Susan Silver Reflects on Five Decades in Television and Media

Retired television writer Susan Silver is highlighting a career that spans more than 50 years, from sitcoms and movies of the week to memoir writing, podcasting and public speaking. Her story centers on resilience, reinvention and the relationships she says shaped both her work and her advice to younger women entering the industry.

Why it matters: - Susan Silver’s career tracks the evolution of television writing and women’s roles in entertainment over five decades. - Her message centers on skills that still matter in media today: resilience, adaptability, mentorship and strong professional relationships. - Silver’s perspective also reflects a shift in the industry’s barriers, from sexism earlier in her career to ageism now.

What happened: - Influential Women featured Susan Silver, a retired television writer, author, radio commentator and media personality. - Silver’s career includes writing for The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Newhart and Maude, plus multiple movies of the week. - She also worked as a producer, podcaster and memoir writer. - Silver appeared on programs including The Today Show and Good Day New York. - She studied journalism at Northwestern University and earned a bachelor’s degree in theater arts from UCLA with a minor in psychology. - Silver now focuses on writing, storytelling, humor and public speaking.

The details: - Silver published her memoir, Hot Pants in Hollywood: Sex, Secrets & Sitcoms, in 2017. - The book recounts her entertainment-industry experiences with humor and behind-the-scenes stories. - After a nationwide book tour, Silver created an audiobook version of the memoir. - She speaks about her “Three R’s”: resilience, reinvention and relationships. - Silver hosts a weekly radio commentary on her podcast, Susan Says, available on Libsyn and Spotify. - The podcast covers politics, media, culture and current issues. - Silver says her success came from timing, passion, resilience, reinvention and relationships. - She entered television when there was growing demand for women writers. - She says she kept learning, training speakers and engaging with young people throughout her career. - Silver says she reinvented herself and pursued new passions about every 20 years. - She says relationships are the most important foundation of success, personally and professionally. - Her best career advice was to be confident enough to listen, participate and make her voice heard while staying open to learning. - She also emphasizes finding good collaborators, building a strong support system and seeking mentors. - Her advice to young women is to stay resilient, remain open to reinvention, keep exploring new passions and stay persistent through challenges. - Silver says her early career challenge was working as a woman in a male-dominated industry. - She now sees ageism as a major obstacle for experienced professionals. - She argues the industry needs more inclusive workplaces that value experience, expertise and diverse perspectives. - Silver says honesty, empathy, loyalty and humor guide both her work and her personal life. - She puts honesty first and values genuine interactions. - She also supports the Simon Wiesenthal Center. - Silver is a member of Friends of the Israel Defense Forces. - Through that group, she has sponsored Israeli soldiers pursuing higher education and helped fund a rehabilitation room at an elite air base.

Between the lines: - Silver’s career story is not just a retrospective; it is a template for navigating repeated change in media. - Her focus on relationships suggests she sees entertainment success as collaborative, not purely individual. - Her comments on ageism point to an industry tension that often gets less attention than diversity by gender, but affects hiring and advancement just as directly.

What's next: - Silver continues to share her experience through writing, speaking and her podcast. - Her memoir and online profile remain entry points for readers who want more of her work. - Her public message is likely to keep centering on resilience, reinvention and mentorship for women in media. - More information is available through Susan Silver’s Influential Women profile and Hot Pants in Hollywood.