Advanced TV Herstory

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams welcomes Dr. Wendy Burns-Ardolino, author of TV Female Foursomes and Their Fans, to discuss the groundbreaking 1989 Designing Women (1986–1993) episode, "They Shoot Fat Women, Don't They?"

The episode tackled the tabloid-fueled controversy surrounding Delta Burke and her weight gain, which was sensationalized in the press as a supposed feud with showrunner Linda Bloodworth-Thomason. Cynthia and Wendy analyze how this episode was ahead of its time in addressing fat-shaming, media scrutiny, and the impact of beauty standards on women in Hollywood.

This conversation sheds light on how body image, sexism, and workplace tensions were woven into a prime-time sitcom while exploring Delta Burke's real-life struggles and her legacy in television.

Cynthia and Dr. Wendy Burns-Ardolino explore:

The historical significance of the episode as one of the earliest sitcoms to directly challenge fat-shaming;

Late 80s tabloid culture of the late '80s fueling rumors about Delta Burke's on-set difficulties;

Burke's pageant past and how beauty standards shaped public perception of her career; and Weight bias, feminism, and self-worth in entertainment.

Designing Women, They Shoot Fat Women, Don't They? (Season 4, Episode 6) – Aired December 11, 1989

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Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams welcomes Wendy Burns-Ardolino, PhD and professor at Grand Valley State University (MI) to discuss her study of the four-female character construct found in television sitcoms. Burns-Ardolino's research and interest led to her authoring her 2015 book "TV Female Foursomes and Their Fans."

Cynthia and Wendy walk through a number of sitcoms presented in the book, including The Golden Girls and Living Single. Wendy details the many different ways Yvette Lee Bowser, Living Singles' seasoned showrunner, made the series bolder and more novel than its competition.

No podcast on women in television is complete without a long hard look at the life and career of Lucille Ball. Advanced TV Herstory host Cynthia Bemis Abrams found that even with a well-documented life, Lucy left this world as a bit of a mystery.

Ball seemed to have kept wisdom to herself (or at least kept it closely held). Cynthia navigates Ball's public appearances and statements gleaned from available sources, finding points where Ball's humility and pride are profound. Kennedy Center Honors and then-Pres. Ronald Reagan celebrated Ball, but it's important to understand the contexts of Ball's run in with the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) and Communist blacklisting.

There's the marriage and divorce from the Desi Arnaz and how it resulted in a settlement that included the studio. From talk shows to famous quotes, Cynthia walks a detailed history that makes Lucille Ball a solid feminist.

Great resource: Stefan Kanfer's Ball of Fire: The Tumultuous Life & Comic Art of Lucille Ball.

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Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams explores Diana Ross' legendary 1983 Central Park concert, where music and leadership carried the day amidst a torrential downpour. Discover how Ross captivated a bi-racial crowd, managed chaos with grace, and turned a challenging performance into a cultural milestone.

From the event's impact on early premium cable streaming via Showtime to Ross' resilience and bond with her fans, Cynthia connects the dots between pop culture, feminism, and the business of entertainment. Join us as we peek behind the scenes, including the NYC Parks Department's role, the significance of this moment for Ross' career, and how it paved the way for new media opportunities.

How did Diana manage to hold it all together in such adverse conditions? What does her leadership teach us today? With reflections on race, gender, and the business of music, this episode places Ross' concert into a broader context of American culture, the NYC Parks Department's history, and the evolution of televised performances.

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

Treva Silverman, the primary writer for The Mary Tyler Moore Show, broke ground as one of the few women in the writers' room during television's golden age. In this episode, Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, author of Mary and Lou and Rhoda and Ted, joins host Cynthia Bemis Abrams to discuss Silverman's career, legacy, and the challenges of writing smart, funny TV from a woman's perspective.

The conversation includes:

• Treva Silverman's influence on Lou, Ted, and Georgette;
• The power of delegation and leadership in collaborative TV writing;
• The cold audience response to the pilot episode and how it reshaped Rhoda;
• Why humility and collaboration were key to the show's lasting legacy; and
• Silverman was part of a team that changed the game for women in television.

From Emmy interviews to Armstrong's deep research, this episode highlights Silverman's voice, influence, and the second-wave feminist momentum that fueled her career.

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Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams continues her conversation with author Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, digging deeper into the brilliant women behind The Mary Tyler Moore Show. In this episode, they explore how casting, style, and behind-the-scenes leadership shaped not just the series, but TV history as well.

Armstrong shares insights from her book Mary and Lou and Rhoda and Ted, focusing on the show's female writers and creatives like writers Susan Silver, Jenna McMahon, Gail Parent, and Marilyn Suzanne Miller. They discuss what Armstrong learned about casting director Ethel Winant's eye for chemistry and strong ensemble balance.

They discuss costume designer Mimi Kirk and stylist Leslie Hall's visual influence on Mary, Rhoda, and Sue Ann.

Jennifer Keishin Armstrong (2013) Mary and Lou and Rhoda and Ted

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Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams welcomes Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, author of Mary and Lou and Rhoda and Ted, to spotlight the pioneering women writers behind The Mary Tyler Moore Show. From interviews with MTM creatives to reflections on iconic episodes, this conversation sets the stage for a three-part series on women in the writer's room and their groundbreaking influence on 1970s television.

Highlights include:

• The era's feminist context and MTM's unique portrayal of wome;
• How Rhoda and Mary's friendship redefined female dynamics on screen;
• Behind-the-scenes insight on the Emmy-winning episode "Chuckles Bites the Dust," written by Joan Darling; and
• Reflections on actors like Cloris Leachman (Phyllis), Betty White (Sue Ann), and Lisa Gerritsen (Bess).

Armstrong also explains how The Dick Van Dyke Show laid groundwork for MTM's success and how real women writers brought humor, nuance, and feminism to prime-time.

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Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams continues the examination of the early years and struggle of television's groundbreaking series, Cagney and Lacey. She reviews the Movie-of-the-Week / pilot that starred Loretta Swit as Cagney, alongside Tyne Daly and the challenges presented by the casting of Meg Foster and the network's decision to regularly change its time slot. Cancellations and resurrection are important life lessons.

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Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams resumes her review of TNT's original series, The Closer (2005-2012). Cynthia examines Deputy Brenda Leigh Johnson's continued leadership growth, which created a rare long look of a police procedural female character. The series devoted energy and realistic depth to Brenda's challenges from Capt. Sharon Raydor, marriage, alcoholism, ambition, succession and professional burnout.

CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY

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

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams takes a long look at her favor 4- woman ensemble drama. Sisters has been so relegated to obscurity that only 2 seasons on DVD, though some episodes can be found on YouTube. Cynthia remains loyal to the Emmy Award winning show (for cast and crew categories).

Further, Cynthia explores the post-Sisters careers of Swoosie Kurtz, Patricia Kalember, Sela Ward and Julianne Phillips. Plots included interracial and inter-faith marriage, three plane crashes, menopause, foster parenting the son of a deceased patient, surviving a coma - list nearly never ends. Akin to daytime serials, Sisters is a rare escapist drama that focused on women.

Update: all seasons of Sisters are available on DVD.