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Unlike other superheroes like [[Superman]], [[Batman]], or [[Shazam|Captain Marvel]], Wonder Woman never made it to either television or film until the late-1960s, despite having a long-running dedicated title within the comics industry.  William Dozier - creator of the hit ''Batman'' series - attempted to be the first producer to put the character on television, but his screen test<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWiiXs2uU1k</ref><ref>http://www.wonderwoman-online.com/tvshow.html</ref> never made it past the network approval stage for a pilot program.  Extremely campy, this version starred Ellie Wood Walker as Wonder Woman's alter-ego Diana Prince, and Linda Harrison as the heroine; Dozier's interpretation of Wonder Woman made the character into a slightly dim-witted narcissist.

Unlike other superheroes like [[Superman]], [[Batman]], or [[Shazam|Captain Marvel]], Wonder Woman never made it to either television or film until the late-1960s, despite having a long-running dedicated title within the comics industry.  William Dozier - creator of the hit ''Batman'' series - attempted to be the first producer to put the character on television, but his screen test<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWiiXs2uU1k</ref><ref>http://www.wonderwoman-online.com/tvshow.html</ref> never made it past the network approval stage for a pilot program.  Extremely campy, this version starred Ellie Wood Walker as Wonder Woman's alter-ego Diana Prince, and Linda Harrison as the heroine; Dozier's interpretation of Wonder Woman made the character into a slightly dim-witted narcissist.

Wonder Woman's first appearance in animation was done in 1972 as a single episode of Filmation's ''The Brady Kids'', a Saturday morning spin-off of the ABC comedy ''The Brady Bunch''.  In the episode titled "It's All Greek To Me" the kids are transported to ancient Greece courtesy of a mathematician who happens to be Wonder Woman<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ju9FhgGRgc</ref>. A year later she would join Superman, Batman, and [[Aquaman]] in Hanna-Barbera's ''Super Friends''.  Sporting a moral message at the end of every episode, ''Super Friends'' would be broadcast in various incarnations through the mid-1980s, with voice actress Shannon Farnon<ref>http://www.tv.com/superfriends/show/13644/cast.html</ref> as Wonder Woman.

Wonder Woman's first appearance in animation was done in 1972 as a single episode of Filmation's ''The Brady Kids'', a Saturday morning spin-off of the ABC comedy ''The Brady Bunch''.  In the episode titled "It's All Greek To Me" the kids are transported to ancient Greece courtesy of a mathematician who happens to be Wonder Woman.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ju9FhgGRgc</ref>  A year later she would join Superman, Batman, and [[Aquaman]] in Hanna-Barbera's ''Super Friends''.  Sporting a moral message at the end of every episode, ''Super Friends'' would be broadcast in various incarnations through the mid-1980s, with voice actress Shannon Farnon<ref>http://www.tv.com/superfriends/show/13644/cast.html</ref> as Wonder Woman.

In 1974 a made-for-television film was broadcast on [[ABC]] and set Wonder Woman in contemporary times against a powerful agent (played by Ricardo Montalban) running a world-wide espionage ring. Starring Cathy Lee Crosby in the title role, this first live action version of ''Wonder Woman'' bore little resemblance to the comic character; Crosby was blonde, had no powers except her intellect, and wore an athletic-appearing jump suit.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izz4OdHxyJo</ref><ref>http://www.wonderwoman-online.com/tvshow.html</ref>

In 1974 a made-for-television film was broadcast on [[ABC]] and set Wonder Woman in contemporary times against a powerful agent (played by Ricardo Montalban) running a world-wide espionage ring. Starring Cathy Lee Crosby in the title role, this first live action version of ''Wonder Woman'' bore little resemblance to the comic character; Crosby was blonde, had no powers except her intellect, and wore an athletic-appearing jump suit.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izz4OdHxyJo</ref><ref>http://www.wonderwoman-online.com/tvshow.html</ref>

Despite the dismal ratings of the Crosby version, ABC decided to take a chance on a second take, in which this time the character would stay true to the comic's interpretation.  Titled ''The New Original Wonder Woman'', this two-hour TV movie aired in November 1975, and led to two more films (titled simply ''Wonder Woman'') broadcast the following spring.  A ratings success, the three TV movies led to an 11-episode run during 1976-1977.  Despite the success, ABC was uneasy about funding the program, as it was originally a period piece set during [[World War II]], which required the necessary set designs, props, and vehicles for that time period which contributed to the cost.  After ABC declined to renew ''Wonder Woman'', [[CBS]] would pick up the series and change the setting to a modern time for two more seasons (under the name ''The New Adventures of Wonder Woman'') before the series was cancelled in 1979.  

