The Wonder Years pilot episode aired immediately after the Super Bowl on January 31, 1988 and ran for six seasons on ABC -- six wonderful seasons. Created by Carol Black and Neal Marlens, the show would go on to capture the hearts, minds, and memories of the majority of age groups.
**There may be some episode SPOILERS in the remainder of this review. **
I'm a middle-aged guy with two sons currently 17 and 14 years of age. My 14 year old loves it and has seen most of the episodes. However, my older son, doesn't seem to enjoy it (although he WILL watch some episodes if nothing else is on any of the other 867 channels!) Seems he's at that age where he relates to the character of Wayne, played extremely well by Jason Hervey. If the episode doesn't have many "Wayne scenes," my older son gets disinterested. But since the lead character, Kevin, portrayed by Fred Savage, is at the center of 99% of the shows, it keeps my younger son interested and involved -- he can and does relate to Kevin most of the time. (SPOILER ABOUT LAST EPISODE NEXT!)-- The final episode, which was done over two shows, I was somewhat disappointed in the first part. It was left unclear if Winnie and Kevin made love in the barn, although may avid fans believe they did. In the second part and conclusion of the series, I enjoyed the way the writers summarized things although they could have given Jack a few more years to live! Doing the math, I believe they knocked him off in his late 50's! However, I can't get past the closing narration as it leaves me in tears every time I listen to it. But that's one hallmark of a good show -- to bring both laughter and tears to the audience. (END OF SPOILER!)
As for me? I get so much MORE from the series now than I ever did. It allows me to reconnect with many of the good times, great times, sad times, and happy times. As mentioned, quite a few episodes bring a tear to my eye while others make me cry like a baby. The narration (done in most episodes by Dan Stern,) is a catalyst to my emotions. His words and tones of voice can and does make the difference between an "okay episode" and a tearjerker. Kudos to the cast, crew, writers and Mr. Stern for an excellent job narrating. It makes me yearn to relive my own wonder years.
**There may be some episode SPOILERS in the remainder of this review. **
I'm a middle-aged guy with two sons currently 17 and 14 years of age. My 14 year old loves it and has seen most of the episodes. However, my older son, doesn't seem to enjoy it (although he WILL watch some episodes if nothing else is on any of the other 867 channels!) Seems he's at that age where he relates to the character of Wayne, played extremely well by Jason Hervey. If the episode doesn't have many "Wayne scenes," my older son gets disinterested. But since the lead character, Kevin, portrayed by Fred Savage, is at the center of 99% of the shows, it keeps my younger son interested and involved -- he can and does relate to Kevin most of the time. (SPOILER ABOUT LAST EPISODE NEXT!)-- The final episode, which was done over two shows, I was somewhat disappointed in the first part. It was left unclear if Winnie and Kevin made love in the barn, although may avid fans believe they did. In the second part and conclusion of the series, I enjoyed the way the writers summarized things although they could have given Jack a few more years to live! Doing the math, I believe they knocked him off in his late 50's! However, I can't get past the closing narration as it leaves me in tears every time I listen to it. But that's one hallmark of a good show -- to bring both laughter and tears to the audience. (END OF SPOILER!)
As for me? I get so much MORE from the series now than I ever did. It allows me to reconnect with many of the good times, great times, sad times, and happy times. As mentioned, quite a few episodes bring a tear to my eye while others make me cry like a baby. The narration (done in most episodes by Dan Stern,) is a catalyst to my emotions. His words and tones of voice can and does make the difference between an "okay episode" and a tearjerker. Kudos to the cast, crew, writers and Mr. Stern for an excellent job narrating. It makes me yearn to relive my own wonder years.