Wonder Woman!

Johnny Stew · #1 06-29-2004, 01:06 AM

"In this dark Summer of 1942, the onslaught of the Third Reich continues under the leadership of an indecent and corrupt man. His over-trained and blindly obedient army continues to ravish what is left of Free Europe.
While Il Douce grasps for his place, this wicked Axis tries to dominate the world.
President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill gather the Allies in the defense of the Free World. The third Axis power plunders across the Pacific. Mankind is being threatened by these despicable villains. The only hope for Freedom and Democracy is... WONDER WOMAN!!!"

The first season of Wonder Woman is being released on DVD today. This was always one of my favorite shows when I was a kid (if not THE favorite), so Iâ€™m really looking forward to the boxed-set. Plus, it includes commentary on the pilot movie from Lynda Carter, and a new 20-minute documentary on the series. Should be fun!

TV Guide did a Q&A with Lynda Carter for the current issue, and I thought it was cute, so here it is....

Q&A: Lynda Carter
In the 1970s, Lynda Carter was fighting for your rights in her satin tights, at least on Wonder Woman, the show that made her famous. The 52-year-old former Miss USA is content with her own version of Paradise Island these days - raising her two kids in Washington, D.C. - but she does take occasional acting work, including a guest spont on Hope & Faith last fall. With the DVD of Wonder Woman's first season hitting stores on June 29th, we fired some bullet-like questions Carter's way - and she deflected them even without her magic bracelets. - John Sellers

Uh, I'm one of those guys who drooled over you when I was a kid.
I think that's very cool. You know, I like Wonder Woman, too. I thought she was the bomb, as my daughter would say.

Wonder Woman was kind of the full package, huh?
What I was hoping for was that men would see that women could be a lot of things: She was beautiful, smart and able to kick ass but also a good egg. It wasn't just about how she looked.

How often do you hear the theme song?
It's kind of my "Hail To The Chief." They play it whenever I'm around.

Who'd win in a fight between you and the Bionic Woman?
The Bionic Woman and I would never be fighting. We'd be on the same side.

But could you take Lindsay Wagner in an arm-wrestling match?
Oh, absolutely. No question about it.

How do I perfect Wonder Woman's signature spin move?
Honey, it's a secret, and one that I will never divulge.

What would it take to get you back in the costume?
Oh, God! There's not enough incentive in the world. World peace? I mean, I suppose I could get into that kind of shape again, but it would be like what Brad Pitt did for "Troy," where he took a year to get buff.

How much would you sell the magic lasso to me for?
(Laughs) It doesn't belong to me anymore. It belongs to my kids. I couldn't sell it.

Ok, then how about if you just lasso me and, you know, make me tell the truth?
Well, I would have some really great questions to ask you. We could get into some real soul-searching. (Pause) It would be really fun to put that around George Bush.

It would help the world. So I should just forget about the lasso thing, right?
You know what, you're just too young for me, honey.

paleshadow · #2 06-29-2004, 06:05 AM

I LOVED this show too. My friend bought me a bunch of bootleg DVD's that were burned from the columbia house video release of the series. I have to say though, I don't think the show really holds up. All she really does is push people around a little. I took it so seriously growing up though. It's good for a laugh now. One of my favorite episodes was the one where the aliens came and stuck those little things on people's foreheads to steal their minds. I also loved any of the ones where she wore her cape, or the motorcycle/diving suit. Did you happen to have the 12" doll by mego? Well, I prefer to call it an action figure. I also had the playset that came with the invisible jet and collapsing oil tower.

golden braid · #3 06-29-2004, 09:56 AM

I totally loved Wonder Woman also. I thought she was so cool and pretty. Wasn't there an episode about the bubonic plague or something that I remember thinking was really serious?

darklinensuit · #4 06-29-2004, 10:54 AM

I'm not sure there's ever been a woman on Tv who looked better than Lynda. Jaclyn Smith comes close. Some day I'll marry Wonder Woman. I decided this when I was six. (BTW, Lynda was much better looking than that severe Super Friends cartoon version.)

- Jake

amber · #5 06-29-2004, 12:32 PM

That's pretty cool, alright! I kinda want that. But I did like Bionic woman better (I know, I'm a freak) I thought she was prettier and her eyes were more expressive and empathetic. But I think it was the super-hopping (jumping) and the psychic thing that really spoke to me. Still, of course I want the wonder woman stuff. I wish I still had my wonder woman Underoos....
Amber

darklinensuit · #6 06-29-2004, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amber

I thought she was prettier

- Jake

amber · #7 06-29-2004, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darklinensuit

- Jake

Almost solely because Lindsey Wagner had nice poofier lips, and Linda Carters are thin and short. Also, LW has bigger blue eyes...Although, from a male perspective, yes, i realize that LW was MUCH less naked....who knows what her 2 bionic birds looked like? The point is, both women are the same sign as me....

