Northern Disclosure – S3E22: “Cicely” with Cheryl Bloch

Podcast: Northern Disclosure (Evergreen Podcasts)
Hosts: Rob Morrow ("Rob Fleischman"), Janine Turner
Guest: Cheryl Bloch (supervising producer, Northern Exposure)
Date: March 17, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Rob Morrow and Janine Turner dive into “Cicely,” the acclaimed season 3 finale of Northern Exposure—one of the series' most celebrated and decorated episodes. They’re joined by Cheryl Bloch, supervising producer for Northern Exposure and close collaborator with creators Joshua Brand and John Falsey. The conversation covers “Cicely’s” production, its Peabody and Emmy wins, insights into the show’s unique creative environment, and Bloch’s journey as a pioneering woman in television. The group reflects on the legacy, challenges, and quirky spirit that made “Cicely,” and the whole show, an enduring classic.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Legacy of "Cicely"

• Award-Winning Pedigree

  • "Cicely" won a Peabody Award and several Emmys (cinematography, art direction, editing) and a DGA award for directing.
  • (Rob, 02:05) “It has quite the pedigree. It won the Peabody Award, which is a very prestigious award for creating a show on about people with diverse backgrounds and experiences striving to accept their differences and, and to coexist in the community.”

• Why “Cicely” Stands Out

  • The episode is a period origin story that casts the regulars in roles set in 1909, exploring the founding of the town by two feminist, queer pioneers, Roslyn and Cicely.
  • Noted for breaking TV norms—not just for its storytelling but for its production scale.

2. Behind-the-Scenes Stories

• Production Hurdles & Visual Excellence

  • The episode went over budget, but Universal was supportive given the show’s popularity at the time.
  • Woody Crocker’s production team built an entire period town in the woods; attention to detail was celebrated—costumes, mud, horses.
  • (Janine, 06:23) “It was just the producing of it was phenomenal as well...the amount of horses and the mud and the splatter on the cars and the costumes and the hair and the makeup—it was just...phenomenal.”

• Music and Detail

  • Martin Bruce Lee’s role in the iconic soundtrack discussed. Cheryl’s gut instinct in hiring—choosing people for their passion and loyalty.

• Casting & Character Discussions

  • Discussion about Darren (E. Stevens) playing the 108-year-old man, and playful debate on whether characters should have been totally different in this origin story.
  • (Janine, 29:05) “Wouldn't it have been interesting if we had been different? ... But Darren was the example of how was completely different.”

3. Showrunning, Collaboration, and Delegation

• Cheryl’s Unique Role

  • Cheryl describes working across multiple series for Brand and Falsey, being the “first hired and last to leave,” hiring many future legends, and balancing work with motherhood.
  • (Cheryl, 14:28) “I never thought I was working, quite honestly, I didn't look at this as a job with them. They made me feel like I was their mother...They trusted me.”

• Culture of Trust and Delegation

  • Emphasis on non-hierarchical, collaborative teamwork; hiring the “best people” and letting them shine.
  • (Cheryl, 20:45) “Josh is a delegator... If you have the greatest people ... you let people do their greatest work.”

• Women in Leadership

  • Cheryl’s pioneering position as a female producer.
  • Janine: “You were doing it when women were not that prevalent as producers, too.” (17:57)
  • Cheryl: “No, they kept giving me more to do along these 12 years...” (51:25)

4. The Creative Alchemy of Northern Exposure

• Writing & Scripting

  • Each script read like a “beautiful short story” (Janine & Cheryl, 15:37–15:42).
  • The locus of the show’s success was always the script: “If it ain’t on the page, it ain’t on the stage.” (Janine, 21:59)

• Inspirations & Vision

  • The show’s DNA was rooted in films like Local Hero and producer creativity sparked by everyday discussions (the “moose in the credits” story, 19:21).

5. “Cicely” as Cultural Moment

• Feminist, Utopian, Literary Themes

  • The episode’s portrayal of women founding a utopian town was—and remains—radically fresh.
  • (Janine, 49:00) “That the women go in and create the town—it was really, truly original.”
  • Addressed LGBTQ themes well ahead of network TV trends.

• Power of Community & Acceptance

  • The town (and the show) as “a character;” celebration of unconventional families and communities.
  • (Rob, 45:39) “At the heart of this...is how Sicily and Roslyn changed the world. So that this, this town emerged from it based on, you know, humanistic notions and, and literary and...philosophical.”

