Advanced TV Herstory
by Cynthia Bemis Abrams, Feminist TV Documentarian
Connect the dots of TV and feminism to American culture and politics with host Cynthia Bemis Abrams. Interviews with top names - in front of and behind the scenes - offer insights into TV that has shaped American culture and influenced the world. Check out episodes with actors Annie Potts, Margaret Cho, Stepfanie Kramer of Hunter, Kim Fields of Facts of Life and Living Single, and daytime's Cady McClain. Television veteran writers Georgia Jeffries, Victoria Riskin and April Smith are featured in episodes that explain storytelling as a writing craft. These discussions will forever change how you watch TV.Explore issues of race through interviews with academics Robin Means-Coleman and Charlene Regester, and influencer Karly Beaumont. Ever since the #MeToo Movement of 2017-18, Cynthia has highlighted key episodes and events surrounding sexual harassment - fictional and real life. With listeners around the world, Cynthia celebrates the progress of representation in media and captures th
Episodes
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Representation with Caroline Heldman
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams speaks with Caroline Heldman, PhD, about the power of media to shape cultural change and the political imagination. They explore how television, streaming, film, advertising, social media, and AI influence who audiences see as leaders, experts, protagonists, and...
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Linda Kelsey on Lou Grant, MASH & Acting
Minnesota-born actor Linda Kelsey reflects on her television career, including her role as reporter Billie Newman on Lou Grant (1977–1982) and her guest appearance on M*A*S*H in 1976. She discusses her Golden Globe and Emmy nominations, her work across television, and how the writers and…
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Killing Eve: Queering the Thriller
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams interviews Dr. Clare Sears about her upcoming book on Killing Eve for Wayne State University Press’s TV Milestone Series. Dr. Sears explains why Killing Eve qualifies as milestone television. The series created groundbreaking queer representation and framing within the...
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Storytelling & Feminism: A TV Journey
Summer means the anniversary episode of Advanced TV Herstory. Cynthia Bemis Abrams reflects on the journey of her podcast, sharing insights and stories that shaped episodes during the past year. She revisits instances from interviews and correspondence that fortify her examination of storytelling...
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Backbone and Boundaries: Unscripted Talk Show Lessons
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams examines the pivotal moments in TV talk show history where hosts overstepped boundaries and guests were challenged to stand up for themselves. Through a series of iconic examples like Lily Tomlin's poised resistance on The Dick Cavett Show and Joan Rivers' sharp retort…
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Denise Nicholas: Trailblazing Actor & Writer
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams speaks with Denise Nicholas, the iconic actress and writer known for her roles in Room 222 (1969-75) and In the Heat of the Night (1988-95). Promoting her long-awaited 2025 memoir Finding Home, Denise opens up about her groundbreaking career in television, the cultural...
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Epstein Vibes: Unpacking 90s Sitcoms & Cultural Shifts
Advanced TV Herstory's host Cynthia Bemis Abrams takes listeners on a deep dive into the profound connections between television, feminism, and broader cultural and political shifts. Recorded in April 2026, Cynthia explores the implications of the newly revealed Epstein files and their potential...
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MeTV Exec Neal Sabin on Classic & Comfort Television
TV historian and host Cynthia Bemis Abrams welcomes Neal Sabin, Vice Chairman of Weigel Broadcasting, for a conversation about the enduring popularity of classic television and the role of "comfort TV" in modern broadcasting. Sabin oversees programming strategy for Weigel's widely distributed...
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Minnesota's TV Legacy: Women, News & Cultural Power
Lifelong Minnesotan and veteran podcaster Cynthia Bemis Abrams reflects on Minnesota's outsized influence on American television, journalism, and culture in this timely solo episode of Advanced TV Herstory. Prompted by recent federal immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis beginning in...
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Cable TV Profiles Regina Jones, Iconic "Soul" Founder
TV herstorian Cynthia Bemis Abrams spotlights Regina Jones, a pioneering media entrepreneur who made history as the first Black woman to publish nationally with a focus on soul music. In this episode, Cynthia is joined by Alissa Shapiro, executive producer of Who in the Hell is Regina Jones?, a...
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The Donna Reed Show: Feminism, Legacy & Innovation
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams welcomes Mary Owen, daughter of Golden Age film and TV icon Donna Reed, to explore how The Donna Reed Show (1958–1966) pushed boundaries, challenged norms, and influenced portrayals of motherhood and feminism in sitcoms. Reed's character, Donna Stone, was the first TV…
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Dr. Quinn Creator Beth Sullivan on Feminist Storytelling
Award-winning showrunner Beth Sullivan joins host Cynthia Bemis Abrams for a deep dive into the creation and legacy of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman and The Trials of Rosie O'Neill. Sullivan, a UCLA graduate and screenwriting professor, shares how she built empowering female characters, assembled...
