Advanced TV Herstory

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, magician, dancer, singer, actress, author, and even symphony conductor. Featuring archival footage and interviews, this documentary uncovers the multifaceted talent of Shari Lewis, including her work as a feminist, philosopher, and visionary in children’s television. Sesame Street’s Megan Piphus Peace provides a generational perspective on Shari Lewis’ enduring influence and creative genius. RELEVANT EPISODES Kids' TV Pioneers Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop featuring Mallory Lewis https://advancedtvherstory.libsyn.com/kids-tv-pioneers-shari-lewis-and-lambchop-featuring-mallory-lewis Shari Lewis & Lamb Chop's Impact on Kids TV https://advancedtvherstory.libsyn.com/shari-lewis-lamb-chops-impact-on-kids-tv THE DOCUMENTARY Website - https://www.shariandlambchopdoc.com/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/shariandlambchopfilm/ MALLORY, LAMB CHOP & LISA Mallory Lewis and Lamb Chop - https://mallorylewisandlambchop.com/ Lamb Chop on TikTok - @yourfavlambchop Lisa D’Apolito IMDB - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0200854/ Lisa’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-d-apolito-2a161920/ MENTIONS David Copperfield - https://www.davidcopperfield.com/html/ Megan Piphus Peace - https://www.meganpiphus.com/ Darci Lynne Farmer - https://www.darcilynne.com/ Center for Puppetry Arts - https://puppet.org/ CYNTHIA BEMIS ABRAMS AND ATVH ATVH Newsletter – tvherstory.com Website - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/  Podcast Archive - tvherstory.com Email - advancedtvherstory@gmail.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@advancedtvherstory X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/tvherstory Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Media.Cynthia Bluesky Social - https://bsky.app/profile/cynthiabemisabrams.bsky.social PRODUCTION Video - Nivia Lopez - https://nivialopez.com/ Audio - Marilou Marosz - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariloumarosz/ Music - https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/  

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. In 1970, June Lockhart appeared on The Virginia Graham Show and stopped the hostess in her tracks, pushing back on stereotypes and tropes common for the time. And the story of how a 54-year-old clip is available for viewing is its own testament to advocacy. LGBTQ+ scholar and media documentarian Steven Capsuto's book, Alternate Channels, helped Cynthia connect the June Lockhart dot to an episode of Police Woman.  Capsuto's book is an essential work for every media, gender, and social justice scholar. He traces television and even radio's early depiction of mostly gay characters and the absence of lesbians. His book also details the LGBTQ+ community's organization and support from straight allies that fought against distorted and ugly depictions of gay and lesbian characters in television and film for more than 75 years. The overall trend in American society has been toward greater understanding and support for LGBTQ+ people and this is, to a significant degree, the result of advocates and allies pushing for more positive and diverse characterizations in popular culture. Television largely ignored lesbians until the 1970s and even then, the characters were bitter, violent, and unstable. With just a few sentences, June Lockhart, in real life, and Angie Dickinson, as Sgt. Pepper Anderson, showed viewers the power of LGBTQ+ allyship.  STEVEN CAPSUTO Website - http://alternatechannels.net/ Alternate Channels, 20th Anniversary Revised Edition (2020) by Steven Capsuto http://alternatechannels.net/book/ MENTIONS June Lockhart, Virginia Graham, Angie Dickinson, Rev. Troy Perry, Art Metrano, Donna Mills, Lois Nettleton, Randy Wicker, Judy Garland, Meet Me in St. Louis, Lassie, Lost in Space, Petticoat Junction, General Hospital, Quincy M.E., Police Woman, The Bold Ones, Medical Center, Charlie’s Angels, Cagney & Lacey, The Kinsey Report, Stonewall, HIV/AIDS, Metropolitan Community Church CLIPS The Virginia Graham Show, with June Lockhart and Rev. Troy Perry (1970)  https://youtu.be/Xm2q-F6FdoY?si=35Z6kF8pN4rQotjd Police Woman, Flowers of Evil, S1E8 (1974) https://youtu.be/o6oBmnhsblA?si=U-_5nIvhYSQyLLPo CYNTHIA BEMIS ABRAMS AND ATVH ATVH Newsletter – tvherstory.com Website - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/  Podcast Archive - tvherstory.com Email - advancedtvherstory@gmail.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@advancedtvherstory X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/tvherstory Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Media.Cynthia Bluesky Social - https://bsky.app/profile/cynthiabemisabrams.bsky.social PRODUCTION Video - Nivia Lopez - https://nivialopez.com/ Audio - Marilou Marosz - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariloumarosz/ Music - https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/  

