Advanced TV Herstory

Join host Cynthia Bemis Abrams as she launches 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 industry’s inclination to front women in projects that are less expensive to produce. She also touches on the recent strikes by SAG-AFTRA and the WGA, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and representation in scripted television.

Cynthia then outlines the focus of the TV Talk Shows series, which will explore the historical context, memorable moments, and surprising controversies surrounding unscripted hosts and guests. The episode concludes by acknowledging the pioneering achievements of Della Reese as the first black woman to fill in for Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show and Betty White's stance against the broadcast network executives who were reluctant to feature performers of color on her 1950s talk and variety show.

RESOURCES

Foundation Interviews - Della Reese on Guest Hosting “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” - https://youtu.be/M8hfse64sFU?si=8cIu3DrRN2AIdiBL

The Television Academy Foundation – Della Reese - https://interviews.televisionacademy.com/interviews/della-reese

“He Stays”: Betty White refused to remove Black dancer from her show in 1954 - https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2022/01/01/betty-white-black-dancer-arthur-duncan/9067252002/

Retro Televisions – The Betty White Show (11-29-54) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7k23zM-eLoI

CBS Los Angeles KCAL - https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/women-more-represented-on-reality-tv-than-scripted-shows-sdsu-report-finds/

CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY

ATVH Newsletter - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/

Website - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/

Podcast Archive - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/advanced-tv-herstory

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/tvherstory

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Media.Cynthia

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@advancedtvherstory/featured

PRODUCTION

Podcast Editing - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariloumarosz/

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

Podcast Episode Description 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. Podcast Episode Plot Summary Part two of this series delves deeper into the cultural, social, and personal impact of Diana Ross’ 1983 Central Park concert. Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams and Shayla Lawson discuss how Ross’ bold performance during a storm demonstrated unparalleled leadership and left a mark on viewers worldwide. Shayla shares her thoughts on how the event resonated with her own experiences as a Black woman, connecting the concert’s legacy to broader themes of representation and resilience. With references to Showtime’s involvement and the challenges Ross faced, this episode offers an insightful look into the lasting power of this historic performance. Episode Life Lessons

• Resilience transforms obstacles into opportunities: Diana Ross’ rain-soaked concert is a testament to grace under pressure.
• Leadership in action: Ross’ ability to maintain control of a challenging situation is an inspiring example for all generations.
• The importance of representation: This concert continues to symbolize the power of visibility and authenticity for women of color in media and music.

Episode Resources

• Related Episodes: Diana Ross’ 1983 Central Park Concert (1.18) Revisiting Diana Ross’ Central Park Concert with Shayla Lawson (Part 1) (7.3)

Lawson delivers a candid description of the herstoric concert's impact and what Diana Ross and her authenticity mean to women of color in her 2020 book, This Is Major: Notes on Diana Ross, Dark Girls, and Being Dope.

A lot has happened politically and culturally since this podcast 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 example, Lee Grant, an Oscar and Emmy-winning actress, overcame being blacklisted during the anti-Communist era. Her resilience and courage in speaking out against injustice serve as a lesson for today.

I also highlight the work of The Geena Davis Institute on Gender and Media, which has expanded its focus to champion inclusion of the six major identities of gender, race/ethnicity, LGBTQIA+, disability, age 50+, and body type in media and entertainment.

In addition to looking back on some of Advanced TV Herstory’s episodes from the past year, I celebrate ATVH’s inclusion in IMDb and the anticipation of reaching a new audience.

Because ATVH is not beholden to sponsors, I can proudly say that I provide an unfiltered view of both historical and current obstacles to full representation and valuation. Many of these obstacles are at the center of the ongoing strike by the Writers Guild and the use of artificial intelligence.

With a commitment to recognizing the importance of representation and critical thinking in the face of rapidly changing media landscapes, I thank you for your support of this podcast over the last eight years and I look forward to uncovering and sharing more untold stories of women in the year to come.

This is why I podcast.