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Postcards From LA: A TV Feminist's Hollywood Tour
TV herstorian Cynthia Bemis Abrams reports back from a star-studded week in Los Angeles, where she met creators, paid tribute to icons, and reflected on the past, present, and future of women in Hollywood. In this personal recap, Cynthia shares highlights from her California adventure, including:...
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Hunter, Fame and Feminism with Stepfanie Kramer
Cynthia Bemis Abrams sits down with actor and singer Stepfanie Kramer at the Paley Center for Media to revisit her trailblazing role as Sgt. Dee Dee McCall on Hunter (1984–1991). Together, they unpack: The cultural legacy of Hunter and its Reagan-era action show peers; Kramer's reflections on…
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How TV Taught Us About Sexual Harassment
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams connects the dots between TV, feminism, and workplace protections in this powerful episode inspired by her law review article, co-authored with legal scholar Mary Trevor. Their work explores how decades of television shaped public understanding of sexual harassment,...
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11 Years of Podcasting: Elsie Escobar on Growth & Grit
Celebrate 11 years of Advanced TV Herstory with host Cynthia Bemis Abrams and special guest Elsie Escobar, Podcast Hall of Famer and co-founder of She Podcasts. This milestone conversation dives into the evolution of independent podcasting, technological innovations, and the power of diverse…
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Georgia Jeffries: Writing TV, Fiction & Feminist Stories
Award-winning writer and professor Georgia Jeffries joins Cynthia Bemis Abrams to reflect on her pioneering work in television and screenwriting. From her early magazine articles to Emmy-winning work on Cagney & Lacey, China Beach and Sisters, Jeffries reveals how she broke into Hollywood's...
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Murder She Wrote, Lansbury & the Power of Cozy Mysteries
Why do cozy mysteries still dominate the mystery genre, decades after their prime? Cynthia Bemis Abrams welcomes Prof. Bridget Kies of Oakland University for an insightful conversation exploring the fan favorite series Murder, She Wrote (1984–1996) and the enduring appeal of the cozy crime…
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TV's Funniest Women: Past, Present & Future
From Lucille Ball to Tina Fey, from Joan Rivers to Margaret Cho, women have been rewriting the rules of comedy for decades, and they're not done yet. Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams is joined by Lynn Harris, founder of Gold Comedy, to explore the legacy and future of funny women on TV. Together, they...
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The Epic Career of Connie Chung: Representation & Resilience
Cynthia says,"There's no better definition of representation than the career of Connie Chung." Look no further than TV news anchor Connie Chung's groundbreaking career for the textbook definition of representation. Advanced TV Herstory host Cynthia Bemis Abrams explores Chung's impact as a...
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TV Cooking Show Pioneer Julia Child feat. Julie Cohen
Cynthia Bemis Abrams sits down with Oscar-nominated documentary director Julie Cohen to explore her career in network TV journalism and filmmaking. The conversation covers Cohen's path to power as a storyteller, highlighting her work on films about Pauli Murray, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Julia...
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Original Media Influencer: Eleanor Roosevelt
In this episode of Advanced TV Herstory, host Cynthia Bemis Abrams is joined by author Angela Beauchamp to explore how Eleanor Roosevelt, a trailblazing communicator, shaped early public affairs programming. They discuss Roosevelt's prolific media presence, from her "My Day" newspaper column and...
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SNL's Gilda Radner: A Life Celebrated in Film
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams and filmmaker Lisa D'Apolito pick up the conversation about documentaries, this time about Gilda Radner and the 2018 film, Love, Gilda. In fall 2024, Lisa was a guest along with Mallory Lewis to discuss the documentary, Shari and Lamb Chop. Cynthia and Lisa explore…
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A Trip to NYC's Paley Center: Revisiting Battle of the Sexes
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams takes you to The Paley Center for Media in New York City, exploring its role in preserving television history and hosting key industry events like PaleyFest. Cynthia dives into The Paley Archive during her visit, recounting her observations while watching the iconic 1973...
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Comfort TV: Finding Joy with Karly Beaumont
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams speaks with Karly Beaumont, creator of Core Temp Arts and contributor to TV Movie Mistress, about the comforting power of television. As a Dominican native and lifelong creative, Karly shares her journey as a podcaster and media critic, offering insights into how shows...
