By Cynthia Bemis Abrams
4.5
3131 ratings
The podcast currently has 167 episodes available.
In this episode of Advanced TV Herstory, host Cynthia Bemis Abrams speaks with Karly Beaumont, creator of Core Temp Arts and contributor to TV Movie Mistress, about the comforting power of television. As a Dominican native and lifelong creative, Karly shares her journey as a podcaster and media critic, offering insights into how shows like Bluey, You're the Worst, and UnREAL are her emotional touchstones during challenging times. Cynthia and Karly probe ways to navigate this time of uncertainty, including listening to understand and recognizing signs of fear. Damian Ali of TalkTeaV contributes a timely message about inclusion and storytelling in today’s TV landscape.
In this episode of Advanced TV Herstory, host Cynthia Bemis Abrams discusses the compelling documentary Shari and Lambchop with Mallory Lewis and director Lisa D’Apolito (Love, Gilda). The film chronicles Shari Lewis' life and her constant reinvention across a variety of roles—TV show host, magician, dancer, singer, actress, author, and even symphony conductor. Featuring archival footage and interviews, this documentary uncovers the multifaceted talent of Shari Lewis, including her work as a feminist, philosopher, and visionary in children’s television. Sesame Street’s Megan Piphus Peace provides a generational perspective on Shari Lewis’ enduring influence and creative genius.
RELEVANT EPISODES
Kids' TV Pioneers Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop featuring Mallory Lewis
https://advancedtvherstory.libsyn.com/kids-tv-pioneers-shari-lewis-and-lambchop-featuring-mallory-lewis
Shari Lewis & Lamb Chop's Impact on Kids TV
https://advancedtvherstory.libsyn.com/shari-lewis-lamb-chops-impact-on-kids-tv
THE DOCUMENTARY
Website - https://www.shariandlambchopdoc.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/shariandlambchopfilm/
MALLORY, LAMB CHOP & LISA
Mallory Lewis and Lamb Chop - https://mallorylewisandlambchop.com/
Lamb Chop on TikTok - @yourfavlambchop
Lisa D’Apolito IMDB - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0200854/
Lisa’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-d-apolito-2a161920/
MENTIONS
David Copperfield - https://www.davidcopperfield.com/html/
Megan Piphus Peace - https://www.meganpiphus.com/
Darci Lynne Farmer - https://www.darcilynne.com/
Center for Puppetry Arts - https://puppet.org/
CYNTHIA BEMIS ABRAMS AND ATVH
ATVH Newsletter – tvherstory.com
Website - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/
Podcast Archive - tvherstory.com
Email - [email protected]
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@advancedtvherstory
X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/tvherstory
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Media.Cynthia
Bluesky Social - https://bsky.app/profile/cynthiabemisabrams.bsky.social
PRODUCTION
Video - Nivia Lopez - https://nivialopez.com/
Audio - Marilou Marosz - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariloumarosz/
Music - https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/
In the last 10-20 years, attitudes toward LGBTQ+ people in America have shifted due to more positive visibility and evolving cultural norms. Cynthia takes a look at two moments from 1970s television that revealed glimpses of LGBTQ+ allyship—a talk show moment and a 1974 episode of Police Woman.
In 1970, June Lockhart appeared on The Virginia Graham Show and stopped the hostess in her tracks, pushing back on stereotypes and tropes common for the time. And the story of how a 54-year-old clip is available for viewing is its own testament to advocacy. LGBTQ+ scholar and media documentarian Steven Capsuto's book, Alternate Channels, helped Cynthia connect the June Lockhart dot to an episode of Police Woman.
Capsuto's book is an essential work for every media, gender, and social justice scholar. He traces television and even radio's early depiction of mostly gay characters and the absence of lesbians. His book also details the LGBTQ+ community's organization and support from straight allies that fought against distorted and ugly depictions of gay and lesbian characters in television and film for more than 75 years.
The overall trend in American society has been toward greater understanding and support for LGBTQ+ people and this is, to a significant degree, the result of advocates and allies pushing for more positive and diverse characterizations in popular culture. Television largely ignored lesbians until the 1970s and even then, the characters were bitter, violent, and unstable. With just a few sentences, June Lockhart, in real life, and Angie Dickinson, as Sgt. Pepper Anderson, showed viewers the power of LGBTQ+ allyship.
