Her Stories: Declining Ratings and Daytime’s Demise – Part 4
During COVID lockdown, Dr. Elana Levine and I had a lengthy discussion that became an engaging four-part series about daytime’s demise. We discussed the economic pressures, declining ratings due to evolving audience demographics, and shifts in network decision-making that led to the genre’s decline. Topics include advertising revenue challenges, the rise of alternative entertainment platforms, and the lasting impact of...
Diana Ross’ 1983 Central Park Concert (#1 popular episode)
Leadership, Rain, and Music History In this, my #1 popular episode, published in 2015, I explored Diana Ross’ legendary 1983 Central Park concert, where music and leadership collided amidst a torrential downpour. Discover how Ross captivated a bi-racial crowd, managed chaos with grace, and turned a challenging performance into a cultural milestone. From the event’s impact on early cable streaming...
Comfort TV: Finding Joy with Karly Beaumont
Like many, I’ve been looking to make sense of the world in November 2024. Social media connection and podcaster, Karly Beaumont, was active with many thoughtful messages. Creator of Talking Shondaland and contributor to TV Movie Mistress, Karly and I talk in this episode about the comforting power of television and how people process fear. As a Dominican native and lifelong creative, Karly...
News Icon Connie Chung’s Legacy
A few months ago, I shared that I really enjoyed reading Connie, A Memoir (2024) by TV news icon Connie Chung. Rather than attempt to track her down for an interview (difficult, but not impossible), I offer my analysis of Chung’s legacy and impact. My research for a 2017 podcast episode, The Women Who Reported Watergate, has stayed with me a long time,...
Busy Days in LA = Revived mission
Four busy days in LA revived my mission of the podcast and why I feel so strongly about celebrating the work of talented TV women. Hollywood, from the famous sign to the materials I read at the Writers Guild of America archive, is in the business to make money. This trip reminded me just how demanding and brutal show biz...
Podcasting, Growth & Grit
This year’s anniversary episode welcomed special guest Elsie Escobar, Podcast Hall of Famer and co-founder of She Podcasts. Elsie mentors independent podcasters and she and I go back to 2017. Our conversation included the evolution of independent podcasting, technological innovations, and the power of diverse voices in audio storytelling. There was a lot to talk about! Elsie’s trailblazing journey as a Latina...
Summer Reading Rec #1
In the early 1970s, white men in Congress thought a great way to curb progressive television content (Norman Lear & the like) was to threaten funding for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Powerless to dictate content, the FCC demanded ABC, NBC and CBS somehow reduce sex and violence on prime-time TV. The result was The Family Viewing Hour, the development,...
Guest on “Overdueing It: The Rhode Island Library Podcast”
It’s an honor to be a guest on another podcast. I humbly accepted the invitation to join Lauren Walker for Overdueing It. We discussed Advanced TV Herstory and my mission: connecting the dots of TV and feminism to American culture and politics. For 10 years now, I have relied heavily on my own local library systems. So of course we talked about libraries,...
A Trip to NYC’s Paley Center: Revisiting Battle of the Sexes
In early December, I visited The Paley Center for Media in New York City, and explored its role in preserving television history and hosting key industry events like PaleyFest. While diving feet first into The Paley Archive (pretty much just like the computer area of a library), I mulled a question. What was stored here that was otherwise out of...