Though it will soon celebrate its 35th anniversary, ‘The Wonder Years’ remains a cultural touchstone.
What’s their secret? For starters, it was one of the first shows to ditch the laugh track and multi-camera setup. Along with the use of a narrator, ‘The Wonder Years’ looked revolutionary from the get-go.
The other reason, of course, was the cast of characters. Even now, you’d be hard-pressed to find more likable kid actors. Watching them grow up was a surefire ticket to success.
How well do you know ‘The Wonder Years’? Here is some 80s TV trivia from the show that only the true fans will remember!
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They Hit the Ground Running
‘The Wonder Years’ premiered right after the 1988 Superbowl. This gave the show a tremendous starting audience of 80 million viewers. Not everyone stuck around for more, but enough people did to give the show a strong head start.
The critics loved it as well! After a mere six episodes screened, the show won its first Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series.
Kevin and Winnie’s Kiss Was Real
The pilot episode sees Kevin and Winnie share an awkward first kiss. As it turns out, this was the first kiss for both young actors as well. Danica McKellar (Winnie) later said the one good thing about that kiss was that they knew it would happen.
Fred Savage (Kevin) also found the whole experience nerve-racking. In a recent interview, he admitted they had no idea if they would ‘do it right.’
Art Imitated Life
Like many pop-culture classics, ‘The Wonder Years’ borrowed stuff from real life. According to McKellar, Kevin and Winnie had a lot in common with Fred and herself. Oftentimes, the writers would listen to them talking off-camera and put that in the script.
For example, one episode sees Winnie wonder, ‘Do I like him or like him like him?’ This was lifted verbatim from McKellar talking about a guy she was crushing on in real life.
Fred Savage Was a No-Brainer
Out of the whole ‘The Wonder Years’ cast, Savage was the only obvious choice. While looking for their lead, show creators Neal Marlens and Carol Black interviewed five casting directors. Every one of them suggested Savage.
According to Marlens, Savage’s ‘natural quality’ made him a no-brainer. This meant that he had no quality other than being a kid—perfect for a child actor!
It Couldn’t Last Forever
At its core, ‘The Wonder Years’ was about growing up. As the kids were getting older, those wonder years started to slip away. This was a big part of the reason why the show wrapped production after just six years.
Despite its short length, the show gave a boost to many of its young actors’ careers. Check out doyouremember.com to see where those kids are now.
More 80s TV Trivia
Unlike many 80s TV shows, ‘The Wonder Years’ is still a cherished memory for a lot of people. From its humble beginning to the bittersweet finale, it was must-see TV throughout its run. As Kevin would say, ‘After all these years, we look back in wonder.’
Interested in more 80s TV trivia? Keep reading our Entertainment section!
