Episode 121: “Directing 80s Television w/ Cagney & Lacey's Karen Arthur”

What was it like to break into directing in the 1970s and '80s? Let's find out! Sharon and Susan are honored to talk with Emmy-winning director Karen Arthur. Karen started out as an actress on such shows as “Get Smart”, “The Streets of San Francisco”, “Mannix”, “That Girl” and “The Monkees”.
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The Conversation

  • How drinking wine in summer stock with her friend Michael led to “Remington Steele” creator Michael Gleason going to bat for Karen to get her first TV directing job: “Rich Man, Poor Man Book II”.
  • Almost getting kicked off the lot for parking in the “Director” spot – and then telling the Security Guard: “I AM the director!”
  • Fun and heartache on “Hart to Hart” with the great Stefanie Powers.
  • Meeting and falling in love on “Cagney & Lacey” with her husband of 39 years -- director of photography Thomas Neuwirth.
  • Winning the Emmy and how it changed everything for Karen – and the women directors to follow.
  • DOWN IN FRONT: How sitting in the front row when the bosses are watching your work is the best director trick she’s learned -- and why…
  • Working with Lee Grant and Carol Kane on The Mafu Cage and learning to give actors – and herself – “room to fail”.
  • The choreography of directing and creating intricate shots.
  • Choosing her projects carefully -- and getting the nickname “Karen No”.
  • Filming “The Rape of Richard Beck” with Richard Crenna -- and the message he showed the crew written on his own butt!

So join Susan and Sharon – and Karen – as they talk about bumping into Tyne Daly on Broadway, getting checks from Paul Newman and swallowing fire with Pierce Brosnan!

PLUS – 80’S TV LADIES TRIBUTE salutes the recent passing of some legendary TV and film ladies…

AND -- listener feedback from our fans!

Our Audio-ography

Defining Women: Television and the Case of Cagney & Lacey by Julie D'Acci. Get it at Bookshop

Primetime Feminism: Television, Media Culture and the Women’s Movement Since 1970 by Bonnie J. Dow. Get it at Penn Press or Amazon.

Part of Weirding Way Media with Mike White & Chris Stachiw

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CREDITS

80s TV Ladies™ Episode 121 – “Cagney & Lacey with Director Karen Arthur”. Produced by 134 West and Susan Lambert Hatem. Hosted by Susan Lambert Hatem and Sharon Johnson. Guest: Karen Arthur. Sound Engineer and Editor: Kevin Ducey. Producer: Melissa Roth. Associate Producer: Sergio Perez. Music by Amy Engelhardt. Copyright 2023 134 West, LLC and Susan Lambert. All Rights Reserved.

Transcription