Has “Cheers” aged well? Was Norm the norm in 1982? Was the toxic behavior in the show’s Boston-based bar a device to expose the destructive nature of misogyny or was it just a casual reflection of a patriarchal system?
Carla Tortelli and Diane Chambers, the barmaids in the first season of the show, served as sparring partners for their coworkers, customers, and each other. Carla was at home at "Cheers." Diane was a fish out of water. Carla and Diane could not have been more different. But Rhea Perlman and Shelley Long, the actors who portrayed Carla and Diane, both were incredible actors with excellent comedic timing.
Cynthia Bemis Abrams takes a closer at their work and celebrates their contributions as two of the strong, female characters that emerged on television in the 1980s. She discusses the interplay among the regular characters at the bar, the foundational toxic environment, and the influence of female writers and showrunners on comedies of the era.
5/10/23
L.A. Law (1986-94) lived a glamorous, full life. The series pilot, written by Steven Bochco (Hill Street Blues) and Terry Louise Fisher (writer/producer of Cagney & Lacey), when viewed today is a time capsule of office life that reveals sexism, racism, and generational approaches to power.
Full of quality TV promise, L.A. Law launched with a bang. Why isn't it now celebrated for its transformational prowess? We cover that, too, and applaud Alfre Woodard's epic performance, which occurred early in her career.
3/8/20
Cynthia provides a compelling analysis of Anita Hill’s historic testimony before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee in 1991. Hill’s statements about workplace sexual harassment, given during the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas, became a cultural turning point, sparking national debates on gender, power, and credibility.
Cynthia explains the significance of Hill’s testimony, the aggressive questioning from male senators on both sides of the aisle, and the role of cable news in broadcasting the moment to millions. She also discusses Hill’s continued impact as an author, professor, and advocate for gender and racial justice.
3/24/16
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams revisits Anita Hill’s groundbreaking testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee in 1991. Before the #MeToo movement and the widespread conversations about workplace harassment, Hill’s testimony ignited national discussions about power, credibility, and gender dynamics in politics.
This refreshed episode from 2016 explores how Hill’s testimony changed the landscape for women in the workplace and public life. Cynthia provides historical context on Robert Bork’s earlier Supreme Court nomination, the role of key political figures like Joe Biden and Arlen Specter, and the parallels between Hill’s experience and the 2018 Brett Kavanaugh hearings. Join Cynthia as she examines what has changed in the conversation about sexual harassment, the ongoing impact of Hill’s activism, and the role of media in shaping public perception.
9/21/19
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams explores Linda Bloodworth-Thomason’s guest column in The Hollywood Reporter, which sheds light on her creative exile. The low-profile showrunner of Designing Women, Evening Shade, and other series details the professional damages she suffered at the hands of CBS’ Les Moonves. Cynthia examines Bloodworth-Thomason’s claims and ponders how television might have evolved had she been allowed to continue creating for prime-time.
In the late summer of 2018, headlines caught my attention—reminding me why we cherish some of the finest writing and acting in TV history, from Murphy Brown to Designing Women. We must pay closer attention to the power and influence of media. Linda Bloodworth-Thomason’s Hollywood Reporter guest column illuminates the professional exile she endured, while others looked on.
9/20/18
Whether you've ever watched Aaron Sorkin's 1998-2000 classic series Sports Night or not, this episode explains its 2018 relevance and calls for a reboot. We recently reviewed a sexual harassment plot from That Girl (1967) & found a similar scenario in Sports Night... which leads us to pondering the journalism's commitment to changing workplace harassment.
9/6/18
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams explores a pivotal episode of That Girl (1966-67), starring Marlo Thomas, which addressed sexual harassment long before the term was widely recognized. The storyline features guest star Carroll O'Connor as an opera singer who leverages his influence over Ann Marie (Marlo Thomas) in exchange for an interview, highlighting the concept of quid pro quo harassment.
Through a critical lens, this discussion examines how mid-century male writers framed workplace harassment as a plot conflict rather than a societal issue. Cynthia references historical resources, including Time Magazine’s A Brief History of Sexual Harassment in America, to contextualize the portrayal of gender power dynamics on television.
6/28/18
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams names "China Beach" (1988-1991) as the best-written and best-acted series ever. The expensive series about the Vietnam War as seen through eyes of American women is truly timeless. Cynthia provides a deep review of "Holly's Choice" from third season, which featured Ricki Lake as Holly, the donut dolly (aid worker). Drama unfolds in reverse, a powerful writing tactic if it executed well, which it was. Cynthia explores the many layers of meaning that stories of war often weave, only this time the different value placed on military lives versus civilian lives, as seen through the eyes of medical professionals, soldiers and women.
3/5/17
Television has long been a medium for tackling societal issues, and the made-for-TV movie genre became a vital platform for exploring eating disorders. In this episode, Cynthia Bemis Abrams and Emily L. Newman discuss how films like Kate’s Secret and Love of Nancy portrayed the struggles of women dealing with anorexia and bulimia.
They also explore the impact of public figures like Karen Carpenter and Tracey Gold, who brought attention to the issue both on and off screen. This episode highlights television’s power to educate and inspire change, with a focus on the intersection of media, health, and representation. Episode Life Lessons
05/9/19
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams connects the television dots of the status of birth control, abortion and regional children's programming that led Sissy Spacek to produce the made-for-TV movie "A Private Matter." Cynthia creates the context of the popular Baby Boom children's show, "Romper Room" which in the Arizona market featured Sherri Finkbine as the "teacher." Finkbine was prescribed Thalidomide to relieve symptoms of morning sickness. The remainder of the true story is nothing short of tragic and historic.
4/18/17
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams discusses daytime (audience-participation) shows from the 1990s and 2000s with media studies experts Kathalene Razzano, Loubna Skalli. Skalli, Razzano and their colleague Christine Quail, analyzed and cataloged the genre for their book, Vulture Culture: The Politics and Pedagogy of Daytime Television Talk Shows. Cynthia, Kathalene and Loubna look at the themes of Maury Povich, Jenny Jones and Judge Judy that can readily be categorized as misogynistic. Many of the "real" guests present issues about self-control, paternalism and self esteem.
9/18/16
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams welcomes Dr. Wendy Burns-Ardolino, author of TV Female Foursomes and Their Fans, to discuss the groundbreaking 1989 Designing Women episode, "They Shoot Fat Women, Don't They?"
The episode tackled the tabloid-fueled controversy surrounding Delta Burke and her weight gain, which was sensationalized in the press as a supposed feud with showrunner Linda Bloodworth-Thomason. Cynthia and Wendy analyze how this episode was ahead of its time in addressing fat-shaming, media scrutiny, and the impact of beauty standards on women in Hollywood.
This conversation sheds light on how body image, sexism, and workplace tensions were woven into a primetime sitcom while exploring Delta Burke’s real-life struggles and her legacy in television.
1/23/16
