Super Women in Television Part II

In my last post, I discussed the various present day television shows that have a powerful career woman as the star character. This week I would like to continue with the television theme, however, go back in time to the 1960’s. In my search for super women on television, I came across a show that aired on ABC as apart of the Krofft Supershow called Electra Woman and Dyna Girl. The funny thing about this short television series is that it is practically Batman and Robin but with women as the star characters.

Electra Woman and Dyna Girl fight crime and face villains using the latest technology such as the CrimeScope and the ElectraCar. Their costumes are more similar to those worn by male superheroes. For example, they are fully clothed in spandex leotards and have accessories such as a matching cape, gloves and belt.  Electra Woman and Dyna Girl have cover identities as the newspaper journalists Lori and Judy. When they receive tips on villainous activity, they change into Electra Woman and Dyna Girl at the ElectraBase.  The dynamic duo was voted into Maxim’s top twenty sexiest superheroines, which I found rather surprising due to the shows lack of success. The show ended after only eight episodes and failed to be revamped.

This television show demonstrates the inferior following of superheroines compared to superheroes. The Batman and Robin show experienced a lot of success while Electra Woman and Dyna Girl show only made a brief appearance in television history. The two shows were very much alike but the difference in gender resulted in opposite public response. When compared to the present day shows, we can observe the progress of women in television with shows like Bones or The Closer drawing large audiences.