80s TV Ladies
4-time Podcast Awards Winner! Webby nominated for Best Indie Podcast.80s TV Ladies is dedicated to the beloved female-driven shows of the 1980s! Do you love 80s pop culture, television and fabulous women? On our show, you’ll hear a breakdown of how these shows got made, how they were influenced by the times and, in turn, how they influenced pop-culture trends to follow. We love discussing the “two-steps forward, one-step-back” lens of media-driven feminism.Join hosts Susan Lambert Hatem and Sharon Johnson as they talk about the fabulous ladies of television: Cagney & Lacey, Designing Women, A Different World, The Golden...
S3 E18 · Wed, April 23, 2025
The Facts of Life with Director Asaad Kelada | Part 1
“There was a sense of discovery about what this series was going to be about. It was going to be about young people -- with all of their shenanigans, and the maneuvering, and all the silliness that takes place with that. But it was also going to be about growing up. These five people, and the fabric that holds them together.” -- Asaad Kelada - producer/director, The Facts of Life Susan and Sharon welcome legendary Director Asaad Kelada. In a career spanning four decades, Asaad Kelada has directed over 340 episodes of television, including Rhoda, Phyllis, The Tony Randall Show, Benson, WKRP in Cincinnati, One Day at a Time, Night Court, Valerie, Who’s the Boss and The Office -- as well as four seasons of The Facts of Life . In Part 1 of this wide-ranging interview, we touch on Asaad’s relationship to the young actors on Facts of Life; learning to trust them -- and himself; and his beginnings as the lead singer in Egypt’s first ever Rock ‘n’ Roll Boy Band! THE CONVERSATION WHAT I REALLY WANT TO DO IS DIRECT! - How getting accepted to the Yale School of Drama taught Asaad which side of the stage he really wanted to be on. THE 5-YEAR DIRECTING SCHOOL: Observing all the MTM shows from the bleachers, for five years, got Asaad ready for his first TV job: Directing Valerie Harper in Rhoda ! DAY ONE: On his first day directing The Facts of Life , the only person he recognized that he had worked with before was… Tootie (Kim Fields)! DOUBLE STANDARD: In this early episode of The Facts of Life , Asaad realized the potential of the show: “It was just like being in the theater, like working on a play -- with substance, with humor, with intelligence -- and yet they were young girls. This was television in a new form. RUNAWAY TRAIN: Asaad describes the increasing tension and hi-stakes artistry of a show as it speeds thru its season -- and how he learned to not fall off! ON CHARLOTTE RAE: “She and I were the grownups in the room. She was the centerpiece in a show about four girls.” STORY CONFERENCE -- WITH THE CAST: “After the table read, we’d just talk -- talk about what the episode is dealing with, what it’s about, how it all ties together.” FACTS OF LIFE GOES TO PARIS: “It was a trial by fire. Every single shot, every single frame was filmed on location. We were at Notre Dame, the Champs Elysee… How can this be called a job?” So join Susan and Sharon -- and Asaad -- as they talk George Clooney, The Bob Newhart Show, Grant Tinker, Geri Jewel, speaking French, Bill Haley & the Comets, Nancy McKeon -- and being ready when your opportunity finally comes! GET READY FOR PART 2 -- NEXT EPISODE! Don't miss more Facts of Life stories, plus Family Ties and Who's The Boss!! AUDIO-OGRAPHY Find out more about Asaad Kelada at <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0445380" target="_b
S3 E17 · Wed, April 09, 2025
Writing The Facts of Life and A Different World | Margie Peters -- Part 2
Susan and Sharon continue their conversation with legendary 80s TV Lady -- and The Facts of Life writer/producer -- Margie Peters! In Part 2, the conversation turns to the challenges of making comedy out of date rape and toxic masculinity; “comedy sparring” in the Different World writer’s room with Debbie Allen, Thad Mumford and Susan Fales-Hill; the creative opportunities for “women of a certain age”; and the lasting impact of the cruel moniker “The FATS of Life”. Margie Peters has written and produced over 140 hours of television, including The Love Boat, Valerie, One Day at a Time and A Different World . But her longest and best-known gig was the six years she spent on The Facts of Life . THE CONVERSATION “YOU’VE GOT SPUNK!” -- How watching The Mary Tyler Moore Show gave Margie the chutzpah to try her hand at TV writing! Margie shows off her 1989 IMAGE Award from Planned Parenthood for the “No Means No” episode of A Different World (S2; EP20): “It’s in the living room next to my television.” The time Debbie Allen explained to Margie that Duane calling a girl “Big Butt Brenda” is a compliment -- not an insult! The joys of working with Valerie Harper on Valerie. And the charm of Jason Bateman. The Facts of Life Go To Paris -- everyone got to spend three heavenly weeks filming in France! Dinner on the Seine River Boat with Tootie, Natalie, Blair and Jo! (Blair faces down a plateful of fried sardines -- and wins!) When two busloads of French high school girls chased The Facts of Life cast down the streets of Paris! The respect and adoration Margie has for all the girls: Charlotte Rae, Lisa Whelchel, Mindy Cohn, Kim Fields and Nancy McKeon. WHAT DO YOU MISS THE MOST? “Sitting down with a team and coming up with something that is way bigger than the sum of its parts.” LEAVING LOS ANGELES: What do you do when you leave behind a life of writing in Hollywood? A lot! Reinvent your life and make it count. So, join Susan and Sharon -- and Margie -- as they talk Bonnie Franklin, A Man on the Inside , Sally Struthers, Fame , Gladys Knight, 13 Queens Blvd , Eileen Brennan, Jerry Van Dyke -- and dressing up as The Flying Nun! AUDIO-OGRAPHY Find out more about Margie Peters at IMDB . Watch Season 4 of The Facts of Life for free on Roku . Watch A Different World on Netflix. Check out Shawn Peters book: The Unforgettable Logan Foster at <a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-unforg
S3 E16 · Wed, March 26, 2025
"Adventurous? Unpredictable? Lawless?" The Facts Of Life with Writer-Producer Margie Peters, Part 1
"We're thinking of doing this show with all women. Becasue women are becoming this big thing, ya know. And the leads of the show would all be women!" Susan and Sharon are excited to talk with legendary 80s TV Lady -- and writer/producer of 80 episodes of The Facts of Life -- Margie Peters! Margie Peters has written and produced over 140 hours of television, including The Love Boat, Valerie, One Day at a Time and A Different World . But her best-known gig was the six years she spent on The Facts of Life . From her first meeting to the final day, Margie relates how writing The Facts of Life taught her everything about “the facts” of making Hollywood television in the 80s! THE CONVERSATION SECRET SITCOM WRITER: How Margie wrote a sitcom pilot "Under One Roof" based on her life at night -- while spending her days being a mother, a housewife, AND a journalist! Hollywood writer/producer Bernie Orenstien ( That Girl!, Sanford & Son ) reads it and calls her with these magical words: “I think you could have a career out here.” Two weeks later she’s on a plane to Hollywood! INSTANT CHEMISTRY: Actress Linda Marsh teams with Margie and a writing partnership begins… SPEAK YOUR TRUTH: Their first meeting at Facts of Life: “Why are the girls wearing hot pants and cut-off tops -- in New England? In winter?!? It’s kiddie porn!” Margie & Linda stay on Facts of Life from Season 2 through Season 6 -- working their way up from Staff Writers to Show Runners! THE ONE THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING: Margie & Linda write S2:EP3 “Double Standard” -- showrunners Jerry Mayer and Jack Elinson tell them: “You have found the soul of the show”. THE ONE WHERE NATALIE’S FATHER HAS AN AFFAIR: “We loved the actor but we hated the character. So we killed him.” WORKING WITH THE GIRLS: Working with Charlotte Rae, Lisa Whelchel, Mindy Cohn, Kim Fields, Nancy McKeon and Geri Jewell. Lisa Whelchel balked when the writers pitched Blair losing her virginity. So Mindy Cohn said: “I’ll do it!” WHAT'S NEXT? The day came when Linda Marsh said, “I’m done.” But Margie kept going…Then Marcy Carsey called: “We’d like to bring you on ‘A Different World’”! THINKING IN THE CAR: How the award-winning “No Means No” episode came to be -- and almost didn’t happen at all! "MAKE DWAYNE THE HERO" - How to solve the producer notes when tackling a story on campus rape in "No Means No" So join Susan and Sharon -- and Margie -- as they talk Mary Tyler Moore, Terri Hatcher, Jason Bateman, Asaad Kelada, Susan Fales Hill, Neema Barnette, HBCs, Cagney & Lacey , working for diversity… and saying “No” to Norman Lear! STAY TUNED IN TWO WEEKS FOR THE FACTS OF LIFE WITH MARGIE PETERS - PART 2! AUDIO-OGRAPHY Watch The Facts of Life: IN FLUX! Currently watch Seasons 4, 5, and 6 of The F
S3 E15 · Wed, March 12, 2025
The Golden Girls of Eastland: Anupam Nigam Shares His Favorite Lessons from The Facts Of Life
Episode 315: “Everything I Ever Learned About TV Writing, I Learned From ‘The Facts Of Life’ | Anupam Nigam” The Facts of Learning about Television Writing from The Facts of Life The Golden Girls of Eastland: TV Writer Anupam Nigam Shares His Lessons from The Facts Of Life The Golden Girls of Eastland: Top Lessons TV Writer Anupam Nigam Learned from The Facts Of Life For some people, a childhood spent lounging in front of the television leads to nothing but being sent to bed when Law and Order license plate comes on. But for Anupam Nigam, it led to a lifelong love of television – – and a successful career in TV writing and producing. And his favorite show of all? The Facts of Life! The Facts of Life was a spin-off of Diff’rent Strokes and aired on NBC from 1979-1988. The show starred Charlotte Rae as Eastland School for Girls housemother Edna Garrett watching over an evolving cast of young female stars including Kim Fields, Mindy Cohn, Nancy McKeon and a very young Molly Ringwald! It ran for more than 200 episodes, and spawned three TV movies. Anupam Nigam has written and produced episodes of hit TV shows like Psych, Defiance, Cruel Summer, Mech-X4 and Station 19. He is currently writer and co-executive producer of the hit CBS drama Fire Country. Susan and Sharon talk with Anupam about his childhood as an Indian American kid in New Jersey, his early love of television, the insight of The Facts of Life -- and the facts he learned that have stayed with him to this day. THE CONVERSATION GROWING UP INDIAN -- IN NEW JERSEY: For Anupam, who was raised in an immigrant Indian household, television was a window into the wider world of “American” families - and how they were alike, and different from, his. “I’M NOT A DOCTOR, BUT I WRITE FOR THEM ON TV” -- Anupam was pre-med, a lab researcher, and even a certified EMT -- briefly -- before realizing that TV blood was more his style. Anupam’s first script was a spec episode of Star Trek: Voyager -- and after that he was hooked. Anupam’s “scientist mind” cracked the code on how to write a Law & Order script, and it led to a coveted spot in the Warner Bros Writers Program -- and then a big move to Hollywood! His first job was on The Division -- starring Facts of Life’s Nancy McKeon! YOU TAKE THE GOOD, YOU TAKE THE VERY, VERY BAD: Anupam actually learned about the facts of life from the many “very special” episodes The Facts of Life: Abortion, divorce, drug abuse and death, anyone? Natalie was a natural STAR - When Charlotte Rae toured Westlake School for research, her young tour guide was… Mindy Cohn. Charlotte insisted the producers meet her and the role of Natalie was created for her! Those roller-skates? Tootie had to wear them to make her taller! CHEAPER BY THE… TEN? The original first season cast had TEN mai
S3 E14 · Wed, February 26, 2025
Going Platinum: Skinnamarink and The Elephant Show | Sharon, Lois and Bram... and Randi
What's your favorite childhood show? If you grew up in Canada or watched Nickelodeon in the 80s, you know and loved The Elephant Show & Skinnamarink TV -- and if you didn't, you’re about to find out all about it! Susan and Sharon welcome Sharon Hampson, one of the creators of The Elephant Show and Skinnmarink TV. As part of the musical trio “Sharon, Lois & Bram” -- featuring Sharon Hampson, Lois Lilienstein, and Bram Morrison -- Sharon rose to fame on these two ground-breaking, award -winning children’s shows. Also joining us is Sharon’s daughter Randi -- who is now her mom’s manager and singing partner! THE CONVERSATION WATCHING KIDS TV: Susan LOVED Schoolhouse Rock -- but HATED Mr. Snuffleupagus! Kevin loved the Big Comfy Couch! Sharon loved Fraggle Rock, but Kids Inc? Not so much… In the 80s, kids TV animation became all about selling toys because THE TOYS WERE THE STARS OF THE SHOWS! Like He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. Once the Skinnamarink song gets in your head -- it will never leave!! For Sharon, Lois & Bram, music has always been a part of their lives -- each one of them learning to sing and play musical instruments from childhood. Sharon Hampson quit high school to sing folk music in coffee houses -- much to her parent’s horror! After 50 years of performing, Sharon says: “Children are just the same. They get up, they sing, they dance…They’re 100% ready to go!” MEMORY UNLOCKED! When Sharon meets grown up fans: “They start to cry, and I tell them, ‘Don’t be embarrassed. You’re having tears because you’re having happy childhood memories! It’s a good thing!’” After the show's Candian production ended, The Elephant Show got picked up in the US by Nickelodeon in1987, and their popularity exploded! “It really changed our career. We played incredible places, huge audiences. We went from playing high school gyms to playing stadiums.” “Sharon, Lois & Bram” have shared the stage with everyone from The Beach Boys, Randy Travis and James Taylor! So, join Susan and Sharon -- and Sharon and Randi -- as they talk Toronto, vinyl love, Andrea Martin, Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris , Raffi, The Nylons, Chuck Mangione -- and genderless elephants! AUDIO-OGRAPHY Catch up on all-things “Sharon, Lois & Bram” at SharonLoisandBram.com Follow them on Instagram at Instagram.com/sharonloisbram Watch them on TikTok . Catch The Elephant Show on <a href
S3 E13 · Wed, February 12, 2025
Mama’s Family, Golden Girls and It's Always Sunny | 90s TV Babies
They’re BAAAACK! It’s 2025 and the world-renowned 90s TV Babies have reconvened around the TV screen to gaze upon 80s classic sitcom, Mama’s Family, starring Vicki Lawrence, Dorothy Lyman, Betty White, Rue Mclanahan and Carol Burnett. Do they see what Mama's fuss is all about!? Serita Fontanesi, Megan Ruble -- and A BRAND NEW 90s TV Baby, Sailor Franklin -- drop in on “Mama” Harper, take a seat on the floral print couch, and weigh in with their thoughts. What did they watch? What did they think? THE HOMEWORK: S1: EP1 -- “Vint and the Kids Move In” S1: EP4 -- “The Wedding, Part 2” S1: EP6 -- “Cellmates” S2: EP3 -- “The Country Club” S2: EP21 --“Ask Aunt Fran” EXTRA CREDIT: S1: EP2 -- “Rashomama” S3: EP1 -- “Farewell, Frannie” S3: EP11 -- “Where There’s Smoke” And… the very first “Family” sketch from The Carol Burnett Show! THE CONVERSATION ROOKIE MOVE: Sailor did ALL the homework -- AND the Extra Credit! EVERYBODY’S AWFUL: How Mama’s Family is just like… It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia ??? Serita likes how the cast is filled with a variety of female characters who aren’t perfect people: “Women deserve to be bad, too!” BIG HIGH SCHOOL WIG: Vicki Lawrence’s “Mama” looks vastly younger than her own children! Serita likes that the MEN were most often the butt of the joke. SAME AS IT EVER WAS: Megan says: “We really don’t have classic sitcoms anymore where people DON’T grow and change. Mama's Family is comforting!” Serita says “these people act a fool” -- and she’s here for it! ON CELLMATES - Sailor: “If I had a nickel for every time sitcom characters get locked up together in a jail cell, along with a sex worker, and then get mistaken for being a sex worker… I would have... several nickels.” Did Mama’s Family portray sex workers with more equity than most? The shockingly honest way Mama’s Family addresses marriage -- and how it’s not always a romantic dream come true. Sailor was blown away by “Rashomama”: “’Mama’s Family’ is doing a riff on an Akira Kurosawa movie?? Yes!!” IS IT FEMINIST? PROGRESSIVE? Megan: “‘Mama’s Family’ is feminist -- but not progressive.” Serita: “’Mama’s Family is feminist -- AND progressive.” Sailor: “’Mama’s Family is semi-progressive -- and semi-feminist.” AND… The Babies challenge Susan and Sharon to watch It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia ! So, join Susan and Sharon -- and Serita and Megan and Sailor -- as they talk Abbott Elementary , Alan Alda, August babies!, Golden Girls , Coors Light, Die Hard , test boobs, Whoopi Goldberg -- and the “Sailor Franklin SitCom Spectrum”! AUDIO-OGRAPHY UPDATE: Find all SIX seasons of Mama’s Family free -- on <a href="https://pluto.tv/us/on-dem
S3 E12 · Wed, January 29, 2025
Heather Thomas on The Fall Guy, Activism and The Poster
“You’re in acting class and you’re studying Chekov or ‘Waiting for Godot’ -- and then you end up doing 80s tits-and-a**… You caught on pretty quick what it was about and where the power lay.” -- Actress Heather Thomas What was it like to be an 80s poster icon and sex symbol? Susan and Sharon welcome The Fall Guy star and “80s Poster Lady” Heather Thomas. She’s an actor, writer and activist -- but may be best known for her “Pink Bikini” poster, one of the best-selling pin-up posters of all time. Heather Thomas had leading roles in television shows like BJ and the Bear, The Love Boat and TJ Hooker -- as well as the movie Zapped! with Scott Baio, Willie Aames and Felice Schachter . But her most famous role was playing stuntwoman Jody Banks on the hit 80s television series The Fall Guy . Running for five seasons on ABC, The Fall Guy spawned board games, posters, a video game -- and just last year, a major feature film starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt -- and Heather Thomas! Since her days as a TV star and pin-up queen, Heather Thomas has gone on to an extraordinary career as a novelist, political activist, organizer and fund-raiser. NOTE: This episode was recorded Dec. 2024, before the LA Fires. Our thoughts are with Heather and her family, and all those impacted by the fires. Stay safe. Be well. THE CONVERSATION WORKING WITH MONKEYS: Clyde, the orangutan from Every Which Way But Loose , was her co-star once: “He thought it was funny to keep grabbing my boob. I thought he was gonna rip it off!” And a stint on BJ and the Bear led to producer Glen Larsen tapping her for the co-starring role in The Fall Guy. WORKING WITH TV PRODUCERS: “All of them are crazy. You’re not gonna find any normal ones, not in those days. Everyone was nuts. And they still are.” "Smile more": Early on, the ABC network executives were afraid that Heather Thomas wasn’t likable. So they put her in a bikini. “I guess that made up for me not smiling enough.” STUNT WORK: “Lee Majors almost broke my nose once.” "I was good on rollerskates!" In preparation for a Fall Guy episode, Heather trained with the Los Angeles Thunderbirds roller-derby team: “They showed me how to ‘break my back’ on the rail -- it was really fun!” Ted Lange -- Isaac, the bartender on The Love Boat -- was one of Heather’s favorite directors on the Fall Guy. A GOOD DIRECTOR: For Heather, it was someone who brought her into the filmmaking process. For Lee Majors -- it was anyone who got him home by 5:00pm! THE POSTER: Once the show was a hit, a poster was the next big step: “It outsold Farrah Fawcett. I bought a house. I was thrilled.” DIS-LIKENESS: Heather’s image has been hi-jacked and used for everything from lighters, to puzzles, to notebook covers -- to a pillow! ON HAVING A FAMOU
Bonus · Wed, January 15, 2025
Bonus: Message from a City on Fire | How to Help
Just a quick message and some ways to help from Susan and guest Richard Hatem (Richard Hatem's Paranormal Bookshelf) who live in Pasadena, CA. Links below on how to help. Thankfully, the 80s TV Ladies team are all safe - Sharon, Susan, Melissa, Kevin, Sailor, Sergio, Megan and Serita. Rich and I were lucky enough to be in a good spot. We housed evacuees from Altadena and La Canada this week. We know too many people who have lost homes, schools, churches, synagogues and more. Thinking of all of you and hoping we have gotten through the worst. Sending love and healing and recovery to Los Angeles - which is still a city on fire. The fires have decimated two entire communities within Los Angeles County, and destroyed tens of thousands of homes. The recovery will be immense. This disaster and the other recent disasters around the country and world are made worse by a changing climate, a warming earth. There’s no escape. But there are solutions. There is hope. We can help each other. Donate or Volunteer if you can. We send best wishes for you to stay safe and find the light in the dark. TALK TO SOMEONE Reach out to friends and family. Take care of yourself: Pro Bono Therapy for LA Wildfires - https://mac.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c6955712b931709f7b46b3067&id=5c10f09ac5&e=c2a6c4f49f More mental health resources athttps://mac.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c6955712b931709f7b46b3067&id=66ca1a18ce&e=c2a6c4f49f. PLACES TO VOLUNTEER https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eaSXTYlLY_spJ-_w43ac55qu6X4YtgApgRGfads3cM4/htmlview for Wednesday and ongoing. Volunteer with the https://mac.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c6955712b931709f7b46b3067&id=ac8e5b668f&e=c2a6c4f49f. DONATING People we know or friends of friends gofundmes: https://mac.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c6955712b931709f7b46b3067&id=c949386ee8&e=c2a6c4f49f https://mac.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c6955712b931709f7b46b3067&id=417fad5f53&e=c2a6c4f49f https://mac.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c6955712b931709f7b46b3067&id=ee45e76e82&e=c2a6c4f49f https://www.gofundme.com/f/restore-hope-for-the-rosascamacho-family MORE GOFUNDME Displaced Black families in Altadena https://mac.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c6955712b931709f7b46b3067&id=9973a4701e&e=c2a6c4f49f. Gofundme pages for https://mac.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c6955712b931709f7b46b3067&id=fe63638093&e=c2a6c4f49f THANK YOU FIREFIGHTERS DONATE to the LAFD at https://supportlafd.kindful.com HELP Incarcerated Firefighters. CA uses incarcerated firefighters. Read more of their story https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/los-angeles-fires-inmates-speak-1235232001/. Donate to those firefighters at https://antirecidivism.org/donate Type “firefighter fund” in the payment box. HELP THE ALTADENA GIRLS Teenagers who
S3 E11 · Wed, January 08, 2025
Carol Burnett, Vicki Lawrence and all about ‘The Family’
On March 16, 1974, a sketch appeared on The Carol Burnett Show featuring Carol Burnett, Vicki Lawrence and Harvey Korman portraying a “normal” American family -- warts and all. This sketch, known as “The Family”, led by a then 25 year-old Vicki Lawrence playing a gray-haired 63 year-old ‘Mama’, spawned 30 more sketches, a TV Movie (Eunice) and finally a spin-off series of its own (Mama’s Family) which ran for 130 episodes over six seasons both on CBS and in syndication (1983-1990). In “The Family”, Carol Burnett played the melodramatic, ambitious, brow-beaten daughter of ‘Mama’. Mama, played by Vicki Lawrence, is an exaggeratedly mean-spirited and insult-spitting widow and mother of five children: three sons played by guest stars Roddy McDowell, Alan Alda and Tom Smothers -- and two daughters: Eunice & Ellen (played by Betty White). Eunice’s husband Ed Higgins was played by Harvey Korman. How did one simple sketch take on such a huge life of its own, creating a sprawling TV empire that some are calling “The Mama-Verse”? Susan and Sharon put on their housecoats and curly gray wigs to find out! THE CONVERSATION Carol Burnett’s career started with a Broadway role starring as the lead in Once Upon a Mattress and then as a rising star on The Garry Moore Show . The Carol Burnett Show was hugely successful, running eleven seasons, garnering 70 Emmy nominations and winning 25. Carol Burnett was encouraged to “speak up for herself” by another TV comedy legend -- Lucille Ball. A fan letter from then 18 year-old Vicki Lawrence to Carol Burnett led to her actually being cast as a regular on the show! “HARVARD SCHOOL OF COMEDY”: Lawrence cites Harvey Korman and Carol Burnett as her show business mentors during the 11 years she spent on the show. ONE-HIT WONDER: Five years into her run on The Carol Burnett Show, Lawrence had a hit song, recording “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia”! In the TV movie Eunice , Mama suddenly only has three children instead of five -- what happened to the others? And why is one of them suddenly Ken Berry? Vicki Lawrence was nominated for an Emmy for her portrayal of ‘Mama’ in Eunice . The TV series Mama’s Family was aired first as a prime-time network comedy and later as a nationally syndicated series. It originally ran for two years on CBS, was cancelled in 1984 -- and then revived TWO YEARS LATER in 1986 by Lorimar Syndication to run for additional 100 episodes! NAME SWITCH: The character Ken Berry played started out as “Phillip” in the TV-movie but then became “Vinton” in the TV series. The TV show introduced “Fran” played by future Golden Girl, Rue McClanahan -- playing Betty White’s aunt! The TV show also introduced Vinton’s children Buzz and Sonya played by “80’s TV Ladies” alum, Eric Brown and actress Karin Argoud. Mama’s neighbor, N
S3 E10 · Wed, December 18, 2024
The Facts of Life, The Nanny, Carol Burnett & Mama’s Family | Who Has the Best Holiday Episode?
