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80s TV Ladies

80s TV Ladies

By: 134 West | Susan Lambert Hatem & Sharon Johnson
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 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 Girls and more.

With special guests, TV creators and stars! Do these shows we hold so dear hold up? Let's find out.

Season 1: We examine three “detective duo shows” this season, with multiple episodes and awesome guests for each TV show we cover.
Scarecrow and Mrs. King
Remington Steele
Cagney & Lacey

Season 2: Multiple episodes per TV show exploring representation and behind-the-scenes insight in science fiction, drama and sitcoms!
Queer representation in 70s and 80s
9 to 5 television show
It's a Living
Designing Women
Ladies of the 80s: A Divas Christmas
Star Trek Ladies
Moonlighting

Special guests: Eugenie Ross-Leming, Martha Smith, Robin Bernheim, Stephanie Zimbalist, Evan Ball, Debbie Evans, Barney Rosenzweig, Tyne Daly, Sharon Gless, Karen Arthur, Cynthis Beemis Abrams, Matt Baume, Jane Epsensen, Drew Greenberg, Paul Kreppel, Bryan Edward Hill, Maggie Friedman, Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, Stan Zimmerman, Mary Lou Belli, Nana Visitor, Glenn Gordon Caron, Shery Main and more!

We publish every other Wednesday.
Tell us: Who should we interview and what's your favorite 80s Ladies television show? https://www.80stvladies.comSusan Lambert and 134 West Art Social Sciences
Episodes
  • RERUN: Say Gay! Exploring LGBTQ Representation in 70s, 80s, and 90s TV | Matt Baume

    RERUN: Say Gay! Exploring LGBTQ Representation in 70s, 80s, and 90s TV | Matt Baume
    Aug 27 2025
    Dive into the fascinating world of LGBTQ representation in 70s, 80s, and 90s television with hosts Sharon Johnson and Susan Lambert Hatem on '80s TV Ladies.' This special summer rerun, featuring expert Matt Baume, highlights iconic queer moments and characters. Originally aired on June 7th, 2023, the episode covers groundbreaking shows like 'Bewitched,' 'All in the Family,' 'Golden Girls,' and more. Matt discusses his unique journey as a content creator focused on queer pop culture and shares his insights on evolving media representation. Don’t miss this engaging and enlightening episode, perfect for Pride Month or any time of year!

    00:00 Introduction to Queer TV with Matt Baume
    00:43 Meet the Hosts and Guest Introduction
    02:41 Matt Baume's Journey into Queer Pop Culture
    04:54 The Impact of Television on Cultural Understanding
    13:30 Early Gay Representation on Television
    15:07 The Significance of 'Bewitched' in Queer Representation
    20:52 Norman Lear's Contributions to Queer Representation
    28:57 The Golden Girls and Its Gay Fandom
    33:58 Michael Scott and Archie Bunker: A Comparison
    34:40 The 'I Can't Believe It's Not Heterosexual' Trope
    37:52 Backlash and Acceptance of Queer Representation
    41:08 Lesbian Representation on TV
    49:15 Trans Representation on TV
    53:01 The Role of Gatekeepers in TV Representation
    59:18 Demanding Representation and Change
    01:01:15 Upcoming Projects and Final Thoughts
    01:03:34 Conclusion and Farewell

    AUDIOGRAPHY
    Find Matt and his podcast “Sewers of Paris” - at MattBaume.com
    Get Matt Baume’s new book “Hi Honey, I’m Homo” at Bookshop.org.
    Or at Elliott Bay. Watch Matt’s YouTube Videos.

    LGBTQ Advocacy: Consider supporting orgs like The Trevor Project and The Okra Project.

    CONNECT
    What does representation mean to you? Email us at 80sTVLadies@gmail.com

    SUSAN and RICHARD HATEM ON TOUR
    Richard of Richard Hatem’s Paranormal Bookshelf is going on the road! Susan will be there, too - producing and hosting! We’re kicking off Rich’s 2025 multi-city show, the “LIGHT IN THE DARK” tour, debuting an all-original LIVE episode, you can only hear it live!

    Confirmed dates:
    Sept 20th - The Mothman Festival. Point Pleasant, WV
    Sept 22nd - Washington D.C.
    Sept 27th - Centereach, NY

    More dates are being added soon:
    Check out rhpb.eventbrite.com or go to https://www.richardhatemsparanormalbookshelf.com/events to learn more!

    Don’t miss out. Sign up for the 80s TV Ladies mailing list!
    Help us make more episodes and get ad-free episodes and exclusive content on PATREON.
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • RERUN: Reflecting on Scarecrow and Mrs. King: An Interview with Martha Smith

    RERUN: Reflecting on Scarecrow and Mrs. King: An Interview with Martha Smith
    Aug 20 2025
    In this episode, hosts Susan Lambert Hatem and Sharon Johnson revisit season one, episode six of 'Scarecrow and Mrs. King,' originally launched on September 28, 2022. The rerun features actress Martha Smith, the first actress/celebrity guest on 80s TV Ladies. They dive into Smith's experiences and roles, from her motion picture debut in 'Animal House' to her portrayal of Agent Francine Desmond in 'Scarecrow and Mrs. King.' The conversation covers various topics such as acting in the 80s, the dynamics of the show, and the evolution of female-driven TV shows. Martha shares personal anecdotes about her career, her time with Playboy, on-tour adventures with Rod Stewart, and her unique character development on the show.

