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 writers' rooms and built a career defined by dramatic integrity and feminist storytelling. In this rich conversation, Georgia discusses: Her transition from journalism to writing TV scripts on spec Championing women writers through her work with the Writers Guild Launching USC’s first undergrad screenwriting thesis program How writing fiction compares to television Her 2024 novel The Younger Girl, based on real events in Illinois Referenced episodes with Cagney & Lacey and Lou Grant writer April Smith are linked in the resources. Resources: Georgia Jeffries’ website: https://georgiajeffries.com/ TV Writer April Smith on Lou Grant & Storytelling https://traffic.libsyn.com/advancedtvherstory/April_Smith_mixdown.mp3 Mrs. America & TV’s Dimensional Feminismhttps://advancedtvherstory.libsyn.com/mrs-america-3-dimensional-storytelling
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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 long-running impact of Murder, She Wrote (1984–1996) and the enduring appeal of the cozy crime format. Explore: Angela Lansbury’s legacy as the iconic Jessica Fletcher How Murder, She Wrote exemplifies the cozy mystery genre across TV, books, and beyond The academic relevance of the Wayne State University Press’s TV Milestone Series Why female-driven mysteries and older women protagonists remain culturally powerful Murder, She Wrote’s influence on Hallmark mysteries, true crime fandom, and TikTok sleuths With real-life insights from a TV scholar, fan anecdotes, and an acknowledgment of the series' reboot potential, this episode offers a smart and nostalgic look at why Murder, She Wrote still matters. Quote from the Episode: “Murder, She Wrote was popular at a really important time in TV history, when everything about TV was changing. It started before those changes and ended in the middle of them. It tells us so much about TV’s transitions from the early ‘80s to the mid-‘90s. Referenced ATH Episode: 8.5 – In Memoriam: Angela Lansbury’s Legacy on Stage & Screen https://advancedtvherstory.libsyn.com/in-memoriam-angela-lansbury-msw Resources: Kies, Bridget (2023). Murder, She Wrote (TV Milestone Series), Wayne State University Press https://wsupress.wayne.edu/9780814350119/ https://www.kelleyhousemuseum.org/events/murder-she-wrote-fanfest/
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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 dissect the comedic influence of legends like Mary Tyler Moore, Moms Mabley, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus — and discuss why shows like SNL still present challenges for women today. With a nod to streaming, social media, and evolving industry gatekeepers, this episode dives into how women and non-binary creatives are shaping the next chapter of television comedy. Background & Mentions Gold Comedy – https://goldcomedy.com/ 1.21 – Lucille Ball’s Humility & Pride https://traffic.libsyn.com/advancedtvherstory/Lucille_Balls_Humility__Pride.mp3 6.15 – Presenting Margaret Cho https://advancedtvherstory.libsyn.com/presenting-margaret-cho 11.1 – SNL’s Gilda Radner: A Life Celebrated in Film https://advancedtvherstory.libsyn.com/snls-gilda-radner-a-life-celebrated-in-film Book recommendations: Joan Rivers (1986) Enter Talking and Carol Burnett (2011) This Time Together Learn more about Moms Mabley https://nmaahc.si.edu/moms-mabley TV series Ellen (1994-98) S.4, e 22 The Puppy Episode https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xnty3f WI Public Radio interview with Hacks creators https://www.wpr.org/culture/hacks-co-creators-on-their-emmy-winning-comedy-show
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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 The 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/
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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 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+.
Finally, a podcast that studies, analyzes and celebrates women in TV. Thousands of comedies, variety shows and dramas have aired, yet the presence of strong women – both in front of and behind the camera - is an experience we need to understand better and embrace.
With an eye to aligning the leadership lesson, time capsule observation or fascinating backstory of a show’s success or failure, my goal of Advanced TV Herstory is to connect the treasures of the past to the great potential of today’s TV and online platforms. Tomorrow’s success is rooted in understanding what has come before us. So gear up for a little sociology, economics, strategy, storytelling and fun.
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