What's the best Christmas episode of The Facts of Life? The Nanny vs Mama's Family? Let's find out! If you grew up in the 80s, tuning in to the special “Holiday” episodes of our favorite shows was a winter ritual. Susan and Sharon bring that tradition home as they dive into the “Best Holiday Episodes” of three favorite 80’s and 90s TV shows -- The Facts of Life, Mama’s Family and The Nanny . Musical numbers, mixed-up gifts, screwed-up travel plans -- and lots of hot cocoa! 80’s TV “Holiday” episodes had them all -- and we loved them for it! So grab some eggnog and fruitcake, and listen as Susan and Sharon choose their personal favorite holiday episodes of the some of our favorite 80s TV Ladies shows! THE EPISODES The Facts of Life: S5, EP12 - “The Christmas Show” S6, EP13 - “Christmas in the Big House” S7, EP13 - “Christmas Baby” S9, EP12 - “It’s A Wonderful Christmas” Mama’s Family: S3, EP13 - “Santa Mama” S6, EP14 - “Mama Gets Goosed” The Nanny: S1, EP8 - “The Christmas Episode” S3, EP14 - “Oy To The World” S6, EP10 - “The Hannukah Story” BONUS! The Carol Burnett Show: S2, EP12 - Eileen Farrell, Bob Hope, and Marilyn Horne S8, EP13 - Alan Alda THE CONVERSATION GO FIGURE -- Not a lot of Hanukkah or Kwanza episodes back in the 80s. Why did it take FIVE SEASONS before Facts of Life finally did a Christmas episode? S5, EP12 “The Christmas Show” - directed by Asaad Kelada. In S6, EP13 “Christmas in the Big House” -- Blair organizes a charity Christmas show for what she thinks is an orphanage -- but it turns out to be a men’s prison! Mickey Mouse Club veteran former Mousketeer Lisa Whelchel shows off her singing skills! Heck, all the ladies get to sing! NO ROOM AT THE INN? In the third Facts of Life Christmas episode, Blair’s mom gives birth -- It’s a Christmas baby episode! IS IT A WONDERFUL SHOW? Cloris Leachman gets center stage in the fourth -- and final -- Facts of Life Christmas episode, S9, EP10 “It’s A Wonderful Christmas”. Mama’s Family S6, EP14 “Mama Gets Goosed” -- The family is horrified when they meet their dinner -- a live goose that Mama plans to kill and cook for Christmas! The Nanny got a jump on Christmas episodes in S1, EP8 -- where complications from a gift Mr. Sheffield gives to Fran ends up fulfilling Gracie’s only Christmas wish! S3, EP14 “Oy To The World” -- The Nanny’s one and only ANIMATED EPISODE! S6, EP 10 “The Hanukkah Story” -- Susan and Sharon BOTH loved this Nanny episode where cultures clash when Fran tries to teach the Sheffields the importance of Hanukkah. PLUS -- BONUS HOLIDAY EPISODES from The Carol Burnett Show! - Alan Alda, star of the M*A*S*H TV show hit, sings with Carol! And plays one of Mama’s sons and Eunice’s brother in “The Family” in a hilariou
S3 E9 · Wed, December 11, 2024
Mama’s Family, Crushing on Stephanie Zimbalist & Private Lessons | Actor Eric Brown
“I was the highest paid actor in Hollywood -- if you were counting by the word.” - actor Eric Brown THE CONVERSATION TAKING THE PIPPIN BUS: Nine-year-old Eric played the lead in the original touring company of Bob Fosse’s Pippin! “It was 1974. I was the only child in a cast of adults. One-and-two-night stands. In a bus. Thirty states. Six months. ” PRIVATE LESSONS: The lead got fired -- so Eric was promoted to star! 15 GOING ON 30: In Private Lessons, Fifteen year-old Eric Brown, played a fifteen-year-old -- being seduced by a thirty-year-old woman! “My wife is still mad at my mother for letting me play that role!” KICKED OUT OF SCHOOL: Eric was kicked out of St. Francis Prep School for being in Private Lessons: “They said, “We think you’d do better at another school considering your career goals.” It was a very Franciscan way of saying, “Get out”.” MAMA’S FAMILY: “You know the rumors that Betty White had a dirty streak? All true.” On working with Carol Burnett, Vicki Lawrence, Dorothy Lyman, Betty White, Rue McClanahan and Harvey Korman: “Everyone was so funny -- you were always laughing. They were constantly futzing, because they knew what was funny -- and if it wasn’t, they would fix it." DIRECTOR SPLIT: Mama’s Family had TWO directors: Harvey Korman worked with the actors, while someone else blocked out the camera moves (Roger Beatty). THE METAVERSE OF MAMA'S FAMILY: Vicki Lawrence started playing the at least 63-year-old “Mama” when she was in her late 20’s! THE EPISODE THAT NEVER WAS: Eric pitched an episode where he and Ken Barry -- both tap dancers -- could dance together in a talent show. But it never happened. TAKE THE TOUPEE: Carol Burnett would do anything for a laugh -- including pulling the hairpiece off a certain co-star during taping -- when no one was expecting it! BAD NEWS, GOOD NEWS, WORSE NEWS -- Mama’s Family gets cancelled. Then it comes back! But not with Eric. LOVING LAURA HOLT: After Private Lessons, Eric did a replay on Remington Steele -- playing a kid with a crush on an “older woman”: “I was head over heels in love with Stephanie Zimbalist. In real life!” BE KIND, REWIND: After jobs dried up in Hollywood, Eric moved to Monterey and got a job in a video store: “I was renting movies to people that I WAS IN.” FIRST RULE OF COMMUNICATION: For the MacArthur Foundation or a lost chicken in Queens: Know your goal. WHAT CAN ONE PERSON DO TO HELP THE WORLD? Find what you love and offer that. So, join Susan and Sharon -- and Eric -- as they talk Listerine commercials, the Clinton campaign, Jon de Bont, Sarah Jessica Parker, Howard Hessman, Barry Williams, On Golden Pond, Ian Ziering, curfew “double standards”, working with women directors, Jerry Reed, Emmanuelle, Fred Willard -- and evil twins ! <br
S3 E8 · Wed, November 27, 2024
All My Children, Mama’s Family, The Nanny | Giving Thanks for Dorothy Lyman
“The roles I’ve played on soap operas are infinitely superior to any roles I’ve played anywhere else. They are about women and women’s stories. The men are just there to screw you -- or screw you over.” -- Dorothy Lyman Just three chicks sitting around talking... Susan and Sharon clean house -- and air some dirty laundry -- with The Nanny director and Emmy-award winning actress Dorothy Lyman. You may know her as Opal Gardner from the long-running soap opera All My Children or as Naomi Oates Harper from Mama’s Family . But did you know she also directed an astonishing 74-episodes of the classic Fran Drescher comedy, The Nanny ? THE CONVERSATION One-day of work a month on Search For Tomorrow was enough to keep Dorothy from “serving cheeseburgers.” The pay was $400 -- and rent in NY was only $65! COMING CLEAN ABOUT SOAPS: Soap operas addressed abuse and abortion and mental illness and many other issues long before prime time TV. “I think it helped a lot of women stuck at home feeling the same things.” ON SOAP OPERA FANS: “I couldn’t buy myself a beer anywhere in America the whole time I was on the soaps. The fans are different. They feel like they know you.” WHEN CAROL BURNETT CALLS: “Carol Burnett and Vicki Lawrence would watch me as Opal on ‘All My Children’ during their lunch hour on ‘The Carol Burnett Show’ -- that was their ritual. And that’s how I got the job on ‘Mama’s Family’.” A COUPLA WHITE CHICKS SITTING AROUND TALKING: on directing the long-running, Off-Broadway hit starring Susan Sarandon and Eileen Brennan. TRY AGAIN: Mama’s Family was completely reconceived after the first pilot. “We shot one that was really awful. I think the problem was, it was too mean. And it wasn’t funny at all.” THERE’S THE DOOR: After directing three seasons of The Nanny , Dorothy says, “I never got another job directing a single moment of television. I spent many years thinking I’d done something terribly wrong. But it was because I was over 50 -- and I was a woman.” What do you do when Hollywood directing gigs go away? You buy a chicken farm in upstate New York and start writing plays, of course! ON CHANGE: “Change is where it’s at. Nothing stays the same. And I’ve always been one of those people -- if I wanted to do something, I did it.” ON DIRECTING: “It fits my personality. I’m bossy.” So join Susana and Sharon -- and Dorothy -- as they talk Milton Berle, Edge of Night , Celine Dion, visiting Egypt, Another World , Bette Midler, The Women’s Room , Fran Drescher, baked croutons -- and “Where do you keep your Emmys?” AUDIO-OGRAPHY Watch Mama’s Family for free on Pluto TV. Follow Dorothy Lyman at <a href="https://
S3 E7 · Wed, November 13, 2024
Punched off a Train by Clint Eastwood and the Path to Resilience | Stuntwoman Marneen Fields
Susan and Sharon are thrilled to sit down with award-winning singer, songwriter, actress -- and stuntwoman -- Marneen Fields. As a gymnast, swimmer and stuntwoman in the 1970s and 80s, Marneen’s career sky-rocketed with roles on Scarecrow & Mrs. King, Lou Grant, Quincy, Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries, The Man from Atlantis, The Fall Guy, Murder She Wrote, Dynasty -- as well as the Clint Eastwood film The Gauntlet . But it was only after a devastating car accident ended her career as a stuntwoman that Marneen found her way back into life by finally embracing her childhood dream of writing and singing songs. Her story is one of resilience, renewal -- and the power of persevering when life’s challenges seem overwhelming. THE CONVERSATION FIRST BASS: What do you do when you’re the littlest girl in school -- but end up having to playing biggest instrument -- the stringed bass? How a background in gymnastics led Marneen directly into her career as a stuntwoman. IN DEMAND: As an experienced stuntwoman in Hollywood, Marneen’s phone rang off the hook for 15 years. THE FALL GIRL: In 1976-77, Marneen was one of the top stuntwomen in the world. ROSES FROM BRUCE: One of her favorite acting jobs was playing Lee Stetson’s long-lost love “Dorothy” on Scarecrow & Mrs. King. FALLING FOR “QUINCY”: What is it like doing a high-fall off a 76-story building in puffy slippers and a negligee?!? The secret of being a successful stuntwoman? Look like a lot of famous actresses! Getting pushed out of a jet by James Garner! Getting punched off a train by Clint Eastwood! PERFECT PITCH: Marneen’s love for music survives her near total hearing loss in both ears. Just as her acting career was taking off, Marneen was involved in a car accident that nearly took her life -- and led to over a decade of operations and excruciating pain. But on the other end was a whole new life in music… So, join Susan and Sharon -- and Marneen -- as they talk Shirley Jones, Battlestar Galactica, scuba diving, dating stuntmen, mouth-to-mouth with Patrick Duffy -- and “becoming the broken-hearted songwriter I was meant to be!” AUDIO-OGRAPHY Find all of Marneen’s work on Facebook . And Instagram at Instagram.com/HeavenlyWaterfallProductions . Find Marneen’s book The Illusive Craft of Acting at Amazon . Get more info and help support Marneen’s film, Who’s Going To Take Care of Me? at <a href="https://crowdfundr.com/WhosGonnaTakeCareofMe" target="_blank" rel="
S3 E6 · Wed, October 30, 2024
Fan Bar: Get Insider Info on Scarecrow and Mrs. King w/ The Mrs. King’s Chronicles
There is no fandom like the Scarecrow & Mrs. King fandom -- passionate, dedicated and absolutely obsessed with red hats, train stations, the Q bureau, and Cream-&-Wood 1983 Ford LTD Country Squire Station Wagons. In this episode, Susan and Sharon meet up with super-fans Taya Johnston, Jennifer Peterson and Miranda Thomas from The Mrs. King’s Chronicles, a re-watch podcast about -- what else? -- Scarecrow & Mrs. King! From Beaverton, Oregon… to Clarkston, Michigan… to Florence, Kentucky -- these three women (plus their fourth partner, Lexie Fiema who couldn’t make the recording) know their SMK! In this fast-moving and funny conversation, you’ll find out everything you ever wanted to know about podcasting, Amanda King, Lee Stetson and Firefly -- but were afraid to ask… THE CONVERSATION What do you do when you want to spend more time with your friends and your favorite show? The answer is easy -- you do a podcast! GETTING HOOKED ON SMK: sometimes it’s in college, sometimes it’s a commercial, sometimes… it’s your mom! IT WAS A THING: recording your favorite shows onto cassette tape so you could listen to them later. Lexie -- the “90s Baby” of the podcast -- wants to know why Lee and Amanda don’t use their cell phones more often. And what’s up with the “two Germanys” thing? PODCAST PIONEER: Miranda has also done internet radio and podcasts about Firefly and Felicity and Alias and Heroes and Chuck! Why do certain shows inspire rabid fandom? And others… not so much. SUBURBAN SPY: The compelling fantasy wish-fulfillment of “Being Mrs. King.” At the “Hollywood Show” fan meet-up: Bruce Boxleitner had his own fanboy moment when he saw TV’s “Batman” -- Adam West. But he never got to meet him because he refused to cut in line in front of other fans… THE ELECTRIC CAMPFIRE: How television -- and now podcasts -- became our place of communal story-telling and shared emotional connection. Ship of Spies? Was there really an SMK cruise? Did anyone get married? Go to a strip club? So, join Susan and Sharon -- and Taya and Jennifer and Miranda! -- as they talk 80s retro-love, podcast tangents, Dungeons & Dragons, Miami strip clubs, sweater vests, the Star Wars Christmas Special, living in the Matrix -- and throwing rocks at Cincinnati! AUDIO-OGRAPHY Listen to the Mrs. King’s Chronicles podcast at MKCPodcast.com Check out Taya’s website CallMeaCab.com Find Miranda’s Firefly podcast at Serenityfirefly.com Find out more about Columbia Willamette River Keepers <a hre
S3 E5 · Wed, October 23, 2024
Who Can Turn the World on With His Smile | Bruce Boxleitner, Part 2
“Katie and I, our relationship could be a little exciting -- I had to watch my step, I had to toe the line. I had to behave myself or I’d get taken to the principal’s office... And she was the principal.” -- Bruce Boxleitner In Part Two of their conversation, Bruce reflects on the differences between doing TV then and now, his relationship with Kate Jackson -- and how the long hours can sometimes turn your co-stars into your family… Bruce Boxleitner’s television career started way back in 1973 with an appearance on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and he has since appeared in over 100 films and TV shows including Gunsmoke, Baretta, Police Woman, Hawaii 5-0, Babylon 5, Crossing Jordan, Commander in Chief, American Dad, Cold Case, Heroes, Chuck, NCIS, Supergirl, The Orville, When Calls The Heart, How The West Was Won, Bring ‘Em Back Alive, The Gambler and Tron. THE CONVERSATION THE UGLY SIDE OF LEE STETSON: When Lee slaps Amanda in “Burn Out” (S2; EP.21) What was going on? -- “Kate said, “Hit me.” It was no fun. I didn’t enjoy doing it at all.” ON THE JAZZ: In Europe, Mel Stuart -- a saxophonist -- fell in with some local jazz musicians and ended up sitting-in in clubs all over Munich. DOUBLE TROUBLE: Bruce finds out the strange reason his stunt double Gary Davis did the pilot’s helicopter stunts with no safety cable! On doing network TV: “This is where I come off sounding like a grumpy old man, but in my day, we had fun. Nobody is having fun anymore. Because we have cell phones on the set, everyone’s on their cell phone. No one’s talking.” WHO CAN TURN THE WORLD ON WITH HIS SMILE? Bruce got his first gig on The Mary Tyler Moore Show because the producer owed his agent a favor. On doing a streaming series: “I’m doing a series now -- six episodes. They call that a series? I call it a two-parter.” Bruce gets a surprise walking onto the Gunsmoke set when he discovers the entire town is built inside a soundstage. On filming pilots: “George Clooney says he’s the king of the unsold pilots. Well, buddy, I’m the runner-up!” While shooting The Orville, Bruce finds out that the biggest SMK fan… is Seth McFarlane! How do you marry Lee and Amanda? Should you marry Lee and Amanda? So, join Susan and Sharon -- and Bruce -- as they talk How The West Was Won, Ted Knight, Tron, Juanita Bartlett, Susan Diol, Police Woman, and pranking Martha Smith -- and Kate Jackson -- AND Beverly Garland… and the sad, tragic life of “Dean, the Boyfriend”! AUDIO-OGRAPHY Find out more about Bruce Boxleitner at Facebook.com Follow him at Instagram.com/BoxleitnerBruce Follow him at <a href="https://x.com/boxleitnerbruce" target="_bla
S3 E4 · Wed, October 16, 2024
The Scarecrow and his Mrs. King | Bruce Boxleitner, Part 1
“ Kate was able to go off script. Then I found I could go with her. Pretty soon we’re doing stuff that is not on the written page. That’s where we found the little ‘in-between’ moments.” - Bruce Boxleitner Susan and Sharon are so excited to talk with the star of one of their favorite 80s TV shows of all time -- Bruce Boxleitner from Scarecrow & Mrs. King! Bruce’s television career started way back in 1973 with an appearance on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. He has since appeared in over 100 films and TV shows including Gunsmoke, Baretta, Police Woman, Hawaii 5-0, Babylon 5, Crossing Jordan, Commander in Chief, American Dad, Cold Case, Heroes, Chuck, NCIS, Supergirl, The Orville, When Calls The Heart, How The West Was Won, Bring ‘Em Back Alive, The Gambler and Tron. In Part One of this two-part interview, Bruce reflects on getting the role of Lee Stetson, working with Kate Jackson and the cast of Scarecrow & Mrs. King and filming some of the show’s most memorable episodes during the summer of 1984 in Europe. THE CONVERSATION GETTING THE SHOW: "I was in a daze. I ended up on the roof... The security guard down below: 'What are you doing up there?' 'I don't know!'" UN-“HAPPY DAYS”: How Bring ‘Em Back Alive fought a losing battle on Tuesday nights against Richie Cunningham and the Fonz… But how it led to Bruce’s most famous TV role of all time! CALLING ALL SPIES: What was it like auditioning with Kate Jackson -- in front of the same executives that just cancelled his last show? On Mel Stuart: “He was the best. I miss him so much. He made me laugh more than anyone I’ve ever worked with.” THE OLD CAR: Driving that ’63 Porsche Speedster around Washington, D.C. during the pilot: “It died after every take.” THE NEW CAR: a 1984 Corvette: “It fit me like a pair of fiberglass pants.” Gary Davis -- Bruce’s secret stunt double -- did all Lee Stetson’s stunts, and doubled for Bruce more times than you might think. NOT TOO MANY GUNFIGHTS AT 8PM: The Scarecrow editors assembled a gag reel of all the times top agent Lee Stetson lost his gun. SAVING MS. SMITH: While filming in Munich, Bruce and Martha Smith walked into the wrong punk bar. Bruce got her out -- but only after throwing some Stetson-style punches! Working in the Alps and in Amanda's house with Jean Stapleton -- “I wish she could have done more episodes.” One of Bruce’s favorite episodes? S2; EP1 “To Catch a Mongoose” S2; EP21: “Burn Out” -- and the scene where Lee slaps Amanda. How did that feel for Kate -- and Bruce? So, join Susan and Sharon -- and Bruce -- as they talk Beverly Garland, James Garner, quirky humor, Scotland Yard, Lee Stetson’s wardrobe, “When should we kiss?” -- and what happened the day Moonlighting premiered!
