1. The Basic Concept Began As A Film Script
It's been nearly 30 years since The Wonder Years aired and changed the face of American television forever. The Wonder Years marked the beginning of the golden era of television and it's always nostalgic to take a look back on one of America's most-loved television shows.
Here's a list of 25 things even the most dedicated fans don't know about the show.
According to series co-creator Carol Black, she and her husband Neal Marlens started writing a screenplay that used narration.
2. The Series Was Inspired By 'A Christmas Story'
Of course, the script was never used for a movie, but for the show that we would come to love.
Can't you tell the similarities, especially with the narration?
3. Its Lack Of Laugh Track And Single-Camera Setup Were Revolutionary
Peter “Ralphie” Billingsley even appeared in the series' final two episodes acting as one of Kevin’s roommates.
4. Fred Savage Was Clearly The Right Choice For Kevin
According to Josh Saviano, the actor who played Paul Pfieffer,“The Wonder Years that it’s okay to create a show like that—to take out the laugh track, to try different camera styles—to take a risk.”
In order to get the perfect fit for Kevin, the show's directors, Carol Black and Neal Marlens, interviewed five casting directors for recommendations-- they all gave the name "Fred Savage".
5. The Show Has No Offical Setting
This was most likely attributed to his recent role at the time in the film The Princess Bride.
No specific hometown was ever given to Kevin Arnold, yet this is not done by the means of the show's creators. Marlens wanted it to take place in his hometown of Huntington on Long Island, but the producers of ABC wanted to keep the town anonymous.
6. The Show Premiered After The Super Bowl
However, some fans reported that the show takes place in California due to the license plate of Jack Arnold and the driver's license of Wayne, both of which have "California" written on them.
7. It Won An Emmy Very Early
After more than 80 million viewers tuned in to watch the 1988 Super Bowl, The Wonder Years premiered immediately after, giving the show tremendous ratings from the beginning.
The Wonder Years was obviously a success, but who would have guessed that it would win its first Emmy after just six episodes?
8. Keep The Awards Shows Coming
In 1988, Black and Marlens took home the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series.
In 1989, at the age of 13, Fred Savage became the youngest actor to be nominated for an Emmy as an Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series category.
9. Danica McKellar's Toughest Competition Was Her Sister
He was again nominated in 1990.
While casting dream girl Winnie Cooper, there were just two actors left to choose: Danica and her sister, Crystal.
10. Kevin and Winnie's First Kiss Was The Real Deal
Danica was ultimately chosen as Winnie, but Crystal was still given the role of Beck Slater on the show.
In the first episode Kevin and Winnie Share a kiss, and if it looked awkward to you, it's probably because it was actually Winnie Cooper's first kiss!
11. A Mutual Crush Was Inevitable
Savage admitted to being unsure and nervous about the kiss, too.
Although they now claim to have a brother-sister relationship, McKellar and Savage both admitted to having a crush on each other while filming the show. “I was in love with her for the same reasons every other boy fell in love with her,” Savage said in an interview with People Magazine.
12. Some Of The Dialogue Came From Real Life
“You won't meet a sweeter, nicer girl—and she's gorgeous.”
McKellar admitted that the relationship between Winnie and Kevin was sometimes based on their actual relationship. “The writers would actually take lines from things that we were saying to each other, off camera, and put it into the script," McKellar told Collider.
13. A Growth Spurt Caused A Break-Up
"There was this whole episode dedicated to, ‘Do you like him, or do you like him, like him?’ That was an expression that he and I used when we were talking about some guy that I had a crush on, in real life. And then, it showed up in a script."
The relationship between Kevin and Winnie was a huge part of the show's storyline.
14. It Was Dan Lauria's Suggestion That Jack Be A Veteran
But between the third and fourth season, the two characters broke up due to McKellar's towering figure over the shorter Savage.
“I really didn’t contribute that much, but the one thing I did contribute to the character is that when we were shooting the pilot I said to Neal, ‘Look, I’m a vet. I’m a Vietnam veteran and a Marine, and I think if the story is that I’m a vet, that’d fit the character,’” Dan Lauria said to Paste.
15. Growing Up Was Part Of The Show's Demise
“Before we even finish the pilot, he said, ‘Well, if we go, Dan, we’re going to make you a Korean War vet to fit the frame.’ And so they did, and it paid off."
The Wonder Years dealt a lot with the theme of growing up.
16. The show enlisted the help of Sopranos creator David Chase
The show only lasted six seasons and this was largely due to the characters growing too old.
Producers of The Wonder Years wanted to bring in a little more mature themes into the show, and that's when they brought on the help of David Chase to write a script. Although the script was never used, it was an interesting almost-to-be on the show.
17. Daniel Stern Wasn't The Original Narrator
It was said that the script dealt with intense themes that included drug use.
Daniel Stern's voice became synonymous with Kevin Arnold's adult voice, however, Arye Gross narrated the original pilot.
18. Marilyn Manson didn't play Paul Pfeiffer
Eventually, though, the pilot was re-recorded with Stern's voice.
Contrary to popular belief, Marilyn Manson was NOT Paul Pfeiffer--Josh Saviano was. This rumor never seemed to die down, regardless of the proof that surrounds the conspiracy.
19. But Paul Pfeiffer Did Become A Lawyer
Manson even played along with the rumor, running into Fred Savage telling him that they used to work together in the past.
It was said that Paul went off to Harvard and become a lawyer, per the season finale, but this is not too far off. The actor that played Paul, Josh Saviano, went to Yale and actually became a lawyer!
20. The Little Boy's Voice In The Season Finale Is Daniel Stern's Son
Talk about foreshadowing.
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21. The Series Gave A Boost To Many Young Actors' Careers
The Little Boy's Voice In The Season Finale Is Daniel Stern's Son
The voice of Kevin's son asking to come outside and play ball is the voice of Daniel Stern's son, Henry.
22. You Won't Hear Joe Cocker If You Watch It On Netflix or Amazon Prime
Actors such as Juliette Lewis, Jim Caviezel, Alicia Silverstone, Giovanni Ribisi, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, David Schwimmer and Robin Thicke had roles on The Wonder Years.
Due to music rights, some of the songs never made it over to the digital medium platform. This included Joe Cocker's cover of The Beatles' "With a Little Help from my Friends".
23. But You Can Hear Joe Cocker On The DVD Release
It was replaced by a different version.
24. The Doors music Is Absent
Executives of Time Life spent years obtaining the music rights for the DVD release, stating that getting the original theme song was their top priority.
Although producers obtained the rights to Joe Cocker's music, they couldn't get the right to The Doors' songs "Light My Fire" and "Riders on the Storm."