I love to talk TV and I really enjoy every exchange with Susan and Sharon, otherwise known as the 80s TV Ladies. When their podcast, 80s TV Ladies, launched, they invited me to be a guest. It was a blast and over the last two years, the two podcasts have furthered a shared exploration of how women have been represented on television and the impact that representation has had on society as a whole and females, of all ages, in particular. Like Advanced TV Herstory, their show features interviews and analyzes the work of women both in front of and behind the camera. Our podcasts aim to help listeners understand how our culture shapes the television shows we watch and, in turn, how those shows shape our culture. Listen in on this engaging and informative look behind the scenes as we discuss the motivations, joys, and challenges of creating podcasts that highlight the contributions of women in television. 80s TV LADIES   Contacts Website – 80s TV Ladies - https://www.80stvladies.com/  Website – 134 West - https://134west.biz/  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/80sTVLadies/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/80stvladies/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@80stvladies  Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/80sTVLadies   Awards 2024 Women in Podcasting, Nominee in Entertainment – VOTE at https://womeninpodcasting.net/80s-tv-ladies/     2024 Webby Award – Best Indie Podcast   2023 People’s Choice Podcast Awards - Best Art, Best TV & Film, Best Female Hosted    MENTIONS   Podcast Episodes 80s TV Ladies (24 May 2023) – Advanced TV Herstory w/ Cynthia Bemis Abrams, Part One - https://www.80stvladies.com/episode/episode-201-welcome-to-season-2-advanced-tv-herstory-w-cynthia-bemis-abram-part-1   80s TV Ladies (31 May 2023) – Advanced TV Herstory w/ Cynthia Bemis Abrams, Part Two - https://www.80stvladies.com/episode/episode-202-advanced-tv-herstory-aw-cynthia-bemis-abrams-part-two   Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus (11 Apr 2023) – Jane Fonda on Female Friendships - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jane-fonda-on-female-friendships/id1678559416?i=1000608248297   Shows Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Cagney and Lacey, China Beach, Designing Women, Extraordinary Attorney Woo, Grey’s Anatomy, Lou Grant, My So-Called Life, Murphy Brown, Remington Steele, and Scarecrow and Mrs. King    People Annie Potts, Barney Rosenzweig, Diane English, Eilish Zebrasky, Eugenie Ross-Leming, Geena Davis, Jean Smart, Juanita Bartlett, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, Melissa Roth, Neema Barnette, Sergio Perez, Sharon Gless, Shonda Rhimes, Stephanie Zimbalist, and Tyne Daly    Books  Backlash: The Undeclared War Against American Women by Susan Faludi - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backlash:_The_Undeclared_War_Against_American_Women    Lou Grant: The Making of TV’s Top Newspaper Drama by Douglass K. Daniel – https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/288376.Douglass_K_Daniel    CYNTHIA BEMIS ABRAMS AND ATVH ATVH Newsletter – tvherstory.com Website - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/  Podcast Archive - tvherstory.com Email - advancedtvherstory@gmail.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@advancedtvherstory X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/tvherstory Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Media.Cynthia Bluesky Social - https://bsky.app/profile/cynthiabemisabrams.bsky.social PRODUCTION Video - Nivia Lopez - https://nivialopez.com/ Audio - Marilou Marosz - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariloumarosz/ Music - https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/  