S3 E3 · Wed, October 09, 2024
Casting Jeff Bridges, Anne Hathaway, Keira Knightly and more | Marcia Ross, part 2
‘The Princess Diaries’, ‘Romy & Michelle’, ‘10 Things I Hate About You’, ‘Clueless’… Whenever I think my work doesn’t mean anything to anyone at any time and never will… somebody says to me, ‘Those movies -- I watched them and I showed them to my kid.” -- Casting Director Marcia Ross In Part Two of our conversation with Casting Director Marcia Ross, Susan and Sharon discuss the changing business of Hollywood, favorite finds, shrinking budgets, and going from in-person auditions -- to auditioning on tape -- to just clicking on a link… Casting Director Marcia Ross has been instrumental in putting together amazing ensembles for classic films and TV shows since 1983. Susan and Sharon sit down this week with Ms. Ross to go behind the scenes and discover exactly how today’s “unknown” turns into tomorrow’s “big discovery” -- and who makes it happen. Among the young actors Marcia is credited with discovering: Anne Hathaway, Heath Ledger, Paul Rudd, Rachel McAdams, Jennifer Garner and Amy Poehler. THE CONVERSATION To cast the pilot of Models Inc. , they auditioned “one thousand women” -- including Carrie Anne Moss! Angelina Jolie didn’t get cast -- because she “didn’t have the right look” according to Aaron Spelling. 8TL's own producer Melissa Roth worked on Models Inc, too -- as a camera assistant! Casting Princess Diaries: Anne Hathaway was perfect because “you had to believe she could be both things. (a real person and a princess)” Chris Pine in Princess Diaries 2: “He read for me and I was like, “Can you come back this afternoon?” He was an unknown, but within a day he had the part. The challenge of casting sequels -- how are you gonna get everyone back? BURNING BRIDGES: How do you tell your star Jeff Bridges that the actress he wants you to cast… just isn’t right? Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion -- Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino got the lead roles … but SNL's Will Ferrel and Chris Kattan ended up on the cutting room floor. “It’s a hard business. And it’s hard to have longevity because people always want the next new thing.” So, join Susan and Sharon -- and Marcia -- as they talk Jean Smart, Jeremy Renner, Lizzie McGuire, Julie Andrews, Johnny Depp, Scarecrow & Mrs. King -- and watching The Flintstones Friday nights at 7:30! AUDIO-OGRAPHY Find out more about Marcia Ross and Jeff Kaufman’s documentary film work at FloatingWorldPictures.com . To see Nasrin, go to NasrinFilm.com Watch the Terrence McNally documentary Every Act of Life on YouTube , <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B07K1
S3 E2 · Wed, October 02, 2024
Casting Thirtysomething & Creating Stars | Marcia Ross, Part 1
“An actor is either compelling -- or they are NOT compelling. Doesn’t matter if they’re green. You want to watch them. That’s what makes them a star. How do I know? I just feel it.” -- Marcia Ross, Casting Director How did “Clueless” and “Princess Diaries” and “Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion” find their leads? Casting Director Marcia Ross has been instrumental in putting together amazing ensembles for classic films and TV shows since 1983. Susan and Sharon sit down this week with Ms. Ross to go behind the scenes and discover exactly how today’s “unknown” turns into tomorrow’s “big discovery” -- and who makes it happen. Among the young actors Marcia is credited with discovering: Anne Hathaway, Heath Ledger, Paul Rudd, Rachel McAdams, Jennifer Garner and Amy Poehler. THE CONVERSATION Channing Tatum’s first audition! He didn’t get the part. But the next time Marcia saw him, it worked out better: Step Up . Casting Andre Braugher -- and how a single note changed the audition from flat, to making a roomful of people cry. 10 Things I Hate About You -- Gabrielle Union was the only person who auditioned for her role. HEATH LEDGER GETS A SECOND CHANCE: The first time around he just didn’t have it. Marcia gave him one more chance: “Be prepared!” It made all the difference. DARE TO PIVOT: How she made the transition to producing documentaries: meeting Terrance McNally -- and then filming him… THE SCIENCE OF THE ENSEMBLE: thirtysomething -- it started with Ken Olin. But it when Mel Harris came in, it was all about chemistry… So, join Susan and Sharon -- and Marcia -- as they talk Chita Rivera, Cujo, Angela Lansbury, same-sex marriage, Paul Rudd, Nathan Lane, human rights in Iran -- and finally getting a casting director academy award category!! And stay tuned for PART 2. Casting in the 80s, Jeff Bridges and more! AUDIO-OGRAPHY Find out more about Marcia Ross and Jeff Kaufman’s documentary film work at https://www.floatingworldpictures.com/about-us Need some 80s TV Ladies merch?!? Check out our GRAND OPENING SALE . CONNECT Visit 80sTVLadies.com for transcripts and more. Sign up for the 80s TV Ladies mailing list. Check out Instagram/80sTVLadies . Support us and get ad-free episodes on PAT
S3 E1 · Wed, September 18, 2024
When Women Invented Television | NY Times Bestselling author Jennifer Keishin Armstrong
Welcome to Season 3! Sharon and Susan kick off a new season with Jennifer Keishan Armstrong, the New York Times bestselling author of Seinfeldia: How a Show about Nothing Changed Everything, When Women Invented Television, Sex and the City and Us, and Mary and Lou and Rhoda and Ted. Jennifer writes about entertainment and pop culture for the New York Times Book Review, Fast Company, Vulture, BBC Culture, and Entertainment Weekly. Her latest book So Fetch: The Making of Mean Girls (And Why We're Still So Obsessed with It) was published this year. In this fascinating interview, Jennifer takes us behind the scenes with four different women who, in their own ways, invented television: Irma Phillips, Hazel Scott, Gertrude Berg -- and Betty White. Each of them faced sexism -- and racism -- but triumphed during a time when opportunities for women in television were limited -- but strangely also more open than you may think…. THE CONVERSATION How The Mary Tyler Moore Show gave a voice to women everywhere when they gave a voice to a host of female TV writers. The Oprah of the 1950’s was… Gertrude Berg? The Beyoncé of the 1940s was... reknowned Black jazz pianist, Hazel Scott. Find out how Scott became the first Black person to host a national primetime television show -- in 1950. The character of Suanne Nivens that Betty White played on The Mary Tyler Moore Show was based on a woman who did a LIVE Homemaking Show played by… Betty White! Irma Phillips was asked to make something that would appeal to women -- so she invented the Soap Opera. Phillips created As The World Turns -- AND the longest running show of all time, The Guiding Light. Gertrude Berg’s ground-breaking sitcom about a Jewish family -- The Goldbergs -- was so successful that it was considered to be the lead-in for a new, untested show that might need some help -- I Love Lucy. Why was 1955 the death knell of women working in television -- both in front of AND behind the camera? According to network executives in 1969, what were the THREE THINGS Americans didn’t want to see on television? How The Mary Tyler Moore Show made Ed Asner a feminist. So join Susan and Sharon -- and Jennifer -- as they talk “fat farms”, Mean Girls, the Black List, Seinfeld, Tina Fey, Shonda Rhimes, Father Knows Best -- and “On Wednesdays we wear pink”! AUDIO-OGRAPHY Find Jennifer Keishan Armstrong at her website, jenniferkarmstrong.com . Buy The Women Who Invented Television (and all Jennifer’s books) at Bookshop.org . Find Jen
Bonus · Wed, September 04, 2024
SNEAK PEEK: Susan and Sharon Spill Secrets for Season 3
In this special bonus episode, Susan, Sharon and Melissa spill a few secrets about our upcoming season and fun guests coming soon to 80s TV Ladies. Can you guess what female-driven television shows from the 1980s we’ll be covering in our upcoming season? THE CONVERSATION Do we know what we did this summer? How was your summer? What is that feeling in the air? Is it hope?!! Are you ready to Vote? Does Melissa even want to talk about her summer? Okay, for real: what shows are we gonna cover in Season THREE?! Can you guess the shows? The Vickie Lawrence-starring, Carol Burnett Show spin-off sitcom, Mama’s Family . You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have… The Facts of Life. Yes! And finally yes: The Golden Girls! What are the recurring themes we are discovering through Season 1 and 2 interviews? Yes, there will be more special series guests this season: More Director Ladies, Star Trek Ladies, Stunt Ladies and more surprises! So join us as we spill Season Three secrets about what guests we will for sure be talking to: like Mama’s Family ’s Dorothy Lyman and Eric Brown, women in television expert and pop-culture author, Jennifer Keishan Armstrong. And can you guess who will be our very special guest from The Golden Girls? AUDIO-OGRAPHY Read about our first guest for Season 3: Jennifer Keishan Armstrong at jenniferkarmstrong.com Get info on Jennifer’s books and prep for episode 301: Mary and Lou and Rhoda and Ted: And all the Brilliant Minds Who Made The Mary Tyler Moore Show a Classic at Jennifer's website . When Women Invented Television by Jennifer Keishan Armstrong at Bookshop . At Barnes & Noble . At Amazon . CONNECT Visit 80sTVLadies.com for transcripts. Sign up for the 80s TV Ladies mailing list. Support us and get ad-free episodes on PATREON
Bonus · Wed, August 28, 2024
ENCORE: Revisit Stephanie Zimbalist Talks Remington Steele, Part 2
BONUS: Check out this exciting encore episode from Season 1: Part TWO of our interview with true show business icon and classic 8os TV Lady -- “Remington Steele’s” one-and-only Laura Holt -- Stephanie Zimbalist. In a career spanning six decades, Stephanie has performed on stage and screen with everyone: Alec Baldwin, Walter Matthau, Jessica Tandy, Anthony Hopkins, John Goodman, Patricia Neal, Alfred Molina, Tommy Tune, Jimmy Stewart AND her own father, the legendary Efrem Zimbalist Jr. Steele Talking: Susan and Sharon continue their interview with the award-winning stage, TV and film actress… THE CONVERSATION - Working with her real-life dad – showbiz legend Efrem Zimbalist Jr – How he became a father figure for co-star Pierce Brosnan. (And how he taught Stephanie the secret to “playing drunk”…!) - Her decades-long friendship with Alec Baldwin. - When James Stewart was almost on Remington! - The Amazing Remington Steele Guest Stars, including… - Paul Reiser – and how Pierce broke up every time he said a line. - Louie Anderson – and that horse… - And Beverly Garland – Laura’s mom! (Wait -- were Laura Holt and Amanda King sisters??) - How she was cast in – but had to quit – ROBOCOP. - Why she has never gone back to rewatch “Remington Steele.” - Why “the blood isn’t real on “Remington Steele” -- and how humor on TV has changed… - How curiosity leads to love. - New York, noodles – and a “rude awakening” in the theater… Listen in as Susan, Sharon and Stephanie talk “Moonlighting”, memories and Mary Tyler Moore! AUDIO-OGRAPHY Stephanie Zimbalist on Facebook/StephanieZimbalistFanPage . Steele Watching Podcast w/ Kerry Carlock. CONNECT Visit 80sTVLadies.com for transcripts. Sign up for the 80s TV Ladies mailing list. Support us and get ad-free episodes on PATREON. VOTE We're NOMINATED for Best Film & TV Podcast. Please VOTE for 80s TV Ladies at Women in Podcasting Awards . Register or Check your Registration at Vote.org This is the 45th anniversary of President Carter's Crisis of Confidence speech. Get Susan’s new play about it: Confidence (and the Sp
Bonus · Wed, August 14, 2024
ENCORE: Revisit Stephanie Zimbalist Talks Remington Steele, Part 1
It's more Summer Reruns. Check out this cool encore episode from Season 1: Susan and Sharon sit down with a true show business icon and classic 8os TV Lady -- “Remington Steele’s” one-and-only Laura Holt -- Stephanie Zimbalist. In a career spanning six decades, Stephanie has performed on stage and screen with everyone: Alec Baldwin, Walter Matthau, Jessica Tandy, Anthony Hopkins, John Goodman, Patricia Neal, Alfred Molina, Tommy Tune, Jimmy Stewart AND her own father, the legendary Efrem Zimbalist Jr. THE CONVERSATION Growing up Zimbalist: what it’s like to be born into a true show business dynasty. How Stephanie started writing, directing and producing – at the age of seven. How she attended Julliard with friends and classmates Robin Williams and Christopher Reeve -- and then got kicked out! Winning – or not winning – an “Enema” (oh wait -- “Emmy”) A Life in the Theater: performing award-winning roles in classic plays by Shakespeare, Chekhov, Tennessee Williams and more. The gift of making “big choices” on stage – and screen. And the pleasure of refining and reinventing a performance over a long run. Playing Katherine Hepburn in “Tea at Five” – and how she discovered they’re cousins! Turning down the role of Laura Holt three times before finally taking it on. “Backwards and in High Heels” – on water skis! Stephanie takes us through doing her own stunts on “Remington Steele” -- and working with legendary stuntwoman Debbie Evans. Join Susan and Sharon (and Stephanie) as we talk fame, fedoras – and wet-biking in France with Pierce. PLUS -- MORE listener mail!! AUDIO-OGRAPHY Stephanie Zimbalist on Facebook/StephanieZimbalistFanPage . Steele Watching Podcast w/ Kerry Carlock. Native Land Digital at Native-Land.ca Read about Land Acknowledgment at LAist. CONNECT Visit 80sTVLadies.com for transcripts. Sign up for the 80s TV Ladies mailing list. Support us and get ad-free episodes on PATREON. VOTE We're NOMINATED for Best Film & TV Podcast. Please VOTE for 80s TV Ladies at <a href="https://
Bonus · Wed, July 31, 2024
ENCORE: Revisit Cagney & Lacey with Tyne Daly
Encore! Encore! For the summer break, Sharon and Susan take you back to the 80s with reruns, and back to Season 1 with a very special encore presentation of Ep. 119. Meet the woman behind Mary Beth Lacey. Sharon and Susan are excited and honored to talk with Emmy and Tony Award winning actress and the star of Cagney & Lacey, Tyne Daly. In a career spanning eight decades, Tyne Daly has appeared on stage and screen in over 100 roles in everything from “The Mod Squad” and “Judging Amy” to co-starring with Clint Eastwood in the Dirty Harry film “The Enforcer”. She has received six Emmy awards – four of them for her outstanding portrayal of Mary Beth Lacey on “Cagney & Lacey.” In this intimate interview, Tyne Daly shares stories of her childhood, barely finishing high school, her early days acting in New York, her eventual move to Los Angeles with then-husband actor/director Georg Stanford Brown -- and a lifetime of acting, politics and poetry. THE CONVERSATION How Dustin Hoffman opened the door for “non-perfect” people on film and TV. Coming to California -- and being “done at 21”! How the internet is the death of conversation. The power of words. Doing her early pilots – and hoping they didn’t go! “I Did My Cop” - How Dirty Harry almost kept Tyne from doing “Cagney & Lacey” How Tyne went to the mat for Meg Foster at the end of season one – and almost lost her job for it. What it was like to read with the (many) actresses auditioning to play the third Cagney – and how it felt to hear what the producers said about them when they left the room. Why Tyne hasn’t re-watched the show – and doesn’t want to. Tyne’s idea for a new holiday: Interdependence Day – a day celebrating everything we have in common as a people. Tyne reads the poem “Life While You Wait” by Wisława Szymborska How after a lifetime of striving and struggling – as an actress and woman – Tyne sees that certain battles are never over… What's Tyne's one word to explain the 21st century? And what's yours? So join Susan, Sharon – and Tyne -- as they talk Bette Davis, Angela Lansbury, Jimmy Stewart, “Colleagues with penises” and “Lining up with the pigs”! AUDIOGRAPHY Keep up with Tyne Daly at Tynedalyonline.com Visit the Official Cagney & Lacey Facebook page . Tyne Daly’s Official Facebook page. WHERE TO WATCH Cagney & Lacey on Roku . The Bread Fa
S2 E38 · Wed, July 17, 2024
Top Ten Guest Stars of A Different World!
"One of the things I love about looking back at 80s television is you get to see some early and amazing young stars and very exciting stunt casting." It's Guest Stars Galore on 80s TV Ladies! We're taking a nostalgic trip back to the iconic 80s sitcom " A Different World ." Susan and Sharon debate -- and celebrate -- the amazing roster of guest stars that walked the halls of Hillman College during the six seasons of A Different World . As one of the only black-centered shows of its time, A Different World was in many ways “the only game in town” for a certain generation of black performers, and under show-runner Debbie Allen it became a real showcase for black celebrities who -- even in the 80’s and 90’s -- didn’t have as many opportunities when it came to network television exposure. Legendary performers—such as Lena Horne, Josephine Premice, Patti LaBelle, Diahann Carroll, Robert Guillaume, Gladys Knight—and modern stars like Whoopi Goldberg, Raven Symone, Halle Berry… and Tupac Shakur—found a spotlight. Susan and Sharon get out their red pens and grade books and fight it out, narrowing down who will finally be “Best in Class” -- The Top Ten Guest Stars of A Different World ! THE CONVERSATION THE TOP TWO: How Patti LaBelle and Diahann Carroll are so hilarious -- and perfectly cast -- as the moms of Dwayne and Whitley: two parents from very “different worlds”. Whoopi Goldberg was the secret weapon that allowed the show to do an “AIDS Episode” (“If I Should Die Before I Wake” S4; EP23). Once she signed on, the network couldn’t say no. It became the highest rated episode of the season. Josephine Premice played the art dealer that Whitley works for in S4 -- and is the mother of writer/showrunner Susan Fales-Hill! (She later plays Dwayne and Whitley’s landlord in S6!) The beautiful Billy Dee Williams plays a former baseball player (S6; EP23) who decides to finish college -- and ends up in the classroom of his old flame: Leslie Uggams! But is it a true 80s TV Ladies show? Sharon calls out showrunner Debbie Allen. She directed 83 episodes of the show (104 were directed by women) and steered it through most of its run. Jennifer Lewis -- as Dean Dorothy Dandridge Davidson -- hits the heights in the Lena Horne Episode -- “A Rock, A River, A Lena” (S6; E22) Susan calls out Gladys Knight in “Three Girls Three” (S2; EP5) -- a classic 80’s stunt casting coup that is everything you want it to be! Can you believe it? Susan also loves a very “guy-centric” episode: “Citizen Wayne” (S2; EP21) -- starring Jesse Jackson. But this isn’t on Sharon’s list for reasons… Who are the TWO GUEST STARS who get cut from the list? One is a guy… And one is… ALSO A GUY! So -- join Susan and Sharon as they talk Brian’s Song , Kris Kross, Tisha Campbell, high-kicks, the “Evolution of Whitley,” Gilbert Gottfried, “checkin
S2 E37 · Wed, July 03, 2024
Does A Different World Need a Reboot? | 90s TV Babies
The 90s TV Babies are back to examine the 80s sensation A Different World! Serita Fontanesi, Sergio Perez and Megan Ruble signed up for classes at Hillman College TV. But now it’s time for finals. This will ALL be on the test. Professors Lambert and Johnson assigned these episodes to watch: S1: E1 -- “Pilot” S2: E1 -- “Dr. War Is Hell” S2: E20 -- “No Means No” S6: E9 & 10 -- “Faith, Hope and Charity: Part One and Two” So -- will the Babies return for another semester at Hillman College? Or will they drop out? Find out -- right now! THE CONVERSATION PREGNANCY ROULETTE: Serita is stunned by how much “pee” is involved in getting pregnant. Megan knew nothing about A Different World -- had never seen a single episode. Sergio has binged all of Seasons 1 & 2 - and helped Susan and Sharon create social media for the podcast. For Serita, A Different World has been a part of her TV life pretty much since she was born. She’s seen the whole series, front to back, multiple times. The Babies know OF “The Cosby Show” -- but none of them ever watched it! SERGIO THE RULE-BREAKER: As a little kid he watched Nick-at-Night even though he wasn’t supposed to. Megan LOVED A Different World -- and was surprised by how much the show CHANGED every season… SERITA’S HOT TAKE: You can skip Season One -- the “Lisa Bonet” Season. Sergio disagrees. Serita calls out how grounded the show is -- while still having “wacky” episodes tossed in for spice! Sergio: “Can we please go back to TV shows with 23 episodes a season -- not 8?!?” Do Megan and Sergio agree about Jaleesa and her storyline? Serita’s favorite character is Whitley -- but she relates the most to Kim. Does this show need a reboot? NO MEANS NO: Megan thought the episode about sexual assault was excellent and totally on-point -- except for one key moment… So, join Susan, Sharon -- and Serita, Sergio and Megan -- as they talk Patti LaBelle, Diahann Carroll, AIDS, is it feminist and is it progressive? -- and all the ways to say “Shut Up! AUDIOGRAPHY Watch A Different World -- streaming on MAX. Check out Tammy at the true-crime podcast: Grits with a Side of Murder . Check out Serita’s podcast “Not Ugly Pod”. Find out about Megan’s “Shakespeare By The Sea” at Shakespearebythesea.org Find out about Sergio’s production of “CinderAlice” at <a href="https://www.oxy.edu/academics/areas-study/th
S2 E36 · Wed, June 19, 2024
A Different World and Hollywood Strategies For Revolution | Director Neema Barnette
“A lot of production companies… who decide to do stories about people of color are not used to having the people of color they hire coming in with an opinion. Coming in contradicting them on certain things.” -- Neema Barnette, director, A Different World Susan and Sharon welcome legendary producer-director Neema Barnette to talk about her journey from Harlem to Hollywood. Ms. Barnette made history in 1986 when she became the first African-American woman to direct a prime-time sitcom ( What’s Happening Now? ). She followed this up with episodes of Frank’s Place, It’s A Living and The Cosby Show before directing seven episodes of A Different World . She has directed over 50 movies and television shows and was also the first African-American woman to get a three-picture deal with Sony Pictures. Neema was also the producer-director of Season One of Ava DuVernay and Oprah Winfrey’s Queen Sugar . She shares stories of making the transition from New York theater to Hollywood films and television, fighting the good fight for herself and others, and inspiring a new generation -- with the truth. THE CONVERSATION Head of Columbia Pictures Barbara Corday took one look at Neema’s reel and said “Get this woman a job!” “I’ve had two jobs in my life. Directing and teaching. And they have a lot of similarities. ‘Sit down. Shut up. Move over.’ Supportive words from the great Shirley Hemphill on the ground-breaking episode of What’s Happening Now ?: “We’ve got your back.” IN THE 60s: Getting Sherman’s BBQ and going to the Apollo from noon to midnight to see everyone -- especially Aretha Franklin. The troubles and battles with Ron Howard, Brian Grazer and National Geographic during the making of Genius: Aretha . “When I was in college, I took a course called ‘Strategies For Revolution’. I took that course and I applied it when I came to Hollywood.” Directing The Cosby Show -- in the episode where Bill gets pregnant! Working with Tyra Ferrell, Mare Winningham, Rosilyn Heller and Gloria Steinem on Better Off Dead. Getting pulled away from teaching to do Queen Sugar. “The ratings came out and I started getting calls.” How Ava DuVernay changed the landscape of television by hiring only women directors on Queen Sugar -- and supporting their careers ongoing. So, join Susan, Sharon -- and Neema -- as they talk Michael B. Jordan, Superfly , The Young Lords, Queen Latifah, Seventh Heaven , Pam Grier -- and “Cut--print that sucker!” AUDIOGRAPHY Watch A Different World -- streaming on MAX. Find Neema Barnette at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/neemafilms" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopen
S2 E35 · Wed, June 05, 2024
A Different World | Showrunner, Writer Susan Fales-Hill
“You can be anything you want in this world, darling. But if you become an actress or a nun, I’ll kill myself.” -- legendary actress Josephine Premice to her daughter, writer/producer Susan Fales-Hill. Susan and Sharon welcome writer and showrunner Susan Fales-Hill as they continue their look back at the classic 80’s comedy series A Different World . Ms. Fales-Hill’s writing career began on The Cosby Show and continued on A Different World where she rose from story editor all the way to executive producer during the course of the show’s seven-year run. Content Warning: Sexual Assault/Child Sexual Abuse. At approx. 53:00 - 58:00 short discussion of date rape and child sexual assault. Susan Fales-Hill is currently writer/executive producer on HBO’s Sex And The City sequel series And Just Like That . She is also the author of four books including her memoir "Always Wear Joy." Susan shares stories of growing up bi-racial in a show biz legacy family, how comedy comes from pain, and the help (and hinderances) she got from men, women and people of color along the way… THE CONVERSATION Being Whitley Gilbert’s alter ego: “She said a lot of the things I wanted to say -- but was too polite!" FINDING YOUR VOICE: Susan reflects on learning how to speak up in a writer’s room even though she was the youngest, newest writer -- and a woman. GO WEST YOUNG WOMAN: The “Big Move” from The Cosby Show in New York to A Different World in Los Angeles. THE IMPORTANCE OF A NEW POT: Sometimes you have to "re-plant" yourself to grow. HOW DO YOU SOLVE A PROBLEM LIKE MARISA? The challenge of featuring a white character attending an HBCU. JUST A TIME SLOT SUCCESS? Some people grumbled that ADW only succeeded because it followed the massive hit The Cosby Show. How Debbie Allen insisted the show be topical -- and the surprise when Bill Cosby agreed. The story of how Susan personally got Diahann Carroll to be on the show. Being told by her agents after running a Top Ten show: “We can’t get you on a white show.” On the joy of casting your own mom -- singer, dancer, actress Josephine Premice. Susan reflects on which “issue” episodes worked -- and which ones maybe missed the mark (looking at you, Los Angeles Uprising…) The network was adamantly opposed to the “Los Angeles Uprising” episodes -- and some believe it signed the shows death warrant. So, join Susan, Sharon -- and Susan -- as they talk pig noses, possible spin-offs, Billy Dee Williams, The Amistad, “Benevolent Karens”, Jennifer Lewis… and the danger of saying “shut up” to your mom! AUDIOGRAPHY Watch A Different World -- streaming on MAX. Watch the classi
S2 E34 · Wed, May 22, 2024
Exploring A Different World | Niceole Levy
Sharon and Susan begin an all-new series of episodes looking at the groundbreaking 80s sitcom A Different World (1987-1993). This Cosby Show spin-off starred Lisa Bonet, Kadeem Hardison, Jasmine Guy, Charnele Brown, Dawn Lewis and Marissa Tomei. It explored the lives of students at Hillman College, a fictional HBCU, and addressed issues such as race, sexual assault, HIV/AIDS and equal rights while still keeping the laughs coming. In 1988, Lisa Bonet and Marissa Tomei left the show and a new showrunner was brought on -- the legendary actress, producer, director and choreographer Debbie Allen. To help kick off this in-depth look at A Different World , we welcome A Different World fan and amazing “2020s TV Lady” -- writer, producer and author Niceole Levy. Niceole’s numerous TV writing/producing credits include Cloak and Dagger, Shades of Blue, SWAT, The Recruit and Found . She is the co-writer, along with George Nolfi, of the 2020 feature film The Banker . She has also written a book for aspiring TV writers called "The Writer’s Room Survival Guide." THE CONVERSATION 80s TV made marriage look easy and fun -- cuz the couples were usually crime solving millionaires! How watching every syndicated show on TV -- Perry Mason, I Love Lucy, Marcus Welby, Dick Van Dyke Show, Ironside -- prepares you for a life of TV writing. Everything retro is new again: Getting that first gig -- with Blair Underwood -- on the 2013 re-boot of Ironside ! Niceole’s advice for getting into TV and film -- DON’T GO TO FILM SCHOOL! For Niceole -- and so many others -- A Different World ’s Hillman College was her first exposure to an HBCU. RUN THE NUMBERS: 20 of the 47 writers on ADW were women! SEASON 2 RE-SET: How the addition of show-runner Debbie Allen re-ignited the series with a new sense of excitement and vitality. A DIFFERENT LOOK -- How A Different World achieved a bigger, more expansive look than other sitcoms of the time. So, join Susan, Sharon -- and Niceole -- as they talk Miami Vice , watching 1,000 television shows, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D .,keeping a TV journal, Boyz II Men, dancing with Kamala Harris, scheduling your life around a TV show -- and the importance of not messing up the lunch order! AUDIOGRAPHY Watch A Different World -- streaming on MAX. Find out about Niceole at niceolelevy.com. Read her “What I Learned Watching 1,000 Television Shows” here . Buy Niceole Levy’s book "The Writer’s Room Survival Guide" at <a href="https://
S2 E33 · Wed, May 08, 2024
Directing Miami Vice and Cagney & Lacey | Jan Eliasberg
“I was quite set on theater. I was going to go out to Los Angeles for one year -- and that was it. Then I was going to go back to New York and devote myself to the theater. It didn’t work out that way.” -- Jan Eliasberg 80s TV Ladies "Director Ladies" series continues as Susan and Sharon welcome legendary director Jan Eliasberg. Jan began her television director career in the 1980s with an episode of Cagney & Lacey -- and she went on to be the first female director ever on Miami Vice, Crime Story and 21 Jump Stree t. She has also directed episodes of Dirty Dancing, L.A. Law, Dawson’s Creek, Party of Five, Sisters, Parenthood, Nashville, Supernatural, Bull and NCIS: Los Angeles . Jan recently published her first novel, Hannah’s War. In this enlightening conversation, Jan discusses how the American Film Institute (AFI) and “The Original Six” opened up opportunities for her and other female directors; how to navigate directing a network television show for the first time -- and how courage, tenacity and little guile can make all the difference … THE CONVERSATION How do you get 10,000 hours of experience when directing requires so much time, money and people: Europe or Yale? What can Shakespeare and Ibsen teach you about directing TV? Everything… Frances McDormand, Angela Bassett, John Turturo, Tony Shalhoub and Courtney Vance -- how do you quickly figure out what different actors need to create great performances? What happens when you direct a play about South African apartheid in St. Louis in the early 1980s? On shadowing directors: “I’m already a director -- what am I doing watching these people? I mean, they’re good, but I’m good, too. And that was the kind of confidence -- or maybe you could say arrogance, fearlessness - -that it takes to go into a field that is predominantly male and actually make a dent and get a job.” How a twisty game of cat-and-mouse with Barney Rosensweig led to Jan’s first directing gig -- on Cagney & Lacey. (S5, EP13 -- “Act of Conscience”). Directing L.A. Law -- and David Kelly’s very first script! How asking others for advice is a gift that goes both ways. Directing two classic, fan-favorite episodes of Miami Vice . Jan gets her first feature film in 1988: How I Got Into College -- but you won’t believe what happened to her on Day Two of filming… Past Midnight -- working with the great Rutger Hauer and Natasha Richardson. Is the window for women directors opening or closing? Jan gives us her take. So, join Susan, Sharon -- and Jan -- as they talk Dennis Farina, Michael Moriarty, Rutger Hauer, Paul Giamatti, Daniel Craig, Meg Foster, Sela Ward, Swoosie Kurtz, Kirsten Dunst, George Clooney, Patricia Arquette, Stanley Tucci -- and creamsicles! AUDIOGRAPHY Find out more about Jan at <a
S2 E32 · Wed, April 24, 2024
Welcome New Listeners! April 8TL Mailbag + In Memorium
The Best Indie Podcast nomination IS the award! Susan and Sharon thank ALL the listeners who came out to support “80’s TV Ladies” as Best Indie Podcast for the WEBBY AWARDS. A big welcome to all our new listeners! And a sincere thank you to all who voted and to our listeners who reached out. BIG THANKS to our friends who shouted us out, including: Chris Stachiw from Weirding Way Media Network and the Kulturecast Podcast. Scott Philbrook and Forrest Burgess of the Astonishing Legends podcast. Richard Hatem of Richard Hatem’s Paranormal Bookshelf podcast. And an extra special thank you to TikTok superstar and creator of Phineas and Ferb, Dan Povenmire, and all his fans. All of you went the extra mile to support us and bring new listeners to the show, so THANK YOU! And of course, the biggest thank you of all -- TO OUR LOYAL FANS! And listen in on the first official 8TL Mailbag, where we get feedback and answer questions and get feedback from you, our fans! PLUS -- an April 2024 “In Memorium Salute”. AUDIOGRAPHY Check out the Webby Nominee Press Release with our names and Michelle Obama. We’re 26 lines ABOVE Michelle Obama. Just saying. Watch Matt Baume’s YOUTUBE Channel episode “ Bewitched: It Was Gay All Along? ” Listen in on the new podcast, Richard Hatem’s Paranormal Bookshelf And Chris Stachiw’s movie review podcast, The Kulturecast . Explore the world of Scott Philbrook & Forrest Burgess’s Astonishing Legends podcast. Find Dan Povenmire on TikTok And Twitter . Watch Hamster and Gretel and Phineas and Ferb . Abortion access in America is severely limited – if you need help go to Abortionfinder.org . CONNECT Read transcripts and more at <a href="https://www.80stvladies.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"
Bonus · Wed, April 17, 2024
Nominated For Best Indie Podcast | Help Us Win a Webby Award!