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Shari Lewis' Reinventions: A Documentary on Legacy and Talent
In this episode of Advanced TV Herstory, host Cynthia Bemis Abrams discusses the compelling documentary Shari and Lambchop with Mallory Lewis and director Lisa D’Apolito (Love, Gilda). The film chronicles Shari Lewis' life and her constant reinvention across a variety of roles—TV show host,...
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June and Pepper: Early 70s LGBTQ+ Allyship
In the last 10-20 years, attitudes toward LGBTQ+ people in America have shifted due to more positive visibility and evolving cultural norms. Cynthia takes a look at two moments from 1970s television that revealed glimpses of LGBTQ+ allyship—a talk show moment and a 1974 episode of Police Woman.…
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Reliving 80s TV, feat. 80s TV Ladies
"One look comparing TV from the early part of the 80s to the latter years reveals A LOT of change - technology, sophistication and subject matter most immediately come to mind," Cynthia observes. Advanced TV Herstory host Cynthia Bemis Abrams loves to talk TV. "I really enjoy every exchange with...
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Year 9: A Look Back and Ahead
Welcome to this anniversary episode of Advanced TV Herstory which is our annual chance to reflect on past highlights and share vision. Join Cynthia Bemis Abrams as she reflects on a decade of podcasting, noting the journey, and growth that led the mission of connecting the dots between feminism,...
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Talk Show First, Della Reese
Before Oprah. Before Arsenio. There was Della. Singer, talk show host, actor, minister, and cultural icon Della Reese shattered barriers across media genres — and made history as the first Black woman to host her own syndicated talk show in 1969. In this heartfelt episode, host Cynthia Bemis…
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Women Who Raise Us - A Tribute From Victoria Rowell
In this special Mother's Day episode of Advanced TV Herstory, host Cynthia Bemis Abrams explores the profound impact of women who shape our lives, with inspiration from Victoria Rowell's compelling memoir, The Women Who Raised Me. Rowell, a two-time Emmy nominee and 11-time NAACP Image Award...
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Talking Sci-Fi with a Scientist: Dr. Sherry Ginn
In this engaging episode, we sit down with Dr. Sherry Ginn, the current president of the Pop Culture Association (PCA) and a renowned scholar in pop culture and science fiction. Recorded live at the PCA National Conference in Chicago, the discussion covers a range of topics, including: the...
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TV Talk Show Moment: Vivien Leigh as Herself
Advanced TV Herstory host Cynthia Bemis Abrams delves into a captivating 1958 episode of Edward R. Murrow’s Small World, featuring Vivien Leigh, Samuel Goldwyn, and Kenneth Tynan. As we explore this rare television appearance, we uncover the dynamics of a conversation that challenges cultural…
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Intimacy Coordinating feat. Daytime's Yvonne Perry
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams welcomes Yvonne Perry to Advanced TV Herstory. Yvonne is an award-winning actor, drama teacher, director, and intimacy coordinator. In addition to her work in film and prime-time television, she originated the role of Rosanna Cabot on As the World Turns. Yvonne's...
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Parade of Accomplished Women 2023 - Part II
In this episode of Advanced TV Herstory, we celebrate the "Parade of Accomplished Women" by highlighting notable contributions of women in television, both in front of and behind the camera. Co-hosts Cynthia Bemis Abrams and Ashley Pacini delve into the legacies of women who have portrayed...
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Parade of Accomplished Women 2023 - Part I
In this episode of Advanced TV Herstory, we celebrate the "Parade of Accomplished Women" by highlighting notable contributions of women in television, both in front of and behind the camera. Co-hosts Cynthia Bemis Abrams and Ashley Pacini delve into the legacies of women who have portrayed...
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TV Talk Shows: Hellman v. McCarthy
Advanced TV Herstory's special series on TV Talk Shows examines one interview that became the focus of multi-year, high profile litigation. Big talk show moments, especially the controversial ones, provide snapshots that we can use to examine our politics and culture at a singular point in time....
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Annie Potts on Heart Channels And Helping Others
We know her as Meemaw, Mary Jo Shively, Emmie Sims, and the voice of Bo Peep. But Annie Potts is hooked on helping others, and she's here to tell us about that part of her life. In doing so, she inspires us with her commitment and challenges us to "turn the car around," an important phrase in a...
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TV Talk Shows: The First in a Series
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams proudly unveils a new limited series, TV Talk Shows, part of the Advanced TV Herstory podcast. In this first episode, Cynthia delves into a study that reveals women are more prominently featured in unscripted television shows than in scripted ones—another example of the...
