I have been toying with the idea of starting a podcast on TV depictions of disability for quite some time, but I think I’ve finally reached the point where a vague idea is ready to turn into reality. If all goes well, I’ll have an introductory episode of “Disability.TV” out on August 1st. I will probably post it initially on SoundCloud.com, but eventually it should be added to iTunes as well, so people can download episodes to their computers and mobile devices.
Each episode will focus on a single TV show and its disabled characters. My main goal throughout will be to answer the question, “What do we want in TV depictions of disability?” In the process, I hope listers will enjoy a tour of past, present, and even future TV shows featuring disabled characters and themes. To get a good head start, here is a tentative list of episode topics:
Ironside - Original Series - Chief Robert Ironside
Ironside - New Series - Detective Robert Ironside
The Michael J. Fox Show / Growing Up Fisher - Mike Henry / Mel Fisher
Friday Night Lights - Jason Street
Game Of Thrones - Tyrion Lannister
Game Of Thrones - Jaimie Lannister, Bran Stark, and Hodor
Glee - Artie Abrams, Becky Jackson
Big Bang Theory - Sheldon Cooper
Parenthood - Max Braverman
Red Band Society - (New Fall Show)
Breaking Bad - Walter Jr. “Flynn” White
Star Trek - The Menagerie 1 & 2 - Captain Christopher Pike
Star Trek: The Next Heneration - Ethics - Lt. Worf
Star Trek: Deep Space 9 - Melora - Ensign Melora Pazlar
American Horror Story - “Freak Show”
ER - Dr. Kerry Weaver
ER - Mental Illness
Downton Abbey - Mr. Bates, Thomas Barrow, Matthew Crawley
The West Wing - President Josiah Bartlett
The West Wing - Joey Lucas
Life Goes On - Corky Sherwood
I think I have everything I need to get started … except for one thing. I need ideas, insights, and most of all, some co-hosts! If you are tuned in to disability issues and popular culture, have a look at this list, and if you see something that interests you, let me know. Hopefully, we can work out the technical side of long-distance podcasting and make these episodes real discussions rather than monologues. Two viewpoints are almost always better than one!
Stay tuned for the first, introductory podcast!
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