Help us win a Webby Award - Vote at WebbyAwards.com . Vote for 80’s TV Ladies for Best Indie Podcast at the Webby Awards Now! Voting ends Thursday, April 18th, 2024 . Vote: tinyurl.com/vote80tvl Thanks to our dear friends, Weirding Way Media and Astonishing Legends for all their support! Cheers and welcome to any Richard Hatem's Paranormal Bookshelf fans. One Day More!
S2 E31 · Wed, April 10, 2024
Moonlighting | Our Top 8 Favorite Episodes!
BREAKING: 80s TV Ladies has been nominated for a Webby Award! Help us win. VOTE HERE! Back to our episode: Sharon and Susan burst into the Blue Moon Detective Agency and hire Maddie and David to help them answer ONE BURNING QUESTION: What are their Top 8 favorite episodes of the entire series? Maddie: “Eight? Eight? Why not ten?” David: “Can’t do it. It would make them too tens.” In the words of Miss Dipesto: “We’re never late, we won’t make you wait, but if you want favorite episodes -- you only get eight!” 1) The Pilot (S1; EP 1) 2) The Next Murder You Hear (S1; EP 4) 3) The Dream Sequence Always Rings Twice (S2; EP 4) 4) My Fair David (S2; EP 5) 5) ‘Twas The Episode Before Christmas (S2; EP 10) 6) Big Man on Mulberry Street (S3; EP 6) 7) Atomic Shakespeare (but only for one of them!) (S3; EP 7) 8) It’s A Wonderful Job (but only for one of them!) (S3; EP 8) 9) The Straight Poop (S3; EP 9) THE CONVERSATION WHAT WAS HE THINKING? Glen Gordon Caron had a secret plan for what he wanted Moonlighting to do to network television: he wanted to kill the detective genre once and for all! Why were the seasons so short? Well, there was a little problem with getting episodes done on time... If Maddie was the “parent” and David was the “child” -- did David ever grow up? Is the show feminist? Or progressive? Susan and Sharon have thoughts! Why is the agency always broke? Maybe it’s all those people in the office who don’t do anything! That time when Susan got thrown off the set of The A-Team by George Peppard! Which Season of Moonlighting is the Moonlighting-est? What the hell happened with Season 4?? Warring stars, a missing showrunner -- and Die Hard! So join Susan and Sharon as they talk Dirk Benedict, Cybill Shepherd, Bruce Willis, Melissa’s candy, The Princess Bride -- and the challenges of producing a show AND a baby at the same time! AUDIOGRAPHY What are YOUR favorite Moonlighting episodes? Let us know!! Watch Moonlighting on Hulu. On Apple TV or at Amazon Prime Video . Check out Moonlighting: The Podcast. Read Moonligh
S2 E30 · Wed, March 27, 2024
ENCORE: Revisit Cagney and Lacey with Sharon Gless
Encore! Encore! In celebration of the premiere of Cagney & Lacey 42nd years ago this week, here is a look back at the special Sharon Gless interview we dropped one year ago today! Sharon and Susan are at Podcast Movement Evolutions and The Ambies this week! So here's a look back to when they go to sit down with show business legend Sharon Gless. Multi-Emmy and Golden Globe winner, Sharon Gless has appeared in dozens of television shows such as “Nip/Tuck”, “Rizzoli & Isles”, “The Rockford Files”, “House Calls,”The Bob Newhart Show”, “Station 19” and “The Exorcist.” She has created iconic and ground-breaking characters in the shows “Burn Notice”, “Queer as Folk”, “The Trials of Rosie O’Neill” and of course “Cagney & Lacey”. In 2021 she published her bestselling, no-holds-barred autobiography “Apparently There Were Complaints”. In this in-depth interview, Sharon Gless talks frankly about feminism, her ongoing friendship with Tyne Daly, her affair, marriage and almost-divorce from Barney Rosenzweig, her struggles with substance abuse and recovery -- and the lasting legacy of the characters she’s played. THE CONVERSATION The moment Sharon Gless knew she wanted to be an actress – and knew she would not fail “The first feminist I ever met…” -- Barney Rosenzweig?? How Cagney and Lacey we’re NEVER friends. How Sharon was actually the VERY FIRST person approached to play Christine Cagney – and why she turned it down. Earning $186 a week as the last contract player at Universal. “The Woman Behind the Woman”: how talent manager Monique James left her position as VP at MCA/Universal to become Sharon’s personal manager – and changed her life. Being forced to watch herself on film to learn what she was doing right -- and wrong. Hashing out billing, and rehearsing her first table read as Cagney, with Tyne Daly over a bottle of champagne. Why Christine Cagney wanted to be first through the door with a gun. Improvising and window shopping for the Cagney & Lacey main titles. Participating with Tyne Daly and Gloria Steinem in the 2004 Women’s March on Washington –- and seeing the true impact of “Cagney & Lacey” for the first time. Being Stephen J. Cannell’s “good luck charm!” Falling in love with Debbie Novotny on “Queer as Folk”. So join Susan, Sharon – and Sharon Gless -- as they talk poker nights with Tyne, the “C”-word, the other “C”-word -- and what did she really say to that flasher?? AUDIOGRAPHY Official website: SharonGless.com Sharon Gless Facebook page. Sharon Gless’ autobiography “Apparently There Were Complaints” at <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/ap
S2 E29 · Wed, March 13, 2024
Moonlighting | The 90s TV Babies
The 90’s TV Babies return: Serita Fontanesi, Sergio Perez and Megan Ruble are back to do a little Moonlighting! Do you agree with the 90s Kids about Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis' hit show? Susan and Sharon served up five key episodes for the Babies' viewing pleasure: S1: E1 – “Pilot” S2: E3 – “Money Talks, Maddie Walks” S2: E4 – “The Dream Sequence Always Rings Twice” S2: E18 – “Camille” Bonus Episode: S3: E6 “Big Man on Mulberry Street” Plus -- YouTube scenes and snippets…. So, did the Babies ask for seconds – or send their meal back? Do bears bear? Do bees bee? Do wah diddie diddie dum diddie do? We’re going to find out! THE CONVERSATION DON’T FIGHT HIM ON THIS: Sergio, on his mom and the recipes of Pampanga, the culinary capital of the Philippines. Megan struggles with translating her personal worth into a dollar amount! Serita’s dog gets sent to reform school! Wait?!? Sergio has never seen “Die Hard” or “The Sixth Sense” – or any other Bruce Willis movie! What?!? ACCORDING TO THE BABIES: Moonlighting feels like Bruce’s show – Cybill feels like a secondary character. 90’s BABY ADVANTAGE: Megan just skipped ahead to the “good parts” episode – where David and Maddie finally get together! No fair! Which Baby thought the show was too… SLOW?!?! And which Baby thinks the show isn’t feminist but “femin-ish”? When Serita’s mother was a baby, she was quieted from crying by… ORSON WELLS?!?! So join Susan and Sharon – and Megan, Sergio and Serita – as they talk civil rights, shoulder pads, “throwing vases”, Judd Nelson, Whoopi Goldberg – and “Muppet-level nonsense”! AUDIOGRAPHY Watch the special Moonlighting playlist clips at YouTube.com/80sTVLadies . Check out the book Sergio raved about: Atching Lillian’s Heirloom Recipes . Watch Megan in Bardic Inspiration’s Twelfth Night’s on Twitch . Catch Serita’s “Not Ugly” podcast at Apple . Watch Moonlighting on Hulu. See more great Moonlighting content at Moonlighting21.com . WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH History - and Herstory - is happening right now. Abortion access in America is severely limited – if you want to help or need help go to <a href="http:
S2 E28 · Wed, February 28, 2024
Moonlighting Magic | Sheryl Main
“I was never so tightly wound as the night we transmitted the show directly from ABC in Los Angeles to New York. We basically went live.”– Sheryl Main, post-production supervisor, Moonlighting Susan and Sharon take you “behind the scenes” with Moonlighting post-production supervisor – and legendary publicity strategist Sheryl Main. As a Unit Publicist, she’s worked on such films as Creed 3, Judas and the Black Messiah, The Expendables, Terminator 3, The Perks of Being A Wallflower and collaborated with hundreds of celebrities including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Clint Eastwood, Emma Watson – and everyone in between! But she "cut her teeth" with Moonlighting. Sheryl talks about the “insanely creative” atmosphere created by Glenn Gordon Caron, the long hours and crazy good times – and the lifelong friends she “met on the way.” THE CONVERSATION Experiencing sexism and harassment in the movie industry: The Pope of Greenwich Village director “Stuart Rosenberg sent me home for wearing pink jeans. So Mickey Rourke said: “$*@! him. Work with me. Be my assistant.” When she interviewed to be Bruce Willis’s assistant, she recognized him – as “Bruno Radolini” – his musical alter ego from New York! Moonlighting on Moonlighting: “The editors pulled all-nighters. They slept there. But we had fun.” On Glen Gordon Caron: “He changed TV when you think about it. Everything we did from ‘Atomic Shakespeare’ to the black and white episode to… well, we thought we killed Orson Wells.” ARNOLD AND SLY AND BRUCE AND ME: “They all impacted my career and my life in different ways." On Arnold the Governor: “We went up there thinking ‘Woo-Hoo! We’re gonna change the world! But the mechanism in place doesn’t want you to change the world.” On Bruce Willis: “He was a craftsman with words. He could memorize a scene in a minute. What’s happening with him… it’s heartbreaking. I wouldn’t have a career without him.” So, join Susan and Sharon – and Sheryl – as they talk crisis-managing Rust, partying in Cybil’s trailer, Dennis Dugan, The Expendables, Jed the Fish on KROQ -- and the “Curtis Armstrong Day” parade! AUDIOGRAPHY Check out Moonlighting: The Podcast: https://moonlightingthepodcast.com/ Watch Moonlighting on Hulu. Stream it on Apple TV or at Amazon Prime Video . Follow Glenn Gordon Caron on <a href="https://twitter.com/GlennGCaron" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noope
S2 E27 · Wed, February 14, 2024
The Making of Moonlighting | Glenn Gordon Caron, Part 2
“I said to Cybill Shepherd, ‘You are a Prima Donna!’ And she said, ‘Yes. I am. Do you know what ‘Prima Donna’ means, Glenn? It means First Woman. And don’t you forget it.” – Glenn Gordon Caron In the second of our two-part conversation with Moonlighting and Medium creator Glenn Gordon Caron, we cover everything from Al Jarreau’s iconic theme song to sparring with Cybill Shepherd, to a forty-year career spent working with “audacious people”… Moonlighting , which ran from 1985-1989 starred Cybill Shepherd, a then-unknown Bruce Willis, Allyce Beasley and Curtis Armstrong, and become a landmark classic of 1980s television. Glenn also directed movies such as Clean and Sober, Picture Perfect and Love Affair. THE CONVERSATION Getting invited to the horse races by Cary Grant – who then dies before they could go! How dinner with Stanley Donen led to Glenn asking him to direct the dance sequence from “Big Man on Mulberry Street” as a favor. But what did Donen ask in return? That Glenn co-write that year’s Academy Award show with Larry Gelbart! How a chance meeting with Rona Barrett resulted in one of the weirdest -- and most talked-about -- episodes of Moonlighting ever! On Cybill Shepherd: “The topography of her life fit the topography of the story. She was a model. She became a huge movie star. And then she lost everything.” On Bruce Willis: “He was like thirty guys I grew up with. And I understood, underneath all that bravura, and all that jazz, there’s a genuineness that’s hard to resist." WHEN LES IS MORE: How Now and Again was born when Les Moonves told Glenn: “Write me a pilot, and if I don’t make it, I’ll give you one million dollars.” How for Glenn, the TV show Medium is less the story of a mystic – and more the story of a marriage. So, join Susan and Sharon – and Glenn – as they talk Pierce Brosnan, Love Affair , Jennifer Aniston, Clean and Sober , -- and Susan’s Vicodin mood swings! AUDIOGRAPHY Watch Moonlighting on Hulu. Stream it on Apple TV or at Amazon Prime Video . Follow Glenn Gordon Caron on Twitter.com/GlennGCaron . 80s TV LADIES NEWS Susan’s new play Confidence (and the Speech) has been published! Now available for purchase and licensing at <
S2 E26 · Wed, January 31, 2024
The Making of Moonlighting | Glenn Gordon Caron, Part 1
“They said I could do whatever I want. So I thought, I’ll write a boy-girl detective show that kills this stupid genre.” – Glenn Gordon Caron, creator of Moonlighting Some walk by night, some fly by day… Susan and Sharon cross paths with legendary writer, director, producer and creator of the classic 80’s series Moonlighting for a rollicking conversation about David, Maddie, Ms. DiPesto – and everything in between! Moonlighting ran from 1985-1989. It starred Cybill Shepherd and a then-unknown Bruce Willis and would become a landmark classic of 80s television. Tasked with making “one of those boy-girl detective shows” Caron agreed on the condition that he could do whatever he wanted. What he – and as it turns out, we – wanted, was Moonlighting . Glenn Gordon Caron has been a force in television for over four decades, since his first job on Taxi – followed by a stint on Remington Steele -- before going on to create the seminal 80s romantic comedy/detective series Moonlighting . Caron later went on to create the long-running Patricia Arquette show, Medium . Moonlighting is now streaming on Hulu. THE CONVERSATION 300 SONGS in 66 episodes – the MANY hurdles of getting the music rights for Moonlighting for the Hulu broadcasts. Glenn’s first pilot turned out to be for a little actor named… James Stewart. Steven Bochco asked Glenn to come work on his new show, then called Hill Street Station: “I said no – this is never gonna go.” On the crazy tone of Moonlighting: “I’m showing the episodes to my youngest child, who’s fourteen. He’s come to believe that I’m mentally ill.” Cybill Shepherd signed on to Moonlighting -- after reading only half the pilot! On casting the role of David Addison: “I brought Bruce Willis in to audition eleven times. They rejected him ten times.” The role of David Addison’s brother was originally written for… David Lee Roth?! GETTING PAST THE CENSORS: ABC censors wouldn’t allow David & Maddie to say “frig”. But “fig”? Um, Okay. On being a maverick: “I was young and arrogant and didn’t care about my reputation. I would live to regret that.” So, join Susan and Sharon – and Glenn – as they talk Aaron Spelling, Pierce Brosnan, Peter Peter Bogdanovich, 100-page scripts, directing Orson Wells – and getting kicked by nuns! AUDIOGRAPHY Watch Moonlighting on Hulu. Check out the Moonlighting fan website, DavidandMaddie.com Susan’s new play Confidence (and the Speech) has just been published! Now available for purchase and licensing at <a h
S2 E25 · Wed, January 17, 2024
70s and 80s Fun, Family and The Rockford Files l Elayne Heilveil
Susan and Sharon sit down with actor, director, and writer Elayne Heilveil. Elayne has worked with Mike Nichols and Mark Rydell in the classic 70s television series Family and has guested on such shows as The Rockford Files, The Waltons, Emergency!, Hawaii 5-0, Hill Street Blues and The Mary Tyler More Show. She has appeared opposite such legendary stars such as James Garner, Rip Torn, Ben Vereen, Jeff Goldblum, Valerie Bertinelli, David Jansen, Robert Culp and Dame Judith Anderson. In this layered conversation, Elayne discusses standing up for yourself on set, learning to trust your instincts, navigating dicey auditions -- and discovering the joy and artistic rewards of writing. THE CONVERSATION How a “mystical” experience reading “The Creation” by James Weldon Johnson at eleven years old led to Elayne’s start in show business. Going to the Fame school –the movie and TV show barely scratched the surface! Topless go-go dancers and drunk bodies in the streets: living and acting in 70’s New York. What do you say when an agent wants you to change your name – to Daisy Astor? On being asked to take her top off at an audition: “I broke out laughing and said, ‘Are women buying this bullshit?’ ” On casting quirks: “I’ve played three nuns. It’s every Jewish girl’s dream to be a nun.”Being “beyond nervous” auditioning for Mike Nichols. Doing the TV movie, A Cry For Help – and wearing Columbo’s trench coat the whole time! What do you do when your lines aren’t quite right on The Waltons? Give them to Richard Thomas’ John-Boy! LIVING WITH AN ‘ANGEL’ – what’s it like secretly living with Stuart Margolin, and then getting “married” on-screen? What’s the best therapy after an abusive moment on set? Try throwing drinking glasses at a brick wall. So join Susan and Sharon – and Elayne – as they talk nude photos, James Garner, reverse nepotism, finding your sweet spot – and getting tear-gassed by Rip Torn! AUDIOGRAPHY The Rockford Files is streaming FREE on Roku . So Fetch, The Making of Mean Girls (and Why We’re Still Obsessed with It) by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong. Get it at Bookshop or your favorite bookstore. Pre-order the book: The Girls: From Golden to Gilmore by Stan Zimmerman. Will ship Feb. 13. Read The Creation by
S2 E24 · Wed, January 10, 2024
Star Trek Ladies: Nana Visitor | Deep Space Nine, Part 2
“Every new Star Trek show ‘ruins’ Star Trek.” – Nana Visitor In the second episode of their two-part conversation, Susan and Sharon open a channel into Star Trek: Deep Space Nine with Nana Visitor who starred as “Kira Nerys” on the classic television series. Nana reflects on the differences between working in television then vs. now, balancing work and personal life -- and what it’s like to forever be a part of the singular Star Trek family. THE CONVERSATION GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS: Auditioning for L.A. Law – casting director Junie Lowry told her, “You’re not getting it. But there is a show you’d be great for…” Yes - It was DS:9 On the demands of a Star Trek television show: " Deep Space Nine was forty-nine of the best years of my life. I know it was just seven. But it felt like forty-nine.” On Star Trek - Discovery : “Women are writing, women are directing, women are executive producing... Women being in the room changes the dynamic.” On the set: David Hasselhoff or Andy Griffith? Daniel Hugh Kelley or Brian Keith? Who was “lovely”? And who definitely was not? On attending a Star Trek convention: “It was like a flock of exotic birds had descended. It was fascinating.” Being a role-model: What was it like talking to astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti while she was in orbit on the International Space Station as Cristoforetti told Nana she followed her dreams into space because of Kira Nerys? On Sci-Fi fandom: “A percentage of (the fans) are weirdos, but if you take any apartment building in New York – it’s the same percentage. And it’s wonderful.” Doing Cameos for parents who named their daughters “Kira”. On being a working actress and a mother: “I was in labor on the set. And I went behind the set to get through the worst of it… I tried to have my baby and have it bother no one. And I said to myself, ‘If anyone has to suffer because I’m working and I have an infant, it’s gonna be me’. And that’s not sustainable.” So join Susan and Sharon – and Nana – as they talk Avery Brooks, podcasting with your son, managing fear -- and “Opening A Channel” to greater opportunities for women! AUDIOGRAPHY Visit the “Nana Visitor Library” on Youtube . Listen to Nana Visitor’s podcast, Sunday Dinner with Nana and Django . Find Nana Visitor on Instagram and Twitter . Pre-order Nana Visitor's book: <a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Star-
S2 E23 · Wed, January 03, 2024
Star Trek Ladies: Nana Visitor | Deep Space Nine, Part 1
“I remember an agent saying to me: ‘You’re not pretty, you’re not fat – I don’t know what to do with you.’… They still don’t know what to do with me.” – Nana Visitor All-New 8TL Pop-Up Series - "Star Trek Ladies". Explore out-of-this-world conversations with and about the women of the Star Trek universe! Sharon and Susan begin with Nana Visitor, who starred as “Kira Nerys” on the classic television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. In Part One of a two-part conversation, Nana talks about her early days as a Broadway dancer in the 70’s, and starring in 80’s TV favorites such as Remington Steele, Scarecrow & Mrs. King, Matlock, Hunter, Knight Rider, MacGyver, Highway to Heaven, and In The Heat Of The Night . THE CONVERSATION A Dancer's Life: Growing up with Jerome Robbins, Gwen Verdon and Bob Fosse dancing around your parent’s apartment! All That Jazz – singing, acting and dancing with Bob Fosse -- and the life-changing advice he gave her about doing drugs. What is it like kissing your best friend’s husband for a guest role in 1991's Baby Talk – especially when it’s George Clooney? Riding horses for years on Wildfire … even though she’s terrified of horses! Vixen, Murderer or Dead Body – Nana has played them all. But which one is almost always blonde? Getting a warm welcome on the Remington Steele set – from Stephanie Zimbalist and especially Pierce Brosnan! So join Susan, Sharon – and Nana – as they talk It’s A Living , Angela Lansbury, Ryan’s Hope , Kate Jackson – and “dancing through the pain”…. AUDIOGRAPHY Sharon’s favorite: Watch Deep Space Nine on Paramount+ . Susan’s favorite: Own the OG Star Trek Original Series on Special Edition DVD . Find Nana Visitor on Instagram and Twitter . Keep the Holiday fun going: Susan, Sharon, Melissa and 90s TV Baby Serita Fonanesi recorded a hilarious live watch-thru of Lifetime’s Ladies of the 80’s: A Diva’s Christmas!Try it for FREE ON PATREON ! CONNECT Read transcripts and more at 80sTVLadies.com . Sign up for the 80s TV Ladies<a href
S2 E22 · Wed, December 20, 2023
Director Ladies: Mary Lou Belli | From Steve Martin to Ms. Pat
“The thing I loved about the theater was ‘the puzzle’. And in television, it was a new puzzle every week. And I LOVED that.” – Mary Lou Belli, on the joy of directing. In a career spanning five decades, Emmy Award-winning director Mary Lou has directed episodes of Charles In Charge, Major Dad, The Hughleys, Girlfriends, Monk, The Game, Heart of Dixie, Devious Maids, Station 19, Black Lightening, NCIS: New Orleans , Sweet Magnolias and The Ms. Pat Show . She is the co-author of four books: Director’s Tell the Story, The Sitcom Career Book, Acting For Young Actors and The NEW Sitcom Career Book . She has also opened doors for the next generation of women directors through diversity programs at ABC and CBS, and teaching and mentoring young directors through DGA, AFI, Women in Film, Film Fatale, Women in Media and Alliance of Women Directors. Ms. Belli reflects on her transition into directing, and how the landscape of opportunities has changed for women in Hollywood over the past four decades. THE CONVERSATION STARTING SMALL: After graduating college at Penn State, Mary Lou still “looked 14 years old” -- so she went to New York where she immediately got roles playing children on stage and in films. Domestic Life – learning about “perfection, refinement and improvement” with Steve Martin and Martin Mull. Teaching “Anne Shirley” (Megan Follows, Anne of Green Gables ) how to drive on the back lot at Universal Studios! How Jack Riley – Mr. Carlin from The Bob Newhart Show – lit the fire that led to Mary Lou becoming a director. Getting her start as a director at Betty Garrett’s Theater West in Los Angeles. Being mentored by Debbie Allen, Nancy Malone, Lee Shallat-Chemel, Linda Day, Joan Darling. MARY LOU IN CHARGE: Directing Ellen Travolta and Scott Baio on Charles in Charge. How identifying women as minorities opened up the playing field – and how affirmative action overwhelmingly helps open up career pathways. How being “the only woman in the room” leads to a lack of opportunity – but with MORE women in the room, generosity of opportunity follows. Running into CCH Pounder at Trader Joe’s! So join Susan and Sharon – and Mary Lou – as they talk road trips, Estelle Getty, Sydney Pollack, Emmy nominations, “Don’t Touch My Hair”, the joy of Scott Bakula – and the wisdom of passing out Xerox copies of your good reviews! AUDIOGRAPHY Find out more at her website, MaryLouBelli.com . Buy Mary Lou Belli’s books at Bookshop.org . Watch The Ms. Pat Show
S2 E21 · Wed, December 13, 2023
Designing Women and First Wave Feminism | 90’s TV Babies
Is “Reservations for Eight” your favorite or LEAST favorite episode of “Designing Women”? How can a simple television comedy cause us to dive into a deep discussion of First Wave Feminism? Yes, it’s time for the 90’s TV Babies to weigh in on Linda Bloodworth-Thomason’s Designing Women. Serita Fontanesi, Sergio Perez and Megan Ruble were given the assignment: Watch nine seminal episodes of the series, from the first season to the last, that feature all seven main cast members -- and be prepared to discuss. Find out who loved it, who hated it – and who wants a reboot! Here are the episodes they watched – in case you want to check them out, too: S1, EP1: “The Pilot”S1, EP2: “The Beauty Contest” S2, EP22: “Reservations For Eight” S4, EP11: “They Shoot Fat Woman, Don’t They?” S6, EP8: “The Strange Case of Clarence and Anita” S7, EP1: “Of Human Bondage” S7, EP7: “Fools Rush In” S7, EP 18: “It’s Not So Easy Being Green” S7, EP 20: “A Difficult Cross To Bear” (a.k.a. “The Lying Game) THE CONVERSATION Can Serita, Sergio and Megan agree what makes the best Thanksgiving sides? Did Designing Women help invent First Wave Feminism? Was Anthony straight? Gay? Gay coded? Or just Southern? A 90’s TV Babies drinking game?? It’s on. Let’s go! Shipping Anthony and… Julia? Okaaaaaaaay… Did Sheryl Lee Ralph confront Harry Thomason at a political event for the Clintons – and end up with a role on the show? Cos-playing Mary Jo? Megan’s considering it… SERITA ON DELTA: How discussions of body image issues have – and haven’t -- changed over the past 30 years. Sharon and Megan could NOT be further apart when it comes to their feelings for “Reservations for Eight” (S2, EP22) THE LEVEL OF DISCOURSE: What the show got right in its political discussions and comedy – and what hasn’t aged as well. So join Susan and Sharon – and Megan and Sergio and Serita – as they talk sweet potato mash, big Texas hair, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Beyoncé – and “the 11:00 o’clock rant”! AUDIOGRAPHY Watch Designing Women on Hulu , Amazon Prime , Pluto ! Read the 2016 MTV News article on "Confirmation" and The Strange Case of Clarence and Anita. Watch Ladies of the 80’s: A Divas Christmas o
