"The Wonder Years" (1988) TV series 1988-1993

User Rating:

8.9/10   

Creators:

Carol Black
Neal Marlens

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Release Date:

15 March 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Family | Comedy

Plot:

Kevin Arnold recalls growing up during the 60's; the turbulent social times make the transition from child to adult unusually interesting.

Plot Keywords:

1960s | Child | 1970s | Voice Over Narration | Memory

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 22 wins & 55 nominations

Cast

Fred Savage	...	Kevin Arnold (115 episodes, 1988-1993)
Daniel Stern	...	Kevin Arnold - The Narrator (115 episodes, 1988-1993)
Jason Hervey	...	Wayne Arnold (100 episodes, 1988-1993)
Dan Lauria	...	Jack Arnold (99 episodes, 1988-1993)
Alley Mills	...	Norma Arnold (95 episodes, 1988-1993)
Josh Saviano	...	Paul Pfeiffer (92 episodes, 1988-1993)
Danica McKellar	...	Winnie Cooper (83 episodes, 1988-1993)
Olivia d'Abo	...	Karen Arnold (60 episodes, 1988-1993)

Runtime:

USA:30 min (115 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

USA:TV-PG | Argentina:Atp

Filming Locations:

Big Bear Lake, California, USA

Company:

New World Television

Trivia:

The character 'Wayne Arnold' was ranked #7 in TV Guide's list of "TV's 10 Biggest Brats" (27 March 2005 issue).

Goofs:

Continuity: In the episode in which Jack sells the family's Dodge station wagon, a sign identifies it as a 1963 model, but the grown-up Kevin narrates that it's a nine-year-old car, making it (at the time) a 1960 model. In fact, that particular car was a '67.

Quotes:

Kevin Arnold - The Narrator: All of our young lives we search for someone to love. Someone that makes us complete. We choose partners and change partners. We dance to a song of heartbreak and hope. All the while wondering if somewhere, somehow, there's someone perfect who might be searching for us.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "Family Guy: I Never Met the Dead Man (#1.2)" (1999)

One of the best shows about growing up in the suburbs

With all the hype of reality shows these days, "The Wonder Years" remains one of my favorite "reality-like" shows about growing up. With today's meaningless sex and money-driven reality shows, there are no solid, relevant ones for people who just want to be able to sit back and reminisce what it was like growing up in the suburbs.

The best thing about this show was its remarkable ability to depict all aspects of a teen's everyday life--friends, relationships, family, and self, and how these things can change your entire outlook on yourself and your relationships with others. Even the simplest things make a big difference in life--and this show proves it.

Another wonderful thing about this show is that everybody--no matter how "different" you are--can relate to it. Even though the show surrounded 60's and 70's pop culture, still you can always find some problem or conflict within each episode that correlates with your own life.

Shows like "The Wonder Years" will always outstand the cornucopia of boring reality shows of the ages. It's too bad more shows like this one aren't made these days.