Women Who Raise Us – A Tribute From Victoria Rowell
In this special Mother’s Day episode of Advanced TV Herstory, host Cynthia Bemis Abrams explores the profound impact of women who shape our lives, with inspiration from Victoria Rowell’s compelling memoir, The Women Who Raised Me. Rowell, a two-time Emmy nominee and 11-time NAACP Image Award winner, shares her incredible journey through the foster care system and the women who nurtured her...
Emmy Winner Cady McClain: From Star to Director – Part 2
As odd as it seems, a COVID lockdown highlight was a rich and deep conversation with 3-time Emmy Award-winner Cady McClain. I was able to contact her through Twitter… back when that was possible. Best known for her iconic role as Dixie Cooney on All My Children, Cady shares her experiences transitioning from daytime TV star to director and arts advocate....
First of many chats with daytime drama scholar, Dr. Elana Levine
Back in 2017, I connected with daytime dramas with television scholar Dr. Elana Levine, of the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee. Together, we examined how soap operas pushed boundaries and introduced groundbreaking storylines, from interracial relationships and birth control to HIV awareness. It was the first of many ways we discussed how women writers and producers used daytime television to address...
Daytime TV Pioneer Agnes Nixon: Shaping Soap Opera Storytelling
Daytime dramas were a big part of my teen years. I learned a lot producing the episode about the life and legacy of Agnes Nixon, the soap opera storytelling groundbreaker behind All My Children and One Life to Live. UW-Madison media studies professor Dr. Elana Levine is my daytime expert. In our chat, we explored Nixon’s journey from her education at Northwestern University...
Feminist Lessons from The Judy Garland Show: Part 5
Without question, the podcast series from 2019, where I interviewed Garland scholar Angela Ingersoll about the 1963-64 series, The Judy Garland Show, changed the trajectory of my work and thinking. Angela and I examined the feminist lessons from Judy Garland’s groundbreaking TV series. We delved into how Garland’s persistence, defiance, and storytelling offer modern insights into women’s roles in the entertainment...
conic Guests & Duets of The Judy Garland Show: Part 4
It’s always think of the holidays as a time to enjoy classic television. Episode 5.4 of the 5-part series from 2019 focuses on The Judy Garland Show’s groundbreaking guest appearances and musical performances. Cynthia Bemis Abrams and Angela Ingersoll explore how Judy Garland’s series brought together some of the most influential talents of the era, from Broadway legends like Ethel Merman...
Framing Judy Garland’s Feminist Life Via Her TV Show: Part 2
We don’t often associate Judy Garland with feminism, but when examined, Judy Garland’s feminist life was real and entirely invisible. In this episode of Advanced TV Herstory, Cynthia Bemis Abrams and Emmy-nominated performer and Garland scholar Angela Ingersoll return to examine the 50th anniversary of Judy Garland’s passing. With a deep dive into The Judy Garland Show, Cynthia and Angela explore the...
Shari Lewis’ Reinventions: A Documentary on Legacy and Talent
A definite highlight of this year was discussing the compelling documentary Shari and Lambchop with Mallory Lewis and director Lisa D’Apolito (Love, Gilda). The film chronicles Shari Lewis’ life and her constant reinvention across a variety of roles—TV show host, magician, dancer, singer, actress, author, and even symphony conductor. Featuring archival footage and interviews, this documentary uncovers the multifaceted talent of Shari...
Wild Network Demands: The Judy Garland Show Falters Part 3
Six years later, this series on The Judy Garland Show, that I recorded from a fabulous conversation with Emmy-nominated performer Angela Ingersoll still sticks with me. In it, Angela and I take a hard look at the monumental production pressures Judy Garland faced during her legendary CBS variety show. The Judy Garland Show was given an unprecedented budget, setting high standards in...