S2 E20 · Fri, December 01, 2023
BONUS: From “Golden Girls” to “A Divas Christmas” | Stan Zimmerman
On this special Bonus Holiday-themed episode, Susan and Sharon welcome Stan Zimmerman , co-writer of Ladies of the ’80s: A Divas Christmas . Stan Zimmerman is a prolific producer and director but is perhaps best known for his work with writing partner James Berg on A Very Brady Sequel and on the classic television as Roseanne, Gilmore Girls and The Golden Girls . In Ladies of the 80’s: A Divas Christmas , Loni Anderson, Morgan Fairchild, Linda Gray, Donna Mills and Nicolette Sheridan star as five glamorous ‘80s soap opera icons who reunite to share the spotlight to shoot the final Christmas episode of their long-running soap opera. Lifetime’s Ladies of the 80’s: A Divas Christmas premieres tomorrow! -- Friday, December 2nd @ 8:00 EST! THE CONVERSATION STAN TV: As a kid Stan created an imaginary “Fourth Network” in his bedroom, programming a show lineup 7-days a week -- including giving Lily Tomlin her own comedy-variety series! Stan started out as a writer so young he had to wear a pair of fake glasses to pitch meetings to appear older. In 1985, Stan and his writing partner James Berg were one of the first gay writing teams on network TV – but their agents insisted they stay in the closet for fear they’d be fired. LOOKING FOR A ‘BEA ARTHUR TYPE’: How Susan Harris – the creator of The Golden Girls -- ended up snagging the real thing! THE BIRTH OF ST. OLAF: Stan tells the story of finding Betty White’s character Rose Nylund’s hometown in the first season of The Golden Girls. How Stan and James had to trim their scripts -- because they were getting too many laughs! In the 1980’s, you could walk down Santa Monica Blvd on a Saturday night and hear The Golden Girls playing in all the gay bars! What happened the night they filmed an episode on the day Bea Arthur’s mother died. “ADULT EDUCATION” – how this classic episode came about when Rue McClanahan specifically asked the writers to “challenge my character”. The huge network fight about airing the “Lesbian Kiss” episode of Roseanne . Which Golden Girl was Stan’s favorite to write for? And which one had terrible stage fright every time they filmed an episode? How Joan Collins and Jacklyn Smith were almost in A Divas Christmas ! So join Susan and Sharon – and Stan – as they talk Meryl Streep, Fame , teachable moments – and emailing with Lily Tomlin! AUDIOGRAPHY Premieres Friday, December 2nd. Watch Ladies of the 80’s: A Divas Christmas on Lifetime. Pre-order Stan’s book on Bookshop.org: <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/
S2 E19 · Wed, November 29, 2023
Designing Women with Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, Part 2
Susan and Sharon continue their discussion with the creator of Designing Women, Linda Bloodworth-Thomason (also Evening Shade , Hearts Afire , Filthy Rich , and more!). In Part Two of their conversation, Linda touches on the challenges of television production, her experiences with Dixie Carter, Delta Burke’s struggles on the show -- and the differences between the north and south. THE CONVERSATION LOVE IS IN THE AIR: We get the inside scoop on the real-life romances between the cast members of Designing Women and their male co-stars. When CBS refused to cast Delta Burke as Suzanne Sugarbaker – and only changed their minds three days before the pilot was shot! How Julia and Suzanne Sugarbaker’s mother was almost played by Elizabeth Taylor! DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH: How Linda and casting director Fran Bascom discovered Jean Smart and Annie Potts -- playing a pair of Arkansas diamond thieves… in Amsterdam?!? The president of CBS actually apologized for Designing Women at the network upfronts in New York – and was booed by the press who had seen the pilot and loved it! “KILLING ALL THE RIGHT PEOPLE”: How a comment Linda overheard while caring for her mother who was dying of AIDS led her to write one of her most memorable scripts. SEND THE MESSENGER! Most of the first season scripts were written by Linda on the weekend before they were shot. The telegram Oprah Winfrey sent Linda that she still has to this day. “RESERVATIONS FOR EIGHT” – this “Battle of the Sexes” episode is a favorite of Sharon’s – and Linda’s! So join Susan and Sharon – and Linda – as they talk therapy, Dolly Parton, southern racism -- and Designing Women: The Play! BONUS EPISODE COMING: Find us THIS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1st --With special guest, television writer/producer Stan Zimmerman (“Gilmore Girls” “Golden Girls”), talking about “The Girls”, working with Rosanne, Betty White, and most recently – writing the new Lifetime Network movie, Ladies of the 80’s: A Diva’s Christmas! AUDIOGRAPHY Read Linda's 2018 Hollywood Reporter column: Not All Harassment is Sexual Read Linda’s 2017 Hollywood Reporter column: Lessons From Witnessing Four Decades of Harassment in Hollywood Stream Designing Women on Hulu<
S2 E18 · Wed, November 22, 2023
Designing Women with Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, Part 1
Susan and Sharon are honored to speak with the creator and writer of Designing Women, Linda Bloodworth Thomason. Novelist, playwright, documentary filmmaker and philanthropist, Linda is a five-time Emmy Award nominee who has created, written and produced such signature hits as "Evening Shade", "Hearts Afire", "Women of the House" and "Filthy Rich". Her TV writing career began with episodes of classic shows including "Rhoda", "Paper Moon" and "MASH". In a career spanning six decades, Linda Bloodworth Thomason is known for her singular style, mixing humor with serious topics; her lovable, outspoken characters; her unique blending of the romantic and the political, and her indelible portrait of the modern South. In Part One of a wide-ranging conversation, Linda touches on her early days working with TV legends James L. Brooks, Larry Gelbart, and Norman Lear; her astonishing success with Designing Women; living through – and writing about – historic times, and the challenged state of feminism in 2023. THE CONVERSATION BUILDING THE PERFECT CAST: How legendary casting director Fran Bascom helped Linda nab everyone from Burt Reynolds to Delta Burke to John Ritter – and discover future Oscar winners Billy Bob Thornton and Hilary Swank! Bringing the Southern accent back to primetime TV – by way of Dixie Carter’s eloquent, melodic voice. And wait, how did Susan lose her accent, anyway? All of the original four Designing Women were from the South and used their real, regional accent – except one. Can you guess who?? A BOOK OF VERSE, A JUG OF WINE AND THOU -- Jimmy Carter’s romantic nights at the White House with First Lady Rosalynn! The Designing Women Foundation (also known as The Claudia Foundation ) – started with Linda’s income from Designing Women under the umbrella of The Claudia Foundation to honor of her mother, Claudia Bloodworth. The Foundation provides scholarships and opportunities for young women in Southeast Missouri. BENEVOLENT MASCULINITY: How a certain kind of Southern man became a new archetype on Linda’s shows: “Find yourself a jock who also reads poetry and loves his mother.” A GIRL, A CANOE AND THE WORLD: How a canoe from her father changed Linda’s life – giving her the courage to discover herself and the world by exploring the Current River in Missouri. DARKNESS AND LIGHT: Finding out that Designing Women was picked up to series on the same day as finding out that her mom had AIDS from a blood transfusion. "What's Happened to Women?" Podcast - How the next generation of women is facing our culture’s onslaught of misogyny and greed with kindne
Wed, November 15, 2023
All the Women of Designing Women
“She didn't twirl just a baton. That baton was on fire. And when she threw that baton into the air, it flew higher, further, faster than any baton has ever flown before, hitting a transformer and showering the darkened arena with sparks!” - Julia Sugarbaker Susan and Sharon continue “‘Designing Women’ November” with an episode devoted to the actresses – all seven of them – who played all those outspoken Southern Women! We’re talking the Original Fab Four: Dixie Carter, Delta Burke, Jean Smart and Annie Potts – PLUS the three cast members that joined up later in the run: Jan Hooks, Julia Duffy and Judith Ivy. With audio clips from the show, we’ll learn about each of the women, who they are, what they stand for (and what they won’t stand for), and how each of the actresses carved out a special place for themselves and their characters in a show that was designed to be all about women! THE CONVERSATION Who was Number One on the call sheet at Designing Women? Delta Burke was born in Orlando, Florida – and was named “Miss Flame” for the Orlando Fire Department! DELTA & GERALD & SIMON & SIMON: Delta Burke met her future husband Gerald McRaney on HIS show “Simon & Simon” – and then she brought him on to HERS… SIX DEGREES OF “REMINGTON STEELE”: How many Designing Women also shared the screen with Steele and Laura? Almost all of them… Julia Duffy shows up Season 6 as Sugarbaker cousin, Alison. Didjaknow? She almost played Diane Chambers on “Cheers” – and appeared later on that show as Diane’s best friend! SNL alum Jan Hooks played Carlene – sister to Charlene. MORE SHERYL LEE RALPH! She turns up in Season 7 as Anthony’s new wife. Alice Ghostly -- as the hilariously loopy Bernice Clifton – appeared in all 7 seasons! BY THE NUMBERS: How many women behind-the-scenes helped created the show? 20 writers, 6 producers, 3 directors – a significant percentage and huge numbers for the 80s! So join Susan and Sharon as they talk Peter Scolari, “Hacks”, ex-husbands – and our upcoming interview with the creator of Designing Women herself -- Linda Bloodworth-Thomason! AUDIOGRAPHY Check out the fan website: Designing Women Online . Stream Designing Women on Hulu , Amazon Prime , Pluto ! The Facebook page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Designing
Wed, November 01, 2023
Designing Women with Maggie Friedman
Susan and Sharon get to sit down with writer/producer/show-runner Maggie Friedman to talk about the show that inspired her to embark on a career in television: Designing Women . Designing Women (1986-1993) was created by the legendary Linda Bloodworth-Thomason and starred Dixie Carter, Delta Burke, Jean Smart, Annie Potts and Meshach Taylor as the owners and staff of the Atlanta-based interior design firm “Sugarbaker & Associates”. In its seven-year run, Designing Women was known for sharp writing, big laughs and taking on issues from a feminist angle in a way that no other show had done before – or since. Maggie Friedman is best known for creating, writing and executive producing Witches of East End for Lifetime Television and Firefly Lane currently on Netflix. She has also written and produced episodes of Dawson’s Creek, Jack & Bobby, Once and Again, Wasteland, Spellbound and No Tomorrow . THE CONVERSATION How an Ally McBeal spec script got Maggie into a room with Kevin Williamson – and onto the staff of his first show, Dawson's Creek. Maggie set her sights on getting into AFI – and did -- because a mean girl told her she couldn’t! HE DID IT/SHE LIED: Those T-Shirts from the Designing Women Anita Hill episode, and the impact it had on Maggie. Which of the Designing Women are you? Sharon is a Julia, but is Susan Mary Jo – or Anthony? “Guns, and AIDS, and condoms – OH MY!” How Designing Women took on all the current issues, that are unfortunately still current today. SPOILER ALERT: What happens when you write HUGE CLIFFHANGERS – and then your show gets cancelled! Big Hair, Big Shoulders! Was the Atlanta of Designing Women accurate? Susan grew up in Georgia -- and has thoughts. Republican Dixie Carter’s deal: “For every liberal rant you make Julia say, I get to sing a song!” “Georgia On My Mind”: Ray Charles sings with the Designing Women ! Young Susan’s brush with fame: Mark Harmon and Peter Scolari – both in one hour! “ WOMEN OF THE HOUSE ” – the little-known 1995 “sequel” where Suzanne Sugarbaker goes to Congress to fill her late husband’s house seat. So join Susan, Sharon – and Maggie – as they talk Jackie Collins, Witches of East End , Scott Bakula, --- and how sexy Richard Hatem is! AUDIOGRAPHY Follow Maggie Friedman on Instagram . Check out the fan website: Designing Women Online . Stream Designing Women on Hulu , <a href="https://www.a
S2 E15 · Wed, October 18, 2023
Celebrities, Crushes and Comics with Bryan Edward Hill
“ Our ethical language lives in our popular culture. ” – Bryan Edward Hill Susan and Sharon welcome writer, producer, filmmaker, pop-culture philosopher and good friend Bryan Edward Hill. Bryan has spent the better part of the last 40 years processing the hundreds of TV shows and movies he watched as an only child – then later, creating his own work –- and then reflecting on how the two experiences speak to each other. Along with Susan and Sharon, Bryan talks about being raised by television in the 80’s -- and how the images we see and the stories we hear make us the people we are. Bryan’s TV credits include “Ash vs. the Evil Dead” and Max’s “Titans”. His comic book titles include “Blade”, “Black Panther”, “Fallen Angels”, “Angel & Spike”, “7 Days From Hell” and “American Carnage”. Bryan is a NYU Film School graduate and is currently writing and developing several projects for film, television and comic books. THE CONVERSATION How writing for TV is like being in grad school! RAISED IN WAYNE MANOR: After losing his dad at age 7, comic books became Bryan’s refuge – and a place to learn how to be a man. CRUSHING IT: From Kate Jackson (“Scarecrow & Mrs. King”) to Jane Badler (“V”) to Susan Dey (“L.A. Law”) to Jackée Harry (“227”) – young Bryan in love! Why TV was better before social media – when you only got to see your favorite shows and stars once a week. How Lynda Carter taught Bryan to be a feminist – and how Roger Moore taught him how to be polite. CHILDREN WILL LISTEN: How TV lets kids hear adult conversations they’d never hear from their own parents. The challenges of writing movies and TV and comic books – and which one is the hardest. Meeting Pierce Brosnan – and making James Bond laugh. How watching “Casino Royale” is great training for working in Hollywood! So join Susan and Sharon – and Bryan – as they talk “Miami Vice”, Mark Harmon, 80’s banter – and helping Lucy Lawless find the pretzels! AUDIOGRAPHY Connect with Bryan Edward Hill on Twitter (X) at https://twitter.com/bryanedwardhill Or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bryanehill/ Or on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thehilladministration3773 Get Bryan’s Comic Book “American Carnage” at https://www.amazon.com/American-Carnage-Bryan-Hill/dp/1401291457/r
S2 E14 · Wed, October 11, 2023
The Ultimate Fan's Guide to Scarecrow and Mrs. King
“When you’re doing the right thing, the right things happen” – Lynda Carter to David Johnson about creating “The Ultimate Fan’s Guide to Scarecrow and Mrs. King”. Susan and Sharon geek out with SMK experts David R. Johnson, Taya Johnston and Sabine Ludewig – the authors of “The Ultimate Fan’s Guide to Scarecrow and Mrs. King” - a #1 Bestseller in TV and Film on Amazon Books! How do three people from far-flung parts of the world come together to write the ultimate book about their favorite show? All it takes is forty years of love, dedication – and an attic full of TV Guides! THE CONVERSATION David’s parents made sure to never plan anything on Mondays so he wouldn't miss a single episode! In Germany, the show is called “Agent with Heart”. How the network tried to NOT run SMK's pilot episode "The First Time" first! They wanted it fourth? Big mistake, which other 80s shows have made… “QUIET DOWN, YOU KIDS!” -- The time Kate Jackson had to personally pay off some noisy neighbors so SMK could get their scenes completed. COMFORT VIEWING: Taya returned to the show during a difficult time, when her son was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. And Sabine re-found the show after a break-up. She binged them to re-discover who she was and what she wanted out of life – including learning English. BARBIE AND KEN… AND LEE, AMANDA, KATE AND BRUCE: Taya named her Barbies after the characters and actors from the show! LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION: David, Taya and Sabine have discovered over 1,000 SMK filming locations! Such as… The inside of the IFF is The Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration in downtown Los Angeles. The Ballroom where the chandelier explodes in “The Triumvirate” is at the Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena. TOP RULE FOR FIRST-TIME BOOK WRITERS: Write your table of contents first! Wait! Is the concept of "Riptide" really three men and a robot living on a boat and solving crime? What other 80s show did David research? The short-lived detective duo show, "Partners in Crime" starring Lynda Carter and Loni Anderson! Getting the cast interviews – including the one they thought would never happen… So join Susan and Sharon – and David, Taya and Sabine – as they talk Kate Jackson, Bruce Boxleitner, Martha Smith, Mel Stuart, Beverly Garland, breaking into secret locations, claiming the family TV for yourself -- and David’s personal replica of “Mrs. King Mobile”! AUDIOGRAPHY Get your own copy of “The Ultimate Fan’s Guide to Scarecrow and Mrs. King” at Amazon . Visit the “Scarecrow and Mrs. King” Facebook Fanpage. Listen to “Mrs. King Chronicles” podcast at <a href="http:
S2 E13 · Wed, September 27, 2023
It's a Living with the 90s TV Babies
“The key to good women-driven stories is… Sheryl Lee Ralph” – 90’s TV Babies Susan and Sharon welcome back the 90’s TV Babies! It’s been a while since we’ve seen them, but they’re back and ready for action. Serita Fontanesi, Sergio Perez and Megan Ruble take a look at “It’s A Living” – and they do not hold back! THE CONVERSATION Too many characters in Season One? The Babies don’t think so. Was Season One too sexy – or too sex-positive? Did the more conservative outfits make the jokes funnier? Serita says yes! SO MUCH BUTT PINCHING! – Is this what happens when men write about women’s issues? Where are the “all-women” shows now? THE REBOOT – Serita’s got it all figured out. Even more diversity: girls -- plus gays and “theys”! ON A VERY SPECIAL “IT’S A LIVING…” The Babies say it’s refreshing to see “issues” handled well – without going earnest or dark. Megan’s favorite character is Nancy – Someone’s got to keep this place running… Wait – Anthony on Designing Women isn’t gay? Sergio: “Everyone is gay until proven otherwise.” Is Sonny Mann a creep – or a Ken!?! The Gun Episode: which character are you? Would you keep a gun under the bed? And Megan wants to know -- where was the real conversation? Serita’s secret Patreon content: how to use VPN and wall-to-wall encryption to secure your privacy and improve your life! Naked Hockey Players and wallpaper? Megan and Sergio – and Susan – are in! So, join Susan and Sharon – and Serita and Sergio and Megan – as they talk sunburns, heartworms, “Killing Mr. Griffin” -- and yelling at protesters at RuPaul’s Drag Con! AUDIOGRAPHY Watch “It’s A Living” on Amazon . On Tubi . Or YouTube . For safe gun storage check out Be Smart For Kids and Moms Demand . 9TB HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT The 90s TV Babies watched the following episodes of “It’s a Living” Season 1: Ep 1 & Ep 13 Season 3: Ep 2 Season 5: Ep 2 Season 6: Ep 1 CONNECT For transcripts, contact info and more, visit 80sTVLadies.com . Join the fun. Sign up for the 80s TV Ladies mailing list. Get ad-free episodes and exclusive videos on<a href="https://www.patre
S2 E12 · Wed, September 20, 2023
Favorite TV Theme Songs with What Difference Does It Make Podcast
What’s your favorite 80s television theme songs? Susan and Sharon were invited to be on Dave Sloan and Holly Cantos podcast “What Difference Does It Make?” to talk 80s TV theme songs and retro music -- and they all had so much fun they’re bringing Part Two of the conversation here! If you want to hear Part One, here’s the link to the 80s TV Ladies episode of “ What Difference Does It Make ?” And get ready to relive – and rehear -- some great TV theme songs! ( “Moonlighting” with Al Jarreau, anyone?) THE CONVERSATION Whatever happened to TV theme songs?? Sharon has a theory… What pop song stalled at 79 on the Billboard charts in 1981 – then climbed to number one six years later when it was featured on “Family Ties” in 1987? Thirty-two Oscar winners set sail on the “Love Boat” – can you name five? (We’ll spot you Jamie Lee Curtis) The magic of those old network promotional specials with all the stars - from Battle of the Network Stars to ABC's Love Boat Fall Preview Special! “Remington Steele”’s bizarre Season Two opening credit sequence where Laura and Steele sit in a theater and watch scenes of themselves -- from their own show! Which “Golden Girl” are Susan and Sharon? Which one are you? That weird “Wednesday” dance song, Goo Goo Muck by The Cramps! “Skyfall”-ing with Susan and Rich – just don’t do it around the kids… TV HOUSES – THEY’RE ALL HERE IN L.A.! Sharon walked past the Brady Bunch house a million times before realizing it! (And no, she didn’t buy it…) Join Susan and Sharon – and Dave and Holly – as they talk “Night Court”, “China Beach”, “Bosom Buddies” – and why Susan’s afraid to watch “The Last of Us”! AUDIOGRAPHY Check out Dave and Holly’s 80s Music podcast “ What Difference Does It Make ?” Watch the shot-by-shot opening credits remake of Simon & Simon at The Greatest Event in Television History on adult swim. Listen to the 8TL212: Fav TV Theme with WDDIM Spotify playlist ! HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT The 90s TV Babies have to watch the following episodes of “It’s a Living” Season 1: Ep 1 & Ep 13 Season 3: Ep 2 Season 5: Ep 2 Season 6: Ep 1 CONNECT For transcripts, contact info and more visit 80sTVLadies.com . Don’t miss out. Sign up for the 80s TV Ladies <a hre
S2 E11 · Wed, September 13, 2023
FANBAR: SMK 40th Anniversary with Jeanette Valliere
“It seemed possible in the ‘80s that someone would walk up to you at a train station and hand you a package – and you would take it!” -- Jeanette Valliere Welcome to Susan and Sharon’s very first “Fanbar” event – where we talk with outstanding fans of 80s shows. We’re starting off with a big one! Jeanette Valliere has been organizing the "Scarecrow and Mrs. King" Anniversary events since 2003, and she’s got lots of stories – including meeting with and getting to know cast members Bruce Boxleitner, Martha Smith and Beverly Garland! This year’s Scarecrow and Mrs. King 40th Anniversary Event will be held on Saturday, October 14th, 2023 at the Los Angeles Airport Hilton! THE CONVERSATION From 1990’s IRC chat rooms through to today -- Jeanette has been rallying SMK fans for more than 30 years! “Bohemian Fling”: it’s Amanda’s drink -- and Jeanette’s pseudonym for SMK fan fiction! SMK -- OR REMINGTON STEELE -- OR MOONLIGHTING?: Which one was the most realistic? What do women in IT -- and “Remington Steele’s” Laura Holt -- have in common?? REPRESENTATION MATTERS: Women cops (T.J. Hooker), women spies (Charlie’s Angels), women stunt-people (The Fall Guy)… When the young girls of the 70’s and 80’s began to have a range of role models! How many children does Amanda King have? Three – if you include Lee… The budget, the Warner Bros. tour, the stars, the goody-bags… The challenges of organizing a fan event! MEMORIES OF BEVERLY GARLAND…. She was a mom to everyone and a HUGE supporter of the first fan event – even hosting it at her own hotel! AUDIOGRAPHY Watch Scarecrow and Mrs. King: On Tubi , Roku , Amazon , Apple . Find out more about the 40th Anniversary Event October 13-14 on Facebook . Get details and register for the event . Read Bohemian Fling's stories at Fanfiction.net . HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT The 90s TV Babies have to watch the following episodes of “It’s a Living” Season 1: Ep 1 & Ep 13 Season 3: Ep 2<br
S2 E10 · Wed, August 30, 2023
Our Favorite Episodes of It's A Living
“Life’s not the French Riviera; life’s not a charity ball…” – theme song by George Tipton & Leslie Bricusse Susan and Sharon wrap up their thoughts on “It’s A Living” with a global look at everything “IAL” -- from their top favorite episodes, to the amazing careers of the stars – and don't forget that unforgettable theme song! So, if you’ve ever wanted to hear Sharon sing “You Only Live Twice” – this is the episode for you! Plus -- The 5 Things You Need to Know About “It’s A Living”! THE CONVERSATION What ever happened to TV theme songs? “Above the Top” – is there really a restaurant on the top floor of the Bonaventure Hotel? Why did Proctor & Gamble pull out as a sponsor after the very first episode? OPERATION: SALAD STATION! Why is it in the break room? And where’s the sneeze guard? The Weirdest Episode: where Jan dies giving birth, meets the “Angel of Death” – Danny Thomas – and strangest of all, gets three months off for maternity leave! Susan Sullivan or Marian Mercer – who mothered the wild waitresses best? Stu Silver, Jenna McMahon & Dick St.Clair or Paul Younger Witt and Tony Thomas: Who created the show – and who ran it? RUN THE NUMBERS: How many female writers and directors did “It’s A Living” have? Maybe more than you think… (Including Neema Barnette – the first African American woman to direct a sitcom!) So join Susan and Sharon as they talk pay phones, Sizzler, “Beauty and the Beast”, Burt Reynolds, the Bona Vista Lounge -- and safe gun storage! Plus – fan shout-outs! And some big “Scarecrow & Mrs. King” news! And a salute to some 80’s TV Ladies we’ve lost this year… BREAKING NEWS: 80’s TV Ladies has been nominated for three People’s Choice Podcast Awards! Check us out at Podcast Awards. AUDIOGRAPHY Watch “It’s A Living” on Amazon , Tubi or YouTube . Learn about real-life safe gun storage at Be Smart For Kids and Moms Demand . Disarm Hate at Everytown . HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT The 90s TV Babies have to watch the following episodes of “It’s a Living” Season 1: Ep 1 & Ep 13 Season 3: Ep 2 Season 5: Ep 2 Season 6: Ep 1 SCARECROW AND MRS
