TV, Power and the Shows That Shape Us
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams interviews playwright, producer, actor, and author Domenica Feraud about the lasting influence of television on identity, relationships, gender, and body image.
Drawing from her book You Are What You See, Feraud discusses how shows such as Sex and the City, Gossip Girl, Gilmore Girls, The O.C., and Beverly Hills, 90210 shape viewers’ ideas about womanhood and relationships. The conversation explores eating-disorder representation, sexual assault, sexual harassment, misogyny, Latina stereotypes, and the importance of adding historical and cultural context when revisiting older programs. Cynthia and Domenica also discuss women’s roles behind the scenes, generational media literacy, and how television can both reflect and reinforce social attitudes.
DOMENICA FERAUD
Domenica’s website: https://www.domenicaferaud.com/
ADVANCED TV HERSTORY
Episodes mentioned:
Reboots, One Day at a Time and Rita Moreno https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode…
Latina Grit: Diversity, Representation and Persistence https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode…
Representation with Caroline Heldman https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode…
MeTV Exec Neal Sabin on Classic & Comfort Television https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode…
Eating Disorders on TV and Women’s Stories https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode…
Claws (TNT) view on demand https://www.tntdrama.com/shows/claws
CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY
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PRODUCTION
Podcast Editing – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariloumarosz/
Video Editing – https://nivialopez.com/
Music by Jahzzar – https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/
CHAPTERS
[00:36] Introduction: Domenica Feraud
[02:06] An international upbringing
[03:44] Playwright, author, actor, producer
[04:47] Book: You Are What You See
[07:38] Learning from teen dramas
[09:34] Who decides what is acceptable?
[12:16] Power players and decision makers
[17:00] Women showrunners make a difference
[19:31] Gilmore Girls
[22:40] Peripheral people and privilege
[23:55] Essay: The Move Star and Me
[27:56] The universality of power dynamics
[29:55] Fresh content
[31:05] One Day at a Time reboot
[33:31] Diverse populations in entertainment
[34:58] The value of physical media and syndication
[38:38] College-age audience for “You Are What You See”
[39:46] Edinburgh Fringe Festival