Advanced TV Herstory

On this episode of Advanced TV Herstory, we connect the dots between TV and feminism with American culture and politics by remembering the 1979 television miniseries, Backstairs at the White House. The series is based on the New York Times bestseller by Lillian Rogers Parks, a seamstress in the White House from 1939-1961. Parks based the book on her own experiences and on those of her mother, Maggie Rogers, who, as a maid in the White House from 1909-1939, was encouraged by Eleanor Roosevelt to keep a diary of her time serving the various first families.

MENTIONS AND REFERENCES (We encourage you to visit your local bookseller or library.) Jackie Kennedy - Interview with Sander Vanocur, NBC - March 1961 - https://youtu.be/j3ZvIzL1JbI

My Thirty Years Backstairs at the White House - by Lillian Rogers Parks in collaboration with Frances Spatz Leighton -

Michelle Obama - Speech at 2016 Democratic National Convention - https://youtu.be/4ZNWYqDU948

White House Historical Association - https://www.whitehousehistory.org

CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA BEMIS ABRAMS

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As we wrap up our two-part In Memoriam for 2022 by honoring women women in television who died this past year. Some are famous names and faces, but we also pay tribute to those who were less visible yet made significant contributions to TV, both in front of and behind the camera. This celebration is the perfect time to reflect on the importance of acting as a champion for other women. Their success does not detract from our own—instead, it strengthens us all.

They are why I podcast.

MENTIONS AND REFERENCES (We encourage you to visit your local bookseller or library.)

Women Who Reported Watergate (July 2, 2017 podcast) https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/03c5bd3d-4d3b-44b0-a801-3fff167bf26e.mp3

Audition: A Memoir by Barbara Walters https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2847470-audition

Kirstie Alley - List of Works https://www.biblio.com/kirstie-alley/author/15520

Nichelle Nichols on Martin Luther King, Jr. https://youtu.be/zrzygziT11I

Beyond Uhura by Nichelle Nichols https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/672094.Beyond_Uhura

Sacheen Littlefeather was a Native American icon. Her sisters say she was an ethnic fraud https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/Sacheen-Littlefeather-oscar-Native-pretendian-17520648.php

Louise Fletcher Wins Best Actress: 48th Oscars (1976) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGl5U7nNlkY

Dizzy & Jimmy by Liz Sheridan https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/dizzy--jimmy-my-life-with-james-dean--a-love-story_liz-sheridan/348349/

Reeling Back by Michael Walsh https://reelingback.com/articles/creative_women_needed

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Our In Memoriam episodes have become an annual tradition. As the universe of known, talented women in TV gets larger every year, so too does the number of women that we honor. In this first of two episodes, we highlight some of the women of music and theatre who made significant contributions to our culture and society.

We lost some very big names in 2022, but as you've come to expect with these episodes, we also celebrate the talent and achievements of those who were not quite thought of as a "big name."

REFERENCES AND MENTIONS In Memoriam:

Pat Carroll: Gertrude Stein was never a bore https://www.csmonitor.com/1981/0108/010861.html

Olivia Newton-John - the Making of "Physical" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXitXrVsndg

Olivia Newton-John on Murphy Brown https://youtu.be/YrwqwZ02gM0

In this episode of Advanced TV Herstory, host Cynthia Bemis Abrams welcomes Mallory Lewis, daughter of legendary puppeteer Shari Lewis, for an engaging discussion about her book, Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop: The Team That Changed Children’s Television. Published by the University of Kentucky Press, the book chronicles Shari’s extraordinary career, from her childhood beginnings to her groundbreaking work as a businesswoman, entertainer, and advocate for quality children’s programming.

While Shari Lewis passed away in 1998, her iconic puppet Lamb Chop continues to delight audiences with the help of Mallory. The conversation explores Shari’s influence on children’s television, the challenges she faced in the entertainment industry, and the enduring magic of Lamb Chop, Charlie Horse, and Hush Puppy.

Shari Lewis remains one of the most influential figures in children’s television, blending entertainment, education, and interactive storytelling. In this episode, Cynthia and Mallory discuss:

• Shari’s commitment to quality programming and her battle against commercialized children's television.
• How Shari’s death in 1998 led to legal and ownership challenges regarding her work.
• The revival of Lamb Chop and how Mallory carries on her mother’s legacy.
• Real-life lessons from Shari’s career, including practice, preparation, and mastering your craft.

Referenced Shows and Networks:

• The Shari Lewis Show
• Lamb Chop’s Play-Along
• Charlie Horse Music Pizza

Guest Resources:

• Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop: The Team That Changed Children’s Television – Nat Segaloff & Mallory Lewis (University of Kentucky Press)
• https://www.kentuckypress.com/9780813196268/shari-lewis-and-lamb-chop/

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

Angela Lansbury's remarkable career spanned generations and mediums — from her early days at MGM to her iconic portrayal of Jessica Fletcher in Murder, She Wrote. In this tribute episode, Advanced TV Herstory host Cynthia Bemis Abrams is joined by Professor Bridget Kies of Oakland University to celebrate Lansbury's creative influence and enduring presence in film, television, and theater.

