Five Extraordinary Women – And, Some TV Show Suggestions.

Television may have ceased to be the main source of news. But, for most of us, TV is our “go-to” home entertainment, especially in the cooler months. And, the days of being a terrestrial TV hostage are over.  The number of channels and streaming platforms means the choice has improved. There’s always something worth watching, and we now stream more TV than ever. 

In today’s post, I’m sharing four documentaries of  Extraordinary women I have watched in quick succession, along with a podcast (Desert Island Discs).  Two of the women most of us are familiar with. But, if you are born within the dates of generation Alpha to Z, you may not be.  My knowledge was vague about the two remaining women. However, I was eager to learn more as I had heard snippets throughout the years.  The podcast I have added is about the presidential advisor, Fiona Hill, whose story has stayed with me long after I heard it.  These are women who have had unbelievable lives, good and bad, overcoming their hurdles, on their terms.  Read on to find out more, without spoilers!

Elizabeth Taylor:  The Lost Tapes – Watch on either HBO or Amazon Prime (1 hour 40 minutes) 

This documentary was a fascinating watch.  The content has been assembled using 40 hours of unearthed, intimate audio interviews which Elizabeth had with the journalist, Richard Meryman.  We rediscover, not just a megastar of Hollywood’s Golden Age, but a complex woman who navigated lifelong fame – with her personal identity open for public scrutiny on a global stage. This was from early childhood to the end of her life, which is rare. The taped conversations go side by side with incredible film footage of the various stages of Elizabeth’s life, expertly edited by the Director, Nanette Burstein. I found this a joy to watch.  We are guided through her various films, relationships and friendships which she famously had in her lifetime – with Roddy McDowell and Richard Burton, to name a few – which made this documentary come to life.  I won’t say any more. I don’t want to spoil the treat that you have in store – a must-watch, for sure!

Diane von Furstenberg:  Woman in Charge – Watch on Disney Plus (97 mins) 

I knew little about DVF (who was known by her initials) apart from the fact she had designed and introduced the famous figure-hugging wrap dress.  From the off, I was drawn into this documentary by the straight-talking, Diane, and I cheered on her lack of constraints, showing us her real self.  I’ve switched off various fashion documentaries as I’ve found them to be quite superficial. Not this one!  We discover that Diane is the daughter of a Holocaust survivor (Greek-born, Liliane Nahmias), who suffered from the trauma of her horrific past, which made their relationship complex, though Diane remained close to Liliane up until her death.

When Diane was twenty-two, she married (and divorced) a German prince (Prince Egon von Furstenberg), who she met at college.  They married while Diane was pregnant with their son, Prince Alexander von Furstenberg. However, all was not as it seemed in their relationship. You will have to watch to find out more.

Following the divorce, there were lots of hurdles until, slowly, and with some support from others, Diane began to build her fashion empire.  A constant throughout the documentary is the strength Diane had inherited from her mother – a strong survival instinct.  I found this to be a fascinating worthy life story to watch.

Two Versions of the famous “Wrap Dress”.

Here are a few of my very old “Wrap Dress” imitations – the neutral-based patterned dress is over twenty years old (Wallis)…….Yes, I may have a problem with hoarding! I haven’t had the heart to throw it out and, wearing it today, I realised how good I felt in a sort of grown-up way. So, it’s still a “keeper” after all of these years.  The blue wrap dress is over ten years old, too (Phase Eight).  I had to dig my shapewear out for these dresses. The figure-hugging style required it in my case. 

Faye Dunaway:  “Faye” – Watch on HBO  (1 hour 32 minutes) 

Laurent Bouzereau’s latest film, “Faye”, is also a worthwhile watch, especially if you are a fan of the high calibre, “Noir” films, of the late 1960s and 1970s –  e.g. “Chinatown” (1974) and “The Thomas Crown Affair” (1968), which are two of my favourites.  We learn that Faye had a reputation for being difficult – Jack Nicholson nicknamed Faye, “Dread”, or “The Dreaded Dunaway”, when filming “Chinatown”, which she seemed to be amused by – not offended.

There is participation from various friends as well as Faye’s son, Liam, with whom she has a touchingly close relationship. Seeing this side of Faye helped to soften her character.  The film rolls on with discussions between Faye and Laurent Bouzereau, discussing her early life, films, Oscar nominations, along with that famous poolside shot taken by her then-husband, Terry O’Neill, following her Oscar win for the film, “Network”, playing alongside Peter Finch.  Faye Dunaway came across as a woman who clambered to the top of her profession through raw talent, hard work and grit.  There is a lot more to this documentary than what I am listing, here. Definitely worth a watch.

Fiona Hill (Presidential Advisor):  Desert Island Discs – BBC Radio 4 ( 35 minutes)

A few years ago, Desert Island Discs (DID) celebrated eighty years on air (BBC Radio). This is a place where sharing human experiences is revealed by the invited castaways, along with their five favourite songs.  I always think you can learn a lot about a person from their taste in music.

