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 's brother Ben Savage (who played Corey in Boy Meets World) appeared at a very young age as a student/cupid on The Wonder Years Valentine's Day episode. Blake Sennett also had a role on The Wonder Years, mostly seen in shop class, who later was given the role of Joey "The Rat" on Boy Meets World. Dan Lauria (who plays Jack Arnold on The Wonder Years) also made an appearance on Boy Meets World.

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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: 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 Big Star's Bigger Star: Episode #1.1 (2018)

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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

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.