Dr. Quinn Creator Beth Sullivan on Feminist Storytelling

Award-winning showrunner Beth Sullivan joins host Cynthia Bemis Abrams for a deep dive into the creation and legacy of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman and The Trials of Rosie O'Neill. Sullivan, a UCLA graduate and screenwriting professor, shares how she built empowering female characters, assembled diverse ensembles, and balanced historical realism with emotional storytelling. The conversation also features actor Jonelle Allen, known for portraying Grace on Dr. Quinn, who reflects on her experience working with Sullivan and the show's intentional representation of race, gender, and frontier life. 🎧 Highlights include: The historical importance of portraying a woman doctor in the 1800s Writing women-led legal drama with The Trials of Rosie O'Neill Sullivan's unique lens on plot development and moral storytelling Behind-the-scenes stories from Dr. Quinn's powerful episodes: • 2.20 The First Circle • 4.20 An Eye for an Eye Related Advanced TV Herstory Episodes:1.15 – 6 Lost Episodes of Cagney & Lacey https://traffic.libsyn.com/advancedtvherstory/6_Lost_Episodes_of_Cagney_Lacey.mp3 1.12 – Concept to Pilot: Cagney & Lacey https://traffic.libsyn.com/advancedtvherstory/Concept_to_Pilot_Cagney__Lacey.mp3   Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman podcasts: Dr. Quinn Cast → https://drquinncast.com/ The Town Council Podcast → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-town-council-dr-quinn-medicine-woman-podcast/id984365107

TV herstorian Cynthia Bemis Abrams reports back from a star-studded week in Los Angeles, where she met creators, paid tribute to icons, and reflected on the past, present, and future of women in Hollywood. In this personal recap, Cynthia shares highlights from her California adventure, including: Her visit to the Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) archives Paying respects at the Forever Hollywood Cemetery Coffee with TV writing legend Georgia Jeffries Recording a conversation about the creative process with writer and showrunner Beth Sullivan (TV's Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman 1993-98) Interviewing actor and singer Stepfanie Kramer (TV's Hunter 1984-91) This travelogue-style episode brings Cynthia's passion for television, feminism, and storytelling to life—one postcard at a time.   Enjoy last month's episode with Stepfanie Kramer https://advancedtvherstory.libsyn.com/hunter-fame-and-feminism-with-stepfanie-kramer   Enjoy our July episode with Georgia Jeffries https://advancedtvherstory.libsyn.com/georgia-jeffries-writing-tv-fiction-feminist-stories   WGA Foundation https://www.wgfoundation.org/   CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY ATVH Newsletter – https://tvherstory.com Website – https://cynthiabemisabrams.com Podcast Archive – https://tvherstory.com Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory Bluesky Social – https://cynthiabemisabrams.bsky.social

Cynthia Bemis Abrams sits down with actor and singer Stepfanie Kramer at the Paley Center for Media to revisit her trailblazing role as Sgt. Dee Dee McCall on Hunter (1984–1991). Together, they unpack: The cultural legacy of Hunter and its Reagan-era action show peers Kramer's reflections on fame, aging in Hollywood, and leaving the series Her influence as a feminist TV figure and enduring global fan base Behind-the-scenes production realities Life after Hunter: music, stage, and staying connected to fans Honey West, Police Woman, Cagney & Lacey and Hunter - how they reveal progress Whether you're a longtime fan or discovering Kramer's work anew, this episode explores the power of representation, resilience, and navigating fame as a woman in a male-dominated genre. CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY ATVH Newsletter – https://tvherstory.com Website – https://cynthiabemisabrams.com Podcast Archive – https://tvherstory.com Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory Bluesky Social – https://cynthiabemisabrams.bsky.social

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams connects the dots between TV, feminism, and workplace protections in this powerful episode inspired by her law review article, co-authored with legal scholar Mary Trevor. Their work explores how decades of television shaped public understanding of sexual harassment, particularly the form known as quid pro quo. From prime-time depictions to real-life milestones like Anita Hill's Senate testimony, Cynthia walks us through the TV, cultural and legal shifts that defined the transition from Second to Third Wave Feminist movement.  The law review article— Power Plays: Women and Progressive Television Battle Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment in the 20th Century —was published in 2025 by the Howard University Human and Civil Rights Law Review. 🔗 Request the article PDF or connect with Cynthia: Newsletter: https://tvherstory.com Podcast Archive: https://tvherstory.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cynthiabemisabrams.bsky.social Website: https://cynthiabemisabrams.com Email: [email protected]   🔗 Related ATH Episodes 2.7 – I Believe Anita Hill: The 1991 Hearings and Their Legacy https://traffic.libsyn.com/advancedtvherstory/I_Believe_Anita_Hill.mp3 4.14 – How "That Girl" Tackled Sexual Harassment in the 1960s https://advancedtvherstory.libsyn.com/that-girl-and-sexual-harassment 4.20 – Sports Night: More Relevant Than Ever https://advancedtvherstory.libsyn.com/sports-night-more-relevant-than-ever 5.15 – I Still Believe Anita Hill: The Impact of 1991 Senate Hearings https://advancedtvherstory.libsyn.com/i-still-believe-anita-hill-refresh-of-16-ep YouTube: Law Review Article Explained https://youtu.be/RbrQSxh_MI4?si=II0oBh12dlveSDzO  

