The Wonder Years (1988–1993)

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

Creators:

Carol Black, Neal Marlens

Stars:

Fred Savage, Dan Lauria, Alley Mills

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 23 wins & 60 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Fred Savage	...	Kevin Arnold (115 episodes, 1988-1993)
Dan Lauria	...	Jack Arnold (107 episodes, 1988-1993)
Alley Mills	...	Norma Arnold (106 episodes, 1988-1993)
Jason Hervey	...	Wayne Arnold (106 episodes, 1988-1993)
Josh Saviano	...	Paul Pfeiffer (99 episodes, 1988-1993)
Danica McKellar	...	Winnie Cooper (98 episodes, 1988-1993)
Olivia d'Abo	...	Karen Arnold (84 episodes, 1988-1993)

Storyline

An adult Kevin Arnold reminisces on his teenage years spent growing up during the 60s. As he goes from adolescence to adulthood, he experiences, along with his best friend Paul and sometimes-girlfriend Winnie, the full range of trials and traumas that come in just about everyone's life.

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Plot Keywords:

1970s | suburb | high school | 1960s | best friend | 

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Genres:

Drama | Family | Comedy

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 March 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Los años maravillosos

Filming Locations:

Big Bear Lake, Big Bear Valley, San Bernardino National Forest, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

New World Television, The Black/Marlens Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (115 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

The show's setting is never mentioned. Creator Neil Marlens wanted to set it in Long Island, NY, but ABC wanted an anonymous setting to reflect an "Anytown, USA". Various clues indicate the series took place in the suburbs of either New York City or Los Angeles.

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Goofs

In episode 41, Kevin comes home from school to watch the liftoff of Apollo 13. Apollo 13 lifted off on Saturday, April 11, 1970.

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Quotes

Kevin Arnold - The Narrator: And so we finally got our new car. It wasn't red, it wasn't a convertible, heck, it wasn't even a Mustang. But it was brand new. And it was pretty cool. 'Course, Dad got his shot at king-for-a-day... and we were happy for him. But that afternoon, I began to understand what Dad had been going through. There was more to that old car than fuel pumps and crankshafts. There was a part of all of us in that car. The places we'd gone, the things we'd done... the family we had been. The family that was ...

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Connections

Referenced in Psych: Think Tank (2010)

User Reviews

One of the most memorable television programs of recent years

When I think about the programs that my family enjoyed when my brother and I were younger, this one always comes off as the most memorable, mainly because my family spent quality time together watching this show. Now, at 20 years old, this show is still as memorable and holds up against the test of time.

"The Wonder Years" is a period dramedy told from the point-of-view of adult Kevin Arnold (narration of Daniel Stern), and recalls Kevin's adolescence during the turbulent times of the late 1960s and 1970s. Kevin (played brilliantly by Fred Savage) comes of age in suburbia in a neighborhood that many of our parents (including my mom) grew up in. Kevin lives in a ranch house with his parents, Jack (Dan Lauria), an accountant, Norma (Alley Mills) a housewife, and his older siblings, hippie Karen (Olivia D'Abo) and smart-alecky Wayne (Jason Hervey). He has a childhood sweetheart in Gwendolyne "Winnie" Cooper (Danica McKellar), and a best friend in lovable geek Paul Pfeiffer (Josh Saviano). Kevin deals with normal situations that is territorial with adolesence--first loves, heartbreak, middle school, high school, puberty, and growing up. Kevin grows up in uncertain times, much like children are today. Each episode is a chapter in Kevin's life, and follows him between the ages of 13 and 18--the most crucial years of growing up.

When this show was made, they definitely looked at the lives of teenagers. The characters were realistic, and no matter when you grew up, you could relate. Everyone could relate to Kevin, and many felt his adolescent pain. You knew your parents were overburdening, but realized later that they were only trying to help you. Everyone had a sibling like Wayne, and possibly like Karen.

I'm a product of the 1980s, and being born in 1982 put me out of the loop in regard to what the 1960s and 1970s were really like. My parents came of age in this decade, so they easily related to Kevin. The situations were comical, and this show was always good, clean fun. The humor wasn't overburdening, but it was evident, and we always laughed, but it also impacted you and made you think after it was all over. This show premired when my brother and I were only 5, and we watched it with our parents every week until it went off the air. I don't think this show ever was capable of cancellation, but it went out the way it was intended, and it left an indellible impression on this generation. When the reruns returned to television on Nick-at-Nite in 1998, my classmates and I, already in ninth grade, began to watch again. Now, I'm a sophomore in college, and if I can catch the reruns on ABC Family during the week, I'm thrilled. I truly miss this show, and watching reruns brings back great memories.

I don't have a favorite episode or memory--I have many favorite episodes and memories. Two of the moments that I can still remember vividly are when Winnie's older brother died in Vietnam and Kevin and Winnie shared their first kiss, and when Kevin's math teacher died. My mom, brother, and I always used to laugh (and still do) at my dad, who resembles Jack Arnold. We could be talking about something funny during dinner, and my father will sit there, stone-faced, much like Jack always did. I used to love when they'd ask him a question, and he would utter a low growl. While my dad has NEVER done that, he has always resembled Jack. Only now, several years later, he finds it funny that we thought that of him.

This was a wonderful show that never wore out its welcome, and continues to entertain those who catch the reruns. If you have the chance in your hectic day, as I sometimes do, catch a rerun or set your VCR to tape an episode for you. Relive a classic television program that continues to entertain and inspire years later. You certainly won't regret it.