Advanced TV Herstory

Advanced TV Herstory, host Cynthia Bemis Abrams is joined by poet, author, and professor Shayla Lawson to revisit Diana Ross' iconic 1983 Central Park concert.

As captured in Lawson's book, This Is Major: Notes on Diana Ross, Dark Girls, and Being Dope, this rain-soaked performance is explored through the lens of cultural significance, representation, and the resilience of women of color. Together, Cynthia and Shayla discuss how Ross' leadership and authenticity during the storm transformed the concert into a historic moment for music and feminism.

Tune in for a reflective conversation on what this event meant to Black families, the entertainment industry, and the evolving narrative of women in media. The concert's impact underscores the importance of visibility for women of color in media and music.

Episode Resources Related Episodes: Diana Ross' 1983 Central Park Concert (1.18)

https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/917c300f-4750-4fd6-a61c-39a5bfbf2c11.mp3

Revisiting Diana Ross' Central Park Concert with Shayla Lawson (Part 2) (7.4)

https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/5573db2d-8866-4b8f-899c-7598f4910d1d.mp3

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

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

Advanced TV Herstory host Cynthia Bemis Abrams dives into the fascinating world of Hollywood's golden era through the 2001 made-for-TV movie These Old Broads. Written by the legendary Carrie Fisher, this film features Hollywood icons Shirley MacLaine, Fisher's mother Debbie Reynolds, Dame Joan Collins, and Dame Elizabeth Taylor.

Cynthia explores the film's themes of aging, scandal, and the powerful stories woven from Fisher's own life experiences. She highlights the cast's dynamic performances and their real-life connections, as well as the film's nods to Hollywood history and Fisher's personal narrative. Listeners are encouraged to watch the film and appreciate its rich storytelling and cultural significance.

Advanced TV Herstory host Cynthia Bemis Abrams pays tribute to the TV women in front of and behind the camera who passed away in 2020. including such big names as film and TV legend 104 year old Olivia deHavilland, actor/singer Ja'Net DuBois of Good Times, daytime's Marj Dusay, Glee's Naya Rivera and the woman who brought us The Magic School Bus, Joanna Cole.

Cynthia lists well known older women successfully leveraging social media and weighs in on #JanetJacksonAppreciationDay and the entertainment industry's treatment of Britney Spears.

Advanced TV Herstory host Cynthia Bemis Abrams chats role models and memorable characters found in the 4-Female sitcom construct, with Summer Martin of The Unconventional Woman podcast. Guest Wendy Burns-Ardolino contributes insights into what qualities and traits viewers look for in their role models and how 4 women characters offer fluidity to leading conversations.

Excerpts from Mara Brock-Akil, showrunner of Girlfriends and the Irish cast of Derry Girls with showrunner Lisa McGee (YouTube) https://youtu.be/5y7jcmkotw4 (M Brock Akil) Derry Girls https://youtu.be/bbjpEnH_Zb0

Wendy Burns-Ardolino's book TV Female Foursome and Their Fans https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/tv-female-foursomes-and-their-fans/

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

In the 3rd of 4 episodes about role models and memorable characters, Advanced TV Herstory host Cynthia Bemis Abrams and Summer Martin, of The Unconventional Woman podcast examine some of the most crafted, defined, distinct women characters to ever grace the small screen.

They follow it up with a list of similarly refined, authentic real women – whose growth and stature have unfolded over the decades. Characters and real figures discussed include Dr. Camille Saroyan (Bones), Chris Cagney and MaryBeth Lacey (Cagney & Lacey), AnnaLiese Keating (How to Get Away With Murder), Olivia Pope (Scandal), Robin Roberts (Good Morning America), Joy Reid (The Reid Out), Gayle King, Oprah, Shonda Rhimes, and Martha Stewart.

Clip: Season 2 opener of Martha and Snoop's Dinner Party Music: Jahzzar's Take Me Higher (www.freemusicarchive.org) Summer Martin of The Unconventional Woman podcast www.tuwpodcast.com Editing and sound design by Catherine Yang

During COVID-19, Advanced TV Herstory host Cynthia Bemis Abrams and Summer Martin of The Unconventional Woman Podcast spoke at length about role models and memorable characters, and what they meant for us, our aunties, mothers and friendships. They discussed the kinds of characters audiences find relatable, based on age, self-esteem, ethnic diversity and naivete.

