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

Directors:

Michael Dinner
Nick Marck

Writers:

John Bunzel (story)
Dana Coen (writer)

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:

Childhood Memory | Cult TV | Father Son Relationship | Teenage Love | Kiss

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 (97 episodes, 1988-1993)
Dan Lauria	...	Jack Arnold (94 episodes, 1988-1993)
Alley Mills	...	Norma Arnold (92 episodes, 1988-1993)
Josh Saviano	...	Paul Pfeiffer (91 episodes, 1988-1993)
Danica McKellar	...	Winnie Cooper (81 episodes, 1988-1993)
Olivia d'Abo	...	Karen Arnold (54 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:

Part of the show's running storyline is a falling-out between Kevin and Winnie, who becomes a background character for several months, until she and Kevin reconcile. The main reason for this part of the storyline was that actress Danica McKellar had had a growth spurt, and she and star Fred Savage, already shorter than McKellar, didn't look right standing together. The characters reconciled after Savage began to catch up in height.

Goofs:

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

Quotes:

Wayne Arnold: [walking in with a fire hat and vacum cleaner] HAMSTER PATROL!
Kevin Arnold: Get outta here Wayne!
Wayne Arnold: Mom told you to clean up after those little rodents!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Naked Movie (2002)

A rarity amongst TV sitcoms

This show has an engaging cast with stories set in the 1960s that involved down-to-earth, realistic plots. That's the real wonder of THE WONDER YEARS. It is far superior to most sitcoms because it isn't really a sitcom -- in other words it isn't based on silly situations and lame-brained characters.

The show is about growing up and the discovery of human nature. The writing has a depth unlike that of most TV shows. The humor is genuine, not based on typical TV contrived situations and shallow clowning. This is destined to be one of the classics of TV series.