Advanced TV Herstory

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!

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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/

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/

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/

The special series of Advanced TV Herstory episodes 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.

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/

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams explores MTV's original, animated series Daria (1997-2002) and how it gave representation and voice to Third Wave feminism. At last, women and girls who are smart, discerning and impatient saw themselves in an irreverent, animated TV series.

Daria's impact continues to be felt today in the action and leadership of feminist movements creating change across all aspects of American culture, making it a classic. Cynthia is joined by guest perspectives and memories from Justine Gendron of The Cutaways Podcast and Chris Revill of Let's Chat with Chris Revill.

This episode continues the insightful interview with Bill Jankowski, co-author of Patty Duke's memoir In the Presence of Greatness. Jankowski and Advanced TV Herstory host Cynthia Bemis Abrams look back at Duke's experiences with Hollywood legends, her remarkable career spanning film, stage, and television, and her courageous advocacy for mental health awareness.

Patty Duke's life was noted for her Oscar and Emmy-winning performances, her role in The Miracle Worker, and her openness about living with bipolar disorder. Bill also shares behind-the-scenes details of the memoir's creation, Duke's reflections on forgiveness, and how her legacy inspires future generations.

Advanced TV Herstory episodes:

1st part of 2-part interview: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/7974557b-a744-4c34-9a3a-cc56c79e3f8d.mp3

Patty Duke's Place in TV Herstory https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/fb7a94c6-0304-45fa-983b-29fe170aed96.mp3

Patty Duke's Books:

Memoir In the Presence of Greatness https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/in-the-presence-of-greatness-patty-duke/1127742413?ean=9781629332352

Call Me Anna (1987) https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/call-me-anna-patty-duke/1100620726

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/

From her groundbreaking roles in The Miracle Worker and The Patty Duke Show to her later years of mental health advocacy, Anna "Patty" Duke's story is one of resilience and honesty. Advanced TV Herstory host Cynthia Bemis Abrams sits down with William Jankowski, co-author of In the Presence of Greatness, to discuss the remarkable life and legacy of Patty Duke.

Discover how Patty's final memoir was shaped, featuring behind-the-scenes stories of her relationships with industry legends like Lucille Ball, Sharon Tate, and Gloria Vanderbilt. William shares how Patty Duke courageously reflected on her struggles with bipolar disorder and her triumphant moments in the spotlight.

Episode Resources

In the Presence of Greatness (2018) by Anna "Patty" Duke and William Jankowski.

Referenced Work: The Miracle Worker (Film and Broadway Play) The Patty Duke Show (TV Series)

Related Episodes:

4.10 Patty Duke Memoir: In the Presence of Greatness (Part 2) https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/b24279fa-239d-40a2-be5f-088630c45055.mp3

2.5 Patty Duke's Place in Herstory https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/fb7a94c6-0304-45fa-983b-29fe170aed96.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/

Rising to fame as a Black storyteller extraordinaire, showrunner and TV writer Shonda Rhimes conveyed a lot of leadership and life in her 2015 book Year of Yes.

Advanced TV Herstory host Cynthia Bemis Abrams, who holds a master's degree in organizational leadership. explores Shonda's wisdom and genius that brought us the TV classic series Grey's Anatomy, Scandal and How to Get Away With Murder. Cynthia reflects on Shondas' lessons she relayed from first-hand experience, like knowing your audience, managing change and making work-life balance a priority. Cynthia references the book and recommends it for people looking to improve their lives or embark on a big challenge.

Year of Yes, Shonda Rhimes, Grey's Anatomy, How to Get Away With Murder, Motivation, Positivity