TV Cooking Show Pioneer Julia Child feat. Julie Cohen

03/06/25 • 46 min

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 Child. Cohen shares insights into her acclaimed projects, including:

RBG (2018), the documentary about Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, which gained widespread recognition.
My Name is Pauli Murray (2021), the film on the groundbreaking but lesser-known civil rights activist and attorney.
Every Body (2023), a documentary about the intersex rights movement and personal narratives.

The episode also highlights Julia Child’s pioneering influence on television and women’s roles in professional kitchens. Cohen discusses Child’s legacy as a feminist figure and the impact of her political activism, particularly regarding reproductive rights and HIV/AIDS awareness. Julie Cohen actively promotes her latest documentary, The Path Forward (2024). The Power of Storytelling in Documentaries

Why she chose to spotlight Pauli Murray, RBG, and Julia Child
Challenges in structuring historical narratives into compelling film stories
Overcoming obstacles in starting and funding documentary projects

Julia Child’s Television Legacy

How Julia Child revolutionized TV cooking shows
The impact of her work on modern food media figures like Martha Stewart, Ina Garten, and Rachael Ray
Her hidden activism and why her political legacy is often overlooked
The feminist undertones in Child’s career and influence on women in professional kitchens

Behind the Scenes of Every Body (2023)

How Cohen approached the intersex rights movement in her documentary
Personal stories shared in the film and their broader significance

Julie Cohen's Films:

Julia (2021): https://imagine-entertainment.com/documentary/julia/
The Path Forward (2024): https://deadline.com/video/the-path-forward-trailer-julie-cohen-mo-husseini-documentary/
My Name is Pauli Murray (2021): https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/sep/15/my-name-is-pauli-murray-review-the-legacy-of-a-fearless-campaigner
RBG (2018): https://www.magpictures.com/rbg/
Every Body (2023): https://www.focusfeatures.com/every-body

To book a screening of A Path Forward : https://grasshopperfilm.com/(grasshopperfilm.com) . By Spring 2025, it will be available on paid streaming channels, including Apple+.

RBG (2018), the documentary about Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, which gained widespread recognition.
My Name is Pauli Murray (2021), the film on the groundbreaking but lesser-known civil rights activist and attorney.
Every Body (2023), a documentary about the intersex rights movement and personal narratives.

Why she chose to spotlight Pauli Murray, RBG, and Julia Child
Challenges in structuring historical narratives into compelling film stories
Overcoming obstacles in starting and funding documentary projects

Julia Child’s Television Legacy

How Julia Child revolutionized TV cooking shows
The impact of her work on modern food media figures like Martha Stewart, Ina Garten, and Rachael Ray
Her hidden activism and why her political legacy is often overlooked
The feminist undertones in Child’s career and influence on women in professional kitchens

Behind the Scenes of Every Body (2023)

How Cohen approached the intersex rights movement in her documentary
Personal stories shared in the film and their broader significance

Julie Cohen's Films:

Julia (2021): https://imagine-entertainment.com/documentary/julia/
The Path Forward (2024): https://deadline.com/video/the-path-forward-trailer-julie-cohen-mo-husseini-documentary/
My Name is Pauli Murray (2021): https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/sep/15/my-name-is-pauli-murray-review-the-legacy-of-a-fearless-campaigner
RBG (2018): https://www.magpictures.com/rbg/
Every Body (2023): https://www.focusfeatures.com/every-body

To book a screening of A Path Forward : https://grasshopperfilm.com/(grasshopperfilm.com) . By Spring 2025, it will be available on paid streaming channels, including Apple+.

Previous Episode

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 radio broadcasts to her groundbreaking television appearances. The conversation highlights how Roosevelt’s political influence extended beyond her time as First Lady, using media to engage the public and advocate for change. Angela Beauchamp shares insights from her book Eleanor Roosevelt on Screen: The First Lady's Appearances in Film and Television, 1932-1962, detailing the evolution of Roosevelt’s on-screen presence and her pioneering role as a media influencer. Podcast Episode Plot Summary Eleanor Roosevelt’s impact on early television was groundbreaking. Stemming from Roosevelt's popular writings and radio presence, she redefined how public figures connected with audiences. Cynthia and Angela discuss Roosevelt’s pioneering of television public affairs programming as host of shows with major guests, and remaining a worldwide cultural icon following World War II . Key topics include:

Roosevelt’s transition from radio to television and the significance of her “My Day” column
Television appearances on Meet the Press, Prospects of Mankind, and Today with Mrs. Roosevelt
Her candid views on political figures like JFK and Richard Nixon and how those views influenced public discourse
Behind-the-scenes details from her 1950s public affairs shows, from set designs to guest curation

This episode celebrates Roosevelt's contributions to television and her legacy as a woman who reshaped political and cultural dialogue through media. Episode Life Lessons:

Leadership through visibility: Eleanor Roosevelt used media as a tool for public service and advocacy.
Persistence breaks barriers: Roosevelt’s transition from radio to television set a standard for women in public discourse.
Cultural legacy matters: Media coverage can preserve and extend a public figure’s influence across generations.

Episode Resources Referenced Shows and Networks:

Meet the Press
Prospects of Mankind (1959–1962)
Mrs. Roosevelt Meets the Public (1950–1951)
Today with Mrs. Roosevelt (1950)

Related Episodes:

FLOTUS on TV: Roosevelt & Ford (1.25) https://traffic.libsyn.com/advancedtvherstory/FLOTUSes_on_TV_-_Roosevelt_Ford.mp3

Resources:

Media History Project https://mediahistoryproject.org/
Eleanor Roosevelt on Screen: The First Lady's Appearances in Film and Television, 1932–1962 by Angela Beauchamp

https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/eleanor-roosevelt-on-screen/

Pastor Hall https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pastor_Hall
Blanche Wiesen Cook (ER biographer) https://blanchewcook.com/
Eleanor Roosevelt Paper's Project at George Washington University https://erpapers.columbian.gwu.edu/

Next Episode

The Epic Career of Connie Chung: Representation & Resilience

Look no further than TV news anchor Connie Chung’s groundbreaking career for the textbook definition of representation. Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams explores Chung’s impact as a trailblazing Chinese-American journalist through the lens of her 2024 memoir, Connie, A Memoir. This episode revisits Chung’s rise through national television journalism, her lasting legacy, and her influence on American culture—including the surprise moment during her 2024 appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, where young women named Connie honored her inspiration. Cynthia also reflects on Chung’s open letter in The Washington Post, written in support of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford during the Kavanaugh hearings, and how Chung’s career helped define resilience in the face of systemic barriers. Episode Quote: “There’s no better definition of representation than the career of Connie Chung.” Resources or Mentions: Top of the Morning: Inside the Cutthroat World of Morning TV (2014) by Brian Stelter Connie: A Memoir https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/connie-chung/connie/9781668639528/ Past Advanced TV Herstory eps about Connie Chung The Women Who Reported Watergate https://advancedtvherstory.libsyn.com/women-who-reported-watergate On-Air Power of Curry & Pauley https://advancedtvherstory.libsyn.com/on-air-power-of-curry-pauley T he Kelly Clarkson Show Nov. 2024 https://youtu.be/9j97G7bXwCw?si=oTiCc-sXcauJUkpi Chung's open letter in The Washington Post as reported in Time Magazine https://time.com/5414736/connie-chung-letter/