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Spinning Some Wonder Wisdom About Boys, Bette, Democrats and Cabaret
I hope that every little thing comes back to you in your life a hundredfold. I really do.
I’m such a big believer in the “pay it forward” concept; the idea that in your lifetime there are many people who extend their hand in friendship, in mentoring, in giving you thoughts. The only way to repay that is to do it for the next person. It’s really kind of what makes life happier. You attract to yourself that which you put out.
It’s kind of the way my whole career has gone. About five years ago, I decided that I really wanted to do some roles that were out of the box, and to work in a way that was not the normal heroine role. And, that’s how I got to play a tough grifter on Law & Order, or the crazy mom on Smallville, or a military vampire killer in Slayer, or Mama Morton in Chicago in London. If you are doing the right thing, and if you are defining what you want, then the universe wants to give it to you!
Television has changed. Wonder Woman was groundbreaking at the time. They didn’t even think a woman could carry a show on television. There was a tendency to be a little dismissive, because she’s pretty, because she’s got a good body. Wonder Woman broke the mold for a young, pretty woman being able to carry a show. I knew the role was up for grabs, and went out for it. I knew that she was, and is, a character that had the potential of being very influential in terms of how women see themselves, and how men see a woman being. Yes she can be beautiful, and she can be all that stuff, but she’s smart and she can kick my butt.
It was a very conscious decision on my part to play against what was expected. I never played sexuality. I never tried to “play” Wonder Woman. She didn’t think she was all that! She’s not all full of herself, and certainly not against men…but for women! It was just about being who she was, and trying to connect to that secret self that we have.
Every gay reader understands the secret self that is full and wonderful and has longing and tenderness and a desire for connection to other people. I think that arguments against gay marriage are just ridiculous! Who cares? People want to get married for the same reason I wanted to get married. They want to do it in front of their friends and family. They want it to be a legally binding thing. They want to have that commitment. The idea that there’s some moral issue about it is so ridiculous.
I’m definitely a Democrat. I’m liberal in my thinking, in terms of equality for people. I would much rather have one day’s worth of the money we spend in Iraq thrown into our schools. Just about how much that war is costing us a month, just take that money and say, “Okay, we’ll get out a month early, and take all that money and throw it into the public school system.” There’s an idea! I pay a lot of money in taxes, and I’m happy to do it, but not when it’s just blown on these wars, when our sons and daughters are dying.
I am the hugest fan of Bette Midler, ever since she was singing in the bathhouses in New York, and her first album came out. I thought, Oh, my god, if I had the gay and lesbian following, I will really know I’ve made it. I didn’t really even know that I had a gay and lesbian following until maybe 15 years ago. A woman came to my house to interview me, and she said, “Oh, my god, you don’t know!”
I’ve never met one gay or lesbian person that didn’t know something was different about them from the time they can remember. Not one! It really hurts me that there are people that feel so superior and so high and mighty about passing judgment. I believe in God. He never mistakes. This is not a mistake. It’s not a choice.
I’m doing a concert series in San Francisco on May 1-6 at The Plush Room. I sang with the band The Relatives, in San Francisco, in 1970. I was out of high school and started off with them. Since then, I’ve played every arena that you can think of, but right now, I’m kind of re-starting out more slowly. I really am not focused on anything other than I have an opportunity to sing exactly what I want to sing, to do the music that I want to, and that’s it! I’m hoping that the seats will be filled. It’s going to be standards, some Broadway, some stuff from my old act, but with back-stories about various things. No Bob Mackie dresses this time.
One last thought on Wonder Woman: I really do hope that Warner Brothers is able to write a heartwarming script for the next person to do Wonder Woman, because it’s the role that should go on to inspire. It’s not me, it is the character. Yeah, I embodied her, but there is room for other people to do the same, to carry on with it.
Check for news of Lynda’s concert tour dates by clicking here!
Also, visit The Wonder Woman Museum!