Cynthia and Summer also discuss the powerful impressions of Freddie Brooks of A Different World, The Flying Nun's Sister Bertille and Homeland's Carrie Mathison. Temple University student Maryam Muhammad adds her perspective on Cree Summer's Freddie Brooks.

CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY

Monthly Newsletter - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/

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

PRODUCTION

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

Freddie Brooks, Sister Bertrille, Carrie Mathison, Sally Field, Claire Danes, Cree Summer, representation on TV, COVID-19, teenage influence, role models on TV, TV women of color, cable original programming, anti-heroes, self-determination, agency

Cynthia Bemis Abrams, host of Advanced TV Herstory sits down for a deep COVID Zoom chat with Summer Martin of The Unconventional Woman Podcast about role models & memorable characters and what they meant for us, our aunties, mothers and friendships.

We discuss the impact of Freddie Brooks of A Different World, Mary Richards of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Cosby Show's Clair Huxtable and others on us and generations older and younger. Temple University student Maryam Muhammad adds her perspective on Cree Summer's Freddie Brooks.

- - - - -

Maryam Muhammad, student at Temple University and blogger at Medium, a place where writers, influencers and podcasters get the word out. Find her work at

Instagram: @NeptunesNegress

Summer Martin, co-host and podcaster

Twitter @summerygory, Instagram: unconventional _woman

podcast https://www.tuwpodcast.com/

In 1994, Margaret Cho made TV history as the star of All-American Girl, the first network sitcom with an all-Asian-American cast. In this conversation with Ashley Pacini of The Reel Women and Cynthia Bemis Abrams of Advanced TV Herstory, Cho reflects on the series' groundbreaking legacy and how representation in Hollywood has (and hasn't) evolved.

The discussion explores:

• Lessons from All-American Girl and its cultural significance;
• How white allies can better support underrepresented creatives;
• Building a stronger PoC talent pipeline; and
• Surviving and adapting as a stand-up comedian during COVID lockdown.

Cho also shares advice from her decades in comedy, writing, and production by offering insights for anyone working toward greater diversity and equity in entertainment.

Resources and shoutouts:

The Margaret Cho Podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-margaret-cho/id1470515305)

Margaret Cho's memoir I'm the One That I Want (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28356.I_m_the_One_That_I_Want)

Margaret Cho Official Website (https://margaretcho.com/)

The Reel Women (https://thereelwomen.com/)

Arcus Behavioral Health & Wellness (https://www.arcusbehavioralhealth.com/)

CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY

Monthly Newsletter - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/

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PRODUCTION

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Video Editing - https://nivialopez.com/

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

TV and film professional Pepper Reed shares her path from acting to script supervising to directing. In this episode guest-hosted by Ashley Pacini, Pepper discusses how her work in sci-fi and fantasy genres intersects with her training, her thoughts on ageism, and the importance of professional goal-setting.

As a longtime collaborator with The Reel Women, Pepper's story is one of grit, growth, and intentional networking. Ashley and Pepper discuss the creative and leadership responsibilities of a director, and benefits of formal training in writing and supervision.

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/

This episode of Advanced TV Herstory continues the Reel Women series and spotlights the dynamic Chanel Glover — a filmmaker, teacher, lawyer, and playwright whose work centers queer people of color and real-life storytelling.

Co-hosted by Cynthia Bemis Abrams and Ashley Pacini, the conversation explores Chanel’s career pivot from attorney and educator to screenwriter, and how advocacy informs her creative lens. Chanel discusses the need for systemic change in Hollywood, the inspiration behind her project Sex is a God Thing, and how her identity as a queer Black woman drives the stories she tells.

• Navigating a creative career after law and teaching
• How advocacy shows up in screenwriting
• Building stories around real experiences of marginalized people
• The Reel Women initiative's support of women in filmed entertainment
• Crafting empowering and humorous stories with intention

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/