Every few months, I download lots of podcasts onto my iPod (yes, very old school). And DID is always my favourite “go-to” because there are always interesting guests (new and old), some of whom I know little about.

A little while ago, Fiona Hill was a castaway. I’m ashamed to say I knew little of this northeastern lass who grew up just down the road from me in Bishop Aukland, County Durham. This episode was delivered by Lauren Laverne, someone else who grew up very close to where I live.

In Lauren’s introduction, we learn Fiona is someone who has brought together three countries – Britain, where she was born; Russia, where she has made her life’s work; and the United States, where she lives and is now an American citizen.  Fiona has been a political adviser to Presidents George W Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump.  Fiona was a witness in Donald  Trump’s November 2019 impeachment hearings. I’m leaving a big chunk of her career out as it will spoil your experience of the podcast.

Fiona reflects on witnessing the painful de-industrialisation of the Northeast of England in the 1970s and early ’80s, firsthand.  Her father, a former coal miner, told her, “There’s nothing for you, here, pet”.  Fiona, being clever, won a scholarship to a local private school. But, the family simply couldn’t afford the uniform and books, and the opportunity to go was lost.  But she forged a path to university to study Russian language and history. After obtaining her degree, she found work in, and moved to, Washington DC.

Quote from Fiona on Desert Island Discs

“People, like me, who move literally from the coal house to the White House, tend to be the exception that proves the rule of how difficult it is to get ahead, even in the best of times”.

Fiona has overcome many hurdles to get to where she wanted to be.  Her northern accent held her back, here, in the UK, more so than in the United States, where it was popular.  This unfortunately didn’t surprise me, because, as much as we are trying to be inclusive in the UK we have a long way to go in many ways.  Fiona comes across as a person who has always remained true to herself and has never forgotten her grounded northeastern beginnings.  Afterwards, I googled Fiona. I was fascinated and inspired to know more.  I was amazed by everything she had achieved.   I also loved some of her song choices, especially “Message in a Bottle” from one of my early, favourite albums, “Reggatta de Blanc” (The Police).

The Many Lives of Martha Stewart Prime Video.  Four Episodes (42 mins each) 

Martha Stewart is a name mentioned on American TV shows and other areas of media, over the years, I have often wondered who she is.

When I saw this series advertised, I was intrigued and eager to watch it. I wasn’t disappointed.  Part of the thrill and charm of each episode was not knowing what was developing.  This is a huge story of a super ambitious woman.  Martha always allowed the right people to fit into her life. Those who would enable her success, helping her on her way to become a legendary lifestyle icon.  The Martha Stewart brand portrays a life of perfection – like the Instagram accounts which exist on social media, today.  Unfortunately, in real life, things are rarely as perfect as we,  unfortunately, discover…. worthy of a watch!

So, as the leaves begin to fall, here are a few TV recommendations which are available, now, and in the coming months for us all to look forward to, depending on your viewing taste.  Hope there is something here for you. 

“The Substance” starring Demi Moore – Watch it on Prime Video on the 20th of September 2024

I’m looking forward to giving this a watch.  The story sounds intriguing. I’m a huge fan of Demi’s – great, to see her back on our screens, again.  This is a dark comedy about the horrors of getting older as a woman living in Hollywood.

“Joan” – Release date 2nd October – ITV.

This highly anticipated series tells the tale of a notorious jewel thief (Joan Hannington).  It is set in 1980’s London and is based on a true story.

“The Perfect Couple” is available on Netflix, now!

This series has a top starring cast of Nicole Kidman and Liev Schreiber, which makes me have high hopes for it being a good watch.  We will see!

“The Walking Dead”: Daryl Dixon

Loved the first series. You can watch on Sky Max on September 29, 2024 

“New York Housewives” (my guilty secret) – Watch on Bravo.

Love the new cast, especially getting to see Jenna Lyons (Style Legend) – release date 1st October 2024.  

“Landman” –  Watch on Paramount, Nov 17th

Starring John Hamm and Demi Moore to premiere on November 17, 2024, on Paramount.  Looking forward to this as we’ve missed a good family drama series since “Ozark” – sounds promising with this cast list. 

“24” 

 It has been announced that the series will be rebooted as a feature film.  Watch this space if you are a fan, like us. 

“The Handmaid’s Tale” – Available Spring 2025 

“And Just Like That” – Release date early 2025 – watch on Apple TV

I watch this due to my affection for the SATC days, and simple curiosity. There have been a few odd snippets of cleverness in the storylines.  I especially enjoyed the scenes with Candice Bergen’s character, “Enid Frick”. Her acidic comments were priceless! However, some of the characters I found to be quite irritating, hence a fast-forward when they were on screen.

I hope you have enjoyed my post, which is not sponsered.  If you have any comments or recommendations yourself, please let me know in the comments as I/we go through a lot of TV series and films, in our household.  Share my post (below) with anyone who may find it useful, hopefully enjoyable.

Until the next time

Alison