STEVEN CAPSUTO
Website - http://alternatechannels.net/
Alternate Channels, 20th Anniversary Revised Edition (2020) by Steven Capsuto http://alternatechannels.net/book/
MENTIONS
June Lockhart, Virginia Graham, Angie Dickinson, Rev. Troy Perry, Art Metrano, Donna Mills, Lois Nettleton, Randy Wicker, Judy Garland, Meet Me in St. Louis, Lassie, Lost in Space, Petticoat Junction, General Hospital, Quincy M.E., Police Woman, The Bold Ones, Medical Center, Charlie’s Angels, Cagney & Lacey, The Kinsey Report, Stonewall, HIV/AIDS, Metropolitan Community Church
CLIPS
The Virginia Graham Show, with June Lockhart and Rev. Troy Perry (1970) https://youtu.be/Xm2q-F6FdoY?si=35Z6kF8pN4rQotjd
Police Woman, Flowers of Evil, S1E8 (1974) https://youtu.be/o6oBmnhsblA?si=U-_5nIvhYSQyLLPo
CYNTHIA BEMIS ABRAMS AND ATVH
ATVH Newsletter – tvherstory.com
Website - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/
Podcast Archive - tvherstory.com
Email - [email protected]
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@advancedtvherstory
X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/tvherstory
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Media.Cynthia
Bluesky Social - https://bsky.app/profile/cynthiabemisabrams.bsky.social
PRODUCTION
Video - Nivia Lopez - https://nivialopez.com/
Audio - Marilou Marosz - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariloumarosz/
Music - https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/
I love to talk TV and I really enjoy every exchange with Susan and Sharon, otherwise known as the 80s TV Ladies. When their podcast, 80s TV Ladies, launched, they invited me to be a guest. It was a blast and over the last two years, the two podcasts have furthered a shared exploration of how women have been represented on television and the impact that representation has had on society as a whole and females, of all ages, in particular. Like Advanced TV Herstory, their show features interviews and analyzes the work of women both in front of and behind the camera.
Our podcasts aim to help listeners understand how our culture shapes the television shows we watch and, in turn, how those shows shape our culture. Listen in on this engaging and informative look behind the scenes as we discuss the motivations, joys, and challenges of creating podcasts that highlight the contributions of women in television.
80s TV LADIES
Contacts
Website – 80s TV Ladies - https://www.80stvladies.com/
Website – 134 West - https://134west.biz/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/80sTVLadies/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/80stvladies/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@80stvladies
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/80sTVLadies
Awards
2024 Women in Podcasting, Nominee in Entertainment – VOTE at https://womeninpodcasting.net/80s-tv-ladies/
2024 Webby Award – Best Indie Podcast
2023 People’s Choice Podcast Awards - Best Art, Best TV & Film, Best Female Hosted
MENTIONS
Podcast Episodes
80s TV Ladies (24 May 2023) – Advanced TV Herstory w/ Cynthia Bemis Abrams, Part One - https://www.80stvladies.com/episode/episode-201-welcome-to-season-2-advanced-tv-herstory-w-cynthia-bemis-abram-part-1
80s TV Ladies (31 May 2023) – Advanced TV Herstory w/ Cynthia Bemis Abrams, Part Two - https://www.80stvladies.com/episode/episode-202-advanced-tv-herstory-aw-cynthia-bemis-abrams-part-two
Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus (11 Apr 2023) – Jane Fonda on Female Friendships - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jane-fonda-on-female-friendships/id1678559416?i=1000608248297
Shows
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Cagney and Lacey, China Beach, Designing Women, Extraordinary Attorney Woo, Grey’s Anatomy, Lou Grant, My So-Called Life, Murphy Brown, Remington Steele, and Scarecrow and Mrs. King
People
Annie Potts, Barney Rosenzweig, Diane English, Eilish Zebrasky, Eugenie Ross-Leming, Geena Davis, Jean Smart, Juanita Bartlett, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, Melissa Roth, Neema Barnette, Sergio Perez, Sharon Gless, Shonda Rhimes, Stephanie Zimbalist, and Tyne Daly
Books
Backlash: The Undeclared War Against American Women by Susan Faludi - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backlash:_The_Undeclared_War_Against_American_Women
Lou Grant: The Making of TV’s Top Newspaper Drama by Douglass K. Daniel – https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/288376.Douglass_K_Daniel
CYNTHIA BEMIS ABRAMS AND ATVH
ATVH Newsletter – tvherstory.com
Website - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/
Podcast Archive - tvherstory.com
Email - [email protected]
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@advancedtvherstory
X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/tvherstory
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Media.Cynthia
Bluesky Social - https://bsky.app/profile/cynthiabemisabrams.bsky.social
PRODUCTION
Video - Nivia Lopez - https://nivialopez.com/
Audio - Marilou Marosz - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariloumarosz/
Music - https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/
Welcome to our annual anniversary episode where I share thoughts on the podcast's evolution —improvements, opportunities, and what’s in store for the future. With this look back at the podcast highlights and TV moments that have taught us and inspired us, I also recommit to our mission: Connecting the dots of feminism & TV and American politics & culture.
