Cynthia Bemis Abrams is joined by author Angela Beauchamp to explore how Eleanor Roosevelt, one of the most trailblazing women in politics and public affairs, shaped TV programming. programming. They discuss Roosevelt's prolific media presence, from her “My Day” newspaper column and radio broadcasts to her groundbreaking television appearances. The conversation highlights how Roosevelt’s political influence extended beyond her time as First Lady, using media to engage the public and advocate for change.
Angela Beauchamp shares insights from her book Eleanor Roosevelt on Screen: The First Lady's Appearances in Film and Television, 1932-1962, detailing the evolution of Roosevelt’s on-screen presence and her pioneering role as a media influencer.
02/16/2025
Cynthia takes listeners to The Paley Center for Media in New York City, exploring its role in preserving television history and hosting key industry events like PaleyFest. Cynthia dives into The Paley Archive during her visit, her top destination. She recounts her observations while watching the iconic 1973 broadcast of Billie Jean King versus Bobby Riggs in the historic "Battle of the Sexes." Listen in as Cynthia unpacks the significance of the archive, her first searches in the database, and her candid reactions to Howard Cosell's commentary alongside Rosie Casals and Gene Scott.
Episode Life Lessons
12/23/2024
On this episode of Advanced TV Herstory, we connect the dots between TV and feminism with American culture and politics by remembering the 1979 television miniseries, Backstairs at the White House.
The series is based on the New York Times bestseller by Lillian Rogers Parks, a seamstress in the White House from 1939-1961. Parks based the book on her own experiences and on those of her mother, Maggie Rogers, who, as a maid in the White House from 1909-1939, was encouraged by Eleanor Roosevelt to keep a diary of her time serving the various first families.
It's a reminder that women in politics aren't always on the dais or campaign headquarters, sometimes there influence is entirely personal.
2/15/23
Labor Day 2023 will mark the major event of a combined strike of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild—American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). Both unions are currently led by women: Fran Drescher, Meredith Stiehm, and Lisa Takeuchi Cullen.
Even prior to the two union merger in 2012, SAG and AFTRA had elected nine strong and inspiring women to lead their labor causes like health and pension benefits, residuals, and managing during COVID. The WGA, first led by a woman in 2001, represents writers on a myriad of issues like credit, contracts, and benefits.
Today, these unions are on strike, with primary issues of artificial intelligence to create content and fabricate performers, and how payment formulas for writers and performers will be commensurate with successful streaming. Since the WGA declared its strike and actors followed, Advanced TV Herstory has stood resolutely with all the talented creators. This episode tells women in politics, at the forefront of workers’ rights and social progress within a distinct and complex business model.
8/16/23
Barbara Walters, Lesley Stahl, and Connie Chung are the groundbreaking women who reported on the Watergate scandal for national television networks. Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams examines how their coverage shaped journalism history and how each woman leveraged new opportunities during a pivotal era of change.
Highlights:
Emerging technologies like field cameras and satellites changed news coverage in the early 1970s, creating a dynamic new media landscape. Cynthia also discusses how the Watergate scandal — initially considered "a petty crime" — became a defining moment in American journalism.
7/2/17
Cynthia Bemis Abrams walks through the deep details of two powerful moments in morning news television. Audience favorites Ann Curry and Jane Pauley were unceremoniously dismissed from The Today Show for questionable reasons which Cynthia sees looking an awful lot like misogyny. Cynthia reviews the relationship between Ann Curry and network golden boy Matt Lauer. as well as the Bryant Gumbel spin on Jane Pauley's 1989 departure. These actions are legend for women news reporters. Cynthia brings the topic of careers and power plays to the more recent actions by ABC's Kelly Ripa. As a morning television mainstay and from a different generation than Ann and Jane, Ripa controls her messaging in a new way, even if that assumes risk.
3/19/17
Cynthia Bemis Abrams welcomes noted television writer Susan Silver to discuss American politics and presidential campaign coverage from the broadcast and cable news programs. Cynthia and Susan showcase women news reporters, analysts and other women in politics, during the campaign that features the first woman candidate from a major political party.
8/8/16
Cynthia Bemis Abrams concludes, "it's all in the sound!" Cynthia's research began when she was reading about First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt who was a pioneering and prolific communicator among women in politics. While not often on TV unscripted, Roosevelt appeared on Frank Sinatra's show in 1959 and recited a poem in a voice that sends chills up a spine, as a distinct American voice and sentiment. Just 15 years later, Betty Ford, unapologetic feminist catapulted to the role of First Lady. Cynthia details how the resignation of Vice President Spiro Agnew, led to Cong. Gerald Ford's (MI) appointment. In August 1974, President Nixon's resignation elevated VP Gerald Ford to the presidency and with him was Betty, his true partner. Betty cast a new mold for First Ladies, with her outspoken activism on health, addiction and women's issues.
2/7/16
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams recounts the heyday of feminism, when tennis ace Billie Jean King accepted the challenge to play Bobbie Riggs in a prime time match. The backstory of King agreeing to the offer is fascinating and reveals the risk King took on behalf of feminism and the progress of Title IX, women's rights and the campaign to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment.
Women sports reporters continue to celebrate King, Title IX and the rise of women's tennis, that broke ground for opportunity and earnings.
8/8/15
