Wed, Jun 24, 2015
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams revisits The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries on Sunday nights that aired 1977-79. She shares the background of the woman writer of teen fiction in the 1930s, the stringent standards placed on the girl detective character and Warner Brothers studio's attempt to put Nancy Drew on the silver screen. Cynthia ices the under-produced feminist vehicle by detailing how Pamela Sue Martin bolted for Playboy and wound up as a Dynasty Carrington.
Tue, Jun 30, 2015
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams creates expectation and backstory for developing the podcast, including its initial mission and focus from Summer 2015. Five generations of American women have been depicted in TV and each generation of women have been influenced by impressions of other women they've seen on TV.
Mon, Jul 6, 2015
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams takes a hard, feminist look at the Aaron Sorkin sitcom, "Sports Night." While time capsule show during cable news' heyday and the early days of the an accessible internet, Cynthia examines the primary women characters of Dana and Natalie. Dana, played by Felicity Huffman, is a strong woman leader. Robert Guillaume, playing Isaac, the only main character of color, provides mentoring leadership and lessons in journalistic integrity to Dana. In turn, Dana fills a similar role for Natalie. Cynthia reviews some of the serious issues covered in comedy that give the series "classic" status.
Mon, Jul 27, 2015
Long a Betty White fan, host Cynthia Bemis Abrams reviews the career and actions of the accomplished comedian and actor, Betty White. Working from Betty's own memoirs, Cynthia recounts how Betty was bitten by the acting bug and her early roles. Highlighting "Life With Elizabeth," one of the earliest titled female in a comedy (1953-55), Cynthia observes the early hits of the eventual SueAnn Nivens.
Sat, Aug 8, 2015
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams recounts the heyday of feminism, when tennis ace Billie Jean King accepted the challenge to play Bobbie Riggs in a prime time match. The backstory of King agreeing to the offer is fascinating and reveals the risk King took on behalf of feminism and the progress of Title IX, women's rights and the campaign to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment.
Wed, Aug 12, 2015
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams celebrates the classic coming-of-age drama "My So-Called Life" and its primary writer, Winnie Holzman. It's a drama that revolves around mothers and daughters. While much of the short-lived series' stories revolve around timeless teenage angst, there's an embedded perspective of Holzman, as female storyteller. Cynthia explores the mother-daughter relationships of the mid-90s, early days of the internet's arrival into households, but before social media and phones changed family life.
Mon, Aug 10, 2015
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams celebrates the early career and influence of Debbie Allen, the accomplished actor, choreographer, business-owner, director, producer and writer. Cynthia highlights her early influences (her mom) and path to Howard University. From Lydia Grant of "Fame" (both the film and TV series) and ultimately guiding "A Different World," Cynthia details Allen's early career TV legacy.
Wed, Aug 26, 2015
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams frames the appearance of the prime time serial drama genre of the 1970s, which began with Dallas and included Falcon Crest. Cynthia observes the role of audience bait (representation!) via the casting of acclaimed film actresses Barbara Bel Geddes and Jane Wyman. For TV, these women filled roles considered rare, older woman with quiet power vs. older woman with vocal, aggressive agency. Either way, it was long overdue representation of older woman.
Fri, Sep 11, 2015
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams provides the long overdue look at the primary women characters of Emmy award-winning series "Hill Street Blues." Characters Lucy Bates (uniformed police officer) played by Betty Thomas and Joyce Davenport (confident public defender) provided moral and ethical voice in arcs and story lines that were otherwise the precursor to police procedural dramas. Cynthia notes the two women characters were rarely in same scene and never garnered many lines or airtime each week, yet influenced women to pursue careers in law enforcement and the law.
Tue, Sep 15, 2015
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams finds influence and representation throughout the depths of television, including the animated series, The Power Puff Girls which aired in the early 2000s. Cynthia celebrates the three main girl characters Bubbles, Blossom and Buttercup , their traits and voice talent behind them. She goes on to provide the backstory of creator Craig McCracken and the controversy which the series generated among feminists and elementary school principals.
Tue, Sep 22, 2015
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams considers the backstory of the creation of Cagney and Lacey to be essential feminist knowledge. She celebrates the creative process and patience that delivered the first ever women's Buddy/Cop show. Cynthia explains the roles of Barney Rosenzweig, Barbara Avedon and Barbara Corday and how they nearly didn't break through a television glass ceiling and change television.
Sun, Oct 25, 2015
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams resumes her review of TNT's original series, "The Closer." The continued leadership growth of Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson creates a rare long look of a police procedural female character. The character's challenges from Capt. Sharon Raydor, getting married challenges, alcoholism, ambition, succession and burnout are depicted with realism and grit.
Fri, Nov 6, 2015
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 an ever-changing time slot. Cancellations and resurrection are important life lessons.
Thu, Nov 12, 2015
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams welcomes author Jennifer Keishin Armstrong to discuss the women behind the scenes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Jennifer tells of her experience having the creative women agree to be interviewed for her book, and together, they recall the Rhoda look and the infamous Chuckles the Clown funeral.
Wed, Nov 18, 2015
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams continues her conversation with author Jennifer Keishin Armstrong about her book "Mary and Lou and Rhoda and Ted: And All the Brilliant Minds who Made The Mary Tyler Moore Show A Classic." They discuss the contributions and stories of writers Susan Silver, Jenna McMahon, Gail Parent, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Monica McGowan Johnson, Gloria Banta and Pat Nardo. Jennifer shares insights into the Mary-Rho banter, Mary and Rhoda's "looks," the spin off series "Rhoda" and the impact of having a woman cast the show.
Mon, Nov 23, 2015
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams is joined by author Jennifer Keishin Armstrong to talk about what she learned researching her book "Mary and Lou and Rhoda and Ted: And All the Brilliant Minds Who Made The Mary Tyler Moore Show a Classic." Jennifer shares insights into the key role of Treva Silverman who helped develop all the characters.
Wed, Dec 2, 2015
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams puts on her leadership professor cap to wax enthusiastically about the 90 minute of video of one of the most significant concerts of the 20th century. In the early 80s, budding paid-cable channel Showtime courted new subscribers with novel streaming opportunities like Diana Ross in concert in Central Park. Cynthia breaks down Ross' on-stage leadership during a torrential rain storm and how she handled the crowd, their exit from the park and her promise to return the next day. Cynthia asks, where were the lawyers?
Wed, Oct 21, 2015
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.