Welcome to our annual anniversary episode where I share thoughts on the podcast's evolution —improvements, opportunities, and what’s in store for the future. With this look back at the podcast highlights and TV moments that have taught us and inspired us, I also recommit to our mission:  Connecting the dots of feminism & TV and American politics & culture. Can you believe we’re heading into our 10th year?! When I started the podcast in 2015, I wasn’t sure where Advanced TV Herstory would go. But it's important to reflect on one's work, solicit and discuss feedback, and provide context for viewing the cultural mirror that defines American television. In today’s environment, simply put, this work feels more vital than ever. About that feedback. How are we doing? What can we do better? What topics are of particular interest to you? Please connect at any of the resources listed below. Better yet, subscribe to the Advanced TV Herstory newsletter for special content and a more personalized space to explore and exchange. Your information is NEVER shared and, like the podcast, our newsletter is completely ad free.  As always, thank you for listening and being part of the Advanced TV Herstory community. Cheers to another year! CYNTHIA BEMIS ABRAMS AND ATVH ATVH Newsletter – tvherstory.com Website - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/  Podcast Archive - tvherstory.com Email - advancedtvherstory@gmail.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@advancedtvherstory X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/tvherstory Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Media.Cynthia Bluesky Social - https://bsky.app/profile/cynthiabemisabrams.bsky.social PRODUCTION Video - Nivia Lopez - https://nivialopez.com/ Audio - Marilou Marosz - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariloumarosz/ Music - https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/  

Della Reese (1931-2017) was a singer, talk show host, actor, ordained minister, and much more. Her career, which spanned seven decades, was marked by faith, resilience, and her ability to break barriers in predominantly white and male-dominated industries.  In 1969, Ms. Reese made history as the first black woman to host her own talk show. Almost more variety show than talk show, every episode offered an entertaining mix of sketch comedy, music, and interviews.  Before her own talk show, Ms. Reese established herself as a prominent television personality by appearing and performing on shows led by Merv Griffin, Ed Sullivan, Phil Donahue, and Johnny Carson. In fact, she was chosen as the first black woman to sub for Johnny Carson as host of the Tonight Show. But aside from her earlier accomplishments, Ms. Reese is perhaps best known to today’s audiences for her popular television series, “Touched by an Angel,” where she appeared with Roma Downey, John Dye, Valerie Bertinelli, and a guest cast that featured many of the biggest names in television and film. In her 1997 memoir, “Angels Along the Way: My Life with Help from Above,” Ms. Reese reflects on the challenges she faced and overcame throughout her life, including racism and financial exploitation, while maintaining a steadfast commitment to helping others. It’s an inspirational look at a remarkable life. RESOURCES Touched by an Angel https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108968/ Angels Along the Way: My Life with Help from Above https://www.betterworldbooks.com/product/detail/angels-along-the-way-my-life-with-help-from-above-9780399143427 Television Academy Foundation – Foundation Interviews: Della Reese on Having a Brain Aneurysm https://youtu.be/kw0tsFyZO5w?si=Qtqsw WSyHyjrh6H7 CYNTHIA BEMIS ABRAMS AND ATVH ATVH Newsletter – tvherstory.com Website - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/  Podcast Archive - tvherstory.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@advancedtvherstory X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/tvherstory Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Media.Cynthia Bluesky Social - https://bsky.app/profile/cynthiabemisabrams.bsky.social PRODUCTION Video - Nivia Lopez - https://nivialopez.com/ Audio - Marilou Marosz - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariloumarosz/ Music - https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/  