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Instinct Online 
written by Chrissy on May 01, 2007
Lynda Carter has to be one of the best human beings alive. She's intelligent, funny, beautiful, and she knows her stuff. I have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for this woman in everything she does!
written by Rach on May 01, 2007
I love Lynda's outlook and her amazingly positive attitude.She inspires me,not to become a superhero like Wonder Woman,but to accept the human being that I am and to try to touch the lives of others,as she has done for many years.I really hope that I'll get to meet her someday,so I can thank her for having such a positive influence on me.I hope that the concert tour is a big success...I'm so happy that Lynda is singing again,she has a beautiful voice.
written by WALTER FORBES on May 02, 2007
LYNDA CARTER WILL AND FOREVER BE A TRUE WONDER WOMAN. SHE IS THE BEST
written by Steve K on May 15, 2007
I have always been a huge Lynda Carter fan since I first saw the advertisment for Wonder Woman at 4 years old. I fell in love with her immediately. I clearly remember that moment to this day and I was completely in awe of her. And after reading this, my love and admiration for her has grown ten-fold! Lynda truly is a wonder woman!
written by yves, Montreal, on May 18, 2007
Lynda carter she the best I wich she plaied at the movie wonder woman 2007
written by Joel on May 25, 2007
Lynda Carter embodied beauty, strentgh and self-confidence as Wonder`Woman. As a gay boy growing up in the 70s I remember being enthralled and excited (as only gay boys could do!) whenever I saw her on TV. My respect and admiration for her continue to grow and someday i hope to tell her in person how much her character meant to me! She will always be a wonder!
written by Royce on May 25, 2007
Lynda is simply the best.
written by Eric on May 30, 2007
I first fell in love with Lynda Carter when she personified Wonder Woman on TV. I was a young kid who was enthralled by her every appearance from WW to variety shows to Maybelline ads. After reading this article, she is beyond a Wonder Woman! Her views and thoughts inspire and touch me more today than she did as an impressionable kid so many years ago. Lynda, you're a beautiful human being and you'll always be our Wonder Woman!
written by JP on June 03, 2007
I remember summers growing up in Chicago, and there would be this hour during the middle of the day where they would play Wonder Woman and Batman (Adam West) episodes back to back. I would stop whatever I was doing, and would refuse to take calls during the hour. Lynda Carter stole my hear then - while I was trying to figure out if I wanted Wonder Woman or wanted to be Wonder Woman. Well, that question has been firmly answered; but you still have my heart, Lynda.
written by SABASTIAN on June 03, 2007
IVE LOVED LYNDA FOR 30 YEARS AND I HAVE SEEN HER IN CONCERT 74 TIMES. MY DREAM FINALLY CAME TRUE MAY 6,2007 WHEN I GOT A PERSONAL MEETING WITH HER IN SAN FRANCISCO THANKS TO JOHNNY HARRIS HER MUSICAL DIRECTOR THANK YOU JOHNNY SO MUCH FOR MAKING MY DREAM COME TRUE. LYNDA WAS EVERYTHING I HOPED SHE WOULD BE IN PERSON . INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL AND SO GRACIOUS AND REALLY TOOK THE TIME TO BE GENUINE . THANKS LYNDA FOR BEING A REAL WONDERWOMAN AND MAKING MY DREAM OF MEETING YOU COME TRUE .
written by Steve Savage on June 16, 2007
Growing up, my mother often said to me that she hoped I would marry a girl like Lynda Carter. When I married my Anna, many years later, my mother said,"Anna's a beautiful girl like Lynda Carter; she's pretty like that." I tell Anna that often and I know she's pleased because Lynda Carter is the standard by which all beautiful women are measured.
written by Steve Dubble on July 02, 2007
Wow She's alway's amasing I like yer and I wish one day i see her in La Place des Arts in Montreal for do this show...
