The Wonder Years 

Kevin Arnold recalls growing up during the late 60s and early 70s; the turbulent social times make the transition from child to adult unusually interesting.

Creators:

Carol Black, Neal Marlens

Stars:

Fred Savage, Dan Lauria, Daniel Stern

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 24 wins & 70 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Fred Savage	...	Kevin Arnold 115 episodes, 1988-1993
Daniel Stern	...	Kevin Arnold - The Narrator 114 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

The series depicts the social and family life of a boy in a typical American suburban middle-class family from 1968 to 1973, covering the ages of 12 through 17. Each year in the series takes place exactly 20 years before airing (1988 to 1993). The show's plot centers on Kevin Arnold, son of Jack and Norma Arnold. Kevin's father holds a management job at NORCOM, a defense contractor, while his mother is a housewife. Kevin also has an older brother, Wayne, and an older sister, Karen. Two of Kevin's friends and neighbors are prominently featured throughout the series: his best friend, Paul Pfeiffer, and his crush-turned-girlfriend Gwendolyn "Winnie" Cooper. Storylines are told through Kevin's reflections as an adult in his mid-30s..

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Plot Keywords:

junior high school | friend | childhood | suburb | high school | 

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Taglines:

It's 1968. The Suburbs. And in each little house with a Chevy in the driveway and a TV in the den, there are people with stories...families band together in laughter, hope, love and wonder (season 1)

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family | Romance

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 January 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Wonder Years

Filming Locations:

516 University Ave, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

New World Television,The Black/Marlens Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

22 min (115 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The show's setting is never overtly mentioned. Creator Neil Marlens wanted to specifically set it in Long Island, NY, but ABC wanted an anonymous setting to reflect an "Anytown, USA" feel. However, various clues throughout the series strongly indicate the setting was indeed the suburbs of Los Angeles (most likely in the San Fernando Valley): all the cars have California plates, there are mountains at the end of the Arnold's street, snow or heavy winter weather is never shown, Wayne's driver's license shows a California address and ZIP code, and Jack's job was at a defense contractor (there were many in the San Fernando Valley in the 1950s -1990s).

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Goofs

In the Christmas episode in season 2, Kevin and Wayne try to convince Jack to buy a color television for Christmas. In an episode in season one (Angel #1.4), Kevin is seen watching a color TV in his living room.

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Quotes

Wayne Arnold: Butthead.

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Alternate Versions

In some cable TV reruns outside North America, the original Joe Cocker rendition of the theme song ('With A Little Help From My Friends') has been replaced by a cover version. In the end credits, the instrumental version of this song that was originally broadcast has been replaced by the instrumental 'Winnie Cooper Theme' which is heard sometimes throughout the show. The Netflix/Amazon streaming versions use this replaced opening theme and other music replacements, but include the original closing instrumental.

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Connections

Referenced in Saved by the Bell: Wicked Stepbrother: Part 2 (1991)

User Reviews

Looking Back With Wonder...

The Wonder Years truly was a great television sitcom in its time,and for those of us who still enjoy the re runs,it is still much loved today.Kevin Arnold was the typical all American teenage boy we all felt close to,even if he was just a character that doe eyed actor Fred Savage brought to life.We followed his daily trials and tribulations,using his experiences to reflect on our own.The sitcom's true to life story lines,comedy,drama and nostalgic tone contributed to the show's success and made watching it enjoyable.The Wonder Years could make you laugh,make you cry,make you remember what it was like to be 12 years old,and in love,as we fondly watched the relationship between Kevin and his dream girl Winnie Cooper,blossom,overcoming all the obstacles along the way.The closing dialogue of this magical sitcom will forever be remembered: Growing up happens in a heartbeat.One day you're in diapers,the next you're gone.But the memories of childhood stay with you for the long haul.I have fond memories of the Wonder Years,and enjoy watching the re runs.Hopefully the complications will be overcome in the near future,and the magic of this memorable sitcom can be re lived on DVD.