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 winner, shares her incredible journey through the foster care system and the women who nurtured her into a successful actor, dancer, and advocate. From her iconic roles on The Young and the Restless and Diagnosis: Murder to her advocacy for foster children and mental health, Victoria Rowell’s story is a testament to resilience and the power of community. Celebrate the women who help us find our voices, whether they’re mothers, mentors, or friends. This episode offers heartfelt reflections and resources to honor National Foster Care Month. Resources: Books & Films: The Women Who Raised Me: A Memoir by Victoria Rowell Available on Barnes & Noble Summer Camp (In theaters May 31, 2024) IMDB Page Videos: Victoria Rowell: Featured Speaker for the Paul & Louise Miller Lecture Series Watch on YouTube Advocacy: National Foster Care Month Learn More Cynthia Bemis Abrams & Advanced TV Herstory: ATVH Newsletter: tvherstory.com Website: cynthiabemisabrams.com Podcast Archive: tvherstory.com Instagram: @advancedtvherstory YouTube: Advanced TV Herstory Channel X (Twitter): @tvherstory Facebook: Media.Cynthia Bluesky Social: Cynthia Bemis Abrams Production Credits: Video Production: Nivia Lopez Audio Editing: Marilou Marosz Music: Jahzzar - Free Music Archive

On location at the Pop Culture Association (PCA) National Conference in Chicago, I met with Sherry Ginn, PhD, the current PCA president. Dr. Ginn is an impressive pop culture and science fiction scholar and I’m grateful that we were able to sit down and talk about our mutual interests in television and the impact of women in society.  Our discussion includes the evolution of science fiction in popular culture, the legacy of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the problem with Dollhouse, female representation and role models, feminism, diversity, inclusion, norm breaking, and the special challenges created by male writers and showrunners in science fiction.    As a tireless editor and author, Dr. Ginn combines her love of sci-fi with her expertise in neuroscience research and psychology. Her written work presents thoughtful analyses on a range of previously under-explored topics such as women in science fiction television and sex in science fiction. Dr. Ginn has written or edited works featuring Doctor Who, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Farscape, Fringe, and Dollhouse, among others. Check out the Pop Culture Association’s website below to learn more about the benefits of membership. Thanks for listening! CONTACT DR. GINN and the POP CULTURE ASSOCIATION* Website - https://pcaaca.org/ e-mail - sherry@pcaaca.org  *formerly the Pop Culture Association / American Culture Association SELECT WRITTEN WORKS  Our Space, Our Place: Women in the Worlds of Science Fiction Television by Sherry Ginn, PhD - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2085421.Our_Space_Our_Place  Joss Whedon's Dollhouse: Confounding Purpose, Confusing Identity by Sherry Ginn, PhD - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/joss-whedons-dollhouse-sherry-ginn/1118329342 Power and Control in the Television Worlds of Joss Whedon by Sherry Ginn, PhD - https://www.acappellabooks.com/pages/books/228952/sherry-ginn/power-and-control-in-the-television-worlds-of-joss-whedon Being a Girl with The Doctor: Essays in the Feminine in Doctor Who (Edited by Gillian I. Leitch and Sherry Ginn) - https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/being-a-girl-with-the-doctor/ To Boldly Stay: Essays on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (Edited by Sherry Ginn and Michael G. Cornelius) - https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/to-boldly-stay/ The Sex is Out of This World: Essays on the Carnal Side of Science Fiction (Edited by Sherry Ginn and Michael G. Cornelius) - https://www.abebooks.com/9780786466856/Sex-Out-World-Essays-Carnal-0786466855/plp CYNTHIA BEMIS ABRAMS and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY ATVH Newsletter – tvherstory.com Website - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/  Podcast Archive - tvherstory.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@advancedtvherstory X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/tvherstory Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Media.Cynthia Bluesky Social - https://bsky.app/profile/cynthiabemisabrams.bsky.social PRODUCTION Audio - Marilou Marosz - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariloumarosz/ Music - https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/  

