Writing 80s Icons: Dallas, Fame, and One Day at a Time | Linda Elstad

About this episode

The episode features Karin Elstad discussing her mother Linda Elstad's influential career in 80s television.

“We asked her daughter, our friend Karin, to come on and talk with us about her mom, Linda, and what it was like to grow up the daughter of an eighties TV lady.” - Susan Lambert Hatem Susan and Sharon welcome Karin Elstad — a modern TV powerhouse and Vice President at HBO — to celebrate the incredible life and legacy of her mother, the legendary television writer Linda Elstad. From the high stakes of Dallas, to family comedy One Day at a Time, to the hallowed halls of Fame, Linda was a prolific voice who helped shape the landscape of 80s television. THE CONVERSATION A PROLIFIC LEGACY: Linda’s impressive career spanning over 20 television shows, including her work on iconic hits like Dallas, Fame, and The Facts of Life. ONE DAY AT A TIME: Diving into Linda’s time as a staff writer from 1983 to 1984 on the beloved series that defined a generation. AWARD-WINNING WRITING: Remembering Linda’s 1982 Humanitas Prize win for the television movie Divorce Wars: A Love Story, starring Tom Selleck and Jane Curtin, and her nomination for her work on Fame. SERVING THE GUILD: Linda’s impactful leadership serving on the Writer’s Guild Board of Directors from 1986 to 1990. And a ground-breaking…

People in this episode

Hosts: Susan Lambert Hatem, Sharon Johnson

Guest: Karin Elstad

Topics covered

• 80s television
• writing
• legacy
• family
• career influence

Keywords

• Linda Elstad
• Karin Elstad
• 80s TV
• Dallas
• One Day at a Time
• Fame
• television writing
• HBO
• legacy

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: HBO

Books & works: Dallas, One Day at a Time, Fame, Divorce Wars: A Love Story, The Facts of Life

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