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 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

The Facts of Life with Director Asaad Kelada | Part 1
Apr 23, 2025 – 01:07:06
Writing The Facts of Life and A Different World | Margie Peters -- Part 2
Apr 9, 2025 – 58:34
"Adventurous? Unpredictable? Lawless?" The Facts Of Life with Writer-Producer Margie Peters, Part 1
Mar 26, 2025 – 57:02
The Golden Girls of Eastland: Anupam Nigam Shares His Favorite Lessons from The Facts Of Life
Mar 12, 2025 – 01:12:34
Going Platinum: Skinnamarink and The Elephant Show | Sharon, Lois and Bram... and Randi
Feb 26, 2025 – 01:08:30
Mama’s Family, Golden Girls and It's Always Sunny | 90s TV Babies
Feb 12, 2025 – 01:15:01
Heather Thomas on The Fall Guy, Activism and The Poster
Jan 29, 2025 – 01:03:37
Bonus: Message from a City on Fire | How to Help
Jan 15, 2025 – 09:28
Carol Burnett, Vicki Lawrence and all about ‘The Family’
Jan 8, 2025 – 48:20
The Facts of Life, The Nanny, Carol Burnett & Mama’s Family | Who Has the Best Holiday Episode?
Dec 18, 2024 – 01:02:09
Mama’s Family, Crushing on Stephanie Zimbalist & Private Lessons | Actor Eric Brown
Dec 11, 2024 – 01:23:25
All My Children, Mama’s Family, The Nanny | Giving Thanks for Dorothy Lyman
Nov 27, 2024 – 01:02:21
Punched off a Train by Clint Eastwood and the Path to Resilience | Stuntwoman Marneen Fields
Nov 13, 2024 – 58:02
Fan Bar: Get Insider Info on Scarecrow and Mrs. King w/ The Mrs. King’s Chronicles
Oct 30, 2024 – 01:06:21
Who Can Turn the World on With His Smile | Bruce Boxleitner, Part 2
Oct 23, 2024 – 01:04:46
The Scarecrow and his Mrs. King | Bruce Boxleitner, Part 1
Oct 16, 2024 – 40:37
Casting Jeff Bridges, Anne Hathaway, Keira Knightly and more | Marcia Ross, part 2
Oct 9, 2024 – 50:26
Casting Thirtysomething & Creating Stars | Marcia Ross, Part 1
Oct 2, 2024 – 58:05
When Women Invented Television | NY Times Bestselling author Jennifer Keishin Armstrong
Sep 18, 2024 – 01:05:18
SNEAK PEEK: Susan and Sharon Spill Secrets for Season 3
Sep 4, 2024 – 38:45
ENCORE: Revisit Stephanie Zimbalist Talks Remington Steele, Part 2
Aug 28, 2024 – 01:06:37
ENCORE: Revisit Stephanie Zimbalist Talks Remington Steele, Part 1
Aug 14, 2024 – 01:01:58
ENCORE: Revisit Cagney & Lacey with Tyne Daly
Jul 31, 2024 – 01:18:16
Top Ten Guest Stars of A Different World!
Jul 17, 2024 – 01:08:29
Does A Different World Need a Reboot? | 90s TV Babies
Jul 3, 2024 – 01:00:31
A Different World and Hollywood Strategies For Revolution | Director Neema Barnette
Jun 19, 2024 – 01:21:17
A Different World | Showrunner, Writer Susan Fales-Hill
Jun 5, 2024 – 01:06:22
Exploring A Different World | Niceole Levy
May 22, 2024 – 01:10:04
Directing Miami Vice and Cagney & Lacey | Jan Eliasberg
May 8, 2024 – 01:15:37
Welcome New Listeners! April 8TL Mailbag + In Memorium
Apr 24, 2024 – 20:36
Nominated For Best Indie Podcast | Help Us Win a Webby Award!
Apr 17, 2024 – 02:26
Moonlighting | Our Top 8 Favorite Episodes!
Apr 10, 2024 – 01:00:32
ENCORE: Revisit Cagney and Lacey with Sharon Gless
Mar 27, 2024 – 01:28:49
Moonlighting | The 90s TV Babies
Mar 13, 2024 – 01:04:54
Moonlighting Magic | Sheryl Main
Feb 28, 2024 – 01:11:55
The Making of Moonlighting | Glenn Gordon Caron, Part 2
Feb 14, 2024 – 01:01:15
The Making of Moonlighting | Glenn Gordon Caron, Part 1
Jan 31, 2024 – 01:07:25
70s and 80s Fun, Family and The Rockford Files l Elayne Heilveil
Jan 17, 2024 – 01:21:47
Star Trek Ladies: Nana Visitor | Deep Space Nine, Part 2
Jan 10, 2024 – 52:11
Star Trek Ladies: Nana Visitor | Deep Space Nine, Part 1
Jan 3, 2024 – 01:00:48
Director Ladies: Mary Lou Belli | From Steve Martin to Ms. Pat
Dec 20, 2023 – 01:07:57
Designing Women and First Wave Feminism | 90’s TV Babies
Dec 13, 2023 – 01:27:10
BONUS: From “Golden Girls” to “A Divas Christmas” | Stan Zimmerman
Dec 1, 2023 – 01:13:37
Designing Women with Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, Part 2
Nov 29, 2023 – 57:47
Designing Women with Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, Part 1
Nov 22, 2023 – 01:08:04
All the Women of Designing Women
Nov 15, 2023 – 56:36
Designing Women with Maggie Friedman
Nov 1, 2023 – 01:10:50
Celebrities, Crushes and Comics with Bryan Edward Hill
Oct 18, 2023 – 01:08:58
The Ultimate Fan's Guide to Scarecrow and Mrs. King
Oct 11, 2023 – 01:09:06
It's a Living with the 90s TV Babies
Sep 27, 2023 – 58:49