Can you believe we’re heading into our 10th year?! When I started the podcast in 2015, I wasn’t sure where Advanced TV Herstory would go. But it's important to reflect on one's work, solicit and discuss feedback, and provide context for viewing the cultural mirror that defines American television. In today’s environment, simply put, this work feels more vital than ever.
About that feedback. How are we doing? What can we do better? What topics are of particular interest to you? Please connect at any of the resources listed below. Better yet, subscribe to the Advanced TV Herstory newsletter for special content and a more personalized space to explore and exchange. Your information is NEVER shared and, like the podcast, our newsletter is completely ad free.
As always, thank you for listening and being part of the Advanced TV Herstory community. Cheers to another year!
CYNTHIA BEMIS ABRAMS AND ATVH
ATVH Newsletter – tvherstory.com
Website - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/
Podcast Archive - tvherstory.com
Email - [email protected]
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@advancedtvherstory
X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/tvherstory
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Media.Cynthia
Bluesky Social - https://bsky.app/profile/cynthiabemisabrams.bsky.social
PRODUCTION
Video - Nivia Lopez - https://nivialopez.com/
Audio - Marilou Marosz - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariloumarosz/
Music - https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/
Della Reese (1931-2017) was a singer, talk show host, actor, ordained minister, and much more. Her career, which spanned seven decades, was marked by faith, resilience, and her ability to break barriers in predominantly white and male-dominated industries.
In 1969, Ms. Reese made history as the first black woman to host her own talk show. Almost more variety show than talk show, every episode offered an entertaining mix of sketch comedy, music, and interviews.
Before her own talk show, Ms. Reese established herself as a prominent television personality by appearing and performing on shows led by Merv Griffin, Ed Sullivan, Phil Donahue, and Johnny Carson. In fact, she was chosen as the first black woman to sub for Johnny Carson as host of the Tonight Show.
But aside from her earlier accomplishments, Ms. Reese is perhaps best known to today’s audiences for her popular television series, “Touched by an Angel,” where she appeared with Roma Downey, John Dye, Valerie Bertinelli, and a guest cast that featured many of the biggest names in television and film.
In her 1997 memoir, “Angels Along the Way: My Life with Help from Above,” Ms. Reese reflects on the challenges she faced and overcame throughout her life, including racism and financial exploitation, while maintaining a steadfast commitment to helping others. It’s an inspirational look at a remarkable life.
RESOURCES
Touched by an Angel https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108968/
Angels Along the Way: My Life with Help from Above https://www.betterworldbooks.com/product/detail/angels-along-the-way-my-life-with-help-from-above-9780399143427
Television Academy Foundation – Foundation Interviews: Della Reese on Having a Brain Aneurysm https://youtu.be/kw0tsFyZO5w?si=Qtqsw WSyHyjrh6H7
CYNTHIA BEMIS ABRAMS AND ATVH
ATVH Newsletter – tvherstory.com
Website - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/
Podcast Archive - tvherstory.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@advancedtvherstory
X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/tvherstory
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Media.Cynthia
Bluesky Social - https://bsky.app/profile/cynthiabemisabrams.bsky.social
PRODUCTION
Video - Nivia Lopez - https://nivialopez.com/
Audio - Marilou Marosz - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariloumarosz/
Music - https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/
Books & Films:
Videos:
Advocacy:
On location at the Pop Culture Association (PCA) National Conference in Chicago, I met with Sherry Ginn, PhD, the current PCA president. Dr. Ginn is an impressive pop culture and science fiction scholar and I’m grateful that we were able to sit down and talk about our mutual interests in television and the impact of women in society.
Our discussion includes the evolution of science fiction in popular culture, the legacy of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the problem with Dollhouse, female representation and role models, feminism, diversity, inclusion, norm breaking, and the special challenges created by male writers and showrunners in science fiction.
As a tireless editor and author, Dr. Ginn combines her love of sci-fi with her expertise in neuroscience research and psychology. Her written work presents thoughtful analyses on a range of previously under-explored topics such as women in science fiction television and sex in science fiction. Dr. Ginn has written or edited works featuring Doctor Who, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Farscape, Fringe, and Dollhouse, among others.
Check out the Pop Culture Association’s website below to learn more about the benefits of membership.
Thanks for listening!