Despite the dismal ratings of the Crosby version, ABC decided to take a chance on a second take, in which this time the character would stay true to the comic's interpretation.  Titled ''The New Original Wonder Woman'', this two-hour TV movie aired in November 1975, and led to two more films (titled simply ''Wonder Woman'') broadcast the following spring.  A ratings success, the three TV movies led to an 11-episode run during 1976-1977.  Despite the success, ABC was uneasy about funding the program, as it was originally a period piece set during [[World War II]], which required the necessary set designs, props, and vehicles for that time period which contributed to the cost.  After ABC declined to renew ''Wonder Woman'', [[CBS]] would pick up the series and change the setting to a modern time for two more seasons (under the name ''The New Adventures of Wonder Woman'') before the series was cancelled in 1979.  

For all three seasons the character was played by Lynda Carter, a former member of the [[Bob Hope]] [[USO]] tours, winner of the Miss World USA beauty pageant in 1972, and an actress who had relatively few parts up until then.  Ironically, she was also an avid reader of the ''Wonder Woman'' comic book series when she was young, and when she was cast in the role she became fully identified in popular culture with that part.  Unfortunately, her contract was such that she did not make any money at all if her image was used in marketing Wonder Woman merchandise<ref>''The Late Show'', Fox Network. Air date: February 9, 1987</ref>; occasionally a company comes out with a bust or figure of Wonder Woman in Carter's likeness, such was her impact on the character<ref>http://www.dccomics.com/dcdirect/?dcd=14432</ref>.

For all three seasons the character was played by Lynda Carter, a former member of the [[Bob Hope]] [[USO]] tours, winner of the Miss World USA beauty pageant in 1972, and an actress who had relatively few parts up until then.  Ironically, she was also an avid reader of the ''Wonder Woman'' comic book series when she was young, and when she was cast in the role she became fully identified in popular culture with that part.  Unfortunately, her contract was such that she did not make any money at all if her image was used in marketing Wonder Woman merchandise;<ref>''The Late Show'', Fox Network. Air date: February 9, 1987</ref> occasionally a company comes out with a bust or figure of Wonder Woman in Carter's likeness, such was her impact on the character.<ref>http://www.dccomics.com/dcdirect/?dcd=14432</ref>

===2011 reboot attempt===

===2011 reboot attempt===

As early as October 2010 the idea was pitched for a reboot of the series, with both director David E. Kelly and Warner Bros. contacting the major networks; only [[NBC]] ordered a pilot episode.  Adrianne Palicki was selected to play Wonder Woman, but in a costume that drew complaints about the "rubbery look"<ref>http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/gossip/2011/04/adrianne-palicki-wonder-woman-costume-hollywood.html</ref>; it was quickly replaced before filming began, and even then the costume de-emphasized the patriotic American look that the original character (and Lynda Carter's series) had.  Despite this, Carter said she liked the look. "Adrianne looks gorgeous'" she said, "and I'm really looking forward to seeing David E. Kelley's new series."<ref>http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lynda-carter-reveals-opinion-new-169327</ref>

As early as October 2010 the idea was pitched for a reboot of the series, with both director David E. Kelly and Warner Bros. contacting the major networks; only [[NBC]] ordered a pilot episode.  Adrianne Palicki was selected to play Wonder Woman, but in a costume that drew complaints about the "rubbery look";<ref>http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/gossip/2011/04/adrianne-palicki-wonder-woman-costume-hollywood.html</ref> it was quickly replaced before filming began, and even then the costume de-emphasized the patriotic American look that the original character (and Lynda Carter's series) had.  Despite this, Carter said she liked the look. "Adrianne looks gorgeous'" she said, "and I'm really looking forward to seeing David E. Kelley's new series."<ref>http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lynda-carter-reveals-opinion-new-169327</ref>

No one would see the series, however.  The pilot that was filmed revealed a character who was no longer an Amazon from Themyscira; instead she was renamed "Diana Themyscira", a vigilante crime fighter who runs a corporation, and with the aspects of Greek Amazon mythology central to the core of the character entirely gone.  After viewing the pilot, NBC cancelled the series order; the project was shelved in May 2011.<ref>http://tvline.com/2011/01/07/new-wonder-woman-series-shelved/</ref>

No one would see the series, however.  The pilot that was filmed revealed a character who was no longer an Amazon from Themyscira; instead she was renamed "Diana Themyscira", a vigilante crime fighter who runs a corporation, and with the aspects of Greek Amazon mythology central to the core of the character entirely gone.  After viewing the pilot, NBC cancelled the series order; the project was shelved in May 2011.<ref>http://tvline.com/2011/01/07/new-wonder-woman-series-shelved/</ref>

==References==

==References==

[[Category:Women]]

[[Category:Women]]