Treva Silverman, the primary writer for The Mary Tyler Moore Show, broke ground as one of the few women in the writers' room during television's golden age. In this episode, Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, author of Mary and Lou and Rhoda and Ted, joins host Cynthia Bemis Abrams to discuss Silverman's career, legacy, and the challenges of writing smart, funny TV from a woman's perspective.
The conversation includes:
- Treva Silverman's influence on Lou, Ted, and Georgette;
- The power of delegation and leadership in collaborative TV writing;
- The cold audience response to the pilot episode and how it reshaped Rhoda;
- Why humility and collaboration were key to the show's lasting legacy;
Silverman was part of a team that changed the game for women in television. From Emmy interviews to Armstrong's deep research, this episode highlights Silverman's voice, influence, and the second-wave feminist momentum that fueled her career.
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