CONTACT DR. GINN and the POP CULTURE ASSOCIATION*
Website - https://pcaaca.org/
e-mail - [email protected]
*formerly the Pop Culture Association / American Culture Association
SELECT WRITTEN WORKS
Our Space, Our Place: Women in the Worlds of Science Fiction Television by Sherry Ginn, PhD - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2085421.Our_Space_Our_Place
Joss Whedon's Dollhouse: Confounding Purpose, Confusing Identity by Sherry Ginn, PhD - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/joss-whedons-dollhouse-sherry-ginn/1118329342
Power and Control in the Television Worlds of Joss Whedon by Sherry Ginn, PhD - https://www.acappellabooks.com/pages/books/228952/sherry-ginn/power-and-control-in-the-television-worlds-of-joss-whedon
Being a Girl with The Doctor: Essays in the Feminine in Doctor Who (Edited by Gillian I. Leitch and Sherry Ginn) - https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/being-a-girl-with-the-doctor/
To Boldly Stay: Essays on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (Edited by Sherry Ginn and Michael G. Cornelius) - https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/to-boldly-stay/
The Sex is Out of This World: Essays on the Carnal Side of Science Fiction (Edited by Sherry Ginn and Michael G. Cornelius) - https://www.abebooks.com/9780786466856/Sex-Out-World-Essays-Carnal-0786466855/plp
CYNTHIA BEMIS ABRAMS and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY
ATVH Newsletter – tvherstory.com
Website - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/
Podcast Archive - tvherstory.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@advancedtvherstory
X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/tvherstory
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Media.Cynthia
Bluesky Social - https://bsky.app/profile/cynthiabemisabrams.bsky.social
PRODUCTION
Audio - Marilou Marosz - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariloumarosz/
Music - https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/
We continue to celebrate the female voices that have provided a foundation for cultural advancement and modern discourse by featuring a rare TV talk show appearance by two-time Academy Award winner Vivien Leigh.
The year was 1958. The show was “Small World,” hosted by American broadcast journalist Edward R. Murrow. Appearing alongside Leigh are motion picture executive Samuel Goldwyn and British writer and entertainment critic Kenneth Tynan.
Leigh, best known for her work as Scarlett O’Hara in “Gone with the Wind” and Blanche DuBois in “A Streetcar Named Desire,” died in 1967 at the age of 53, but her legacy remains profound. And, while some of the opinions in this broadcast would be considered outdated now, you’ll hear that Vivien Leigh was not afraid to mix it up with some of the most strident male voices of her day.
As always, thank you for listening. For the video version of this episode, visit @advancedtvherstory on YouTube.
RESOURCES
Small World, Part 1 https://youtu.be/4c6kR9ORqUc?si=sXmP3bg5Cqzs63Zu
Small World, Part 2 https://youtu.be/P5roaRH9rY0?si=gfMmZhJTtrqdY85l
Small World, Part 3 https://youtu.be/tG0x68lPzso?si=TMitHcgm45BVl3Pf
Taylor Mayes - https://www.youtube.com/@Taylormayes
CYNTHIA BEMIS ABRAMS AND ATVH
ATVH Newsletter – tvherstory.com
Website - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/
Podcast Archive - tvherstory.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@advancedtvherstory
X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/tvherstory
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Media.Cynthia
Bluesky Social - https://bsky.app/profile/cynthiabemisabrams.bsky.social
PRODUCTION
Video - Nivia Lopez - https://nivialopez.com/
Audio - Marilou Marosz - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariloumarosz/
Music - https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams welcomes Yvonne Perry to Advanced TV Herstory. Yvonne is an award-winning actor, drama teacher, director, and intimacy coordinator. In addition to her work in film and primetime television, she originated the role of Rosanna Cabot on "As the World Turns." Yvonne’s experience in daytime TV, with its groundbreaking storylines and thoughtful intimacy handling, has informed her approach to work today.
Cynthia and Yvonne reflect on the wins in the 2023 SAG-AFTRA contract, including new standards and protocols for the use of intimacy coordinators. Yvonne discusses her experience working in this emerging field and the value of providing a respectful and collaborative environment for actors, directors, and crew members.
Yvonne also shares fun and informative stories from along her career path, including an important lesson she learned as Rosanna Cabot, her first kiss in front of the camera, the relationship between fight choreography and intimacy direction, what major league ballplayers think about daytime TV, and much more.
It’s a lively and interesting discussion from an insider’s point of view. Thank you for listening!
[February 6, 2024 - This episode has been edited to include Alicia Rodis' contribution to the field of intimacy direction and coordinating.]
YVONNE PERRY
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/YvonnePerryHulbert
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/yvonneperryh/
Website - https://www.yvonneperry.com/
RESOURCES and MENTIONS
Intimacy Directors & Coordinators - https://www.idcprofessionals.com/
Jessica Steinrock, PhD, Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/intimacy_coordinator_
Jessica Steinrock, PhD, TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@intimacycoordinator?/
Alicia Rodis - https://www.idcprofessionals.com/bios/aliciarodis
CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY
ATVH Newsletter – tvherstory.com
Website - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/
Podcast Archive - tvherstory.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory/
X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/tvherstory
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Media.Cynthia
Bluesky Social - @cynthiabemisabrams.bsky.social
The podcast currently has 167 episodes available.
90,459 Listeners
27,380 Listeners
28,714 Listeners
111,440 Listeners
355 Listeners
9,037 Listeners
57 Listeners