    00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
    00:26 Voting Reminder and Importance
    01:11 Meet the Hosts and Special Guest Introduction
    01:51 Martha Smith's Early Career and Animal House
    02:41 Behind the Scenes of Animal House
    07:59 Martha's Playboy Experience
    11:33 Transition to Acting and Early Roles
    19:36 Landing the Role in Scarecrow and Mrs. King
    39:41 Francine and Amanda's Dynamic Duo
    40:44 The Core Fan Base of Scarecrow and Mrs. King
    43:37 Behind the Scenes: Changes and Challenges
    46:58 Memorable Episodes and Character Development
    53:09 The End of an Era: Season Four and Beyond
    01:00:32 Reflections and Future Endeavors
    01:06:31 Final Thoughts and Farewells

    AUDIOOGRAPHY
    Watch Scarecrow and Mrs. King On Tubi or On Roku.
    Check out ‍‍Television’s Female Spies And Crimefighters by Karen A. Romanko at Barnes and Noble.
    Fansite: CallMeaCab.com by Taya Johnston

    80s TV Ladies is nominated for TWO 2025 Podcast Awards. Check us out at PodcastAwards.com https://www.podcastawards.com If you’re a selected judge, please vote for us in Best Female Hosted Podcast and for Best TV & Film Podcast.

    Help us out: Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review!
    Have a great summer, y’all!
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    1 hr and 19 mins
  • BONUS SUMMER RERUN: Scarecrow and Mrs. King with Eugenie Ross-Leming | TV Show Creator Interview

    BONUS SUMMER RERUN: Scarecrow and Mrs. King with Eugenie Ross-Leming | TV Show Creator Interview
    Aug 13 2025
    Join hosts Susan Lambert Hatem and Sharon Johnson as they revisit a beloved episode featuring the co-creator of 'Scarecrow and Mrs. King,' Eugenie Ross-Leming. Originally aired on August 31, 2022, this rerun dives into Ross-Leming's storied career, from her early days at Second City to creating the iconic 80s TV series. Delve into the casting choices, character dynamics, and behind-the-scenes challenges that shaped this female-driven show.

    Whether you're a longtime fan or new to 80s television, this episode offers rich insights and nostalgic reflections. Don't miss out on personal stories, industry trends, and the show's lasting impact on viewers. Plus, stay tuned for shoutouts to dedicated fan sites and podcasts celebrating 'Scarecrow and Mrs. King.' Perfect for any enthusiast of 80s TV and the evolution of women in television.

    00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
    01:05 Meet the Hosts: Susan and Sharon
    01:18 Special Guest: Eugenie Ross Leming
    01:55 Eugenie's Early Career and Second City Days
    05:19 Transition to Writing and Hollywood Experiences
    11:12 Creating Scarecrow and Mrs. King
    15:07 Casting and Character Dynamics
    28:01 Challenges and Reflections on the Show
    34:50 Legacy and Fanbase of Scarecrow and Mrs. King
    36:15 Reflecting on Career and Relationships
    40:25 Women in Television: Past and Present
    42:55 Defining Feminist and Female-Driven Shows
    50:02 Memorable Moments from Scarecrow and Mrs. King
    54:49 Supernatural: A Phenomenal Experience
    56:59 Favorite Female-Driven TV Shows
    01:02:25 Directing Lois and Clark: A Personal Anecdote
    01:07:12 Closing Remarks and Fan Shoutouts

    AUDIOOGRAPHY
    We’ve been nominated for TWO 2025 Podcast Awards.
    Check us out at PodcastAwards.com - If you’re a selected judge, please vote for us in Best Female Hosted Podcast and for Best TV & Film Podcast.

    PODCAST MOVEMENT 2025: Susan will be at the Podcast Movement Convention in Dallas, August 18-20. Reach out if you will be there, too 80sTVLadies@gmail.com

    Richard of Richard Hatem’s Paranormal Bookshelf is going on the road! Susan will be there, too - Producing and hosting! We’re kicking off Rich’s 2025 multi-city show, the “LIGHT IN THE DARK” tour, debuting an all-original LIVE episode, at the On Rotation Brewery in Dallas on Monday, August 18. Get tickets for the August 18 Dallas show: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dallas-richard-hatems-paranormal-bookshelf-live-tickets-1520485967459

    Find out if we’re coming to a city near you. Check out rhpb.eventbrite.com or go to https://www.richardhatemsparanormalbookshelf.com/events to learn more!

    Check out On Rotation Brewery https://on-rotation.com/
    Help us make more episodes and get ad-free episodes and exclusive content! Join PATREON. Free trial!
    Get transcripts and more at 80sTVLadies.com
    Sign up for the 80s TV Ladies mailing list.
    Join the Facebook page discussion at Facebook.com/80sTVLadies
    Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review!
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    1 hr and 10 mins
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