We continue to celebrate the female voices that have provided a foundation for cultural advancement and modern discourse by featuring a rare TV talk show appearance by two-time Academy Award winner Vivien Leigh.  The year was 1958. The show was “Small World,” hosted by American broadcast journalist Edward R. Murrow. Appearing alongside Leigh are motion picture executive Samuel Goldwyn and British writer and entertainment critic Kenneth Tynan.   Leigh, best known for her work as Scarlett O’Hara in “Gone with the Wind” and Blanche DuBois in “A Streetcar Named Desire,” died in 1967 at the age of 53, but her legacy remains profound. And, while some of the opinions in this broadcast would be considered outdated now, you’ll hear that Vivien Leigh was not afraid to mix it up with some of the most strident male voices of her day. As always, thank you for listening. For the video version of this episode, visit @advancedtvherstory on YouTube.    RESOURCES Small World, Part 1 https://youtu.be/4c6kR9ORqUc?si=sXmP3bg5Cqzs63Zu Small World, Part 2 https://youtu.be/P5roaRH9rY0?si=gfMmZhJTtrqdY85l Small World, Part 3 https://youtu.be/tG0x68lPzso?si=TMitHcgm45BVl3Pf Taylor Mayes - https://www.youtube.com/@Taylormayes   CYNTHIA BEMIS ABRAMS AND ATVH ATVH Newsletter – tvherstory.com Website - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/  Podcast Archive - tvherstory.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@advancedtvherstory X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/tvherstory Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Media.Cynthia Bluesky Social - https://bsky.app/profile/cynthiabemisabrams.bsky.social   PRODUCTION Video - Nivia Lopez - https://nivialopez.com/ Audio - Marilou Marosz - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariloumarosz/ Music - https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/  

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 primetime television, she originated the role of Rosanna Cabot on "As the World Turns." Yvonne’s experience in daytime TV, with its groundbreaking storylines and thoughtful intimacy handling, has informed her approach to work today.  Cynthia and Yvonne reflect on the wins in the 2023 SAG-AFTRA contract, including new standards and protocols for the use of intimacy coordinators. Yvonne discusses her experience working in this emerging field and the value of providing a respectful and collaborative environment for actors, directors, and crew members.  Yvonne also shares fun and informative stories from along her career path, including an important lesson she learned as Rosanna Cabot, her first kiss in front of the camera, the relationship between fight choreography and intimacy direction, what major league ballplayers think about daytime TV, and much more.    It’s a lively and interesting discussion from an insider’s point of view. Thank you for listening!  [February 6, 2024 - This episode has been edited to include Alicia Rodis' contribution to the field of intimacy direction and coordinating.] YVONNE PERRY Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/YvonnePerryHulbert Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/yvonneperryh/ Website - https://www.yvonneperry.com/ RESOURCES and MENTIONS Intimacy Directors & Coordinators - https://www.idcprofessionals.com/ Jessica Steinrock, PhD, Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/intimacy_coordinator_ Jessica Steinrock, PhD, TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@intimacycoordinator?/ Alicia Rodis - https://www.idcprofessionals.com/bios/aliciarodis 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  

In this special episode, Cynthia Bemis Abrams is joined by guest co-host Ashley Pacini for the Parade of Accomplished Women 2023. Instead of a somber “in memoriam,” we’re bringing you a celebration of the talented, influential women who helped shape the television industry. In this second part of our tribute, we highlight the women of daytime, the often-overlooked creatives working behind the scenes, and—new this year—the women of reality shows. It is especially difficult to preserve the legacy of lesser-known women in an ever-expanding industry, but their influence is no less important. That’s why we consider this a call to action. We lost these women over the past year, but we must not lose the memory of them or their contributions to television history. Thank you for joining us as we honor the enduring spirit of women in television. 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 Clips have been edited for length. Remembering Jacklyn Zeman (General Hospital) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLfhlDtk-x0 Ellen Holly on Being at the March on Washington in 1963 (Foundation Interviews) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Aige_YvQGU Ellen Holly on her New York Times article “How Black Do You Have to Be?” (Foundation Interviews) -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkEmOWaiWF4 How Black Do You Have to Be (NY Times, 1968) - https://www.nytimes.com/1968/09/15/archives/how-black-do-you-have-to-be-how-black-do-you-have-to-be.html The Colors of Black (NY Times, 1968) - https://www.nytimes.com/1968/10/06/archives/the-colors-of-black.html 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