S2 E9 · Wed, August 16, 2023
It's a Living with Paul Kreppel
“Sonny Mann is a guy with great talent -- but no taste” – Paul Kreppel Continuing their deep dive into “It’s A Living”, Susan and Sharon sit down with beloved Tony award-winner, actor and director Paul Kreppel, known to 80s TV lovers as the “always on the make” singer and piano player ‘Sonny Mann’ on “It’s A Living”. Paul’s stage career began in 1968 with the Boston Improvisational theater group “The Proposition” where he performed with Jane Curtin, Judith Kahan, Josh Mostel and Fred Grandy. Since then, Paul has appeared in dozens of classic television shows including “Laverne & Shirley”, “Love Boat”, “Fantasy Island”, “Night Court”, “Remington Steele” (S2, EP8, “Scene Steelers”), “Murder She Wrote”, “Doogie Howser, M.D.”, “Cybil”, “Suddenly Susan” and “E.R.” as well as recurring as ‘Mr. Burkhart’ on “That 70’s Show”. THE CONVERSATION INTO THE WOODS we have to go! -- what it’s like to travel the country performing in the new Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim’s classic musical. Paul plays several musical instruments – just not the piano! ‘Sonny Mann’ was an afterthought – he was only supposed to be in six episodes. So how’d he end up doing all 120?? Getting the Job: Paul’s manager heard that “It’s A Living” needed a lounge lizard – “Do you know how to be a jerk?” How Sonny always “walked up to the line” -- but the ladies never let him cross it… No Audience, No Network, No Problem –doing the last four seasons was totally different from the first two! The Big Question – were there any backstage romances? Well, there was plenty of flirting… Why Sonny started singing original tunes – written by head writer Tom Whedon! PARSLEY, SAGE, ROSEMARY, AND PAUL: Going beatnik on “Laverne & Shirley” -- with Penny Marshal, Cindy Williams and... Art Garfunkel! The Other Side of the Camera – Paul steps out from behind the piano to direct six episodes of “It’s A Living”! Getting to “be the sage” – and other benefits of growing older and having a life. So join Susan and Sharon – and Paul – as they talk Jerry Lewis, Louise Lasser, Martin Short, Bob Denver's hat -- and Tom Hanks’ hair! AUDIOGRAPHY Find Paul Kreppel at PaulKreppel.com . And on Twitter. Check out “ Into The Woods ”. See Paul’s niece Kelsey Kreppel on YouTube. Watch “It’s A Living” on Tubi or <a href="https://youtu.be/JuN10dp4P7Q" target="_blank" rel
S2 E8 · Wed, August 02, 2023
It’s A Living with Jane Espenson and Drew Z. Greenberg
"You could tell that they were afraid the show was too sexy..." - Jane Espensen Susan and Sharon start their look back at the under-the-radar 1980’s comedy “It’s A Living” with modern-day TV writer/producers Jane Espenson and Drew Z. Greenberg. Jane Espenson has written for shows such as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, “Once Upon A Time”, “Gilmore Girls”, “Jessica Jones”, “Battlestar Galactica” and “Game of Thrones”. Drew Greenberg’s credits include “Dexter”, “Warehouse 13”, “Firefly”, “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” and “Arrow”. Jane and Drew grew up as 70’s and 80’s “TV Babies” and each found their way to their dream career along twisting paths back when getting into the business was just as difficult – but even more mysterious. When the COVID-19 quarantine began, Jane and Drew came up with a unique way of keeping themselves entertained -- and sane: they embarked on a rewatch of “It’s A Living”. After almost 40 years, what did they remember? What did they forget? What surprised them? Does it hold up? And what happened to Susan Sullivan and Ann Jillian?? THE CONVERSATION TO BOLDLY GO – How two separate chance meetings with Star Trek writer/producer René Echevarria paved the way for both Jane and Drew. Jane remembers Drew’s first day at “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” – and so does Drew! Who is “It’s A Living” creator Jenna McMahon – and why is she using a pseudonym?? What are the hidden similarities between “Facts Of Life”, “Desperate Housewives”, “Golden Girls”, “Sex And The City”… and “It’s A Living”? In Season One – are six characters too many? Can you have too many women? THE “CHARACTER TYPES” OF “IT’S A LIVING”: the Innocent, the Maneater, the Grounded Realist and the Smart Aleck – but who is who? What’s up with those ever-changing waitress outfits? How Ann Jillian was the “secret comedy weapon” of the show – and what happened when she got de-sexy-ied in Season Two? Could you have a character like Sonny today? And is he really playing that piano? What it means to re-watch a show with “nostalgia goggles”. Jane reveals her “Secret Trick” to writing Iconic Women! When Anne met Jane! Susan's sister and 8TL superfan, Anne Lambert, joins in to say hello and keep us talking during the break. So join Susan and Sharon – and Jane and Drew – as they talk “Small Wonder”, syndication, “success pie”, swim-top switches -- and Piggy Barbecue!! NOTE: This episode was recorded before the WGA and SAGAFTRA strike. AUDIOGRAPHY Read “Girl in the Show: Three Generations of Comedy, Culture and Feminism” by Anna Fields at Bookshop . Check out Molly Ringwald’s New Yorker essay “What About ‘The Breakf
S2 E7 · Wed, July 19, 2023
80s Fashion with Costume Designer Eilish Zebrasky
“On Sundays, I couldn’t wait for Monday.” – Eilish Zebrasky, Head of Wardrobe for Aaron Spelling. Susan and Sharon get all dressed up and strut their stuff with legendary 80s TV and Film costume designer Eilish Zebrasky. For over 25 years, Eilish Zebrasky was the Costume Department Head for Aaron Spelling Productions, responsible for all the amazing clothes you saw on classic shows like “Murder, She Wrote”, “Dynasty”, “The Love Boat”, “Charlie’s Angels”, “Hart to Hart”, “Hotel”, “Fantasy Island”, “Vega$” and “Charmed”. In her five-decade career, Eilish has pretty much seen every major celebrity in Hollywood in their underwear -- and she has personally costumed such stars as Faye Dunaway, Goldie Hawn, Alyssa Milano, Barbara Streisand, Angela Lansbury, Paul Newman, Robert Wagner, Bette Davis, Elizabeth Taylor, Ava Gabor, Jaclyn Smith, Connie Seleca, Shanen Doherty, Rose McGowan, Kate Jackson, Farrah Fawcett and Joan Collins. From her childhood in Belfast, Ireland – to the glamorous boutiques of Beverly Hills – to Elizabeth Taylor’s “Closet of Jewels”, Eilish has seen – and dressed – it all! THE CONVERSATION What's the perfect training for a career as a Hollywood costume designer? Working in a Belfast button-sewing factory! How new boyfriend – and future husband -- Tony helped her get her first gig at Warner Bros. -- on the movie “Camelot”. What happens when a hot, young male star arrives for his fitting -- with no underwear?? SAVING BEN VEREEN’S BUTT – How a split pant-seam on the set of “Funny Lady” almost led to disaster, until Eilish (and a used T-shirt) saved the day! How not getting the on-screen credit she deserved led Eilish to leave Warner Bros. – and finally accept the job of Head of Wardrobe for Aaron Spelling Productions! 50 FAKE FUR COATS: What do you do when “The Love Boat” goes to Alaska, and all the stars end up freezing? GETTING AWAY WITH “MURDER, SHE WROTE”: How Angela Lansbury grabbed Eilish away from Aaron Spelling – but only for Jessica Fletcher’s outfits! Did the stars get to keep their fabulous costumes? No! (But they could buy them -- at half-price!) MISTAKEN IDENTITY: The mystery of the Marvel Universe’s other Eilish Zebrasky. Where did Alyssa Milano's Valkarie costume for "Charmed" end up? How approaching your life and work with kindness leads to all good things! So join Susan and Sharon – and Eilish – as they talk “Cuppa and Bicky” with Angela Lansbury, Dynasty “Dress-Up” Parties – and Goldie Hawn’s stolen underwear from "Butterflies are Free"! AUDIOGRAPHY Buy second-hand costume creations from your favorite TV shows and movies at “ It’s a Wrap ”. Interview with Eilish Zebrasky at the <a href="https://youtu.be/zYPmny5CCos" target="_
S2 E6 · Wed, July 12, 2023
Talking 9 to 5: The TV Series with The Kulturecast's Chris Stachiw
Tumble out of bed/and stumble to the kitchen/pour yourself a cup of ambition And yawn and stretch and listen in as Susan and Sharon talk "Nine to Five": The TV Series with podcaster and founder of Weirding Way Media, Chris Stachiw. On this special cross-over episode with The Kulturecast, we dig into one of the strangest, funniest and least-known film-to-TV transplants: Nine To Five. The film “9 to 5” debuted on December 19th, 1980 starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton. Running 85 episodes from 1982-1988, and executive produced by Jane Fonda, Nine to Five went on a wild journey -- from ABC (1982-83) to first-run syndication (1984-88), from film to video, and featuring an amazing and ever-changing cast that included Rita Moreno, Sally Struthers, Peter Bonerz, Jeffrey Tambor, Jean Marsh, Jack Reilly, Herb Edelman, Valerie Curtin -- and Dolly Parton’s sister, Rachel Dennison! THE CONVERSATION HOW A MOVEMENT SPURRED A MOVIE: The “9 to 5 Labor Movement”, which sprang up with the influx of women in the workplace in the early 1970s, caught the attention of Jane Fonda, who decided she wanted to make a movie about how “You can run a business without the boss – but not without the secretaries.” Why a television series? Maybe beause the movie was a massive hit, earning over $100 million dollars making it the second highest-grossing film of 1980, behind “The Empire Strikes Back”? WHERE’S THE SHOW? From 20th Century Fox to the Disney vault – why is it so hard to find Nine to Five? “When The Secretaries Met The Nanny”… Who’s that locked up in a jail cell with Rita Moreno, Valerie Curtin and Rachel Dennison (Season 2, Episode 15, “The Oldest Profession”)? Yup -- it’s The Nanny, Fran Drescher From Dabney Coleman in the movie to Jeffrey Tambor (“Arrested Development”, “The Larry Sanders Show”, “Transparent”) and Peter Bonerz (“The Bob Newhart Show”) in the TV show – who’s your favorite “Boss From Hell”? How – and why – the Franklin Hart character transformed from a misogynistic predator in the film to a bumbling incompetent in the TV series. IT WAS A MUSICAL, too!?! The “9 to 5: The Musical” premiered in 2009! Featuring songs by Dolly Parton (including her unforgettable title song), and written by the screenwriter of the film, Patricia Resnick, running six months on Broadway. The long-delayed “9 to 5” film reunion – Well, practically happened when Dolly Parton guested on Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin’s Netflix show Grace & Frankie. So join Susan and Sharon – and Chris – as they talk sexual harassment, singing telegrams – and the 1986 “The Real Ghostbusters” animated cartoon show! AUDIOGRAPHY Listen to Susan and Sharon talk about “9 to 5” (the movie!) on Chris Stachiw’s movie podcast “ The Kulturecast ” on <a
S2 E5 · Wed, July 05, 2023
Striking 9 to 5: Union Strong with WGA Strike Captain Katherine DiSavino
“What do we want? Fair Pay! When do we want it? NOW!” The 80’s TV Ladies fast-forward from the 1980s to the RIGHT NOW – for a special "breaking news" episode about the ongoing 2023 WGA Writer’s Strike that is having a major impact on television production – and the future of entertainment as we know it. As the strike enters its third month writers and other guilds are calling out for “transformative change” and insisting “now is not the time to meet in the middle.” But what’s really going on? It's time for Writer's Strike 101. WGA Strike Captain and TV writer/producer Katherine DiSavino (“Silo”, “Nancy Drew”, “Outpost”) joins Susan and Sharon to help break down the issues from the inside. THE CONVERSATION How Kate got her start as a playwright – in her parent’s dinner theater! WATCHING JESSICA FLETCHER: How “Murder She Wrote” star Angela Lansbury gave Kate the mystery writing bug. Why did writers overwhelmingly support the Strike Authorization Vote? Why is this strike so different from the last one in 2007-2008? Is it fair that streaming profits have gone up exponentially , but writer pay has gone down 24% since 2014? “I AM THE STRIKE CAPTAIN NOW!” How Kate and other strike captains organize hundreds of picketing writers every day – right in front of all the major studios in Los Angeles! What do the writers want? Are the Studios willing – or able – to meet their demands? How does AI figure in? What does all this mean for women, BIPOC, disabled and LGBTQ writers? And what happens if the actors in SAG-AFTRA go on strike, too? Does writing end when the script is finished? Nope. Kate discusses how the writing task continues – on set, in post-production and all the way to your screen. HONK THOSE HORNS! Learn how you can support the WGA, striking writers, teamsters, IATSE crew and actors. What is a “mini-room”? Why is it such a sticking point in negotiations? And how are they leading to the end of TV writing as we know it? Guess what the 80s TV Ladies learned from Jane Fonda on the picket line? (Spoiler: Actors are ready to strike.) So, join Susan and Sharon – and Kate – as they hit the Hollywood picket lines, strike back at the $3 Trillion dollar Apple Empire, and get to the bottom of our East Coast/West Coast “Hot Labor Summer”! AUDIOGRAPHY Find out more about the writers guild at <a href="https://www.wga.org" target="_bl
S2 E4 · Wed, June 21, 2023
Gay 90s (and 80s): The Rainbow Remix with Denise Warner & JD Danner
“To be able to see it represented on TV means so much to a young mind." Susan and Sharon continue their celebration of Pride Month by welcoming JD and Denise, hosts of "The Rainbow Remix", a podcast featuring LGBTQ lifestyle news, music, arts, media -- and mixology! Denise Warner is an out lesbian and veteran podcaster going all the way back to 2006 with “The Lesbian Lounge". JD Danner is a musician and songwriter who came out after a 25-year marriage. She reached out to Denise during the COVID quarantine and together they created The Rainbow Remix, shining a light on LGBT creatives in all the arts. In a fascinating and deeply personal conversation, we talk about queer characters on TV, the way representation changed from the early to the late eighties – and using television as a mirror, both then and now, to figure out who we are and where we fit in. THE CONVERSATION “Pretending to be Gay”: From Jack Tripper on Three’s Company to Norm on Cheers -- What’s up with that ? How going to a Pride event can feel like a life-or-death choice. Jamie Farr’s “Klinger” on MASH – was he gay? Trans? Or just trying to get out of the Korean War? “You Might Be A Lesbian If…”: How Kristy McNichol, an obsession with Charlie’s Angels, and a Cagney & Lacey birthday cake all helped Denise realize she just might be gay. How "Friends" got it right with TV’s first lesbian wedding – but then fumbled five years later with the transphobic “One About Chandler’s Dad” episode – and what show creator Marta Kaufman says about it now. Were Darlene on "Roseanne" and Jo on "Facts of Life" coded as gay? “The Secret Audience”: why straight viewers watch "The L Word" and "Queer as Folk" – juicy story-lines and hot crushes! The importance of supporting lesbian and diverse creative projects and creators. “We Want Ellen to Come Out”: How the show approached her “big life change” – and why the network suggested she just get a puppy instead. The "Ellen" Backlash: How Ellen’s coming out episode got Oprah hate mail, the Ellen TV show cancelled and almost destroyed DeGeneres’ career. The night Susan went to Ellen DeGeneres’ apartment -- with the Indigo Girls! How could you not know? In the 70s and 80s, we - and our moms - all loved Boy George, Prince, Grace Jones, Liberace and Paul Lynde. So join Susan and Sharon – and Denise and JD! – as they talk Golden Girls, best lesbian kisses -- and make-up tips from drag queens! AUDIOGRAPHY Listen to The Rainbow Remix Podcast. Listen to Sharon and Susan on Rainbow Remix's 80s TV Ladies episode ! Catch The Rainbow Remix <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@therainbowr
S2 E3 · Wed, June 07, 2023
Say Gay: 70s, 80s and 90s Queer TV with Matt Baume
What did Queer representation look like in 70s, 80s and 90s television? Could you say gay? Susan and Sharon kick off their Pride Month celebration with author, podcaster and video maker Matt Baume. His latest book, “Hi Homey, I’m Homo!” traces the evolution of LGBTQ+ characters on American sitcoms. His previous book - “Defining Marriage” - chronicles the personal stories of people who fought for marriage equality over the last forty years. In this fun, fact-filled interview, Matt shares stories from his childhood and early life that led to his career as a chronicler of queer history on TV – and then we discuss the highlights (and lowlights) of TV history as seen through rainbow-colored glasses… THE CONVERSATION How the Civil rights movement led to the first subtextual whispers about Queer culture and characters on TV. “Bewitched” anyone? AND – how the “Bewitched” episode “The Witches Are Out” (S1, Ep 7) eerily and hilariously anticipates future struggles for representation within marginalized cultures. The 1971 “All in the Family” (S1, Ep 5) “Judging Books By Covers” features one of the first gay characters on primetime TV – even though the word “gay” is never used. AND – how another “AITF” recurring character, drag queen Beverly La Salle, becomes part of “the family” in “Archie, the Hero” “Beverly Rides Again” “Edith’s Crisis of Faith” AND – how “AITF” 1975 episode “Cousin Liz” may have swayed a California election about whether or not homosexuals should be allowed to teach in public schools. Do you remember the 1992 Nickelodeon "Nick News with Linda Ellerbee" special "A Conversation with Magic" about HIV/AIDS featuring Magic Johnson and a group of HIV-positive kids? Matt does – and it led directly to what he does now. “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Heterosexual!” - a deep dive into the classic sitcom “discovery moment” when a character suddenly realizes another character is gay. Gay Kisses on TV: LA Law, Picket Fences, and Rosanne. Why is it one thing for women to kiss – but way different for men? What do “Fraggle Rock” and “Star Trek” have in common? “80’s Star Trek Ladies”? It might be coming your way soon-ish…! “Designing Women’s” groundbreaking episode “Killing All The Right People” about AIDS and safe sex. How TV struggled then and still today with trans representation. The Incredible Life of George Takei! So join Susan and Sharon – and Matt – and they discuss Muppets, Maude – and the Magic of asking for “100 percent of what you want – 100 percent of the time!” AUDIOGRAPHY Check out everything Matt Baume is doing – including his podcast “ Sewers of Paris ” -- at his website, <a href="https://www.mattbaume.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer no
S2 E2 · Wed, May 31, 2023
Advanced TV Herstory w/ Cynthia Bemis Abrams, Part Two
In Part Two of our conversation with Cynthia Bemis Abrams, host of the “Advanced TV Herstory” podcast, we continue our discussion of feminism in American culture and its effect on television as we delve into sports, politics, female stereotypes – and the unsung feminist heroes of Hollywood’s mysterious “Secret Sisterhood”. THE CONVERSATION WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE: What stereotypes were women assigned when they made their way into the offices of America in the 1970s? (“The Seductress” and “The Iron Maiden” are just two…) and how to avoid the pitfalls of the workplace. And then – what 4 archetypes do female sitcom characters often portray? The Unknown Dinah Shore – everything you never knew, and then some… How did the passing of the Civil Rights Act in 1964 and Title IX in 1973 change everything for women – and how the failure to pass the Equal Rights Amendment after 50 years is still holding us back… The “Secret Sisterhood” in Hollywood: Does it exist? And if so -- how does it work? What is known and unknown about abusers in the industry… What happened when Susan convinced her science teacher to coach the girl’s soccer team – even though her teacher knew nothing about soccer! Why can’t you find the actual film of the 1973 Billy Jean King/Bobby Riggs “Battle of the Sexes” anywhere? Sharon has a theory… So join Susan and Sharon and Cynthia as they talk Lena Horne, “Grace & Frankie” – and Cynthia’s upcoming projects, including a non-fiction graphic novel! IN MEMORIUM We salute some 80s ladies we've recently lost: Tina Turner Jacklyn Zeman Eileen Saki Barbara Bryne Garn Stevens Carol Locatell Elizabeth Hubbard N'Neka Garland Rita Latkin Emily Marshall Sharon Acker AUDIOGRAPHY “Men and Women of the Corporation” by Rosabeth Moss Kanter on Amazon . “TV Female Foursomes and Their Fans: Featuring The Golden Girls, Designing Women, Living Single, Sex and the City, Girlfriends, Cashmere Mafia and Hot in Cleveland” by Wendy Burns Ardelino - on Bookshop . Cynthia Bemis Abrams podcast “ Advanced TV Herstory ” STOP THE HATE: PROTECT TRANS & QUEER RIGHTS Take action at Aclu.org and
S2 E1 · Wed, May 24, 2023
Welcome to Season 2: Advanced TV Herstory w/Cynthia Bemis Abrams, Part 1
Welcome to 80’s TV Ladies: Season Two! Susan and Sharon kick-off the new season with Cynthia Bemis-Abrams, the host of sister podcast “Advanced TV Herstory” -- a fascinating deep dive into the backstory of women in television, that connects the dots between TV, feminism, American culture and politics. In Part One of a two-part conversation, we’ll talk about the shows, actresses and characters that stood out as landmarks for women over the past five decades. We also tease what’s coming up as Susan and Sharon turn their attention from one-hour mysteries to half-hour comedies including “Designing Women”, “227”, “A Different World” and “It’s A Living”! THE CONVERSATION What does one do when the kids have gone off to college and “some old people have died”? If you’re Cynthia Bemis-Abrams YOU START A PODCAST! How Charlie’s Angels (and women’s tennis?!) helped Cynthia find her way toward what she wanted to be. 80’s MONIED MATRIARCHS: Jane Wyman of Falcon Crest, Barbara Bel Geddes of Dallas and the importance of BIG power, BIG hair – and BIG SHOULDER PADS! SAVING FAMILY DINNERS: When you’re struggling to find common ground with older relatives at family functions, ask them what their favorite shows from the 60’s and 70’s were…. And WHY. From James L. Brooks to Barney Rosenzweig: how feminist men helped women writers and directors advance in Television. The importance of staking out time and space to recognize and elevate women’s achievements – and why it’s so hard for women to do… Some favorite episodes of “Advanced TV Herstory”: Robin Means Coleman on “A Different World”; Margaret Cho on “American Girl” and Linda Bloodworth-Thomason’s game-changing “Designing Women” episode “ They Shoot Fat Women, Don’t They? ” The Legend of the “Difficult Woman” – how do powerful, creative women navigate a career through the maze of male Hollywood? Betty Thomas , we want to interview you! What is it like living a mile from Mary Tyler Moore’s apartment?! So join Susan, Sharon – and Cynthia – as they talk what to do about "problematic men", “ WKRP in Cincinnati ” <a href="https://www.vulture.com/2019/11/wkrp-in-cinncinati-best-thanksgiving-tv-episode.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noope
S1 E23 · Wed, May 10, 2023
Cagney & Lacey Wrap-Up: Ain’t That the Way
Episode 23 - Who ever thought we’d get this far?!? Susan and Sharon celebrate their first season finale with a wrap-up on “Cagney & Lacey.” How did a little idea about having a female “Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid” buddy movie turn into a legendary, award-winning TV series that spanned 7 seasons, 125 episodes and 4 TV movies? We discuss the show’s origins and controversies, its impact on American culture in the 1980s and how network television used to be the most powerful way for cutting-edge topics to enter the public conversation. Susan and Sharon also share their favorite episodes, scenes and their big love for John Karlen’s Harvey Lacey – the best TV husband ever! THE CONVERSATION How Sharon Gless replaced Lynn Redgrave on “Housecalls” before replacing Meg Foster on “Cagney & Lacey”. Was “Housecalls” a love connection for Sharon Gless and co-star, MASH alum Wayne Rogers? How did Cagney & Lacey reflect the real-world challenges of female cops in the 80s? The night Cagney & Lacey taught America about… microwave ovens? “Buckle Up, Christine!” - how a nation of police officers – and Mary Beth Lacey – finally got Cagney to click that seatbelt. The complicated, behind-the-scenes affairs on-set between the show creator, the cinematographer and one of the stars! That Emmy-winning scene from “Turn, Turn, Turn: Part Two” (Season 6, Episode 22) Tyne Daly or Sharon Gless – who was number one on the call sheet, whose name came first in the credits -- and what does it all mean… So join Susan and Sharon as they talk cigarettes, lottery tickets -- and undercover nuns! PLUS – Special Guest: Amy Engelhardt, the composer of the 80’s TV Ladies Theme Song! AND -- 80’s TV Ladies wishes you all a very HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY – with a special shout-out to a great episode of “Golden Girls”: Season 3, Episode 25 – “Mother’s Day” Thank you all so much for joining us on our journey through Season One of 80’s TV Ladies. We’ll be back in two weeks with Episode One of Season Two – and we can’t wait to see you there! AUDIOGRAPHY Cagney & Lacey Appreciation Facebook Group. Amy Englehardt official website . Help send Amy’s show, IMPACT to the Ediburough Fringe Festival via Fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/impact Please, help us make Season TWO spectacular! Support us on Patreon . Don’t miss out. Sign up for our mailing list.