MENTIONS AND REFERENCES

I Said Yes to Everything by Lee Grant - https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/18693908

Intimate Portrait - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0896232/

CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA BEMIS ABRAMS and ATVH

ATVH Newsletter - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/

Website - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/

Podcast Archive - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/advanced-tv-herstory

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/tvherstory

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Media.Cynthia

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@advancedtvherstory/featured

PRODUCTION

Podcast Editing - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariloumarosz/

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

Podcast Episode Description How did cable TV transform into a powerhouse for original programming and reruns that shaped narratives about and for women? In this episode of Advanced TV Herstory, host Cynthia Bemis Abrams is joined by scholar, author, and podcaster Dr. Amanda Lotz to unpack the financial and cultural shifts that revolutionized women’s television. From Lifetime and Bravo to HBO and TV Land, Cynthia and Amanda explore the channels and series that championed female-driven stories. Learn how mergers, syndication, and legal battles like the Fox v. Bones case influenced the creation of shows like Sex and the City, Hot in Cleveland, Girlfriends, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Dive into the financial incentives behind cable’s evolution and its role in amplifying women’s voices on screen. Podcast Episode Plot Summary Cable TV revolutionized women’s television by providing a platform for original series, syndicated reruns, and premium programming tailored to female audiences. In this episode, Cynthia Bemis Abrams and Dr. Amanda Lotz examine the business strategies, channel milestones, and cultural shifts that made this possible. From the rise of Lifetime and Bravo to HBO’s Sex and the City, they delve into how cable networks created spaces for women’s stories. They also address the broader impact of syndication, legal battles over residuals, and mergers that concentrated media power. This episode provides an insightful look at the interplay between business, culture, and representation in women’s television. Episode Life Lessons

• Media consolidation impacts creative storytelling: The mergers that shaped cable TV concentrated power but also created new opportunities for female-driven content.
• Legal battles like Fox v. Bones highlight the importance of fair contracts and representation in media.
• Cable TV empowered women’s stories by dedicating platforms to female-focused narratives, showing the influence of intentional programming.

Episode Resources

• Related Episodes: Eating Disorder Movies: TV For and About Women (5.8) Series, Movies & Channels: TV For and About Women (5.7) Cable Audiences and Evolution: TV For and About Women (5.6)
• Guest’s Book: The Television Will Be Revolutionized by Amanda Lotz
• YouTube Version: Watch the episode on YouTube here.

OUT in 2024 - "In Memoriam"

IN - Parade of Accomplished Women

This is the first of our two-part celebration of some of the talented, influential females we lost in 2023.

Guest co-host Ashley Pacini of The Reel Women joins host Cynthia Bemis Abrams for this discussion. The Reel Women interviews and profiles women in the industry to increase visibility and opportunity for the next generation of women who want to work in television, film, and media.

Cynthia and Ashley pay respects to the creatives who played pivotal roles in front of, and behind, the cameras. In addition to well-known names, they honor women who hustled for years as largely unheralded day players, others who stepped up to provide representation of the unseen, and several who risked their careers to speak truth to power.

While we can’t feature all the remarkable women who died in 2023, we believe it’s important to highlight the contributions and careers that might otherwise go unnoticed so that they are not lost to history.

Thank you for listening and be sure to tune in to the second half of Parade of Accomplished Women 2023.

THE REEL WOMEN

Ashley Pacini on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleypacini/

Website - https://thereelwomen.com/

Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thereelwomen

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thereelwomen/?hl=en

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thereelwomen/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thereelwomen

AUDIO CLIPS and REFERENCES

Sinead O’Connor - https://youtu.be/8LcmJErI8IQ

Inga Swenson - https://youtu.be/-4hjBu23hws

Cindy Williams - https://youtu.be/d-PlT-sHRTE

Behind the Velvet Rope Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/@behindthevelvetrope

CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY

ATVH Newsletter – tvherstory.com

Website - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/

Podcast Archive - tvherstory.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory/

X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/tvherstory

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Media.Cynthia

Bluesky Social - @cynthiabemisabrams.bsky.social