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Pioneer Women Writers of TV with Annie Berke, PhD
Advanced TV Herstory, host Cynthia Bemis Abrams explores the groundbreaking contributions of women writers in the early days of television with special guest Annie Berke, PhD. As the author of Their Own Best Creations: Women Writers in Postwar Television, Dr. Berke explains the pivotal roles…
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WGA, MTM and Hollywood Stories with Victoria Riskin
Hollywood legacy meets union leadership in this revealing conversation with Victoria Riskin. A second-generation screenwriter and former President of the Writers Guild of America West, Riskin brings stories from inside the industry's golden era—and the picket lines of today. Advanced TV Herstory...
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Women Leaders of WGA and SAG-AFTRA
In this union-themed episode of Advanced TV Herstory, host Cynthia Bemis Abrams delves into the rich history and ongoing struggles of entertainment unions, particularly focusing on the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild—American Federation of Television and Radio Artists...
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Year 8: TV Herstory Prepares Us for Progress
From host Cynthia Bemis Abrams: A lot has happened politically and culturally since Advanced TV Herstory launched eight years ago. In this anniversary episode, I celebrate a number of wins while also reflecting on the importance of learning from history to avoid repeating past mistakes. For...
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Those Jefferson Women with Special Guest Elva Green (Pt. 2)
In the second of our two-part episode, host Cynthia Bemis Abrams continues talking with Elva Green about her book, The Jeffersons: A Fresh Look Back. Green offers insights, interviews, behind-the-scenes stories, and rare photos from the iconic TV series that was a spin-off of All in the Family....
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Those Jefferson Women with Special Guest Elva Green (Pt 1)
In this first of a two-part episode of Advanced TV Herstory, host Cynthia Bemis Abrams welcomes Elva Green to discuss her book, The Jeffersons: A Fresh Look Back. Ms. Green shares her personal journey as a writer and the impetus for the book, which offers insights, interviews, behind-the-scenes...
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1982 Barmaids, Carla and Diane
In this episode of Advanced TV Herstory, host Cynthia Bemis Abrams takes a critical look at the groundbreaking sitcom Cheers, focusing on the iconic female characters, Carla Tortelli and Diane Chambers. Cynthia examines the complexities of these characters, portrayed by Rhea Perlman and Shelley...
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A Look at TV Sitcom Very Special Episodes Featuring Author/Historian Lee Gambin - Part 1
This is part one of a two-part conversation with author and TV/film historian, Lee Gambin. His double-volume work, Tonight, On a Very Special Episode: When TV Sitcoms Sometimes Got Serious, provides a launch pad for our thoughtful and fast-paced discussion of the issues and activists behind TV's...
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A Look at TV Sitcom Very Special Episodes Featuring Author/Historian Lee Gambin - Part 2
I am very excited to share the first of a two-part conversation with author and TV/film historian, Lee Gambin. His double-volume work, Tonight, On a Very Special Episode: When TV Sitcoms Sometimes Got Serious, provides a launch pad for our thoughtful and fast-paced discussion of the issues and...
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Can ChatGPT Find the Essential Story in Oprah's "The Women of Brewster Place"?
In 1989, Oprah Winfrey produced and starred in the two-part TV miniseries, The Women of Brewster Place, which was based on Gloria Naylor's award-winning debut novel. The book, and the movie, explore a variety of personal issues and social themes faced by seven Black women who live in an urban...
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Jackie O, Michelle O, and a Backstairs Diary
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...
About this show
Connect the dots of TV and feminism to American culture and politics with host Cynthia Bemis Abrams. Interviews with top names - in front of and behind the scenes - offer insights into TV that has shaped American culture and influenced the world. Check out episodes with actors Annie Potts, Margaret Cho, Stepfanie Kramer of Hunter, Kim Fields of Facts of Life and Living Single, and daytime's Cady McClain. Television veteran writers Georgia Jeffries, Victoria Riskin and April Smith are featured in episodes that explain storytelling as a writing craft. These discussions will forever change how you watch TV.Explore issues of race through interviews with academics Robin Means-Coleman and Charlene Regester, and influencer Karly Beaumont. Ever since the #MeToo Movement of 2017-18, Cynthia has highlighted key episodes and events surrounding sexual harassment - fictional and real life. With listeners around the world, Cynthia celebrates the progress of representation in media and captures th
Hosted by
Cynthia Bemis Abrams, Feminist TV Documentarian