Popular Culture Review Volume 29, Number 2, Summer 2018 | Page 182

An Analysis of the Cultural Dismissal of Wonder Woman
and wrote that the show was likely to give CBS its best Friday lead-in of several seasons (“ Wonder Woman ”), Wonder Woman was considered worse than other superheroes . Numerous contemporary writers focused on Wonder Woman ’ s physical appearance and sexuality . Variety used “ bovine ” and “ lumpen ” to describe Carter in the show ’ s premiere , and described the premise of the character as “ silly ” without seeming to realize the comic book history or purpose , calling Batman “ classic theatre by comparison ,” and only complimenting Lyle Waggoner ’ s physical appearance as “ a Saturday matinee serial star ” ( Bill 45 ). One writer called the show “ sex-oriented ” ( Deeb “ Sex on TV ” 13A ) and “ pure cheesecake … exploiting sex ” ( Deeb “ TV Makes Sex ” 7B ). Another writer , ignorant of Wonder Woman ’ s origins , fixated on it as “ weekly titillation ” ( Nobile ). Even a more neutral article chronicling comic book history mentioned that Carter ’ s depiction was “ less modestly attired ” than Wonder Woman ’ s original comic book debut , while praising Batman ’ s “ remarkable television career ” (“ Comic-Book Heroes ” B1 ). One critic for the New York Times , who was particularly against superheroes , routinely used sexist language to disparage Wonder Woman , with such statements as , “ As an actress , Miss Carter creates the impression of a sweet little girl disconcertingly trapped in the body of a potential Fellini sexuality symbol ” ( O ’ Connor 19 Sept . 1977 ). Numerous other writers focused on Carter ’ s physical appearance while being positive ( Alridge ; “ Gangly Girl ;” Kleiner ; O ’ Connor 2 Oct . 1977 ; Scott “ Ego ”).
Criticisms about sexuality were despite the fact that Wonder Woman was rarely depicted in a romantic interaction on the show . There are occasional beats of a romantic tone , mainly involving Diana and the first Steve Trevor expressing hints of their feelings , but Diana never pursues a romantic interaction or relationship . Wonder Woman is focused on her work as a
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