What it was like Growing Up in the Eighties (1980s)
  • Tue. Mar 19th, 2024

Wonder Years, The – 80s TV Sitcom

he Wonder Years is a 80s coming-of-age, comedy-drama. It ran on ABC from March 15, 1988, until May 12, 1993. The pilot aired on January 31, 1988, following ABC’s coverage of Super Bowl XXII. The series stars Fred Savage as Kevin Arnold, a teenager growing up in a suburban middle-class family in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The Arnolds Family

Cast

Fred Savage as Kevin Arnold
Daniel Stern as Kevin’s voice
Josh Saviano as Paul Pfeiffer
Danica McKellar as Winnie Cooper
Jason Hervey as Wayne Arnold
Alley Mills as Norma Arnold
Dan Lauria as Jack Arnold
Olivia d’Abo as Karen Arnold (1988-1992)

Series Run

First Telecast: March 15, 1988
Last Telecast: September 1, 1993

Broadcast History

March 1988- April 1988, ABC, Tuesday 8:30-9:00pm
October 1988- February 1989, ABC, Wednesday 9:00-9:30pm
February 1989- August 1990, ABC, Tuesday 8:30-9:00pm
August 1990- August 1991, ABC, Wednesay 8:00-8:30pm
August 1991- February 1992, ABC, Friday 8:30-9:00pm
March 1992- September 1993, ABC, Friday 8:30-9:00pm

Plot

The series depicts the social and family life of a boy in a stereotypical American suburban middle-class family from 1968 to 1973, covering the ages of 12 through 17. Where the Arnold family lives is never specified other than being a suburb, but some episodes have license plates showing California and New York. Each year in the series takes place exactly 20 years before airing (1988 to 1993). The show’s plot centers on Kevin Arnold, son of Jack and Norma Arnold.

More info at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wonder_Years

Theme Song

“With a Little Help from My Friends,” sung by Joe Cocker.

Wonder Years Theme Song Lyrics

What would you do if I sang out tune?
Would you stand up and walk out on me?
Lend me your ears and I’ll sing you a song
I will try not to sing out of key, yeah
Oh, baby I get by with a little help from my friends
By with a little help from my friends.
All I need is my buddies
By with a little help from my friends
I said I’m gonna get by with a little
By with a little help from my friends
Whoa oh oh oh oh
Said I don’t know if that’s what I’m sure do to, baby
By with a little help from my friends
Said I’m gonna make it with my friends
By with a little help from my friends
Whoa oh I’m gonna keep on trying
By with a little help from my friends
Said I’m gonna keep on trying.