mix
30:00 Bring back 24-episode seasons: why filler, flashbacks & character color matter
32:20 Sergio’s first-time watch: rapid-fire jokes, smart writing, and trusting the audience
34:15 Standout lines & bold topics: teen pregnancy, grief, and jokes that land
36:16 Sponsor break: Cozy Earth bamboo sheets (41% off)
36:59 Why Golden Girls still feels ahead of its time (and the case for a reboot)
39:53 Surprises on rewatch: dramatic acting, theater-style sitcoms, and that gut-punch ending
46:38 Favorite Girl debate: Dorothy vs. Rose, and what makes each character click
49:00 Behind-the-scenes: cast dynamics, Estelle Getty’s memory issues, and Betty White lore
53:14 Finale reactions: hating Stan, rushed romance, and an ending without a button
57:26 Monoculture is gone: streaming chaos, reboot realities, and dream fan-casting
01:01:50 Wrap-up & plugs: anniversary special, links, Patreon, and what’s next

AUDIOOGRAPHY

🎙️ FEATURED GUESTS

• Sergio Perez – Associate Producer, actor, writer & "90s TV Baby"
• Sailor Franklin – South Pasadena based stage manager, performer and Visual & Performing Arts Associate | Connect on Instagram
• Serita Fontanesi – New mom to baby Theodore; host of Not Ugly | Venmo Theo diapers!  Visit Serita.co or Listen to Not Ugly Pod

👵 GOLDEN GIRLS RESOURCESFIND GOLDEN GIRLS
Watch On Hulu or Philo
Also YouTube and Apple TV

• DVDs are available through eBay, Walmart, and your local library.
• 40th Anniversary Special (2025) – 40 Years of Laughter and Friendship | Watch on Hulu
• Official Social Media – Stay updated with the girls | Follow on Facebook

📻 CONNECT WITH 80s TV LADIES

• Official Website: 80sTVLadies.com
• Email Us: [email protected]
• Support the Show: Get ad-free episodes and bonus content | Support on Patreon

🎭 SUSAN'S NEW VENTURE
Arts A La Carte – A non-profit dedicated to helping develop new works in theater.

• Website: ArtsALaCarte.org
• Instagram: @ArtsALaCarteLA

🛌 SPECIAL DEALS FOR LISTENERS
Get awesome sheets and pajamas at COZY EARTH.
Be sure to use the promo code: 80STVLADIES. Happy Shopping!

FEBRUARY 8TL DEALS BLOCK:
Get your 80s TV Ladies deals and discounts:
Cozy Earth bamboo sheets and pjs (41% Off) - This DEAL ENDS SOON!

https://MyDeals.Page/19wy
🎁Code: 80STVLADIES

NEW DEALS - Just added!
Bear Knuckles premium leather work gloves (15% Off)
Afuera Coffee sustainable coffee (15% Off)
🔗 Get them at: https://MyDeals.Page/19wy
🎁Code: 80STVLADIES


Visit 80sTVLadies.com for more info.

Listen to 80s TV Ladies at YouTube. Subscribe and help us grow.

Don’t miss out. Sign up for the 80s TV Ladies mailing list!
Help us make more episodes and get ad-free episodes, video interviews, and exclusive content on PATREON.