Amber

Johnny Stew · #8 06-29-2004, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paleshadow

I LOVED this show too. My friend bought me a bunch of bootleg DVD's that were burned from the columbia house video release of the series. I have to say though, I don't think the show really holds up. All she really does is push people around a little. I took it so seriously growing up though. It's good for a laugh now. One of my favorite episodes was the one where the aliens came and stuck those little things on people's foreheads to steal their minds. I also loved any of the ones where she wore her cape, or the motorcycle/diving suit. Did you happen to have the 12" doll by mego? Well, I prefer to call it an action figure. I also had the playset that came with the invisible jet and collapsing oil tower.

I think audiences have become more critical/discerning these days, in regards to paying attention to special-effects, continuity, story, etc.
In decades past, I don't think they ever really expected us to still be watching (and therefore analyzing) these shows nearly 30 years down the road, so it didn't matter if the special-effects were a bit lame, or that the plot was pretty flimsy, etc.

So in those regards, the show doesn't really hold up... in fact, most of the action-oriented shows I loved in the '70s, don't.
But I still think the 'Wonder Woman' series is a lot of fun to watch. The first season, set in the World War II era, is the most fun and colorful of all the seasons, in my opinion. You can immerse yourself in that comic-book world... rooting for Wonder Woman and booing the bad guys.

And no, I never had the Mego Wonder Woman doll/action figure. My parents had the pesky notion that boy's don't play with Wonder Woman toys, so I was out of luck! *lol*

Johnny Stew · #9 06-29-2004, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by golden braid

I totally loved Wonder Woman also. I thought she was so cool and pretty. Wasn't there an episode about the bubonic plague or something that I remember thinking was really serious?

Yes, that was 'The Pluto File,' which guest-starred Hayden Rorke (Dr. Bellows, from 'I Dream Of Jeannie') and Robert Reed (Mr. Brady).

That episode is on this boxed-set by the way.

Johnny Stew · #10 06-29-2004, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darklinensuit

Some day I'll marry Wonder Woman. I decided this when I was six.

How can you marry both Wonder Woman AND Stevie?
You must be one of those polygamists the conservative groups are worried about!

And I agree, there's never been a woman on television who could quite hold a candle to Lynda Carter (though Jaclyn Smith and Delta Burke sure come close).

Johnny Stew · #11 06-29-2004, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amber

That's pretty cool, alright! I kinda want that. But I did like Bionic woman better (I know, I'm a freak) I thought she was prettier and her eyes were more expressive and empathetic. But I think it was the super-hopping (jumping) and the psychic thing that really spoke to me. Still, of course I want the wonder woman stuff. I wish I still had my wonder woman Underoos....

The Bionic Woman was ultra-cool... I loved that show, too (as well as The Incredible Hulk and the Six Million Dollar Man).
Still, it was Wonder Woman who was tops in my book.

Underoos were so much fun... I had Superman, Spiderman, Batman and Aquaman underoos.

Nixxxed · #12 06-29-2004, 02:11 PM

My favorite WW episodes were the ones with the Amazons on Paradise Island (I think that was the name -- jeez, the '70s were a long time ago!). I also really liked the one with the young girl who was trying to get home to Atlantis -- I remember she had this really cool jewelry that glowed when she held the bracelets next to her necklace.

The thing I liked most about WW was the spinning-costume-change. If I had a dollar for everytime I tried it myself waiting for the big ball of light and whoooosh sound... What is it about spinning divas that so fascinates me?

Johnny Stew · #13 06-29-2004, 02:13 PM

By the way... as of this moment, the 'Wonder Woman' boxed-set is #3 on Amazon.com's Best Selling DVDs list ('Cold Mountain' and 'The Simpsons: Complete 4th Season' set are numbers 1 & 2, respectively).

Johnny Stew · #14 06-29-2004, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nixxxed

My favorite WW episodes were the ones with the Amazons on Paradise Island (I think that was the name -- jeez, the '70s were a long time ago!). I also really liked the one with the young girl who was trying to get home to Atlantis -- I remember she had this really cool jewelry that glowed when she held the bracelets next to her necklace.

I always loved the visits to Paradise Island, too. Interesting fact that most people probably don't know... Debra Winger played Wonder Woman's kid-sister, Drusilla, A.K.A. Wonder Girl.

The episode you're thinking of was called 'The Girl From Islandia,' which was definitely one of the highlights of the later years.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nixxxed

The thing I liked most about WW was the spinning-costume-change. If I had a dollar for everytime I tried it myself waiting for the bill ball of light and whoooosh sound... What is it about spinning divas that so fascinates me?

And ones that also have an affinity for capes and high-heeled boots, no less!

skcin · #15 06-29-2004, 02:50 PM

Hmmmmm, I just may have to buy this for boyfriend - or should I not encourage his boyhood crush? Ah, what the hell, then I can play the DVD, jump up on a kitchen chair that I've dragged in front of the TV & spin just like Lynda does to become...

...WONDER WOMAN!

Wait, will it still work now that I'm not 7 years old?

Paula