Wonder Woman's early television adventures took an unexpected turn when she made her debut in an animated sitcom spin-off of a beloved classic: The Brady Bunch. This intriguing crossover event occurred in the 1970s, a time when Wonder Woman was already a well-established superhero in the DC Comics universe. The episode, titled 'It's All Greek to Me', featured the Brady Kids meeting Wonder Woman, who inadvertently transports them back to the Ancient Olympic Games. This appearance predated Wonder Woman's first live-action television appearance in a made-for-TV movie, showcasing her versatility and appeal across different mediums.
The Brady Bunch, a massive hit in the 1970s, spawned several animated spin-offs, with The Brady Kids being the longest-running. This cartoon, aimed at a younger audience, featured the Brady kids and their animal sidekicks, often reusing animation from The Archie Show. The inclusion of Wonder Woman in this context was a creative choice, allowing for out-of-this-world storylines and celebrity cameos, much like other animated shows of the era.
What makes this encounter even more fascinating is the connection between Wonder Woman and The Brady Bunch in live-action. In the TV series 'The New Adventures of Wonder Woman', starring Lynda Carter, the character Tiger, a dog named Tiger, makes an appearance. This is a clever reference to the animated spin-off, as the same animal actor played both roles. Furthermore, the show's season 2, episode 6, 'The Pied Piper', features a young woman named Elena, the daughter of Diana Prince's boss, played by Jan Brady herself, Eve Plumb. This brings the Brady/Wonder Woman connection full circle, as Jan was the first character to meet Wonder Woman in The Brady Kids.
While Wonder Woman's animated series did not gain traction, her presence in The Brady Kids episode remains a fun and intriguing piece of superhero lore. It highlights the versatility of the character and the creative choices made by producers in the 1970s. The fact that this appearance was a backdoor pilot that never materialized is a fascinating twist of fate, adding to the allure of Wonder Woman's early television adventures.