6. Personal, Emotional Connections

• What the Show Meant to Cast & Crew

  • Janine on coming home to Northern Exposure: “Nothing else I’ve done in my career compares to this.”
  • Cheryl on “mothering” the show and balancing Emmy wins with newborns.
  • (Cheryl, 50:59) “I always felt like Northern was the middle child. Quite honestly, in my life. It's really been. That's how I felt very motherly to this show.”

• On Set Culture

  • Collaboration, minimal ego, creative freedom, non-hierarchical mood.
  • Recognition that exhaustion, long hours, and emotional labor were inherent to TV work, but the creativity and spirit of the show endured.

Notable Quotes & Moments

On the Show’s Enduring Relevance

• Cheryl (09:51): “It’s even more beautiful and more relevant now...there’s so much nuance, especially this show, but it really holds up. It is so charming again.”

On Cheryl’s Influence

• Rob (16:02): “Your presence was over everything. ... It was a benevolent kind of leadership. ... We always felt we were in good hands with you.”

On Creating “Cicely”

• Rob (26:25): “Woody Crocker and his team built this town in a completely different location. ... They created this town and it became known...as this kind of world where community and art and literature and humanity guide.”

On Directing & Delegating

• Cheryl (21:02): “The whole point of this is Josh is a delegator and John. And we hired the greatest people on all the staff... You let people do their greatest work.”

On the Feminine Power in the Show

• Cheryl (25:28): “They trusted me. They love, which is what this ‘Cicely’ is about. The power of the feminine. ... They treated women so respectfully and encouraged you to stand up.”

On the Magic of Production

• Cheryl (36:28): “I would just see the dailies and we would do tone meetings ... So I didn't oversee. That was really up north, producers up there. Rob Thompson was a pivotal one.”

On Utopian Vision and Hope

• Rob (59:17): “Ned said...that hope had replaced despair. Right. Which I think is a great way to sum up the show as well as the episode.”

Segment Timestamps

• [00:30] — Episode Intro, Emmys/Peabody Awards Context
• [03:31] — The Awards Submission Process Revealed
• [06:23] — Janine’s Absence (Italy, Cliffhanger) and Production Anecdotes
• [07:09] — Introducing Cheryl Bloch, Her Storied Career
• [09:51] — The Show’s Continued Relevance (“It’s even more beautiful and more relevant now…”)
• [12:43] — Cheryl on Joining the Brand/Falsey Team & Being “the Mother” of the Show
• [16:02] — Cheryl’s Benevolent Leadership & Presence
• [17:57] — Cheryl as a Trailblazer for Women Producers
• [19:21] — Origin Stories: Moose in Credits & Creative Decision-Making
• [26:25] — Building the Town for “Cicely”; Production Design Details
• [31:09] — The “Cat or the Rembrandt” Philosophical Debate
• [33:30] — LGBTQ Representation, Network (Non)Interference
• [36:15] — Discussing Scale & Authenticity of Production (“...it was just down in the dirt, literally.”)
• [45:36] — The Show’s Messages: Feminism, Utopia, Humanism
• [49:00] — Uniqueness of “Women Building a Town” Narrative
• [50:59] — Cheryl on Mothering the Show & Work-Life Balance
• [54:55] — Meticulous Collaboration Behind the Scenes
• [57:49] — The Actor’s Perspective: Emotion, Exhaustion, & Creative Pressure
• [59:17] — Final Reflections: “Hope Replaced Despair”
• [61:14] — The Akashic Record & The Show’s Legacy

Tone & Atmosphere

The conversation is affectionate, candid, and playful—reflecting the original warmth and camaraderie of the Northern Exposure cast and crew. There’s a strong sense of nostalgia, gratitude, and pride running through the episode, along with honest reflections on gender, creativity, TV production, and what it takes to build shows that last.

For New Listeners

This episode goes deep behind the scenes of one of Northern Exposure’s most celebrated episodes, blending technical insights, creative philosophy, and personal stories from one of the show’s vital producers. Listeners will come away with a richer understanding of why "Cicely" is not just good TV—but a cultural touchstone for ideas about community, acceptance, and the quietly radical power of collaboration.

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