S1 E22 · Wed, April 26, 2023
Cagney & Lacey and the 90s TV Babies
What do those crazy 90s kids think of 80s Cagney & Lacey? We’re gonna find out! Susan and Sharon welcome back Serita Fontanesi, Megan Ruble and Sergio Perez – the 90’s TV Babies! We asked them to watch three episodes: the original one-hour pilot, starring Tyne Daly as Lacey and Loretta Swit as Cagney; the “new” pilot with Meg Foster in the role of Cagney; and finally, Sharon Gless’s first turn as Cagney, the Season Two opener “Witness to an Incident”. The 90’s TV Babies loved “Scarecrow & Mrs. King”, but two of them DIDN’T love “Remington Steele”. What will their verdict be for “Cagney & Lacey”? And what's their personal connection to this show? THE CONVERSATION The eternal comfort-food pleasure of police procedurals. “Ain’t That The Way”: what’s with that amazing original theme song? Which Baby liked Loretta Swit the best? And which one loved Meg Foster?? Is Christine Cagney coded as lesbian? (And what does “coded” mean, anyway?) Does Meg Foster have “F@%k Me” eyes? Why does Susan want to be “Magnum, P.I.”?! Sergio Perez on the heat of “Heat” (Season 4, Episode 2) Turns out Serita is friends with (Detective Petrie) Carl Lumbly’s son, Brandon! Ripped From The Headlines: Was Cagney & Lacey an “issue show”? Harvey Lacey: the revolutionary evolution of Mary Beth Lacey’s Husband, played by John Karlen. What is the bar for representation on TV? Has it gotten better since the ’80s? Can you have more than two female leads? Black characters? Can you have racial diversity AND LGBTQ representation in the same show? So, join Susan and Sharon – and the Babies – as we talk “MASH”-love, “Shadow & Bone” and the joy of raising puppies! 80s TV LADIES SALUTE and Fan Feedback PLUS – 80’S TV LADIES salutes the recent passing of some legendary TV and film ladies… AND -- listener feedback from our fans! Part of Weirding Way Media network. Help us make more episodes AND get ad-free episodes: WE’RE NOW ON PATREON ! Find out more or download transcripts, visit our website - 80sTVLadies.com Stay up to date and get exclusive info. Sign up for our mailing list.
S1 E21 · Wed, April 12, 2023
Directing 80s Television with Karen Arthur
What was it like to break into directing in the 1970s and '80s? Let's find out! Sharon and Susan are honored to talk with Emmy-winning director Karen Arthur. Karen started out as an actress on such shows as “Get Smart”, “The Streets of San Francisco”, “Mannix”, “That Girl” and “The Monkees”. In 1975 she made the transition to directing and has since helmed episodes of classic TV series including “Judging Amy”, “Hart to Hart”, “7th Heaven” and “Remington Steele”, as well as the powerful true story TV movie “The Rape of Richard Beck” and the award-winning mini-series “The Jacksons: An American Dream” starring Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs and Angela Bassett. In 1985, Ms. Arthur was the first woman to win a primetime Emmy award for directing, for her work on the “Cagney & Lacey” episode “Heat”. She has worked with some of the biggest stars in Hollywood, including Ed Asner, Kirstie Allie, Delta Burke, Barbara Hershey, Diane Ladd, Bernadette Peters, Christopher Plummer, Christopher Reeves, Jane Seymour, Susan Sullivan and Angelina Jolie. THE CONVERSATION How drinking wine and dreaming of Hollywood with a friend in summer stock led to “Remington Steele” creator Michael Gleason going to bat for Karen to get her first TV directing job: “Rich Man, Poor Man Book II”. Almost getting kicked off the lot for parking in the “Director” spot – and then telling the Security Guard: “I AM the director!” Fun and heartache on “Hart to Hart” with the great Stefanie Powers. Meeting and falling in love on “Cagney & Lacey” with her husband of 39 years -- director of photography Thomas Neuwirth. Winning the Emmy and how it changed everything for Karen – and the women directors to follow. DOWN IN FRONT: How sitting in the front row when the bosses are watching your work is the best director trick she’s learned -- and why… Working with Lee Grant and Carol Kane on The Mafu Cage and learning to give actors – and herself – “room to fail”. The choreography of directing and creating intricate shots. Choosing her projects carefully -- and getting the nickname “Karen No”. Filming “The Rape of Richard Beck” with Richard Crenna -- and the message he showed the crew written on his own butt! So join Susan and Sharon – and Karen – as they talk about bumping into Tyne Daly on Broadway, getting checks from Paul Newman and swallowing fire with Pierce Brosnan! PLUS – 80’S TV LADIES TRIBUTE salutes the recent passing of some legendary TV and film ladies… AND -- listener feedback from our fans! AUDIOGRAPHY Defining Women: Television and the Case of Cagney & Lacey by Julie D'Acci. Get it at Bookshop . Primetime Feminism: Television, Media Culture and the W
S1 E20 · Wed, March 29, 2023
Cagney & Lacey with Sharon Gless
Susan and Sharon are thrilled to sit down with show business legend Sharon Gless. Multi-Emmy and Golden Globe winner, Sharon Gless has appeared in dozens of television shows such as “Nip/Tuck”, “Rizzoli & Isles”, “The Rockford Files”, “House Calls,”The Bob Newhart Show”, “Station 19” and “The Exorcist.” She has created iconic and ground-breaking characters in the shows “Burn Notice”, “Queer as Folk”, “The Trials of Rosie O’Neill” and of course “Cagney & Lacey”. In 2021 she published her bestselling, no-holds-barred autobiography “Apparently There Were Complaints”. In this in-depth interview, Sharon Gless talks frankly about feminism, her ongoing friendship with Tyne Daly, her affair, marriage and almost-divorce from Barney Rosenzweig, her struggles with substance abuse and recovery -- and the lasting legacy of the characters she’s played. THE CONVERSATION The moment Sharon Gless knew she wanted to be an actress – and knew she would not fail “The first feminist I ever met…” -- Barney Rosenzweig?? How Cagney and Lacey we’re NEVER friends. How Sharon was actually the VERY FIRST person approached to play Christine Cagney – and why she turned it down. Earning $186 a week as the last contract player at Universal. “The Woman Behind the Woman”: how talent manager Monique James left her position as VP at MCA/Universal to become Sharon’s personal manager – and changed her life. Being forced to watch herself on film to learn what she was doing right -- and wrong. Hashing out billing, and rehearsing her first table read as Cagney, with Tyne Daly over a bottle of champagne. Why Christine Cagney wanted to be first through the door with a gun. Improvising and window shopping for the Cagney & Lacey main titles. Participating with Tyne Daly and Gloria Steinem in the 2004 Women’s March on Washington –- and seeing the true impact of “Cagney & Lacey” for the first time. Being Stephen J. Cannell’s “good luck charm!” Falling in love with Debbie Novotny on “Queer as Folk”. So join Susan, Sharon – and Sharon Gless -- as they talk poker nights with Tyne, the “C”-word, the other “C”-word -- and what did she really say to that flasher?? AUDIOGRAPHY Official website: SharonGless.com Sharon Gless Facebook page. Sharon Gless’ autobiography “Apparently There Were Complaints” at Bookshop . Watch the trailer for Sharon’s upcoming Documentary -
S1 E19 · Wed, March 15, 2023
Cagney & Lacey with Tyne Daly
Join us to meet the woman behind Mary Beth Lacey! Sharon and Susan are excited and honored to talk with Emmy and Tony-award winning actress and the star of Cagney & Lacey, Tyne Daly. In a career spanning eight decades, Tyne Daly has appeared on stage and screen in over 100 roles in everything from “The Mod Squad” and “Judging Amy” to co-starring with Clint Eastwood in the Dirty Harry film “The Enforcer”. She has received six Emmy awards – four for her outstanding portrayal of Mary Beth Lacey on “Cagney & Lacey.” In this intimate interview, Tyne Daly shares stories of her childhood, barely finishing high school, her early days acting in New York, her eventual move to Los Angeles with then husband actor/director Georg Stanford Brown -- and a lifetime of acting, politics and poetry. THE CONVERSATION How Dustin Hoffman opened the door for “non-perfect” people on film and TV. Coming to California -- and being “done at 21”! How the internet is the death of conversation and the power of words. Doing her early pilots – and hoping they didn’t go! “I Did My Cop” - How Dirty Harry almost kept Tyne from doing “Cagney & Lacey” How Tyne went to the mat for Meg Foster (the 2nd Cagney) at the end of season one – and almost lost her job for it. What it was like to read with the (many) actresses auditioning to play the third Cagney – and how it felt to hear what the producers said about them when they left the room. Why Tyne hasn’t re-watched the show – and doesn’t want to. Tyne’s idea for a new holiday: Interdependence Day – a day celebrating everything we have in common. Tyne reads the poem “Life While You Wait” by Wisława Szymborska How after a life time of striving and struggling – as an actress and woman – Tyne sees that certain battles are never over… What's Tyne's one word to explain the 21st century? And what's yours? So join Susan, Sharon – and Tyne -- as they talk Bette Davis, Angela Lansbury, Jimmy Stewart, “Colleagues with penises” and “Lining up with the pigs”! AUDIOGRAPHY Visit the Official Cagney & Lacey Facebook page. & Official Tyne Daly Facebook page. WHERE TO WATCH: Cagney & Lacey on Roku The Bread Factory, Part 1 and Part 2 Stream for free with library card or university log-in: Kanopy.com - On <a href="https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/a-bread-factory-part-one-for-the-sake-of-
S1 E18 · Wed, March 01, 2023
Cagney & Lacey & Barney Rosenzweig, Part 2
Wait! There were THREE Cagneys? In Part 2 of our conversation with creator/executive producer Barney Rosenzweig, we follow along as the massive success of the Cagney & Lacey TV movie launches it directly into a weekly series for CBS and into a very tumultuous road from multiple cancellations to hit ratings and 14 Emmys. The rest, as they say, is 80’s TV herstory… THE CONVERSATION GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS, PART 1: “We want ‘Cagney & Lacey’ as a mid-season pick-up!” BUT… “You’ve got to be on the air in 20 weeks. And -- you need a new Cagney”. After Loretta Switt, but before Meg Foster… Susan Clark ( Webster, Coogan's Bluff ) was almost Cagney -- except for one small problem only Barney noticed. (“Lacey & Lacey” anyone?) GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS, PART 2: Cagney & Lacey premieres to a 38 share!” BUT… “Then it plummets to a 22 share. You’re canceled.” Time slot matters: Why would it be a bad idea to air Cagney & Lacey after massive-hit Magnum P.I.? After Cagney & Lacey is dropped, what 80s detective duo TV show was saved from the chopping block by taking the slot? Spoiler alert: Simon & Simon! How did Barney snatch victory from the jaws of defeat - and wrangle a last-minute reprieve that results in a second-season order. THE FINAL CAGNEY: How the second season renewal is dependent on replacing Cagney one more time. The end of House Calls gives us the third - and final - Cagney in the form of… drumroll… Sharon Gless! GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS, PART 3: “Your ratings are great! You’re nominated for Emmys!” BUT… “The Thornbirds came on and destroyed your ratings. You’re canceled – AGAIN!” The Barney & fan-driven letter-writing campaign to save the show from death -- AGAIN! The Abortion Episode – and why Barney thinks it’s one of their weakest. How Barney’s on-set affair led to the end of one marriage (to Barbara Corday, Cagney & Lacey writer/creator and then Columbia Television president) and the beginning of another (to series co-star Sharon Gless). Looking Back: Barney reflects on the many ways his journey with “Cagney & Lacey” changed his career, his personal philosophy – and his life. So join Susan & Sharon – and Barney – as they talk Moonlighting, Dead to Me – and why you should always call your mom… AUDIOGRAPHY WHERE TO WATCH: On Apple . On Amazon . On Pluto . More Streaming Options on Decider . Visit t
S1 E17 · Wed, February 15, 2023
Cagney & Lacey & Barney Rosenzweig, Part 1
Buckle up, kids - We’re kicking off our series on Cagney & Lacey ! Sharon & Susan begin their look back at the classic 80’s TV series Cagney & Lacey with a conversation with the show’s creator and executive producer, Barney Rosenzweig. Rosenzweig’s career spans five decades and hundreds of hours of television including Charlie’s Angels, Daniel Boone, Christie, Twice in a Lifetime , and The Trials of Rosie O’Neill . But he made TV history when he approached writers Barbara Avedon and Barbara Corday with a simple yet revolutionary idea: “Write a Robert Redford/Paul Newman buddy movie -- but for women.” They in turn wrote Cagney & Lacey to answer the burning 1980s question: “Can women be buddies under pressure?” Together, they created a legendary television series that Rosenzweig elegantly describes as “a show about two women – who just happen to be cops”. Cagney & Lacey is a police procedural drama - starring Tyne Daly and Sharon Gless - that premiered in 1982 and ran until 1988. The franchise included 125 episodes and five TV movies. The show has been the recipient of 37 Primetime Emmy nominations with 14 wins, including four wins for a leading actress in a drama for Daly and two wins for Gless. THE CONVERSATION Three Cagneys, Two “pilots”… and One Lacey! - How Tyne Daly’s Mary Beth Lacey went through three Christine Cagneys: Loretta Switt, Meg Foster -- and finally Sharon Gless. But what’s a Showrunner? - Barney explains his role in collaborating with writers, directors, actors and artists to bring a singular vision to life. A Life-Changing Epiphany – How a night at the movies with future wife Barbara Avedon showed a “50’s guy” what sexism really is. How Cagney & Lacey were almost played by… Anne Bancroft & Raquel Welch?? Working publicity for MGM's Howard Strickling and directors Martin Ritt and Tony Richardson - which one was "the worst experience of my life"? How to shoot Toronto for New York – there is a trick… How a chance meeting with Suzanne Levine got Cagney & Lacey on the cover of Ms. Magazine – and a 48 share! So join us as we talk about University of Southern California yell-leaders, 1965 MGM-epic Ben Hur , car bombs – and throwing up over “director’s cuts”! AUDIOGRAPHY - Visit the Official Cagney & Lacey website. - Read Barney Rosenzweig’s Blog ! - Get Barney’s book: “Cagney & Lacey… and me” Help us keep making this show and get ad-free episodes: WE’RE now <a href="https://www.patreon.com/80sTVLadies" target="_blank"
S1 E16 · Wed, February 01, 2023
Stuntwoman and Living Legend Debbie Evans
Could you be a stuntwoman? Find out what it takes. Susan and Sharon are honored to talk with legendary award-winning stuntwoman Debbie Evans Leavitt. In a career spanning six decades, Debbie has risked life and limb in classic television shows and massive blockbuster movies. She talks doubling Stephanie Zimbalist on Remington Steele and what that moment between take-off and crash-landing feels like. Debbie has flipped and fallen and raced in Charlie’s Angels , Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Vega$, ChiPs , The A-Team , Hill Street Blues, Magnum, PI, Cagney & Lacey, CSI, NCIS: Los Angeles, Fear the Walking Dead, Major Crimes, and Criminal Minds . Her many feature films include The Jerk, 1941, Jagged Edge, Heaven’s Gate, Witches of Eastwick, The Ring, Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Mr. and Mrs. Smith , Fight Club and Pineapple Express as well as Matrix: Reloaded and Matrix: Resurrection , this year’s The Batman -- and eight of the ten Fast & the Furious movies including the upcoming “Fast X”. As one of the few women to survive and flourish in one of Hollywood’s most notorious boys' clubs – the world of stunts – Debbie Evans has navigated a treacherous career filled with challenges not limited to high-falls, fist fights and car chases. She takes Susan and Sharon over the hurdles and around the curves of a life that has been fast, furious, deeply rewarding – and never less than thrilling. So buckle-up and grab your crash strap – here we go! THE CONVERSATION Remembering 37 episodes of “Remington Steele” including Learning to run “like Laura Holt” Falling from a burning building! Jumping Laura’s VW Rabbit into a pond! Stunting for the guys! Using a fat suit and bald cap to double as Remington and Laura’s nemesis Norman Keyes – and getting punched by Pierce Brosnan! Riding motorcycles with her dad and her first time on a bike (she crashed) Building a Honda 55 step thru piece-by-piece at age 8 (took a year) Having fun on the set of “The Fast and the Furious” films with Michelle Rodriquez Getting her first movie gig with Roger Corman on the aptly named “DeathSport” Being mentored by “stunt mom” and veteran stuntwoman Jeannie Epper Doing her first car flip on “ChiPs” Doubling Stepfanie Kramer on Hunter. Taking the wheel of the Cody Coyote on Hardcastle & McCormick . Playing cowboys and guitar with Kris Kristofferson on the set of Heaven's Gate . Being inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2003 – a dream come true. Susan, Sharon and Debbie talk about crashing, flipping, speeding and Gosling! (Ryan, of course…) as Debbie explains the subtle art of giving people “the respect they don’t deserve”… AUDIOGRAPHY Debbie Evans <a href
S1 E15 · Wed, January 25, 2023
The 90s TV Babies Take On Remington Steele
It’s the return of the 90’s TV Babies! Susan and Sharon welcome back Serita Fontanesi, Megan Ruble and Sergio Perez to get their 90s TV take on “Remington Steele”. We asked them to watch three episodes and share their thoughts: The pilot: “License to Steele” S1, Ep21, “Sting of Steele”, featuring Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. as Steele’s mentor Daniel Chalmers – and Beverly Garland, making a return appearance as Laura’s mother, Abigail Holt S2, Ep03, “Red Holt Steele” – you know, the one where Laura’s house blows up and she almost sleeps with Remington… The 90s TV Babies loved “Scarecrow & Mrs. King” – what will their verdict be about “Remington Steele”? Let’s find out! THE CONVERSATION Why are 80s TV shows SO SLOW?! Or are they? Who knew Pierce Brosnan was SO skinny? Did James Bond fans think he wasn’t “man” enough to be 007? What’s more compelling? An intricate plot – or the “feels” between Laura and Remington? Was the villain in the pilot based on John DeLorean – or Elon Musk?? Everyone knows Pierce Brosnan – but Sergio shares the joy of discovering Stephanie Zimbalist for the first time! Hey – why doesn’t Laura even know his real name? Where does the Venn diagram of beloved media overlap for Serita and Sergio? And what would a Season Six with no Pierce Brosnan look like? The 90’s TV Babies (with help from the 80’s TV Ladies) dig deep into the romantic comedy soul of “Remington Steele”, discussing intersectionality, feminism, issues of identity and voice – and why can’t the show be just a little more like “Grey’s Anatomy”?! PLUS – Listener Questions! “Remington Steele” writer Robin Bernheim sends us answers to your questions about the casting of Tony Roselli, and whether Laura Holt would have evolved differently as a character if women had been running the show? New segment: “80’s TV Ladies Salute” where we recognize the ladies (and men) of 80’s TV who we recently lost. AUDIOGRAPHY Watch all 5 seasons of “Remington Steele.” Watch on Amazon . On Apple TV . 8TL SALUTE - We salute the following 80s TV Ladies in Memoriam: Kristie Alley Earl Boen Irene Cara Carole Cook <a href="https://www.emmys.com/bios/sonya-eddy" target=
S1 E14 · Wed, January 18, 2023
Remington Steele: Making it Happen with Jerram Swartz
Susan and Sharon sit down with “Remington Steele” assistant director Jerram Swartz. In a career spanning 5 decades, Jerram has worked on movies including “E.T.: The Extraterrestrial” and “The Blues Brothers” as well as 80’s TV classics such as “The A-Team”, “Cagney & Lacey” and “Riptide”. In this episode, he shares stories about the fun, excitement and controversy of working on the fifth – and final – season of “Remington Steele”. THE CONVERSATION - Susan and Sharon’s fav Season 4 & 5 episodes and guest stars (Louie Anderson and Terry O’Quinn!). - Pierce and Stephanie and the “Cancelled-and-then-NOT-cancelled” blues… - How Stephanie Zimbalist almost starred in “Robocop”! - What really happened with Pierce Brosnan’s whole “James Bond Thing” (and yes, he really was upset….) - Jack Scalia as Laura Holt’s new love interest “Tony Roselli”. Was the plan to eventually replace Pierce with him?? - Shooting Season 5 in Dublin, Ireland -- and Pasadena, CA… - Learning to tap dance from “Barnaby Jones” star Buddy Ebsen. - Being punched by Robert Shaw on the set of “Swashbuckler”! - Hanging with Kevin “the smart one” Tighe and Randolph “the sexy one” Mantooth on “Emergency!” - Crashing cars into toy stores for “The Blues Brothers”. - Being Mae West’s date to a studio screening of “Jaws”. - Good times over the years working with TV ladies favs: Stephanie Zimbalist, Tyne Daly, Christina Applegate, Melissa McCarthy, Ellen Burstyn, Jacqueline Bisset and many others… Join Susan, Sharon and Jerram as they talk Buck Rogers, Walt Disney and traveling the world with a very special Kermit the Frog! AUDIOGRAPHY Emmys.com - The Television Academy website California Film Commission website DGA.org - For DGA Training program and other directing programs. Book: “Backwards and in Heels” by Alicia Malone -- Find it on Amazon . All 5 seasons of “Remington Steele” are now available on Amazon Prime and AppleTV! Watch: Amazon . Watch on Apple TV. For more information or to download a transcript of this podcast, visit our website: 80sTVLadies.com Don’t miss out on everything 80s TV Ladies. Sign up for our mailing list !
