ABSTRACT
The history of children’s television programming in our culture spans only about 50 years. Dr. Mitroff’s career as a practitioner in the industry has spanned nearly half of this time period. She began watching TV as a child when television was a new, exciting addition to family entertainment. Ms. Herr Stephenson’s career in the industry is just beginning; however, she grew up during the years when the presence of television and the choices in children’s television programming were ubiquitous. We have had remarkably different experiences with children’s television programming and yet we share the belief that there is a constant interplay between what is happening in society at large and in the broadcast and cable industry and that this interplay frequently has a trickle down effect on the content and themes of children’s television programs.
