Advanced TV Herstory

The topic of Hollywood Blacklisting has recently added a chapter - the impact it had on the budding TV industry, and more specifically, women. Researched and backed by FBI files of author/scholar Dr. Carol Stabile (University of Oregon), this 4 episode series mentions names of talented women whose careers were maliciously ruined with the publication of Red Channels.

Stabile delivers quotes, right from FBI files she's requested for more than a decade, that assert that many of the charges and allegations that smeared these progressive women were unfounded or made up.

You'll also hear from another author and scholar, Dr. Charlene Regester. In episode 3, listen in on our frank conversation about how racism, Jim Crow laws and segregation further changed the course of early TV.

Ellen Schrecker (1999) Many Are The Crimes https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691048703/many-are-the-crimes?srsltid=AfmBOorNxG7c27BBhWR9h2855NlXToBDFV5eMFKypGaP-_deCfjToCWM

Carol Stabile, (2018) The Broadcast 41: Women and the Anti-Communist Blacklist https://broadcast41.uoregon.edu/

Charlene Regester (2010) African American Actresses: The Struggle for Visibility, 1900–1960 published by Indiana University Press https://iupress.org/9780253221926/african-american-actresses/

CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY

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Music by Jahzzar - https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/

Join Cynthia in celebration of 4 years of independent podcasting about TV women - those behind the camera as well as in front of it. Cynthia thanks her team of Jen Edds, Catherine Yang and Elsie Escobar and recaps highlights and changes made to the show's format and outreach. She also does some deep thinking about social change, social media, feminism and the power of representation as the entertainment industry wrestles with hashtag movements #MeToo and #Times Up.

Near the end, Cynthia reveals a big goal.

Audio clip was from June 2019 ESPN's "First Take" show hosted by Molly Qerim with Lavar Ball as a guest.

CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY

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Music by Jahzzar - https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/

How did cable TV transform into a powerhouse for original programming and reruns that shaped narratives about and for women?

In this episode of Advanced TV Herstory, host Cynthia Bemis Abrams is joined by scholar, author, and podcaster Dr. Amanda Lotz to unpack the financial and cultural shifts that revolutionized women's television. From Lifetime and Bravo to HBO and TV Land, Cynthia and Amanda explore the channels and series that championed female-driven stories.

Learn how premium cable channels, mergers, and syndication influenced the creation of shows like Sex and the City, Hot in Cleveland, Girlfriends, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Dive into the financial incentives behind cable's evolution and its role in amplifying women's voices on screen.

Related Episodes: Eating Disorder Movies: TV For and About Women (5.8)

https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/ec92735c-cb8d-4916-8c8f-2ff9ab9e5d86.mp3

Series, Movies & Channels: TV For and About Women (5.7)

https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/fd3c22e3-417d-48c0-906e-f1db9b66bd92.mp3

Cable Audiences and Evolution: TV For and About Women (5.6)

https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/d7a2dedd-163e-4ef8-8a7c-6b292f2ffa3c.mp3

The Television Will Be Revolutionized and other books by Amanda Lotz - https://www.amandalotz.com

CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY

Monthly Newsletter - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/

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PRODUCTION

Podcast Editing - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariloumarosz/

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Music by Jahzzar - https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/

In this episode of Advanced TV Herstory, host Cynthia Bemis Abrams sits down with art historian, professor, and author Emily L. Newman to examine how made-for-TV movies tackled the sensitive subject of eating disorders. From the 1980s through today, these stories offered a platform to educate audiences while reflecting societal pressures on women.

They discuss milestone productions such as Kate's Secret (1986), starring Meredith Baxter, and Love of Nancy (1994), featuring Tracey Gold, along with the influence of real-life figures like Karen Carpenter. This episode dives into how these narratives shaped public understanding of anorexia and bulimia and how television has served as a tool for advocacy and awareness.

Episode Life Lessons

• Representation matters:
• Television has the power to educate and destigmatize health issues like eating disorders.
• Personal stories amplify change:
• Real-life figures like Karen Carpenter inspired made-for-TV narratives that shaped public understanding.

Media as advocacy: These films remind us how entertainment can be a tool for education and social awareness. Episode Resources Referenced TV Movies: Kate's Secret (1986) Love of Nancy (1994)

In this episode of Advanced TV Herstory, host Cynthia Bemis Abrams explores the evolution of cable TV and its pivotal role in elevating women’s voices on screen. Joined by media scholars Dr. Amanda Lotz and Emily L. Newman, the discussion highlights the birth of cable channels like Lifetime, Hallmark, OWN, and Oxygen—spaces dedicated to telling women’s stories.

They cover the business side of cable, examining how bundled services, programming needs, and financial models influenced the creation of female-focused networks. From Oprah Winfrey’s OWN to the Hallmark Channel, discover how money, mergers, and marketing shaped the media landscape for women.

The media landscape was forever changed by the rise of cable TV, which provided new opportunities to create content for and about women. In this episode, Cynthia Bemis Abrams, Dr. Amanda Lotz, and Emily L. Newman discuss how networks like Lifetime and OWN became cultural staples, offering everything from independent productions to syndicated reruns.

The conversation explores the financial underpinnings of cable TV, from bundled subscriptions to programming demands, and how they created dedicated platforms for women’s stories.

