advancedtvherstory

Cynthia chats role models and memorable characters found in the 4-Female sitcom construct, with Summer Martin of The Unconventional Woman Podcast. Guest Wendy Burns-Ardolino contributes insights into what qualities and traits viewers look for in their role models and how 4 women characters offer fluidity to leading conversations.

Excerpts from Mara Brock-Akil, showrunner of Girlfriends and the Irish cast of Derry Girls with showrunner Lisa McGee (YouTube)

https://youtu.be/5y7jcmkotw4 (M Brock Akil)

Derry Girls https://youtu.be/bbjpEnH_Zb0

Wendy Burns-Ardolino's book TV Female Foursome and Their Fans  https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/tv-female-foursomes-and-their-fans/

Dr. Elana Levine and Cynthia wrap up an extensive chat about daytime dramas by talking about the cancellation of many beloved shows. We discuss advertising, the loss of broadcast TV's prevalence in daytime and what replaced the serial genre.

Dr. Levine is author of Her Stories (published by Duke University Press) and teaches at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Dr. Elana Levine of the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and author of Duke University Press' Her Stories shares insights into TV technology and artistic elements that upped daytime storytelling's game. We discuss how 1:1 conversations evolved to story arcs of General Hospital's "Summer on the Run," Nola's old Hollywood fantasies in The Guiding Light and other increasingly expensive and outrageous stories.

Part 2 of a chat with Emmy-winning actor Cady McClain, known for her years as Dixie Cooney on ABC's All My Children, which explores Cady's decision to pursue directing and arts advocacy. Cady talks about artists' muses and how resilience can be found in the creative process.

Recent film Seeing is Believing: Women Direct can be seen at Seed and Spark.

In her role as All My Children's Dixie, Cady McClain earned a place in TV Herstory for her award-winning acting. More than just half of a 90s "supercouple," Dixie was every woman.

In this first of a 2 part interview, Cady shares with us her early years in acting and her time on ABC's All My Children. Part 2 explores her roles behind the scenes as a filmmaker and advocate for women in storytelling.

Recent film: Seeing is Believing: Women Direct