Feminism, Twitter Controversy & Women in TV with “Bunheads” & “Gilmore Girls” Executive Producer & Creator Amy Sherman-Palladino

Episode 38 : Media Mayhem

Episode Synopsis

Direct from controversy surrounding her new series, “Bunheads,” renowned TV show creator Amy Sherman-Palladino joins Media Mayhem to give her reaction to the Shonda Rhimes twitter comments, the politics behind the camera, and the audience for sophisticated females on the screen.
Amy is one of the most outspoken guests we have had and her experience, from writing on “Roseanne” to creating and producing “Gilmore Girls,” has provided a great fountain of information to pull from.

Guest Bio

Amy Sherman-Palladino is a TV show creator writer and director. Amy started her career as a writer “Roseanne” and over the years has written for numerous series including “Veronica’s Closet” starring Kirstie Alley In 2000, Amy’s show hit show “Gilmore Girls” aired on The CW and enjoyed much success during its run. Her latest show, “Bunheads,” recently premiered on ABC Family to critical acclaim.

Episode Breakdown

00:01 Media Mayhem Opening
00:37 Welcoming Amy Sherman-Palladino.
02:35 The concept for Bunheads and the process of getting it on the air.
06:46 Casting Kelly Bishop and the place of older women on tv.
11:10 Comparisons with Gilmore Girls:founded or unfounded?
14:17 The split with Warner Brothers and end of the run for Gilmore Girls.
17:07 The production for Bunheads, working with ABC Family, and the interest of networks.
19:13 The Emmy war between cable and the networks.
21:31 Shows that are managed by committee vs. a strong central voice in production.
23:34 The business influence on television overtaking the creative.
25:50 Some notes for Smash.
28:05 The Shonda Rhimes Twitter bash of Bunheads, and criticism from women.
35:00 Writing sexy, feminine and intelligent women for tv, and not hating men.
37:59 The Mayhem Round: Michelle Obama’s tightrope walk.
41:40 Always being the only woman in the room and the popular casting tools of the past.
42:50 Women having to soften themselves–both in reality and in scripts.
47:24 A double standard for men and women in dressing down.
49:40 Where to see Bunheads, and the working relationship with ABC Family.
51:29 Thanks and goodbye.

Additional Links

http://abcfamily.go.com/shows/bunheads
http://www.tvguide.com/News/Shonda-Rhimes-Bunheads-1048843.aspx

Comments

Hosted By

Allison Hope Weiner

Allison Hope Weiner was a Century City entertainment litigator before she began writing about Hollywood as a journalist. A graduate of Columbia University and the University of Southern California Law Center, she joined the legendary firm of Wyman, Bautzer—where she represented entertainers and corporate media clients.