Lynda we love you
written by marie manaloto on July 10, 2007
I have always been a fan of Lynda Carter since I was four.Even until now I never get tired of looking into old videos of wonder woman/Lynda Carter. She was amazing as wonder woman.She played the character so well & put dignity to it.Perhaps a new actress will play wonder woman but to me Lynda Carter is the best ever and the most beautiful.She will always be WONDER WOMAN.I just wish she has more movies so I can see her all the time.
written by SAMANTHA GROOM on August 16, 2007
There is only one WONDER WOMAN in my eyes,i look up 2 her,admire her for all her achievements in life,she is my inspiration for myself and millions of women who wish 2 achieve their goals,i collect her memrobilia,have every episode on dvd,i even have the WONDER WOMAN name and trademark tattooed in the centre of my back! i will always be a fan of lynda carter she is my idol,love kisses 2u lynda xxx
written by xenia on November 02, 2007
Lynda Carter and the other posters on this site are not only deficient in their mentality but really need to examine what they are promoting. Wonder Woman was a mindless t.v. show back then and Lynda Carter is still as mindless now. The posts I have read show me that you all need to get a life which includes looking at lifestyle!
written by Douglas Glenn Brown on November 03, 2007
I had the privilege to meet Lynda Carter after her opening night show at Feinstein's in New York (many thanks to promoter Scott Stander for arranging that!). It is quite an experience to thank an individual who had such a positive influence on one's childhood -- on one's life. I'll never forget that moment. Lynda may have played the role of Wonder Woman, but thirty years since, she has evolved to BECOME a Wonder Woman.
written by threerandot on December 08, 2007
Speaking for the non-gay male audience, I think we appreciate Lynda not just for her physical attributes, but for her personality as well. We appreciate you too, Lynda! Long live WW!
written by Rafael Vivas Gonzalez on December 14, 2007
The heroine, the beauty, the suit and always the best !!!
I love you Lynda !!!.
I would like to find a woman like you. Honestly.....I hope in that!!
written by LCA on December 30, 2007
Lynda is really great. Merry Christmas and Happy New Yaer to you Lynda and family. God bless. Same to all of your fans.
written by Karen Duenas on January 04, 2008
I've been a fan of Linda Carter's ever since I could remember talking/walking. She is the best of the best. Not only did I look up to her as a kid but now in my adult life aswell. It's funny cause even my co-workers & people I work with call me Wonder Woman. 1 because they know she's my idol, 2 I've been told I resemble her cause of my long dark hair, and light complection. Linda your my Wonder Woman IDOL!! God Bless you always and congrats on overcoming all your troubles in your personal life, I'm sure with all the media nowadays that can be hard. Love ya Lots.
Your Biggest Fan Ever,
Karen
written by linda marie on January 12, 2008
hello im writing this because i want you to now that linda carter is my mother and she does not have two kids but three one that she gave away
written by linda marie on January 12, 2008
bye mother and the people who read this
written by linda marie on January 12, 2008
sorry i just want to now one thing how can you right stuff like about her after what she did. anyway i'm happy that i did not grow up with her. who ever read can tell her what ever they want because she is not going to listen thanyou
written by Jp on February 01, 2008
Will the gracious beautiful Linda Carter do any show(s) in Las Vegas in 2008?
written by Angela on July 30, 2008
I have been a fan of "Wonder Woman"/Lynda Carter for 33 years. (since 9 years old) As a little girl she was first favoriate actress. She was a good example for young girls back in the 70's. When she disappeared from Wonder Woman, I was wondering when she ever popped up on my screen again. From time to time, I did catch LC in other TV appearences, but did not realized she was every where, during my youth until I checked out all the video films at Wonderland!! I actually, thought, those 2 children are from her ex hubby Ron!! The man she is married to now for almost 25 years, is the perfect husband for her. Her children are very beautiful and they have BLUEYES!! As a grown woman, my 40's, I still remembered and admired Mrs. Carter-Altman. I did know Mrs. Carter-Altman have a drinking problem before it was announce. I could tell by the look on her face, that she has drinking issues....but anyhow, I love her anyway, she is human and flawed! Lynda you look great for your ages. I hope to get to meet in you Altantic City, NY in a few month! Love you, Lynda I hope you stay busy doing movies, Lifetime movies, and appearance on Oprah again!