BONUS RERUN: Say Gay! Exploring LGBTQ Representation in 70s, 80s, and 90s TV | Matt Baume

Dive into the fascinating world of LGBTQ representation in 70s, 80s, and 90s television with hosts Sharon Johnson and Susan Lambert Hatem on '80s TV Ladies.' This special summer rerun, featuring expert Matt Baume, highlights iconic queer moments and characters. Originally aired on June 7th, 2023, the episode covers groundbreaking shows like 'Bewitched,' 'All in the Family,' 'Golden Girls,' and more. Matt discusses his unique journey as a content creator focused on queer pop culture and shares his insights on evolving media representation. Don’t miss this engaging and enlightening episode, perfect for Pride Month or any time of year!
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The Conversation

  • 00:00 Introduction to Queer TV with Matt Baume
  • 00:43 Meet the Hosts and Guest Introduction
  • 02:41 Matt Baume's Journey into Queer Pop Culture
  • 04:54 The Impact of Television on Cultural Understanding
  • 13:30 Early Gay Representation on Television
  • 15:07 The Significance of 'Bewitched' in Queer Representation
  • 20:52 Norman Lear's Contributions to Queer Representation
  • 28:57 The Golden Girls and Its Gay Fandom
  • 33:58 Michael Scott and Archie Bunker: A Comparison
  • 34:40 The 'I Can't Believe It's Not Heterosexual' Trope
  • 37:52 Backlash and Acceptance of Queer Representation
  • 41:08 Lesbian Representation on TV
  • 49:15 Trans Representation on TV
  • 53:01 The Role of Gatekeepers in TV Representation
  • 59:18 Demanding Representation and Change
  • 01:01:15 Upcoming Projects and Final Thoughts

Our Audio-ography

Find Matt Baume and his podcast “Sewers of Paris” at MattBaume.com

Get Matt Baume’s new book “Hi Honey, I’m Homo” at Bookshop.org.

Or at Elliott Bay.

Watch Matt’s YouTube Videos.

LGBTQ Advocacy

Consider supporting orgs like The Trevor Project and The Okra Project.

CONNECT

What does representation mean to you? Email us at 80sTVLadies@gmail.com

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SUSAN and RICHARD HATEM ON TOUR

Richard of Richard Hatem’s Paranormal Bookshelf is going on the road! Susan will be there, too - Producing and hosting! We’re kicking off Rich’s 2025 multi-city show, the “LIGHT IN THE DARK” tour, debuting an all-original LIVE episode, you can only hear it live!

Confirmed dates:
Sept 20th - The Mothman Festival. Point Pleasant, WV

Sept 22nd - Washington D.C.

Sept 27th - Centereach, NY

More dates are being added!

Check out rhpb.eventbrite.com or go to https://www.richardhatemsparanormalbookshelf.com/events to learn more!

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CREDITS

Credits: 80s TV Ladies™ Bonus Rerun Ep 203

 

Produced by 134 West and Susan Lambert Hatem. Hosted by Susan Lambert Hatem and Sharon Johnson. Guest: Matt Baume Sound Engineer and Editor: Kevin Ducey. Producers: Melissa Roth, Sharon Johnson, Richard Hatem. Associate Producers: Sergio Perez, Sailor Franklin. Music by Amy Engelhardt. Copyright 2025 134 West, LLC and Susan Lambert. All Rights Reserved.

Transcription