Emmy Winner Cady McClain: From Star to Director
Emmy winner Cady McClain sat for an interview during COVID lockdown and offered rich insights into daytime TV, acting as a child and new chapters. The call turned into 2 separate episodes and is now a COVID lockdown highlight for me. Cady is a 3-time Daytime Emmy Award-winner, who I contacted through Twitter… back when that was possible. Though she's...
Daytime TV Pioneer Agnes Nixon: Shaping Soap Opera Storytelling
Daytime TV pioneer Agnes Nixon recently died at the age of 93. Nixon was the soap opera storytelling groundbreaker behind All My Children and One Life to Live. Daytime dramas were a big part of my teen years. UW-Madison media studies professor Dr. Elana Levine is Advanced TV Herstory's go-to daytime expert. Levine wrote Her Stories: Daytime Soap Opera and US Television History,...
Judy Garland’s Iconic Guests & Duets
Judy Garland's iconic guests and duets are the best part of the 26-episode series from 1963-64. This Advanced TV Herstory episode from 2019 focuses on The Judy Garland Show’s groundbreaking guest appearances and musical performances. Cynthia Bemis Abrams and Garland interpreter Angela Ingersoll explore how Judy Garland’s series brought together some of the most influential talents of the era. From Broadway...
Judy Garland a Feminist?
We don’t often associate Judy Garland with feminism. Judy Garland feminist comes to life when you understand her TV series's development and struggle. The Judy Garland Show aired 26 episodes in 1963-1964. Recently, Emmy-nominated performer and Garland scholar Angela Ingersoll and I sat down to talk about "60s Judy." The result was a 5-episode series on Garland's time on TV....
Children’s TV legend Shari Lewis’ Reinventions
Children's TV legend Shari Lewis' reinventions were the subject of a recent episode of Advanced TV Herstory. I enjoyed discussing the compelling documentary Shari and Lambchop with Mallory Lewis and director Lisa D’Apolito (Love, Gilda). The film chronicles Lewis’ life and her constant reinvention across a variety of roles. Lewis was a TV show host, magician, dancer, singer, actress, author, and even...
TV’s That Girl and Her Subtle Groundbreaking Ways
TV's That Girl aired 1966 to 1971. It's known for breaking ground for representation of a single, independent working woman in the 1960s. But its star, Marlo Thomas, exercised subtle creative control that was truly groundbreaking. In 10 years of watching TV for the podcast, I often identify an exact moment when I see something profound. Six years ago, a...
The TV Podcaster Sisterhood
The TV podcaster sisterhood saved my bacon recently. I broke my leg and wrists in July, upending my production schedule. The TV podcaster sisterhood, known as 80s TV Ladies exuberant (Susan and Sharon) recorded an episode with me on short notice! Podcasting’s greatest gift has been the opportunity to meet people who share a love of TV. Getting to know...
Pop Culture’s Depth and Impact
Pop culture''s depth and impact is on display every year at the Pop Culture Association national conference. I attended this year's gathering Chicago, joining media and cultural studies folks from around the world. It is fascinating to see the array of panels on television, anime, film, literature and digital media. Yes, I scout the panels and speakers for potential guests. Further,...
Women Characters in the Military
Veterans Day was approaching, which got me thinking about TV's women characters in the military. In my November newsletter, I listed TV series that featured women in traditional service. I didn't recognize my tunnel vision. Novelist, coach and podcaster Beth Barany reminded me of those I missed. Namely, the TV women characters in the military in space: Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, and Killjoys (2015-2019). Beth...