Making a difference in prime time: Women on screen and behind the scenes in the 1995–96 television season

Abstract

Considering the top 65 prime‐time series in the first 14 weeks of the 1995–96 television season, this study examined the relationship between women working behind the scenes and use of powerful language by female characters. Powerful language attributes included how often female characters spoke, had the first and/or last substantive word, interrupted, and advised others. The study found somewhat inconsistent relationships between women working behind the scenes and the use of powerful televisual language patterns by female characters. Female executive producers and producers appear to be more influential in the use of powerful language than female writers or directors.