We have a lot of fun discussing summer TV: reality shows, Stranger Things 3, OITNB, Handmaid’s Tale, Euphoria, and lots more. What did these shows tell us about gender? How well are they reflecting us? Which ones made us laugh? What makes a show “prestige TV”?

We also discuss some random summer competition shows, like Holey Moley, Blown Away, and Ink Master, what Fall shows we’re looking forward to, and why summer TV is so different. 

Want some extra reading? Here are the sources we used or mentioned in this episode:

• From The Hollywood Reporter, “Why ‘Bachelor in Paradise’ Broke Its Rules for First Same-Sex Romance: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/bachelor-paradise-airs-first-same-sex-romance-demi-burnett-1233460
• From Vice, “‘Stranger Things 3’ Seems to Be Moving Backwards of Its Treatment of Women”: https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/gy47gj/stranger-things-3-seems-to-be-moving-backwards-on-its-treatment-of-women
• From Essence, in 2016: “Orange is The New Black, Except in The Writer’s Room” https://www.essence.com/entertainment/orange-new-black-except-its-writers/
• From Slate, “OITNB’s Final Season Is the Best the Show Has Been in Years” https://www.essence.com/entertainment/orange-new-black-except-its-writers/
• From Vulture, “Holey Moley and Blown Away Should Be Your Go-to Summer Reality Competitions” https://www.vulture.com/2019/07/holey-moley-blown-away-perfect-summer-tv.html

Profess-Hers is a podcast written and presented by Misty, a History professor, and Allegra, an English professor, both of whom are here for having a serious, fun conversation about looking at literature, history, current events, pop culture, and media through a feminist lens.

Written by Allegra Hanna and Misty Wilson-Mehrtens. Find the Profess-Hers Podcast on Twitter and Instagram @Professhers.