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Overview
From thought-provoking trends to entertaining trivia, this delightfully illustrated A–Z encyclopedia covers it all: Gracie Allen, Ally McBeal, Asian women, black sitcoms, cable TV, the Emmys, tabloid and talk shows, older women on television, Penny Marshall, Our Miss Brooks, Jane Pauley, soap operas, Jamie Tarses, That Girl, Oprah Winfrey, and more.
Although limited to the role of women in and on television, Women and American Television is notable for unearthing the more obscure personalities and programs not covered by other television encyclopedias. Includes cross references, bibliography, helpful appendixes, and a subject index.
Synopsis
This work presents more than 400 A—Z entries on the individuals, programs, media innovations, and broad topics that tell the story of women's involvement both in front of and behind the television camera.
Library Journal
In this new resource, freelance researcher Lowe provides compelling biographical sketches of 429 women in U.S. television, including pioneers (Dorothy Kilgallen, Betty Furness, Lucille Ball), journalists (Christiane Amanpour, Jane Pauley, Jody Applegate), actresses (Mary Tyler Moore, Susan Lucci, Camryn Manheim), comediennes (Gracie Allen, Imogene Coca, Tracey Ullman), sex symbols (Farrah Fawcett, Loni Anderson, Vanna White), talk-show hosts (Dinah Shore, Oprah Winfrey, Rosie O'Donnell), producers (Marcy Carsey, Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, Marta Kauffman), and network honchos (Chloe Aaron, Jamie Tarses, Kay Koplovitz). Lowe covers both controversial, groundbreaking series and popular programs, whether long-running or short-lived, considering social context and the portrayal of women; she is careful to assess the depiction of Asian, black, Hispanic, and rural female characters. Notable entries profile Nichelle Nichols (Lieutenant Uhura on Star Trek), describe the difficulties endured by Lee Grant during the McCarthy era, and explain the appeal of Xena, Warrior Princess, the most popular syndicated series. This work's usefulness is enhanced by a table of contents, a thorough index, various appendixes (directors, writers, Emmy winners, television hall of fame), and a bibliography. This is of interest to larger libraries with collections in careers, broadcasting, and women's studies. Libraries that already own the three-volume Encyclopedia of Television (LJ 11/1/97) may want to add this one because of its emphasis on women's accomplishments.--Elizabeth Connor, Medical Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Charleston Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.\
Editorials
From the Publisher
"…Compelling biographical sketches of 429 women in U.S. television. Lowe covers both controversial, groundbreaking series, and popular programs, whether long-running or short-lived, considering social context and the protrayal of women; she is careful to assess the depiction of Asian, black, Hispanic, and rural female characters. This is of interest to larger libraries with collections in careers, broadcasting, and women's studies."
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Library Journal, Starred Review
"This is of interest to larger libraries with collections in careers, broadcasting, and women's studies."
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Reviewer's Bookwatch
"This volume is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking and particularly notable for its inclusion of little-known mavericks from the early days of the medium. Recommended for larger public and academic libraries."
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Booklist
"…The volume contains a great deal of useful information for the general reader interested in television and women, and it will likely receive heavy use in libraries where undergraduates write term papers on (ever) popular culture topics."
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Feminist Collections