"Wonder Woman" debuts 1975

DC's mightiest heroine Wonder Woman, based on the character developed by William Moulton Marston, debuted on television November 7, 1975, with the incomparable, beautiful Lynda Carter in the title role.  The pilot episode featured Lyle Waggoner (Steve Trevor), the amazing Cloris Leachman (Queen Hippolyta), Red Buttons, Stella Stevens, Fannie Flagg, Henry Gibson, Anne Ramsey, and Kenneth Mars.

The pilot episode was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in Graphic Design and Title Sequences.  

The series ran for three seasons from 1975 until 1979.

Wonder Woman episode "Light Fingered Lady" airs 1978

Light-Fingered Lady, the thirteenth episode of the second season of Wonder Woman, aired January 6, 1978.  It's one of my favorite episodes, because it has a Mission: Impossible feel to it.  Diana Prince/Wonder Woman goes undercover to capture an elusive thief before he disappears forever.  The thief was played by Greg Morris, who starred in the television series Mission: Impossible. 

"The Secrets of Isis" debuts 1975

A brand-new superhero debuted in her first episode, Secrets of Isis, September 6, 1975.  Gorgeous Joanna Cameron appeared as a science teacher (Andrea Thomas), who inherits the power of the Egyptian goddess Isis.  She uses those powers to fight evil.

The Lights of Mystery Mountain, the first episode also starring Brian Cutler and Joanna Pang, had Miss Thomas and Isis investigating UFOs in the mountains above Los Angeles.

The Secrets of Isis lasted for just 1 1/2 seasons before being inexplicably cancelled, despite its popularity. 

It was the first television series to feature a female superhero as the main character, airing just a few weeks before Wonder Woman starring Lynda Carter in November 1975.

Also, Isis was not a superhero that had appeared in DC Comics, Marvel Comics or any other publication prior to the show. 

Wonder Woman episode "The Deadly Toys" airs 1977

I don't know why this is one of my favorite episodes of Wonder Woman, but The Deadly Toys is a lot of fun.  Perhaps its Frank Gorshin as a dirty old man (the Toymaker, but not the Superman villain Toymaker), who makes a life-sized Wonder Woman robot.  One wonders why he really made her.  Hmmm....

Frank Gorshin played the Riddler in Batman, with Adam West and Burt Ward.  He also appeared in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (also with Adam West).  So he's been up against  DC's Big 3!

In The Deadly Toys, Frank Gorshin and John Rubinstein are replacing scientists with look-alike robots so they can create a powerful weapon.  But Diana Prince and Wonder Woman are on to them.

I really liked the scene with the remote-controlled attack plane but couldn't find the clip.

Ruth Buzzi, Lynda Carter and Kristin Chenoweth celebrate their birthdays today!

Three wonder women celebrate their birthdays today, July 24; Kristin Chenoweth (1968), Lynda Carter (1951) and Ruth Buzzi (1936).

Kristin Chenoweth, native Oklahoman, was born in Broken Arrow.  She has won a Tony for her performance as Sally in "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" and a Prime Time Emmy for Olive Snook in "Pushing Up Daisies".  She got her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Live Theatre on her birthday in 2015.

Lynda Carter, born in Phoenix, Arizona, is best known for her role as Wonder Woman, one of the most iconic female heroines on screen.  She served as Grand Marshall for the 2011 Phoenix Pride, 2011 New York Pride and 2013 Capital Pride parade in Washington, DC.

Ruth Buzzi, born in Rhode Island, made audiences laugh while starring in Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In from 1968 to 1973.  Her comedic talent has rarely been matched.  She won a Golden Globe in 1973 for Supporting Actress for her appearances in Laugh-In.