In 1975 America was undergoing major changes. The cloud of black smoke from a million burning bras (courtesy of the women's liberation movement) was clearing, and women emerged from it with television prominence. Helping lead that charge was Lindsay Wagner as "The Bionic Woman."
Originally bought on for a two-part arc on ABC's highly successful "The Six Million Dollar Man" starring Lee Majors, in the series Wagner played tennis pro Jaime Sommers, a childhood friend and former flame of astronaut Steve Austin, who after being critically injured in a parachuting accident is given a bionic makeover at Austin's insistence.
Despite dying at the end of the first arc, Wagner's character proved so popular that Jaime was resurrected for another two-parter, "The Return Of The Bionic Woman." Her second appearance proved another ratings blockbuster, and ABC quickly gave Wagner her own spin-off and a permanent place in pop culture history.
Today Wagner is selective of the acting projects she undertakes, preferring those with a "feel good message," like her latest project "Love Finds You in Valentine." Based on the book by Irene Brand, the movie follows the story a young woman who, after inheriting a ranch in the town of Valentine, Neb., travels there intent on selling it, only to fall in love and rethink her entire life. Its premise hit home with Wagner.
"It's a lovely story, and I didn't have to carry the show on my shoulders, to be honest with you," she says, laughing. "There were just some things in there that kind of reminded me of some old family stories. I can remember going back to see the family farm where my cousin still lives, and there was something weird that happened when I walked on the land, it's just almost genetic. So that element of the story meant something to me and was interesting."
With the litany of female superheroes on TV today, Wagner remains proud of her pioneer status, even proudly displaying her "Bionic Woman" lunch box - "I think that is the coolest thing of all," she says - and still has her "Bionic Woman" action figure, albeit in a box, somewhere. She's also enjoying one new show in particular - "Supergirl."
"Compared to anything else, that show, I think is the closest thing I've seen to someone trying to incorporate the humanity of the character," she says. "I applaud them, and if they asked, oh yes, I'd definitely make an appearance."
"Love Finds You in Valentine" premieres Valentine's Day, Sunday, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. EST on the UP Network.
