80s TV Ladies

By: 134 West | Susan Lambert Hatem & Sharon Johnson
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  • Summary

  • 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.com
    Susan Lambert and 134 West
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Art Social Sciences
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Episodes
  • The Golden Girls of Eastland: Anupam Nigam Shares His Favorite Lessons from The Facts Of Life

    The Golden Girls of Eastland: Anupam Nigam Shares His Favorite Lessons from The Facts Of Life
    Mar 12 2025
    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 LifeThe Golden Girls of Eastland: TV Writer Anupam Nigam Shares His Lessons from The Facts Of LifeThe 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 CONVERSATIONGROWING 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 main characters - The seven girls, Mrs. Garett (Charlotte Rae), teacher Emily Mahoney (Jenny O’Hara) and Headmaster Stephen Bradley (played by John Lawlor). The OG Eastlake students: Blair Warner (Lisa Whelchel), Nancy Olsen (Felice Schachter), Sue Anne Weaver (Julie Piekarski), Tootie Ramsey (Kim Fields), Molly Parker (Molly Ringwald), Cindy Webster (Julie Anne Haddock) and Natalie Green (Mindy Cohn).…AND THEN THERE WERE FOUR. After season one, the young cast was cut from seven girls down to the “Core Four”: Lisa Whelchel as Blair, Kim Fields as Tootie, Mindy Cohn as Natalie and bringing on newcomer Nancy McKeon as Jo Polniaczek.So, join Susan and Sharon -- and Anupam! -- as they talk Shondaland, The Golden Girls, shoulder pads, tea-time, Jermaine Jackson, Mech x4, Geri Jewel, Entertainment Weekly -- and “Who Shot J.R?”! AUDIO-OGRAPHY Follow Anupam Nigam: Instagram.com/anupamnigam1 and Twitter.com/anupamnigam Watch Season 4 of The Facts of Life for free at Roku.Watch Fire Country on CBS. Check out CitizensforEthics.org Buy Democracy Awakening by Heather Cox Richardson at Bookshop.org PLUS -- “80’s TV LADIES” MERCH is available at our SHOP! CONNECTVisit 80sTVLadies.com for transcripts.Join the conversation at Facebook.com/80sTVLadies.Sign up for the 80s TV Ladies mailing list.In Honor of President Carter and to learn more about his presidency: Get Susan’s new play about him and his Crisis of Confidence speech: Confidence (and the Speech) at Broadway Licensing. BREAKING NEWS! We're NOMINATED by The Podcast Academy Ambies for Best Indie Hosts! Podcast Academy members, please VOTE for 80s TV Ladies at The Podcast Acadey voting. The Ambies are LIVE on March 31 at 6pm CT
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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Going Platinum: Skinnamarink and The Elephant Show | Sharon, Lois and Bram... and Randi

    Going Platinum: Skinnamarink and The Elephant Show | Sharon, Lois and Bram... and Randi
    Feb 26 2025
    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 CONVERSATIONWATCHING 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-OGRAPHYCatch up on all-things “Sharon, Lois & Bram” at SharonLoisandBram.comFollow them on Instagram at Instagram.com/sharonloisbramWatch them on TikTok.Catch The Elephant Show on YouTube.VITAL READINGGet Handbook for A Post-Roe America by Robin Marty at Bookshop.org.Check out Men In Dark Times by Hannah Ahrendt at Bookshop.org.Read Democracy Awakening by Heather Cox Richardson at Bookshop.org.You can also follow Richardson’s substack.SEE SUSAN AND DONATE TO GOOD CAUSESJoin Susan at Jim and Huck, the reading of her new play! It's a fundraiser for Arts A La Carte and Union Station Homeless Services Fire Relief Fund.ARC PASADENA: March 1, 2025 at 7:30pmMore info and Tix: Tinyurl.com/JimandHuckCONNECTVisit 80sTVLadies.com for transcripts.Join the conversation at Facebook.com/80sTVLadies.Sign up for the 80s TV Ladies mailing list.Support us and get ad-free episodes on PATREON. In Honor of President Carter and to learn more about his presidency: Get Susan’s new play about him and his Crisis of Confidence speech: Confidence (and the Speech) at Broadway Licensing. PLUS -- “80’s TV LADIES” MERCH is available at Fourthwall.
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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Mama’s Family, Golden Girls and It's Always Sunny | 90s TV Babies

    Mama’s Family, Golden Girls and It's Always Sunny | 90s TV Babies
    Feb 12 2025
    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 CONVERSATIONROOKIE 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-OGRAPHYUPDATE: Find all SIX seasons of Mama’s Family free -- on Pluto TV.Buy the streaming series at Amazon.Buy the DVD set at Amazon.Check DontGetPurged.org to make sure your name has not been purged from voter rolls!Find out more about CREW at CitizensForEthics.orgVITAL READINGGet Handbook for A Post-Roe America by Robin Marty at Bookshop.org.Check out Men In Dark Times by Hannah Ahrendt at Bookshop.org.Read Democracy Awakening by Heather Cox Richardson at Bookshop.org.You can also follow Richardson’s substack.SUPPORT FOR THE LA FIRESOnline at DisasterAssistance.gov On the FEMA App for mobile devices.More resources at Eaton Canyon Community Relief.Google List of LA County Resources. PLACES TO VOLUNTEERGoogle Doc for Wednesday and ongoing.Volunteer with the Red Cross.TALK TO SOMEONEReach out to friends and family. Take care of yourself:Pro Bono Therapy for LA Wildfires - Google Doc. More mental health resources at LARevive.DONATINGMaster GoFundMe List for LA Fire Victims Google Doc.Displaced Black families in Altadena Google Doc. Gofundme pages for EATON CANYON COMMUNITY RELIEFCONNECTVisit 80sTVLadies.com for transcripts.Join the conversation at Facebook.com/80sTVLadies.Sign up for the 80s TV Ladies mailing list.Support us and get ad-free episodes on PATREON. In Honor of President Carter and to learn more about his presidency: Get Susan’s new play about him and his Crisis of Confidence speech: Confidence (and the Speech) at Broadway Licensing. PLUS -- “80’s TV LADIES” MERCH is available at Fourthwall.
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    1 hr and 15 mins

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