Writing 80s Icons: Dallas, Fame, and One Day at a Time | Linda Elstad episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 1, 2026 · 1H 9M

Writing 80s Icons: Dallas, Fame, and One Day at a Time | Linda Elstad

from 80s TV Ladies · host 134 West | Susan Lambert Hatem & Sharon Johnson

“We asked her daughter, our friend Karin, to come on and talk with us about her mom, Linda, and what it was like to grow up the daughter of an eighties TV lady.” - Susan Lambert HatemSusan and Sharon welcome Karin Elstad — a modern TV powerhouse and Vice President at HBO — to celebrate the incredible life and legacy of her mother, the legendary television writer Linda Elstad. From the high stakes of Dallas, to family comedy One Day at a Time, to the hallowed halls of Fame, Linda was a prolific voice who helped shape the landscape of 80s television.THE CONVERSATIONA PROLIFIC LEGACY: Linda’s impressive career spanning over 20 television shows, including her work on iconic hits like Dallas, Fame, and The Facts of Life.ONE DAY AT A TIME: Diving into Linda’s time as a staff writer from 1983 to 1984 on the beloved series that defined a generation.AWARD-WINNING WRITING: Remembering Linda’s 1982 Humanitas Prize win for the television movie Divorce Wars: A Love Story, starring Tom Selleck and Jane Curtin, and her nomination for her work on Fame.SERVING THE GUILD: Linda’s impactful leadership serving on the Writer’s Guild Board of Directors from 1986 to 1990. And a ground-breaking cultural exchange between Award-winning United States and USSR screenwriters.MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS: Karin shares personal stories of growing up in the heart of the television industry and how her mother’s trailblazing career influenced her own journey to becoming a top executive at HBO.THE SCINTILLATING LADIES OF THE 80s: A look back at the shows that featured the complex mother-daughter dynamics we love, from The Golden Girls and Mama’s Family to Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Roseanne, and Kate & Allie.GREEN ENVELOPE DAYS: How much is the green envelope residual check Linda’s daughter receives for her mom’s 1980s television shows being rerun and streamed? Can you guess before the check is opened on-air?AUDIO-OGRAPHYWatch episodes of Fame on Peacock and Dallas at YouTube or Amazon Prime.Catch One Day at a Time streaming on Tubi.Find Divorce Wars: A Love Story and other classic TV movies on DVD via Amazon or eBay.VITAL READINGCheck out Democracy Docket here.Learn more about the ACLU here.PROMO DEALSGet 21% OFF on awesome sheets and pajamas at COZY EARTH.Be sure to use the promo code: 80STVLADIES.Happy Shopping!MARCH 8TL DEALS BLOCK:80s TV Ladies deals and discounts:Cozy Earth (21% Off)🔗 Get them at: https://MyDeals.Page/19wy🎁 Code: 80STVLADIES📻 CONNECT WITH 80s TV LADIESOfficial Website: 80sTVLadies.com Email Us: [email protected] the Show: Get ad-free episodes and bonus content | Support on Patreon🎭 SUSAN'S NEW VENTUREArts A La Carte – A non-profit dedicated to helping develop new works in theater.Website: ArtsALaCarte.orgInstagram: @ArtsALaCarteLAVisit 80sTVLadies.com for more info.Listen to 80s TV Ladies at YouTube. Subscribe and help us grow.Don’t miss out. Sign up for the 80s TV Ladies mailing list!Help us make more episodes and get ad-free episodes, video interviews, and exclusive content on PATREON.

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Writing 80s Icons: Dallas, Fame, and One Day at a Time | Linda Elstad

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