Get it on Google Play

SUMMER RERUN: The First Time with Scarecrow and Mrs. King

SUMMER RERUN: The First Time with Scarecrow and Mrs. King

Author: 134 West | Susan Lambert Hatem & Sharon Johnson August 7, 2025 Duration: 1:05:10
80s TV Ladies
TvTV & FilmCultureFilmReviewsSocietySociety & Culture
In this special summer rerun reminiscent of those hot and fabulous days of 1980s television, hosts Sharon Johnson and Susan Lambert Hatem take listeners back to the very first episode of our own 80s TV Ladies. 

Originally dropped July 20, 2022, this throwback episode revisits the launch of the podcast and the cultural moment that inspired it—emerging from the pandemic, navigating a changing world, and celebrating the iconic women of 1980s television. Sharon and Susan dive deep into the pilot of "Scarecrow and Mrs. King," exploring its unique blend of action, comedy, and romance, and discussing why the show remains a beloved, feminist classic.

Along the way, they reflect on the evolution of female-driven TV, the impact of trailblazing showrunners, and the enduring appeal of stars like Kate Jackson and Bruce Boxleitner.Packed with personal stories, pop culture insights, and plenty of laughs, this episode is both a nostalgic look back and a celebration of the groundbreaking women who shaped TV history. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering 80s TV Ladies for the first time, this is the perfect place to start your journey.

THE CONVERSATION
  • Beverly Garland: the hotel AND the actress – Plus, Is she Amanda King’s mother – or Laura Holt’s (Remington Steele)?
  • Kate Jackson’s previous hit show: Was it Alley Cats or Harry’s Angels or….?
  • Did the writers change Amanda from being married to divorced in the pilot script?
  • Who was the first female showrunner in TV history – and why did it take 30 years before there was another?
  • What was Amanda King’s superpower?
  • And what does all this have to do with Parks and Recreation’s Leslie Knope?
Join us for our “First Time” as we solve the mystery of whether or not Scarecrow and Mrs. King was a feminist show – a progressive show – or both?

Have no fear: Susan and Sharon are on the case!

OUR AUDIO-OGRAPHY

Why does Susan call it Audio-ology in this episode? Cause she’s silly, and we’re still figuring out what we’re calling it.

Watch Scarecrow and Mrs. King On Tubi or On Roku

Get "How Tall Are You? A Memboir by Greg Morton" at BooksaMilion.com
Check out ‍‍Television’s Female Spies And Crimefighters by Karen A. Romanko at Barnes and Noble.

Fansite: CallMeaCab.com by Taya Johnston  
Podcast:‍ The Mrs. King Chronicles – Hosted by Lexie Fiema, Taya Johnston, Jenn Peterson, Miranda Thomas

We’ve been nominated for TWO 2025 Podcast Awards.
Check us out at  PodcastAwards.com
If you’re a selected judge, please vote for us in Best Female Hosted Podcast and for Best TV & Film Podcast.

HELLO, TEXAS! Susan will be at the Podcast Movement Convention in Dallas, August 18-20. Reach out if you will be there, too! Email Susan at 80sTVLadies@gmail.com

Sign up for the 80s TV Ladies mailing list.
Support us and get ad-free episodes on

Remember those iconic women from television who defined an era? 80s TV Ladies revisits the groundbreaking, often delightfully campy, female-driven series that filled our living rooms with big hair and even bigger personalities. Hosts Susan Lambert Hatem and Sharon Johnson, under the 134 West banner, aren't just offering nostalgic recaps. They dig into the fascinating stories behind how shows like "Murder, She Wrote," "Kate & Allie," or "Designing Women" were actually made, examining the creative forces and network battles that brought them to air. Each episode explores how the politics and social climate of the 1980s shaped these narratives, and conversely, how the characters and stories themselves pushed cultural conversations forward, often in a complex dance of progress and tradition. This podcast celebrates the legacy of these programs while honestly assessing their place in history through that "two-steps forward, one-step-back" lens. It's a deep, engaging listen for anyone who loves television history, cultural analysis, and the powerful, complicated women who made the decade's TV so memorable. The show's quality is underscored by its recognition as a 4-time Podcast Awards winner and a Webby nominee for Best Indie Podcast. Tune in for thoughtful, well-researched discussions that go far beyond the opening credits.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Official website RSS
80s TV Ladies
Podcast Episodes
Ch-ch-ch-changes: The 20 Most Revolutionary 80s Music Videos, Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:07
"Music videos were an avenue for women to break into directing, which was really important at the time. A lot of women basically got their start directing music videos because nobody wanted to do them... until they becam…
Ch-ch-ch-changes: The 20 Most Revolutionary 80s Music Videos, Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:49
"The more that things change, the more they stay the same... Nevertheless, we have to keep pushing forward. We have to keep moving that line forward in order to make a better tomorrow for all of us." - Sharon JohnsonWelc…
RERUN: Bruce Boxleitner | The Scarecrow And Mrs. King Years, Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:22
“Katie and I, our relationship could be a little exciting -- I had to watch my step, I had to toe the line. I had to behave myself or I’d get taken to the principal’s office... And she was the principal.” -- Bruce Boxlei…

12345»