Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams welcomes actor Briana Venskus of Agents of SHIELD, Grace & Frankie, Walking Dead and Outcast to discuss the roles available in the industry. Brianna offers wisdom about fan engagement, particularly in the age of conventions and fan gatherings, as well as social media. Further, she sees progress of LGBTQ storylines and casting, due in part to the strength of streaming platforms in attracting transformative writers. Venskus is part of Clexacon, an international LGBTQ women's media experience with major events in Nov. 2018 and April 2019.

Venskus has appeared as an agent in both the DC TV and Marvel Cinematic universes. Portrayed Agent Piper in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013) and Agent Vasquez in Supergirl (2015).

Advanced TV Herstory spotted an important first-hand account of #MeToo Hollywood misogyny. Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams explores Linda Bloodworth-Thomason's guest column in The Hollywood Reporter, which sheds light on her creative exile. The low-profile showrunner of Designing Women, Evening Shade, and other hit series details the professional damages she suffered at the hands of CBS' Les Moonves. Moonves' role at CBS was terminated following a series of accusations of sexual harassment.

Cynthia examines Bloodworth-Thomason's claims and ponders how television might have evolved had she been allowed to continue creating for prime-time.

Resources: The Hollywood Reporter article by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/linda-bloodworth-thomason-i-knew-harvey-weinstein-you-did-guest-column-1049819/

Related Episodes: That Girl and Sexual Harassment (4.14) https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/5391f7c3-d5a6-4d65-9dd9-83133ca3deda.mp3

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Whether you've ever watched Aaron Sorkin's 1998–2000 classic series Sports Night or not, this episode explores its ongoing relevance and calls for a reboot. The episode revisits a sexual harassment plot from That Girl (1967) and connects it to a similar storyline in Sports Night, sparking a broader conversation about journalism's commitment to changing workplace harassment. Plot Summary This episode examines the cultural and industry impact of Sports Night, particularly in light of the #MeToo movement. The discussion includes: How Sports Night highlighted the ethical dilemmas of journalism, gender dynamics, and workplace harassment. Parallels between That Girl and Sports Night in portraying sexism in media environments. Calls for a modern Sports Night reboot that addresses contemporary workplace issues. The conversation considers how Aaron Sorkin's storytelling in Sports Night was ahead of its time and remains relevant in discussions about mentorship, gender disparities in journalism, and the ongoing push for safer work environments. Episode Resources Referenced Shows: Sports Night (1998–2000) That Girl (1966–1971) Related Episodes: Sports Night 1.3 – Mentors in Journalism http://traffic.libsyn.com/advancedtvherstory/Advanced_TV_Herstory_Sports_Night_mentors.mp3 That Girl and Sexual Harassment https://advancedtvherstory.libsyn.com/that-girl-and-sexual-harassment

The "Advanced TV Herstory" podcast series shines a spotlight on the influential role that television has played in shaping societal perceptions of unmarried women and their impact on feminist movements. Hosted by Cynthia Bemis Abrams, this four-part series delves into Jeanine Furino’s insightful book, “All the Single Girls,” which examines six decades of how unmarried women have been portrayed in women-centric TV series. Each episode explores different facets of this depiction:

1. TV’s Single Women: This episode sets the stage by discussing the evolution of single female characters on television and their cultural significance.

2. The Single Woman Who Doesn’t Know What She Wants: Here, the focus is on characters who struggle with indecisiveness and the quest for self-discovery.

3. Caregivers and ‘Give Me a Break!': Featuring insights from Jennifer Fuller, PhD, this episode examines the trope of Black women as caregivers, highlighting characters.

4. The Feminerd: Furino introduces the concept of the "feminerd," discussing female characters who are pioneering yet relatable, such as those portrayed by trailblazers like Tina Fey.

Through interviews and analysis, the series offers a comprehensive look at how these TV portrayals have mirrored and influenced Second and Third Wave feminism. It also considers why certain series have become timeless classics.

Storytelling from a woman's perspective is an important area of focus when examining what we see on television. From Dancing with the Stars to her latest documentary, Nevertheless, Sarah Moshman tells stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. The producer and director joins Advanced TV Herstory host Cynthia Bemis Abrams to discuss funding, Netflix's increasing power and platform, representation, worldwide impact, privilege and unity.

Sarah Moshman's website: https://www.sarahmoshman.com/

CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY

Monthly Newsletter - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/

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Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams takes Advanced TV Herstory on the road to Indianapolis' Pop Con for this live recording about America's TV landscape was changing rapidly in the 70s.

Joined by podcasters Martha Southgate and Jen Edds, listeners will enjoy an unscripted conversation about popular characters in Norman Lear's portfolio of iconic shows from the 1970s like All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Maude and Good Times. The women stars from those series and supporting Black women actors had vast resumes, as they brought decades of stage and film experience to the small screen. Who were they and why is it important to know their story? This is why we podcast!

CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY

Monthly Newsletter - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/

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Three years since publishing our first episode, we're lighting candles & making a wish. This anniversary edition briefly reviews show changes made this year, with a focus on content about leadership, persistence and achievement.

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams also shares more about the work that goes in, behind-the-scenes, to producing content you'll hear nowhere else. Thank you for listening & making this podcast the best it can be! 365 x 3 thanks to: Jen Edds and David Brown, audio wizards, Catherine Yang, video director Elsie Escobar, podcast consultant those who've been interviewed, consulted or collaborated with us, and most importantly, listeners across 5 continents!

Like our theme music? It's Take Me Higher by Jahzzar. Find it at Free Music Archive Copyright: Attribution-ShareAlike: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

In this episode of Advanced TV Herstory, host Cynthia Bemis Abrams explores a pivotal episode of That Girl (1966-1967), starring Marlo Thomas, which addressed sexual harassment long before the term was widely recognized.

The story line features guest star Carroll O'Connor as an opera singer who leverages his influence over Ann Marie (Marlo Thomas) in exchange for an interview, highlighting the concept of quid pro quo harassment. Through a critical lens, Cynthia examines how mid-century male writers framed workplace harassment as a plot conflict rather than a societal issue. Cynthia references historical resources, including Time Magazine's A Brief History of Sexual Harassment in America, to contextualize the portrayal of gender power dynamics on television.

Resources:

Time Magazine's A Brief History of Sexual Harassment in America (2016) – Sascha Cohen https://time.com/4286575/sexual-harassment-before-anita-hill/

Marlo Thomas: Growing Up Laughing (2010) published by Hyperion Books.

Stephen Cole's That Girl: The Unofficial Companion (1999)

Related Advanced TV Herstory Episodes: 4.20 Sports Night More Relevant Than Ever https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/d099dbfb-e591-4877-879b-6a7781c7b9f2.mp3

It's time we celebrate TV's most complex women. Cynthia Bemis Abrams is joined by Dr. Molly Brost (University of Southern Indiana) to dive into anti-heroines—characters like Marvel's Jessica Jones—who challenge societal norms and expand the definition of justice on TV. This thought-provoking episode explores:

• How women anti-heroes differ from male ones;
• The cultural shift toward flawed, layered, morally ambiguous female leads;
• What makes Jessica Jones a standout figure in this category; and
• Why TV and streaming are better when women are allowed to be "unlikable"

CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY

Monthly Newsletter - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/

Website - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/

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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/