Murder She Wrote, Lansbury & the Power of Cozy Mysteries

Advanced TV Herstory

Why do cozy mysteries still dominate the mystery genre, decades after their prime? Cynthia Bemis Abrams welcomes Prof. Bridget Kies of Oakland University for an insightful conversation exploring the long-running impact of Murder, She Wrote (1984–1996) and the enduring appeal of the cozy crime format. Explore:

• Angela Lansbury’s legacy as the iconic Jessica Fletcher
• How Murder, She Wrote exemplifies the cozy mystery genre across TV, books, and beyond
• The academic relevance of the Wayne State University Press’s TV Milestone Series
• Why female-driven mysteries and older women protagonists remain culturally powerful
• Murder, She Wrote’s influence on Hallmark mysteries, true crime fandom, and TikTok sleuths

With real-life insights from a TV scholar, fan anecdotes, and an acknowledgment of the series' reboot potential, this episode offers a smart and nostalgic look at why Murder, She Wrote still matters. Quote from the Episode: “Murder, She Wrote was popular at a really important time in TV history, when everything about TV was changing. It started before those changes and ended in the middle of them. It tells us so much about TV’s transitions from the early ‘80s to the mid-‘90s. Referenced ATH Episode: 8.5 – In Memoriam: Angela Lansbury’s Legacy on Stage & Screen https://advancedtvherstory.libsyn.com/in-memoriam-angela-lansbury-msw Resources:

• Kies, Bridget (2023). Murder, She Wrote (TV Milestone Series), Wayne State University Press https://wsupress.wayne.edu/9780814350119/
• https://www.kelleyhousemuseum.org/events/murder-she-wrote-fanfest/