In this fun, engaging, and behind-the-scenes look at some of the most iconic female characters on television, TV critic and former MTV writer Allison Klein considers how a range of woman-centered shows from the 1970s to the present reflected new realities for women and in turn, how women met these opportunities head on -- in the workplace, in their personal lives, and in society at large. Many women have fond memories of watching the shows they grew up with -- from Maude to Murphy Brown. Maude and Murphy (and Mary, Roseanne, and Alice) worked hard, either as single women on their own or balancing work and family life. They showed many of us that anything was possible and got us thinking and laughing about the opportunities we might pursue and the paths we might take. And though these women were full of foibles and follies, they portrayed many of the real-life situations that we faced. Whether you're talking about Murphy, Roseanne, Ally McBeal, or Carrie Bradshshaw -- one thing is certain; female television viewers are sure to sit up and take notice.