WE TV AND THE PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA PRESENT
‘On The Beat: The Evolution of The Crime Drama Heroine’
Evening to Include a Panel Discussion with Prominent Actors Angie Dickinson, Tony Goldwyn, Emily Deschanel, Marg Helgenberger, S. Epatha Merkerson, Holly Robinson Peete, Poppy Montgomery and Marin Ireland
The Event Will Celebrate the 40TH Anniversary of Landmark TV Series Police Woman
LOS ANGELES, CA June 5, 2014— WE tv and The Paley Center for Media will present a first-ever panel showcasing four decades of crime drama heroines on television, and commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the iconic series Police Woman starring Angie Dickinson on June 19 at The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills. Featuring television stars from the 1970’s through the upcoming premiere of WE tv’s first scripted series, The Divide, the program will include Police Woman star Angie Dickinson, along with S. Epatha Merkerson (Law & Order), Emily Deschanel (Bones), Marin Ireland (The Divide), Tony Goldwyn (The Divide, Scandal), Poppy Montgomery (Unforgettable, Without a Trace), Holly Robinson Peete (21 Jump Street) and Marg Helgenberger (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation).
Police Woman, which cracked the top twenty in the Nielsen ratings in its first season and rose as high as number one in the weekly ratings, was the first successful hour-long American primetime drama series to feature a woman in the starring role. Dickinson (Sgt. Suzanne ‘Pepper’ Anderson) embraced a character who exuded sex appeal and brains in equal measure and though she never framed her role as part of the vanguard of modern feminism, the series’ impact is felt to this day. Police Woman laid the groundwork for a host of crime dramas featuring strong female leads. As a tribute to the 40th anniversary of this maverick program, the Paley Center joins WE tv, whose series The Divide premieres this July, to present a special clip-filled conversation exploring the evolution of the crime drama heroine with this prestigious panel of TV groundbreakers.
“Television has evolved exponentially in the last 40 years, but as we hope to see with this exciting panel, the characters encapsulated by these powerful roles, have a common thread. We are thrilled to have some of the most popular and compelling actors in crime dramas as our guests,” said Marc Juris, President of WE tv. “From Police Woman’s Pepper Anderson right up to Christine Rosa on our new scripted series The Divide, this panel will celebrate both the progression and transformation of the crime drama heroine.”
The Divide will debut with a special two-hour premiere on Wednesday, July 16, at 9:00pm ET/PT on WE tv. The eight-episode series is written by the Academy Award® and Emmy® nominated Richard LaGravenese (Behind the Candelabra), co-created by LaGravenese and Tony Goldwyn and produced by AMC Studios.
‘On The Beat: The Evolution of The Crime Drama Heroine’ is open to the public. Further information and tickets to the event can be found at www.paleycenter.org. The event will be live streamed worldwide beginning at 7:15pm PT at www.PaleyCenter.org/Live.
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About WE tv:
WE tv’s popular slate of fresh and modern unscripted original series includes the hit shows Braxton Family Values, Mary Mary and Marriage Boot Camp, among many others. WE tv will debut its first scripted series, The Divide, from Richard LaGravenese and Tony Goldwyn, this July. Audiences connect to WE tv online at WEtv.com, on demand and in social media. WE tv is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc., alongside its sister channels AMC, IFC and SundanceTV, and is available in over 85 million U.S. homes and across all platforms.
About The Paley Center for Media:
The Paley Center for Media, with locations in New York and Los Angeles, leads the discussion about the cultural, creative, and social significance of television, radio, and emerging platforms for the professional community and media-interested public. Drawing upon its curatorial expertise, an international collection, and close relationships with the leaders of the media community, the Paley Center examines the intersections between media and society. The general public can access the collection and participate in programs that explore and celebrate the creativity, the innovations, the personalities, and the leaders who are shaping media. Through the global programs of its Media Council and International Council, the Paley Center also serves as a neutral setting where media professionals can engage in discussion and debate about the evolving media landscape. Previously known as The Museum of Television & Radio, the Paley Center was founded in 1975 by William S. Paley, a pioneering innovator in the industry. For more information, please visit www.paleycenter.org.