S1 E13 · Wed, January 04, 2023
Steele Talking Cars with Evan Ball
In 1980s television, cars were the stars -- From “Knight Rider’s” KIT to Miami Vice’s Testarossa to the A-Team van, everyone knew who drove what -- and why. But what did the women get to drive? The 80s TV Ladies sit down with television writer and auto aficionado Evan Ball (“Stargirl”, “Colin in Black and White”, “Mayor of Kingstown”) to talk Remington Steele and 80s cars. THE CONVERSATION The 3 Cars of Laura Holt: the Volkswagen Rabbit Convertible (modeled after Stephanie Zimbalist’s own real-life car) …. The 1976 Cadillac Fleetwood limo (and how it “was” Remington Steele before Pierce Brosnan showed up)… And the unforgettable 1936 Auburn Boattail Speedster from “Love Among the Steele” The joy of “restoring” (translation: “throwing money into the bottomless pit of”) a 1987 Mazda RX7. “Hardcastle & McCormick’s” Cody Coyote – and why Brian Keith hated it! Where the Girls Aren’t: Why are there so few leading ladies in Stephen J. Cannell shows? What cars did the Charlie’s Angels drive? Amanda King’s LTD Station Wagon -- and Susan’s first true love, her 1980 Toyota Carolla Station Wagon -- WITH rain guards! Cagney and Lacey’s awesome car chases -– and how their classic Dodge Diplomat got stolen in the first scene of the first TV movie! Buckle-up as Susan, Sharon and Evan talk roll bars, exploding cars… and Wonder Woman’s invisible plane! READY, SET – GO! AUDIOGRAPHY Find Evan Ball at instagram.com/evanistics and twitter.com/evanistics Check out Internet Movie Cars Database Watch “COLIN IN BLACK AND WHITE” Read “ Reproductive Justice: An Introduction ” by Loretta Ross and Rickie Solinger For more information or to download a transcript of this podcast, visit our website: https://80stvladies.com Don’t miss out on everything 80s TV Ladies. Sign up for our mailing list! - http://eepurl.com/h1YPWH
S1 E12 · Wed, December 21, 2022
Remington Steele Holiday Fun: Deep Dive Into Seasons 2 & 3
Susan and Sharon take on Season Two and Three of “Remington Steele” as they talk TV tropes, favorite episodes and the introduction of Doris Roberts as fan-favorite Mildred Krebs! THE CONVERSATION Doris Roberts -- and how she completed the Remington Steele “family”. Everyone Loves Doris: a rundown of (almost) everyone Doris Roberts has ever played “mother” to on the big and small screen. Ms. Roberts senate testimony on ageism in Hollywood. TV TROPES – or, why every detective show in the 80’s went to the circus – in handcuffs! The ever-changing opening title sequences of “Remington Steele”: which one was the best – and which one was the worst… Laura Holt’s suburban sister Frances – was she a sly commentary on rival show “Scarecrow and Mrs. King”? Susan and Sharon’s favorite season 2 & 3 episodes, including “Cast In Steele”, “A Pocketful of Steele” (co-starring 80’s perennial kid actor Meeno Peluce) and “Steele In The Chips”. How the Steele Agency became a three-car family. BONUS – A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS TREAT! Indie rocker and songwriter Michelle Malone helps Susan and Sharon welcome the Holidays with a LIVE PERFORMANCE of a few Christmas songs and talks about her new album, “Michelle Malone and The Hot Toddies!” https://michellemalone.com/product/806293 PLUS -- THE TOP SIX 80’s CHRISTMAS EPISODES YOU CAN’T MISS! “Remington Steele” -- Dancer, Prancer, Donner & Steele. A Christmas office party at The Remington Steele Agency turns into a hostage situation. Die Hard, anyone? “Scarecrow and Mrs.King” – The Long Christmas Eve. Lee and Amanda end up trapped in a snowbound cabin with an undercover spy, two injured KGB agents – and a bottle of vodka! “A Different World” – Gift of the Magi. Whitley gets an unexpected Christmas surprise: her dad’s new girlfriend! “Cagney & Lacey” – I’ll Be Home For Christmas. An escaped criminal dressed as Santa throws a monkey wrench into everyone’s Christmas Eve plans. “A Muppet Family Christmas” – the ultimate crossover event: Fraggle Rock, Sesame Street and Muppet characters all gather to celebrate the holidays! (Featuring Miss Piggy, that ultimate 80’s feminist icon!) “Christmas at Pee-Wee’s Playhouse” – if you don’t know it, just watch it. So many 80s TV Ladies Guest star: Grace Jones, Oprah Winfrey, Annette Funicello, Joan Rivers, k.d. lang, Charo, Zsa Zsa Gabor… AND Cher! HAPPY HOLIDAYS from all your friends at 80s TV LADIES! AUDIOGRAPHY “Are You Hungry, Dear? Life, Laughs and Lasagna” – by Doris Roberts and Danelle Morton <a href="https://amzn.to/3HSWlkg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopene
S1 E11 · Wed, December 07, 2022
Remington Steele with Stephanie Zimbalist – Part Two
Steele Talking: Susan and Sharon continue their interview with award-winning stage, TV and film actress Stephanie Zimbalist who created the 80s iconic character, Laura Holt… THE CONVERSATION - Working with her real-life dad – showbiz legend Efrem Zimbalist Jr – How he became a father figure for co-star Pierce Brosnan. (And how he taught Stephanie the secret to “playing drunk”…!) - Her decades-long friendship with Alec Baldwin. - When James Stewart was almost on Remington! - The Amazing Remington Steele Guest Stars, including… - Paul Reiser – and how Pierce broke up every time he said a line. - Louie Anderson – and that horse… - And Beverly Garland – Laura’s mom! (Wait -- were Laura Holt and Amanda King sisters??) - How she was cast in – but had to quit – ROBOCOP. - Why she has never gone back to rewatch “Remington Steele.” - Why “the blood isn’t real on “Remington Steele” -- and how humor on TV has changed… - How curiosity leads to love. - New York, noodles – and a “rude awakening” in the theater… Listen in as Susan, Sharon and Stephanie talk “Moonlighting”, memories and Mary Tyler Moore! AUDIO-OGRAPHY Stephanie Zimbalist Fan Page on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/StephanieZimbalistFanPage Renegade women in film and tv – by Elizabeth Weitzman and illustrated by Austen Claire Clements Hardcover: https://amzn.to/3VEmK9h Kindle: https://amzn.to/3VNiOD0 For more information or to download a transcript of this podcast, visit our website: https://80stvladies.com Get in on everything 80s TV Ladies. Sign up for our mailing list! - http://eepurl.com/h1YPWH
S1 E10 · Wed, November 23, 2022
Remington Steele with Stephanie Zimbalist – Part One
Susan and Sharon sit down with a true show business icon and classic 80’s TV Lady -- “Remington Steele’s” one-and-only Laura Holt -- Stephanie Zimbalist. In a career spanning six decades, Stephanie has performed on stage and screen with everyone from Alec Baldwin, Walter Matthau, Jessica Tandy, Anthony Hopkins, John Goodman, Patricia Neal, Alfred Molina, Tommy Tune, Jimmy Stewart AND her own father, the legendary Efrem Zimbalist Jr. The Conversation… - Growing up Zimbalist: what it’s like to be born into a true show business dynasty. - How Stephanie started writing, directing and producing – at the age of seven. - How she attended Julliard with friends and classmates Robin Williams and Christopher Reeve -- and then got kicked out! - Winning – or not winning – an “Enema” (oh wait -- “Emmy”) - A Life in the Theater: performing award-winning roles in classic plays by Shakespeare, Chekhov, Tennessee Williams and more. - The gift of making “big choices” on stage – and screen. And the pleasure of refining and reinventing a performance over a long run. - Playing Katherine Hepburn in “Tea at Five” – and how she discovered they’re cousins! Turning down the role of Laura Holt three times before finally taking it on. - “Backwards and in High Heels” – on water skis! Stephanie takes us through doing her own stunts on “Remington Steele” -- and working with legendary stuntwoman Debbie Evans. Join Susan and Sharon (and Stephanie) as we talk fame, fedoras – and wet-biking in France with Pierce. PLUS -- MORE listener mail!! AUDIO-OGRAPHY Native Land Digital - https://native-land.ca/ LAist on Land Acknowledgment - https://laist.com/news/what-to-know-about-land-acknowledgment Stephanie Zimbalist - https://www.instagram.com/stephaniezimbalist_net/ http://www.stephaniezimbalist.net Steele Watching Podcast - w/ Kerry Carlock https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/steele-watching/id1509551051 For more information or to download a transcript of this podcast, visit our website: https://80stvladies.com Don’t miss out on everything 80s TV Ladies. Sign up for our mailing list! - http://eepurl.com/h1YPWH
S1 E9 · Wed, November 09, 2022
Writing Remington Steele with Robin Bernheim, Part Two
But did they? Join Part Two of our interview with TV writer/producer Robin Bernheim, to discover the complicated answer to the burning question: Did Stephanie Zimbalist and Pierce Brosnan get along while filming “Remington Steele”? The Conversation: - Laura vs. Remington: Who got the most screen-time? Who got to drive the car? And whose show was it, anyway? - How did a writing staff of mostly men handle writing a female voice? - An episode where Laura Holt poses nude?? The script, Stephanie Zimbalist’s reaction – and the re-writes that followed... - Being “one of the boys” with Michael Gleason and Brad Kern: vodka, cigars… and barfing. - Writing Quantum Leap -- and the good (and bad) side of working for producer Donald Bellisario. - Writing and producing “The Princess Switch” -- with three versions of Vanessa Hudgens! Along the way we talk about watching “Moonlighting”, “The Boys”, “Silicon Valley” and “Murphy Brown”; writing “Star Trek” and “When Calls The Heart”; and how one very dedicated fan took a favorite line of Robin’s – and had it tattooed on her arm! Join Susan and Sharon as we get Robin to explain about thriving in the writer’s room, pitching from the Ladies Room and what to do when Pierce Brosnan calls you “Boo”! PLUS – fan shoutouts, fan mail and fan love from all over the world for our own “80’s TV Ladies”! AUDIO-OGRAPHY For Fan Fiction of Remington Steele and other TV shows: Fanfiction.net ArchiveOfOurOwn.org Book: Steel Loved After All These Years: A Remington Steele Retrospective by Judith A. Moose On Abe Books: https://www.abebooks.com/9781593930981/Steele-Loved-After-Years-Remington-1593930984/plp Look on eBay for a bargain. https://www.ebay.com/itm/265353913608 8TL Fan ShoutOuts - Thank you, Fans! Marie K. Jesse B. BizzyLizzy1605 Don’t miss out on everything 80s TV Ladies. Sign up for our mailing list! - http://eepurl.com/h1YPWH
S1 E8 · Wed, October 26, 2022
Writing Remington Steele with Robin Bernheim, Part One
From Remington Steele to Princess Switch - Susan and Sharon sit down with legendary television writer Robin Bernheim. Robin’s career began in her mid-twenties with the “Remington Steele” episode “Steele in the Chips”, co-written with series star and long-time friend Stephanie Zimbalist. In a career spanning five decades, Robin has gone on to write and produce episodes of “MacGyver”, “Matlock”, “Quantum Leap”, “Star Trek: The Next Generation”, “Star Trek: Voyager” and “Mystery 101”. Robin is the creator, writer and executive producer of Netflix’s hit “Princess Switch” franchise starring Vanessa Hudgins. In Part One of our wide-ranging two-part conversation with Ms. Bernheim, we touch on … - How almost dying in a plane crash led Robin to a forty-year career writing for television. - Schoolmates and BFFs: how Robin and Stephanie met and became friends at Marlborough, a private all-girl prep-school in Los Angeles. - Why NBC was so afraid of the "cookie" episode (fan favorite “Steele in the Chips”) – that they delayed airing it until the end of the season. - That same episode’s all-star guest cast – including Geena Davis and Jean Smart! - The Adventures of Being the Only Woman in the Writer’s Room, including: “The Mystery of The Secret Meetings in the Men’s Room”, “The Incredible Disappearing Assigned Parking Space” and of course “The Looming Glass Ceiling!” - How Robin and Stephanie’s house in LA was the model for Laura Holt’s house in “Remington Steele” -- and what it was like to watch that house blow-up in Season 2, episode 3 – “Red Holt Steele” So join Susan and Sharon as we dig deep into doubles, delicious cookies and dirty jokes in the writers room in Part One of our two-part Interview with Robin Bernheim. And make sure to tune in next time for Part Two where we answer the cliff-hanging question: Did Pierce Brosnan and Stephanie Zimbalist really get along on set (and off) – or not?? PLUS! An 80’s TV LADIES Holiday Shout-Out: Spook-tacular Halloween Episodes to watch from some of your favorite 80s shows including “Facts of Life”, “Roseanne”, and “Laverne & Shirley”! AUDIO-OGRAPHY Netflix DVD - https://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/Remington-Steele/70157284 Amazon Season 3 on DVD: NEED AFFILIATE LINK: https://www.amazon.com/Remington-Steele-Season-Stephanie-Zimbalist/dp/B000E6ESC6 Fansites: http://steeleinlove.com http://remingtonsteele.tv-website.com Remington Steele Investigations FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000230665
S1 E7 · Wed, October 12, 2022
Deep Dark Secrets: Welcome to Remington Steele
"Try this for a deep, dark secret..." Susan and Sharon begin their examination of the hit 1980s series “Remington Steele”. Premiering on October 10, 1982, “Remington Steele” starred two relative newcomers to the network TV landscape -- Stephanie Zimbalist and Pierce Brosnan. The premise was simple: Private eye Laura Holt finds that clients are reluctant to hire a female investigator. So she invents a fictitious male “boss” named Remington Steele to increase business. The ruse works perfectly until the day a former thief and con-man shows up and assumes the identity of Remington Steele, setting into motion a classic romantic comedy -- with plenty of mystery and danger thrown in for good measure. Susan and Sharon dig deep into the pilot, and along the way reveal some deep, dark secrets about this 5-season hit NBC series… - Why did it take over 13 years for the idea to finally make it to television? - Who was “Mildred Krebs” originally supposed to be – and how did Doris Roberts ultimately snag the role? - Why was the second episode filmed first? And the first episode filmed second?? - Why was the show cancelled – and then reverse cancelled? And how did that result in Pierce Brosnan losing the role of James Bond to Timothy Dalton in “The Living Daylights”? Susan and Sharon examine the role of Laura Holt as the lead character in a show that quickly became more about her male counterpart. Who’s show was it really? Did it suffer – or improve – as the focus shifted to Steele? And ultimately, was the show feminist? Grab your fedora and a bucket of popcorn as the 80s TV Ladies begin their investigation of one of the most beloved 80s series of all time -- “Remington Steele”! Tell us what you think. Is Remington Steele a feminist show? Or not? Let us know on our website: https://80stvladies.com or email us - 80sTVLadies@gmail.com AUDIO-OGRAPHY Where to watch: STREAMING - On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Remington-Steele-Season-Stephanie-Zimbalist/dp/B00096S45S On Apple: https://tv.apple.com/us/show/remington-steele/umc.cmc.6fm9czhcocxofzk7xbe90inn8 On DVD: All: https://www.amazon.com/Remington-Steele-Seasons-1-5/dp/B00144PA06 Season 1: https://www.amazon.com/Remington-Steele-Season-Stephanie-Zimbalist/dp/B00096S45S On Ebay: https://www.eba
S1 E6 · Wed, September 28, 2022
Scarecrow and Mrs. King and Martha Smith
Sharon and Susan talk with “Scarecrow & Mrs. King’s” one-and-only “Francine Desmond” – actress Martha Smith. Our conversation covers everything from her early days as a model for the Ford Motor Company to her “National Lampoon’s Animal House” adventures and finally to working on the show she first knew only as “The Secret Kate Jackson Project” – we’ll find out why Martha Smith truly is the “Gal With All The Luck”! Along the way, we’ll discuss… - Brunching with John Belushi! Touring with Rod Stewart! - Posing for Playboy Playmate of the Month! - The “other” spy show that almost happened: “Ebony, Ivory and Jade” (1979) with Bert Convy and Debbie Allen. - Creating comedy magic with Kate Jackson in Martha’s all-time favorite episode, “Life of the Party." - The shelved script from Season 2 (“A Matter of Choice”) that was dusted off for the end of Season 4 – and finally gave Francine a boyfriend - and an apartment! - Francine’s on-screen adventures in Europe – and Martha’s off-screen ones, too! (Why does Bruce Boxleitner keep teasing her about those German men, anyway? Nothing happened.) Plus: We talk about how she stood up for herself (and Francine) as the show – and showrunners – kept changing; along with everything from LA real estate to divorces to motorcycle accidents to… Bruce Boxleitner and “The Hooker Routine”?! Join us on our deep-dive into all things Francine and Mrs. King with the impressive, irreverent and irreplaceable Martha Smith! AUDIO-OGRAPHY Martha Smith: https://www.facebook.com/groups/154944167855260 Scarecrow and Mrs. King Anniversary Reunion Page: https://www.facebook.com/ScarecrowAndMrsKingAnniversary Watch Scarecrow and Mrs. King: https://tinyurl.com/yc2h8n56 FAN THANKS & RECOMMENDATIONS: Fiona W. book: When Women Invented Television by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong. https://www.amazon.com/When-Women-Invented-Television-Powerhouses/dp/0062973304 Tamara M. show: Hunter with Stephanie Kramer and Fred Dryer. https://tinyurl.com/3f3bnczr INFO: 80s TV Ladies theme and parody songs, including this episode’s “Some Gals Have All the Luck - Martha Smith” by Amy Englehardt. Written by Susan Lambert Hatem and Amy Englehardt. AmyEnglehardt.com - https://www.amyengelhardt.com For more information or to download a transcript of this podcast, visit our website: https://80stvladies.com
S1 E5 · Wed, September 14, 2022
Slipping Sideways Into Scarecrow, Mrs. King and Season 3 w/ Richard Hatem
Season 3 of “Scarecrow & Mrs. King” is a fun, and kind of bonkers, 22-episode journey that is anything but straight-forward. International intrigue, poisoned food and wine, eclectic guest stars and a herky-jerky path to romance all add up to a season with surprising rewards – and puzzling road blocks. In this week’s tour of near-misses and near-kisses, we discuss… - Are Lee (Bruce Boxleinter) and Amanda (Kate Jackson) heating up – or on slow-boil? And why is WKRP in Cincinnati’s Frank Bonner suddenly invading Amanda’s home life? - What’s on First? A re-shuffle of the first five episodes leaves us with more questions than answers. Why the last minute change up? And how does it affect the development of Lee and Amanda's relationship? - Special Guest and friend-of-the-show Richard Hatem (Titans, Grimm) joins in to talk about why some shows choose (or are forced) to air their episodes out of production order… - Who’s the Boss? A third season brings us a THIRD showrunner – George Geiger (Hunter, Profiler), more female scribes (Kathleen A. Shelley, Whitney Wherrett Roberson, Lynne Kelsey) – and the directorial debut of… Ms. Kate Jackson! - Some of our favorite – and some of the weirdest – episodes ever: Garrett Morris as an African Prime Minister? Lee and Amanda as brother and sister? A retirement home for aging spies? Dottie (Beverly Garland) getting hot and heavy with… A KGB agent? And the return of Amanda’s ex-husband?? Join us as we slip sideways down a twisty-turny Season Three road – with a few bumps along the way – to arrive at Lee and Amanda’s (finally) first official kiss! AUDIO-OGRAPHY Beverly Garland: Her Life and Career by Deborah Del Vecchio https://www.amazon.com/Beverly-Garland-Her-Life-Career/dp/0786465018 Come Walk With Me - A fun, blog journey through all 88 episodes! https://justwalkwithme.com Find Richard Hatem at https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0368818/ https://twitter.com/richardhatem Watch Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Season 3 https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B00578YIYE/ref =atv_dp_season_select_s3 Get ABC Miracles - created by Richard Hatem https://www.amazon.com/Miracles-Complete-Skeet-Ulrich/dp/B0007N1AM2 Watch D.C. Titans on HBOMax https://www.hbomax.com/series/urn:hbo:series:GX3Uw2AN9CaHCwwEAAALT <b
S1 E4 · Wed, August 31, 2022
Scarecrow and Ms. King with Eugenie Ross-Leming
Susan and Sharon sit down with the co-creator of “Scarecrow & Mrs. King” - Eugenie Ross-Leming - to get some real behind-the-scenes insight on the show's creation, Kate Jackson, Bruce Boxleitner, feminism in television, and managing long-term success in Hollywood. The discussion includes… - Eugenie’s early years with the legendary improvisation troupe Second City, where she performed with the likes of John Belushi, Harold Ramis and Bill Murray. - Writing for Norman Lear on the ground-breaking late-night serials “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman” starring Louise Lasser and creating “Fernwood 2 Night” starring Martin Mull and Fred Willard. - How she and writing partner Brad Buckner first pitched “Scarecrow & Mrs. King” to CBS -- and failed to sell it – only to have their luck change when junior executive Carla Singer was promoted and brought them back for another shot. - Working with Kate Jackson and the last-minute casting of Bruce Boxleitner. - Details on the wild days of producing the “Scarecrow” pilot – and her and Brad’s decision to leave the highly successful hit series they created. Along the way, we’ll hear about the importance of staying true to your vision, the lessons learned over a forty-year career that spans “Scarecrow” to “Lois & Clark” to “Supernatural” -- and the sustaining power of two of the most important relationships in her life: her longtime writing partner Brad Buckner, and her husband, Director and Producer Robert Singer. Join us as we go in-depth with a TV legend and creative powerhouse: Eugenie Ross-Leming. AUDIO-OGRAPHY Eugenie Ross-Leming: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0743935 Scarecrow Facebook fansite: https://www.facebook.com/scarecrowandmrs.king Mrs. King Chronicles: http://www.mkcpodcast.com When Women Invented Television by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong https://www.amazon.com/When-Women-Invented-Television-Powerhouses/dp/0062973304 Ladies of the Evening: Women Characters in Prime-Time Television by Diana M. Meehan https://www.amazon.com/Ladies-Evening-Characters-Prime-Time-Television/dp/0810816342 For more information or to download a transcript of this podcast, visit our website: https://80stvladies.com Don’t miss out on everything 80s TV Ladies. Sign up for our mailing list! - http://eepurl.com/h1YPWH
S1 E3 · Wed, August 17, 2022
Let's Go: Europe w/ Mrs. King and 90s TV Babies
What the heck happened in Season 2 of “Scarecrow & Mrs. King”? Oh, we have all the dish on 80s TV Ladies™. More action, more romance, more Europe – and more opportunities for Amanda to show off her skills as a legit spy – and a mom. Along the way, Susan and Sharon discuss… 80s clothes and hairdos – and Kate Jackson’s mid-season Hair-DON’T. Is Archie Bunker’s Jean Stapleton a British lady, an American citizen, or a KGB agent? How could she possibly be all three? Wait, I know that guy! What are Seinfeld's Michael Richards, David Paymer and the incredible John Rhys-Davies doing on this show? What parts of Scarecrow and Mrs. King remind Susan of The Rockford Files? How to tell the difference between Martha Smith’s Francine and the startling appearance of “Man-cine”? Is Beverly Garland even old enough to be a grandmother? Plus we have our first visit with the 90s TV Babies™ - Introducing Serita Fontenesi, Sergio Perez and Megan Ruble. These “kids” take a look at “Scarecrow & Mrs. King” through a modern lens. Did they like the show? Was it feminist? Is Lee Stetson even a good spy? And most important: who is Richard Dick Butz? Join us as we cruise through the highlights of Season Two including when Lee and Amanda – our favorite couple to “ship” – get married – ON A SHIP! AUDIO-OGRAPHY Stealing the Show: How Women are Revolutionizing Television by Joy Press - https://www.amazon.com/Stealing-Show-Women-Revolutionizing-Television/dp/1501137719 In the Chaos with Serita Fontenesi and Cal Jack Cade - https://www.inthechaospod.com Scarecrow and Mrs. King Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/scarecrowandmrs.king Call Me a Cab website: http://www.callmeacab.com SMK-Land - https://www.smk-land.com For more information or a transcript on this podcast, visit our website: https://80stvladies.com Don’t miss out. Sign up for our mailing list! - http://eepurl.com/h1YPWH
S1 E2 · Wed, August 03, 2022
Scarecrow and Ms. Jackson, If You're Nasty
But really: How much fun is it to be a spy and a mom? In this episode, Susan and Sharon continue their conversation about the TV show “Scarecrow & Mrs. King'', focusing on how Amanda balanced her home life with her new (secret!) career as a spy and how her desire to embrace this new career drives the Season One episodes. And did Kate Jackson’s foot injury nearly derailed the season? Along the way, we also discuss… Kate Jackson’s “reputation” on set: What was it? And was it true? The barely there, but surprisingly diverse group of featured and background agents at the IFF. The plot twists and tropes of detective/spy stories: mistaken identity, memory loss and look-alikes! The mid-season hand-off of showrunner duties from creators Eugenie Ross-Lemming & Brad Buckner to TV veteran Juanita Bartlett – and how it changed the show. A dangerous – and romantic – Christmas Eve that Lee and Amanda share in a cozy mountain cabin with two Russian spies… and a bottle of vodka! 80s TV Ladies also welcomes special guest Richard Hatem – Susan’s husband and TV Writer/Producer on such shows as “Grimm,” "Supernatural" and “Titans” – to discuss injuries on set, the challenges of producing network television, and how women are treated behind-the-scenes both then – and now. So join us as we go undercover, lose our memory, meet our evil twins, get nasty with Ms. Jackson – and learn how to slide into home base without tearing a ligament! AUDIO-OGRAPHY: Where the Girls Are: Growing Up Female With the Mass Media by Susan J. Douglas - https://www.amazon.com/Where-Girls-Are-Growing-Female/dp/0812925300 Chance Encounters - https://chanceencounters.weebly.com Just Walk With Me - https://justwalkwithme.com CONNECT WITH: Richard Hatem - https://twitter.com/RichardHatem https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0368818 For more information or a transcript of this podcast, visit our website. LINK: https://80stvladies.com Follow our journey. Sign up for our mailing list! - http://eepurl.com/h1YPWH
S1 E1 · Wed, July 20, 2022
The First Time w/ Scarecrow and Mrs. King
What TV show shall we cover for our first time? How about the pilot of Scarecrow and Mrs. King, starring Kate Jackson and Bruce Boxleitner? Susan and Sharon talk about the show, the stars, and the mysteries of this hit 1983 TV action-comedy drama. Amanda King is a divorced mother with two young sons looking for a job. When she cute-meets secret agent Lee Stetson, a.k.a “The Scarecrow,” she is swept up into a world of intrigue, spies and danger! Will her first case be her last? Or does Amanda find that being “a spy and a mom” is the best of both worlds? Can an 80s housewife have it all – romance, adventure, and Scout meetings? Susan and Sharon follow the clues and you can bet the man in the red hat we’ll find out! We also investigate… Beverly Garland: the hotel AND the actress – Is she Amanda King’s mother – or Laura (Remington Steele) Holt’s! Kate Jackson’s previous hit show: Was it Alley Cats or Harry’s Angels or….? Why did the writers change Amanda from being married to divorced in the pilot script? Who was the first female showrunner in TV history – and why did it take 30 years before there was another? What was Amanda King’s superpower? And what does all this have to do with Parks and Recreation’s Leslie Knope? Join us for our “First Time” as we solve the mystery of whether or not Scarecrow and Mrs. King was a feminist show – a progressive show – or both? And was the word “boyfriend” cut from the original pilot script? Have no fear: Susan and Sharon are on the case! For more information or a transcript on this podcast, visit our website: 80stvladies.com Don’t miss out. Sign up for our mailing list! - http://eepurl.com/h1YPWH Links from this episode: Call Me a Cab by Taya Johnston - http://www.callmeacab.com The Mrs. King Chronicles - http://www.mkcpodcast.com Hosted by Lexie Fiema, Taya Johnston, Jenn Peterson, Miranda Thomas Books: How Tall Are You? A memoir by Greg Morton https://www.amazon.com/How-Tall-Are-Greg-Morton/dp/1986177378 Television’s Female Spies and Crimefighters: 600 Characters and Shows, 1950s to the Present by Karen A. Romanko https://www.amazon.com/dp/0786496371
S1 Enull · Wed, July 06, 2022
Podcast Zero - Try This
Episode Zero - “Try This” What the heck are we doing? In Podcast Zero, hosts Susan Lambert Hatem and Sharon Johnson take you to the fabulous and exciting television past and particularly, that special time in pop-culture and big-hair television: the 1980s! We cover: What the 1980s meant to America and to our own personal history. Jimmy Carter to President Ronald Reagan and ushering in the “Greed” decade. The rise of cable television, CNN and the VCR. Wait? An amusement park based on The World of Sid and Marty Krofft? Why are we looking at female-driven television shows? What shows did we love? What shows should we cover? Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Remington Steele, Cagney and Lacey, Golden Girls and more! Fun, joy, nuggets of insight – Or just balderdash? If you need help understanding the 80s, women, and television, join us on this journey. If we’re going to be fabulous ladies of the 21st Century, we should know where we started. For more information or a transcript on this podcast, visit our website - https://80stvladies.com/ Don’t miss out. Sign up for our mailing list! - http://eepurl.com/h1YPWH
Trailer · Wed, July 06, 2022
Trailer
The awesome trailer for 80s TV Ladies - the podcast for female-driven television shows of the 1980s.
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