Advanced TV Herstory episodes in this series:

Evolution of cable

https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/6273d57b-dba5-4666-a457-bf2c9354655f.mp3

Cable TV viewers

https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/d7a2dedd-163e-4ef8-8a7c-6b292f2ffa3c.mp3

Cable TV Programming

https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/fd3c22e3-417d-48c0-906e-f1db9b66bd92.mp3

CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY

Monthly Newsletter - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/

Website - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@advancedtvherstory

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-bemis-abrams-5046573/

PRODUCTION

Podcast Editing - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariloumarosz/

Video Editing - https://nivialopez.com/

Music by Jahzzar - https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/

In this episode of Advanced TV Herstory, host Cynthia Bemis Abrams examines how cable TV disrupted traditional broadcasting, creating new opportunities for women's stories. Joined by Dr. Amanda Lotz and Emily L. Newman, the conversation dives into the economics of cable, the rise of niche programming, and the industry's shift to serve specific audiences.

Discover how cable provided platforms for female-led narratives, from The Mary Tyler Moore Show to Cagney & Lacey and Grey's Anatomy. Learn how women in the industry seized these opportunities to reshape media and why it's crucial to support women's art and stories in today's evolving media landscape.

Advanced TV Herstory episodes in this series:

Eating disorders

https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/ec92735c-cb8d-4916-8c8f-2ff9ab9e5d86.mp3

Evolution of cable

https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/6273d57b-dba5-4666-a457-bf2c9354655f.mp3

Cable TV Programming

https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/fd3c22e3-417d-48c0-906e-f1db9b66bd92.mp3

Guest Resources:

Works by Amanda Lotz - https://www.amandalotz.com

CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY

Monthly Newsletter - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/

Website - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory/

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LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-bemis-abrams-5046573/

PRODUCTION

Podcast Editing - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariloumarosz/

Video Editing - https://nivialopez.com/

Music by Jahzzar - https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/

In this final episode of the Advanced TV Herstory series on The Judy Garland Show, host Cynthia Bemis Abrams and Garland scholar Angela Ingersoll examine the feminist lessons from Judy Garland’s groundbreaking TV series.

This episode focuses on how Garland’s persistence, defiance, and storytelling offer modern insights into women’s roles in the entertainment industry. With reflections on her famous December 1963 performance of “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” dedicated to JFK, Cynthia and Angela highlight Garland’s enduring legacy and the sexism and challenges she faced. Discover how Judy’s fight for creative control, respect, and her heartfelt connection to her audience offer lasting lessons for women in media today.

Angela Ingersoll: https://angelaingersoll.com/

CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY

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PRODUCTION

Podcast Editing - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariloumarosz/

Video Editing - https://nivialopez.com/

Music by Jahzzar - https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/

In this episode of Advanced TV Herstory, host Cynthia Bemis Abrams and Chicago-based guest Angela Ingersoll describe the remarkable roster of guests and performances that defined The Judy Garland Show. From Barbra Streisand and Ethel Merman to Lena Horne and Diahann Carroll, the show’s blend of emerging talents and established stars made history. Judy Garland used her platform to highlight diverse voices and offer unforgettable musical moments, many of which remain iconic today. Cynthia and Angela explore how these performances served as a bridge between Hollywood’s golden era and the emerging entertainment landscape of the 1960s, and what they reveal about Judy as a performer, mother, and cultural icon.

Angela Ingersoll: https://angelaingersoll.com/

CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY

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Music by Jahzzar - https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/

In this episode of Advanced TV Herstory, Cynthia Bemis Abrams and Emmy-nominated performer Angela Ingersoll take a hard look at the monumental production pressures Judy Garland faced during her legendary CBS variety show. The Judy Garland Show was given an unprecedented budget, setting high standards in production quality with lighting, set design, and costumes by the legendary Bob Mackie.

Despite these efforts, CBS demanded that Judy beat top-rated competitors like Bonanza, setting up impossible expectations. Cynthia and Angela unravel how these demands and lack of network leadership led to frustrations, and what these struggles reveal about women's battles with power structures in entertainment.

Angela Ingersoll https://angelaingersoll.com/

Coyne Steven Sanders (1990) The Judy Garland Show: Rainbow's End https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/coyne-steven-sanders-2/rainbows-end-the-judy-garland-show/

CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY

Monthly Newsletter - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/

Website - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory/

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LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-bemis-abrams-5046573/

PRODUCTION

Podcast Editing - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariloumarosz/

Video Editing - https://nivialopez.com/

Music by Jahzzar - https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/

In this episode of Advanced TV Herstory, Cynthia Bemis Abrams and Emmy-nominated performer and Garland scholar Angela Ingersoll return to examine the 50th anniversary of Judy Garland's passing. With a deep dive into The Judy Garland Show, Cynthia and Angela explore the male-dominated narratives that shaped Garland's legacy, from books to documentaries.

Through a feminist lens, the discussion centers on Garland's remarkable career, her struggles with sexism and ageism in Hollywood, and the social impact of her musical performances. Discover how the sexism and power imbalances in TV production still resonate today, as Angela and Cynthia offer fresh perspectives on Garland's resilience and her cultural significance.

Angela Ingersoll www.angelaingersoll.com

Coyne Steven Sanders (1990) The Judy Garland Show: Rainbow's End https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/coyne-steven-sanders-2/rainbows-end-the-judy-garland-show/

CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY

Monthly Newsletter - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/

Website - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@advancedtvherstory

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-bemis-abrams-5046573/

PRODUCTION

Podcast Editing - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariloumarosz/

Video Editing - https://nivialopez.com/

Music by Jahzzar - https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/