Celebrate 11 years of Advanced TV Herstory with host Cynthia Bemis Abrams and special guest Elsie Escobar, Podcast Hall of Famer and co-founder of She Podcasts. This milestone conversation dives into the evolution of independent podcasting, technological innovations, and the power of diverse voices in audio storytelling. In this episode: Elsie's trailblazing journey as a Latina podcasting leader Key shifts in podcast technology, audience experience, and distribution How women-led podcasts are shaping the industry Lessons from Elsie's advocacy for creators in non-English-speaking communities The TV shows that influenced Elsie's creative voice from El Salvador to California Whether you're a podcaster, content creator, or simply curious about the podcast revolution, this episode highlights the grit, innovation, and community-building that define 11 years of success. Elsie Escobar Page: https://elsieescobar.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theelsieescobar/   CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY ATVH Newsletter – tvherstory.com Website - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/  Podcast Archive - tvherstory.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory/ Bluesky Social - @cynthiabemisabrams.bsky.social

Award-winning writer and professor Georgia Jeffries joins Cynthia Bemis Abrams to reflect on her pioneering work in television and screenwriting. From her early magazine articles to Emmy-winning work on Cagney & Lacey, China Beach and Sisters, Jeffries reveals how she broke into Hollywood's writers' rooms and built a career defined by dramatic integrity and feminist storytelling. In this rich conversation, Georgia discusses: Her transition from journalism to writing TV scripts on spec Championing women writers through her work with the Writers Guild Launching USC's first undergrad screenwriting thesis program How writing fiction compares to television Her 2024 novel The Younger Girl, based on real events in Illinois Referenced episodes with Cagney & Lacey and Lou Grant writer April Smith are linked in the resources. Resources: Georgia Jeffries' website: https://georgiajeffries.com/ TV Writer April Smith on Lou Grant & Storytelling  https://traffic.libsyn.com/advancedtvherstory/April_Smith_mixdown.mp3 Mrs. America & TV's Dimensional Feminismhttps://advancedtvherstory.libsyn.com/mrs-america-3-dimensional-storytelling   CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY ATVH Newsletter – tvherstory.com Website - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/  Podcast Archive - tvherstory.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory/ Bluesky Social - @cynthiabemisabrams.bsky.social  

Why do cozy mysteries still dominate the mystery genre, decades after their prime? Cynthia Bemis Abrams welcomes Prof. Bridget Kies of Oakland University for an insightful conversation exploring the long-running impact of Murder, She Wrote (1984–1996) and the enduring appeal of the cozy crime format. Explore: Angela Lansbury's legacy as the iconic Jessica Fletcher How Murder, She Wrote exemplifies the cozy mystery genre across TV, books, and beyond The academic relevance of the Wayne State University Press's TV Milestone Series Why female-driven mysteries and older women protagonists remain culturally powerful Murder, She Wrote's influence on Hallmark mysteries, true crime fandom, and TikTok sleuths With real-life insights from a TV scholar, fan anecdotes, and an acknowledgment of the series' reboot potential, this episode offers a smart and nostalgic look at why Murder, She Wrote still matters.   Quote from the Episode: "Murder, She Wrote was popular at a really important time in TV history, when everything about TV was changing. It started before those changes and ended in the middle of them. It tells us so much about TV's transitions from the early '80s to the mid-'90s. Referenced ATH Episode: 8.5 – In Memoriam: Angela Lansbury's Legacy on Stage & Screen https://advancedtvherstory.libsyn.com/in-memoriam-angela-lansbury-msw Resources: Kies, Bridget (2023). Murder, She Wrote (TV Milestone Series), Wayne State University Press https://wsupress.wayne.edu/9780814350119/ https://www.kelleyhousemuseum.org/events/murder-she-wrote-fanfest/

