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“Makers,” an AOL-backed initiative to chronicle women’s strides in traditionally male-dominated fields, kicks off with a decidedly entertainment-industry flavor, with the first two hours devoted to “Women in Comedy” and “Women in Hollywood.” Those broad topics, admittedly, represent a lot to chew on in just an hour, but this PBS series does a credible job of racing through highlights while enlisting well-placed voices — including, in the premiere, the late Joan Rivers — to address the inroads women have made, and the doors that remain tough to kick open.

While future chapters include “Space,” “Politics,” “Business” and “War,” the first two are closely related, and are probably the most accessible.

“Comedy is masculine,” Rivers explains of the standup field, and the filmmakers (the first two docs are narrated by Leslie Mann and Julia Roberts, respectively) chronicle how Phyllis Diller broke through by lampooning herself, giving way to Rivers and the many who have followed.

Among the more interesting tidbits included is how offended many performers were by the Belly Room, a stage devoted to female comics at the Comedy Store (initiated, notably, by a woman, Mitzi Shore). At a time when women were struggling to prove they could hold their own with the guys, the opportunity of a dedicated showcase was offset by the heavy whiff of segregation.

Venturing beyond standup, the comedy hour also addresses sitcoms and the imbalance that has long existed in writers’ rooms, with Gail Parent noting that she was the only woman with a dozen men on the staff of “The Golden Girls.” As for the discomfort with including women, she says, “Why? Because writers rooms are filthy.”

The “Hollywood” segment covers a lot of ground as well, from the struggles of actresses in general, to Sherry Lansing being ignored in meetings as a young executive, to whether the shift toward superhero-driven tentpoles has further disenfranchised female artists.

“We feel more comfortable putting $250 million in a man’s hands than a woman’s,” suggests Shirley MacLaine, one of the trailblazers interviewed, along with Jane Fonda, Glenn Close (there’s some talk about the negative images proffered by “Fatal Attraction”), Geena Davis (on “Thelma & Louise”), TV producer Shonda Rhimes and multihyphenate Lena Dunham.

Inevitably, there’s some overlap (“The Mary Tyler Moore Show” is cited in both of these first two hours), but “Makers” offers an evenhanded look at the barriers women have faced, while celebrating the accomplishments of those pioneers who have overcome them. And while those who are hostile toward feminism will likely dismiss this project as political messaging from a network they love to hate, the producers don’t sing “I am woman” so much as provide historical context for what’s happened, and what’s to come.

Besides, even some of the participants resist any notion of victimhood. “Funny is funny,” Rivers says, a sentiment echoed by Joy Behar, who notes that she hopes this is the last documentary under the “Women in Comedy” heading.

If that turns out to be the case, it’s not a bad one to go out on.

TV Review: AOL’s ‘Makers’

(Documentary series; PBS, Tues. Sept. 30, 9 p.m.)

  • Production: Produced by Kunhardt McGee Prods. in association with Ark Media, Loki Films, Moxie Firecracker Films and WETA Washington.
  • Crew: Executive Producers, Dyllan McGee, Peter Kunhardt; senior producer, Rachel Dretzin. 60 MIN.