tek's rating: ¾

The Wonder Years, on ABC
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It's a classic. Fairly recent, as classics go (it ran from 1988-93), but still. I mean, plenty of shows that have come since have been described as "kind of like Wonder Years, but...." Well, anyway, what to say? An adult Kevin Arnold, voiced by Daniel Stern, narrates a look back at his childhood (from 1968 to 1973, 20 years before the time the show aired). In the show itself, Kevin was played by Fred Savage. Kevin's parents were Norma and Jack. He had an older sister named Karen (Olivia d'Abo) and an older brother named Wayne (who was a total butthead). His best friend was the nerdy Paul Pfeiffer. His occasional love interest was Winnie Cooper (Danica McKellar). Over the course of the series there would be a number of other characters, who I mostly don't remember so well.

I really can't think of anything very specific about any of the episodes, and I'm sure I can't have seen the whole series. I don't think I ever thought as highly of the series as most critics did, but I definitely liked it. Kevin Arnold was... about the most normal kid you've ever seen, probably, but memorable and likable, and just sort of... relatable. So, basically it was a comfortable, nostalgic series, though I seem to recall Kevin spending a great deal of the time feeling life wasn't fair. Which, of course, it's not. I mean, he had plenty of problems, but on the whole, I don't think his childhood was particularly bad. Eh, I don't remember, though. Anyway, I can't think what else to say, but it was a pretty decent show. And of course I liked the theme song ("With a Little Help From My Friends," by Joe Cocker).

In 2021, there's a remake of the same name.


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