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
Alley Mills	...	Norma Arnold 113 episodes, 1988-1993
Jason Hervey	...	Wayne Arnold 113 episodes, 1988-1993
Josh Saviano	...	Paul Pfeiffer 113 episodes, 1988-1993
Dan Lauria	...	Jack Arnold 112 episodes, 1988-1993
Danica McKellar	...	Winnie Cooper 105 episodes, 1988-1993
Olivia d'Abo	...	Karen Arnold 85 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

Fred Savage came to the attention of the show's casting directors through his roles in Vice Versa and The Princess Bride. Not hearing of either movie, Producers obtained a rough cut of Vice Versa, and cast Savage largely as a result of his performance in the film.

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Goofs

Throughout the series, whenever characters are seen riding in vehicles, there are often instances of late-eighties to early-nineties vehicles appearing in the distant background.

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Quotes

Wayne Arnold: [Wayne's friend Wart has returned shell-shocked from Vietnam and is sitting on a bench in just boxers and dog tags] What's wrong, buddy?
Wart: Nothing seems to fit any more.
Wayne Arnold: [Wayne takes his shirt off and offers it to his friend] Here you go. Wear mine.

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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 Dawson's Creek: Escape from Witch Island (1999)

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Soundtracks

With A Little Help From My Friends
Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney
Performed by Joe Cocker
(opening theme)

User Reviews

Nostalgia Hurts

I have never had so much fun watching TV before or after "The wonder years". Kevin Arnold and Winnie Cooper were my friends and I could not possible imagine life without them. So many years after the show ended when I saw Kevin Arnold's pic in one of my friends computer screen NOSTALGIA did HURT. I mean it brought back memories of the yesteryears. It was very easy to relate to everything that Kevin was going through although I was from another world in India. His love interest the cute Winnie Cooper made it all the more interesting. Loved his best friend, though he did look like a nerd. I specially remembered a scene when Kevin kissed Winnie in the beach. Saying this might sound like saying a lot but it is just the truth. Sometimes the show seemed to me more important the books that I studied in school. A tutorial. It will always be close to my heart and fondly remembered. I can assume its like this for many of us around the world. Miss you Kevin.