Listeners will hear reflections on Lansbury's professionalism, acclaim, and her unwavering commitment to complex female characters. Drawing from Kies' academic work and upcoming book, this episode examines Lansbury's impact on feminist storytelling and her role as a symbol of older women's visibility on screen.

Topics include:

• Lansbury's Emmy nominations and overlooked wins;
• Her legacy through Murder, She Wrote and its cultural relevance;
• Representation of older women in TV; and
• Reflections from Lansbury's personal archive Insight from the Cabot Cove Gazette podcast.

Referenced podcast: Cabot Cove Gazette https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cabot-cove-gazette-a-murder-she-wrote-podcast/id1592905783

CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY

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PRODUCTION

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

Welcome to the anniversary episode of Advanced TV Herstory! This week marks 7 years since the inception of the podcast, and we're celebrating by reflecting on the past year's content, discussing the current state of TV, and exploring the topics we plan to cover in the future.

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams examines the evolving landscape of podcasting and the recent controversies surrounding platforms like Spotify. I also share insights about the importance of owning your favorite media in an age of streaming uncertainty. Plus, hear about my recent interviews and episodes on The Americans, Diana Ross' 1983 concert, and Liza Minnelli's TV career.

Additionally, we discuss the impact of representation in media and the importance of supporting women's sports. Stay tuned for more thought-provoking discussions and join me on this journey of TV history.

Thank you for being part of the Advanced TV Herstory community! Whether you're a long-time listener or new to the podcast, your support and engagement are deeply appreciated.

CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY

Monthly Newsletter - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/

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PRODUCTION

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

- Advanced TV Herstory

- Podcast anniversary

- TV history podcast

- Representation in media

- Podcasting trends

- Streaming services

- Women's sports on TV

- Classic TV series

- Liza Minnelli TV career

- Diana Ross Central Park concert

- The Americans FX series

In celebration of Liza Minnelli's 50-year legacy since the Academy-award winning film Cabaret, host Cynthia Bemis Abrams explores the powerhouse performer's enduring influence on television and stage. Drawing from moments often overshadowed by her film career, this episode revisits Minnelli's unforgettable appearances with Goldie Hawn, The Muppets, Judy Garland tributes, and the Wembley Stadium event that celebrated the life of Freddie Mercury.

Cynthia reflects on Minnelli's resilience, personal struggles, and the problematic commentary surrounding her 2022 Oscar appearance, using it as a lens to discuss ageism, representation, and American celebrity culture.

This episode offers a vibrant look at:

• Liza's evolution from child of Hollywood royalty to EGOT-adjacent icon
• The legacy of Cabaret and her impact on Broadway culture
• Her roles in destigmatizing AIDS, addiction,
• and age on screen Personal reflections on visibility, health, and dignity in performance.

Whether you know her as a singer, dancer, daughter of Judy Garland, or timeless queer icon, this episode reminds us why Liza Minnelli's presence on any stage still matters.

Referenced books & resources: Me and My Shadows by Lorna Luft

It's a rare TV series that offers Cold War espionage with an 80s feminist touch. The Americans (FX, 2013-2018) gave us a new form of anti-hero in Elizabeth Jennings, played by Keri Russell. Cynthia and guest author Linda Mizejewski discuss the award-winning series' women, its commitment to accuracy and the bold approach of depicting spies as real people.

Linda Mizejewski's book The Americans, published by Wayne State Press https://www.wsupress.wayne.edu/books/detail/americans

Slate's podcast series on The Americans https://slate.com/tag/the-americans

CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY

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PRODUCTION

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

It's the new year and Advanced TV Herstory host Cynthia Bemis Abrams recounts the lives and careers of talented TV women who died in 2021. While some died unexpectedly of disease, the long list features names of women who worked well into their golden years. Join this celebration of their impact on TV and come away with renewed energy to cheer on the amazing women in your own circle, while they're still around. The list includes Betty White, Cloris Leachman, Jessica Walter, Cicely Tyson, Markie Post, and Mary Wilson of The Supremes.

In this second part of the two-episode series, Advanced TV Herstory host Cynthia Bemis Abrams continues her deep discussion with poet, author, and professor Shayla Lawson about Diana Ross' unforgettable 1983 Central Park concert. They explore how the Showtime broadcast amplified Ross' leadership during the rainstorm and the concert's lasting cultural impact.

Drawing from Lawson's book, This Is Major: Notes on Diana Ross, Dark Girls, and Being Dope, the conversation examines what Diana Ross' authenticity and resilience mean to women of color today. Cynthia and Shayla reflect on how this concert became a global symbol of representation and connection, with Ross proving that great performances can rise above even the most challenging circumstances.

Part 1 of interview with Shayla Lawson: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/3e60a2a1-c7b0-4318-af48-d10648f8ef13.mp3

This Is Major: Notes on Diana Ross, Dark Girls, and Being Dope (2020) https://www.lifeofafemalebibliophile.com/book-review-this-is-major-notes-on-diana-ross-dark-girls-and-being-dope-by-shayla-lawson/

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/