Recent Reviews

Dragonboy1790

Like chatting tv with friends

Okay, the title of my review isn’t quite right. 80’s TV Ladies is like chatting tv with friends IF my friends were well informed, funny, personable, and invited actual 80’s tv professionals to chat with us. This is not just an entertaining podcast, but is a vital record of a key era in television history. Bravo!
NonkeyBusiness

So Good!

This is the BEST podcast I never knew I needed! Susan and Sharon are like hanging out with friends and laughing about all the best shows that ever existed. And the interviews are AMAZING! Keep it coming!!
mad4mcfly

So Much Fun!

Thanks for reminding us about all the amazing, TV ladies of the 80’s! Listening to these fabulous women talk about their journeys into the world of television as it once was, 7 channels, fun and goofy commercials and the American flag and static at 2:00 am really makes them pioneers compared to the strange, vast media world of today. Fun, fun, fun served up with a side of nostalgia.
Fabs4Ever

Memory Blasts

I’m so glad I discovered this show. I watched so many of these shows in my early 20’s, and it’s a joy looking back on them now. The show is informative and really fun. The hosts are bright and I love when they fly off the cuff and start talking about music and other things. They have guests, some I recognized and some I didn’t, but they all have great behind the scenes stories. Anyone who fondly remembers this era will get a huge kick out of this show.
Polkie dots

Love this podcast

Enjoyed my first episode of 80’s TV Ladies while cleaning up the other day (Directing 80’s TV) and it made the task so much more interesting! The podcast is so well done! Susan and Sharon are so well spoken, fun, and have such a great banter going on. It’s so great to hear intelligent, charismatic and knowledgeable women speak! It shows what ladies can really do!!! The podcast discussions take you down 80’s memory lane and at the same time remind you how women can achieve anything they set their mind to. Love it Susan and Sharon! Keep up the good work!!
80sBecky

Memory Lane!

I really enjoy the podcast! As a huge Remington Steele fan, I have especially loved the Steele episodes. But, all the shows you discuss are ones I watched growing up in the 80’s, and they all have a special place in my heart. Thanks for doing this!
SullivanLewis81

80s TV Nostalgia

I love your podcast! It’s been a blast going back to the 80s with these ladies and their amazing guests. My favorite episodes to date are: the one with the stunt driver, Debbie Evans, and Laura Holt aka Stephanie Zimbalist. Keep up the good work ladies and please cover Designing Women, Rosanne, and A different World - three of my absolute faves!
Smrrva

First podcast for mom

I first learned of your podcast from the Derek and Romaine podcast. So enjoying it! Got my mom to listen to your Remington Steele episodes as her first podcast ever. I grew up in the 80s watching the shows you’re discussing. Great interviews! Now where can we find Remington Steele and Scarecrow and Mrs. King these days for less than $300??
AmyAndPaz

80s Fun

This podcast is so much fun!! Susan does a fantastic job of diving deep into the heroines and episodes that defined the 80s and set the stage for todays’ ladies from Olivia Pope to Leslie Knope. All while keeping a light and fun tone. Her guests are also fantastic. Check this one out!!
Docdeb56

This is great!!

So excited to find this so early on! Loved “Remington Steele” and Stephanie Zimbalist! Thank you for this.
WonderWandaa

Honestly pretty boring

Something about this podcast just put me to sleep. The hosts are really boring.
WORSTAPPEVER0/10

Well done, ladies!

Thank you so much for the show focusing on strong female characters! And for the episodes interviewing Robin Bernheim and OMG Stephanie Zimbalist!!! I remember the very first episode of Remington Steele and thinking of Laura Holt - finally, a female character that I can relate to - am inspired by.
1986hoosier

Love this!!

I’m an 80s TV fan and this is great look behind the scenes!
rosebyadifferentname

So Fun!!!

So fun, so informative, with such delightful takes on an era of TV that I don’t know a ton about. So basically, it’s educational, fun, and female focused, which is everything I want from a podcast. Can’t wait to hear more!!
chickspeare

Love this podcast!

My new favorite podcast! I grew up watching these tv shows and adores these iconic actors and shows. More episodes please ASAP! I love the walk down memory lane, and the insider perspectives and ‘behind-the-scenes’ details! Can’t wait for the special guests that have been promised!
shababa23

Such Fun!

Love going back in time to remember these shows and the times we were living in—good job, ladies!
nonicknamerequiredforreals

Love Those 80sTV Ladies

really fun podcast!