From Lucille Ball to Tina Fey, from Joan Rivers to Margaret Cho, women have been rewriting the rules of comedy for decades — and they're not done yet. Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams is joined by Lynn Harris, founder of Gold Comedy, to explore the legacy and future of funny women on TV. Together, they dissect the comedic influence of legends like Mary Tyler Moore, Moms Mabley, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus — and discuss why shows like SNL still present challenges for women today. With a nod to streaming, social media, and evolving industry gatekeepers, this episode dives into how women and non-binary creatives are shaping the next chapter of television comedy. Background & Mentions Gold Comedy – https://goldcomedy.com/ 1.21 – Lucille Ball's Humility & Pride https://traffic.libsyn.com/advancedtvherstory/Lucille_Balls_Humility__Pride.mp3 6.15 – Presenting Margaret Cho https://advancedtvherstory.libsyn.com/presenting-margaret-cho 11.1 – SNL's Gilda Radner: A Life Celebrated in Film https://advancedtvherstory.libsyn.com/snls-gilda-radner-a-life-celebrated-in-film   Book recommendations: Joan Rivers (1986) Enter Talking and Carol Burnett (2011) This Time Together   Learn more about Moms Mabley https://nmaahc.si.edu/moms-mabley   TV series Ellen (1994-98) S.4, e 22 The Puppy Episode https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xnty3f   WI Public Radio interview with Hacks creators https://www.wpr.org/culture/hacks-co-creators-on-their-emmy-winning-comedy-show   CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY ATVH Newsletter – tvherstory.com Website - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/  Podcast Archive - tvherstory.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory/ Bluesky Social - @cynthiabemisabrams.bsky.social

Look no further than TV news anchor Connie Chung's groundbreaking career for the textbook definition of representation. Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams explores Chung's impact as a trailblazing Chinese-American journalist through the lens of her 2024 memoir, Connie, A Memoir. This episode revisits Chung's rise through national television journalism, her lasting legacy, and her influence on American culture—including the surprise moment during her 2024 appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, where young women named Connie honored her inspiration. Cynthia also reflects on Chung's open letter in The Washington Post, written in support of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford during the Kavanaugh hearings, and how Chung's career helped define resilience in the face of systemic barriers.   Episode Quote: "There's no better definition of representation than the career of Connie Chung."   Resources or Mentions:   Top of the Morning: Inside the Cutthroat World of Morning TV (2014) by Brian Stelter   Connie: A Memoir https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/connie-chung/connie/9781668639528/   Past Advanced TV Herstory eps about Connie Chung The Women Who Reported Watergate https://advancedtvherstory.libsyn.com/women-who-reported-watergate  On-Air Power of Curry & Pauley https://advancedtvherstory.libsyn.com/on-air-power-of-curry-pauley   The Kelly Clarkson Show Nov. 2024 https://youtu.be/9j97G7bXwCw?si=oTiCc-sXcauJUkpi   Chung's open letter in The Washington Post as reported in Time Magazine  https://time.com/5414736/connie-chung-letter/   CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY ATVH Newsletter – tvherstory.com Website - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/  Podcast Archive - tvherstory.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory/ Bluesky Social - @cynthiabemisabrams.bsky.social

Cynthia Bemis Abrams sits down with Oscar-nominated documentary director Julie Cohen to explore her career in network TV journalism and filmmaking. The conversation covers Cohen's path to power as a storyteller, highlighting her work on films about Pauli Murray, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Julia Child. Cohen shares insights into her acclaimed projects, including: RBG (2018), the documentary about Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, which gained widespread recognition. My Name is Pauli Murray (2021), the film on the groundbreaking but lesser-known civil rights activist and attorney. Every Body (2023), a documentary about the intersex rights movement and personal narratives. The episode also highlights Julia Child's pioneering influence on television and women's roles in professional kitchens. Cohen discusses Child's legacy as a feminist figure and the impact of her political activism, particularly regarding reproductive rights and HIV/AIDS awareness. Julie Cohen actively promotes her latest documentary, The Path Forward (2024). The Power of Storytelling in Documentaries Why she chose to spotlight Pauli Murray, RBG, and Julia Child Challenges in structuring historical narratives into compelling film stories Overcoming obstacles in starting and funding documentary projects Julia Child's Television Legacy How Julia Child revolutionized TV cooking shows The impact of her work on modern food media figures like Martha Stewart, Ina Garten, and Rachael Ray Her hidden activism and why her political legacy is often overlooked The feminist undertones in Child's career and influence on women in professional kitchens Behind the Scenes of Every Body (2023) How Cohen approached the intersex rights movement in her documentary Personal stories shared in the film and their broader significance Julie Cohen's Films: Julia (2021):  https://imagine-entertainment.com/documentary/julia/ The Path Forward (2024): https://deadline.com/video/the-path-forward-trailer-julie-cohen-mo-husseini-documentary/ My Name is Pauli Murray (2021): https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/sep/15/my-name-is-pauli-murray-review-the-legacy-of-a-fearless-campaigner RBG (2018): https://www.magpictures.com/rbg/ Every Body (2023): https://www.focusfeatures.com/every-body To book a screening of A Path Forward : https://grasshopperfilm.com/(grasshopperfilm.com) . By Spring 2025, it will be available on paid streaming channels, including Apple+. CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA and ADVANCED TV HERSTORY ATVH Newsletter – tvherstory.com Website - https://cynthiabemisabrams.com/  Podcast Archive - tvherstory.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory/ Bluesky Social - @cynthiabemisabrams.bsky.social