Wonderful years

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Television series
German title Wonderful years
Original title The Wonder Years
Country of production United States
original language English
Year (s) 1988-1993
Production
company		 New World Television ,
The Black / Marlens Company
length 22 minutes
Episodes 115 in 6 seasons
genre Dramedy
Theme music With a Little Help from My Friends by Joe Cocker
idea Carol Black , Neal Marlens
music Stewart Levin
First broadcast March 15, 1988 (USA) on ABC
German-language
first broadcast		 February 28, 1990 on RTL plus
occupation

Wonder Years (Original Title: The Wonder Years ) is an American dramedy that was produced and broadcast from 1988 to 1993 by the American broadcaster ABC . The German-language first broadcast was taken over by RTL plus , or from episode 69 by RTL II .

action

The series portrays the childhood of the main character Kevin Arnold and his friends in an unspecified California suburb in the late 1960s and early 1970s . The stories will look back at the adult Arnold from the off often with an ironic undertone comments ( voiceover ). Sometimes the episodes are more serious, sometimes more cheerful.

Many of the episodes deal with the protagonists' private problems with love, school, family and friends. Topics of the time, such as the Vietnam War , student demos, the murders of Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King , are also addressed several times.

main characters

Kevin Arnold

Kevin Arnold, played by Fred Savage , was born on March 18, 1956. He is the main character and narrator of the series and has long been the youngest member of the Arnold family.

John "Jack" Arnold

Jack Arnold, played by Dan Lauria , is Kevin's father. Born on November 6, 1927, he was a veteran of the Korean War . He later went into business for himself, building and selling handmade furniture. He is a supporter of the Republicans . He died in 1975, two years after the series finale in the series' fictional timeline.

Norma Arnold

Norma Arnold (née Gustavson; around 1930), played by Alley Mills , is Kevin's mother and housewife. In contrast to Kevin's father, she is much less harsh and has a friendly and optimistic disposition. In the course of the series, she catches up with her college degree and starts working for a software startup company called Micro Electronics.

Karen Arnold

Karen Arnold, played by Olivia d'Abo , is Kevin's older sister. She was born around 1952. Her free-spirited mindset often clashes with her father's conservative views, which is why arguments often arise. In the course of the series, she meets her boyfriend Michael, whom she later marries. The two move to Alaska and have a child.

Wayne Arnold

Wayne Arnold, played by Jason Hervey , is Kevin's annoying older brother. Quarrels develop more often between the two.

Paul Joshua Pfeiffer

Paul Pfeiffer, played by Josh Saviano , is Kevin's best friend. The boy, who was born in a Jewish family on March 14, 1956, is an outstanding student who, however, has to struggle with various allergies. As the series progresses, Kevin and Paul slowly grow apart. In the final episode, it is announced that Paul will eventually attend Harvard and become a lawyer .

Gwendolyn "Winnie" Cooper

Winnie Cooper, played by Danica McKellar , is Kevin's neighbor and (main) crush. In the course of the series, there are various love affairs between the two. In the series finale, we learn that Winnie was traveling to Paris to study art history there and that Kevin had married another woman.

Episode list

The series consists of 115 episodes, which are spread over six seasons. The official episode numbering differs in part from the dates of the first broadcast.

season 1

No.
( total ) 		No.
( St. ) 		German title Original title First broadcast in the USA German language first broadcast (D) Director script
1 1 Now it's getting serious pilot January 31, 1988 February 28, 1990 Steve Miner Neal Marlens, Carol Black
2 2 Woe to anyone laughing Swingers March 22, 1988 March 3, 1990 Neal Marlens, Carol Black Neal Marlens, Carol Black
3 3 Why is dad like that anyway? My Fathers Office March 29, 1988 March 10, 1990 Jeffrey Brown Neal Marlens, Carol Black
4th 4th They're crazy, the hippies fishing rod April 5, 1988 March 17, 1990 Kind Wolff Neal Marlens, Carol Black
5 5 What if she hangs up now? The phone call April 12, 1988 March 24, 1990 Jeffrey Brown A. Scott Frank
6th 6th Women are my doom Dance With Me April 19, 1988 March 31, 1990 Arlene Sanford David M. Stern

season 2

No.
( total ) 		No.
( St. ) 		German title Original title First broadcast in the USA German language first broadcast (D) Director script
7th 1 Don't be such a coward The Heart Of Darkness November 30, 1988 April 7, 1990 Steve Miner Neal Marlens, Carol Black
8th 2 And yet she loves me Our Miss White December 14, 1988 April 21, 1990 Peter Baldwin Michael J. Weithorn
9 3 Christmas in color Christmas December 7, 1988 April 14, 1990 Steve Miner Bob Brush
10 4th Do you want to go with me? Steady As She Goes January 11, 1989 April 28, 1990 Steve Miner David M. Stern
11 5 Just between us Just Between Me And You And Kirk And Paul And Carla And Becky January 18, 1989 May 5th 1990 Peter Baldwin Matthew Carlson
12 6th The sound makes the music Pottery Will Get You Nowhere February 1, 1989 May 12, 1990 Daniel Stern Matthew Carlson
13 7th One piano, one piano! Coda February 8, 1989 May 19, 1990 Beth Hillshafer Todd W. Langen
14th 8th The basketball crack Hiroshima, Mon Frere February 15, 1989 May 26, 1990 Steve Miner Matthew Carlson
15th 9 Nobody likes you, Wayne Loosiers February 28, 1989 June 2, 1990 Steve Miner David M. Stern
16 10 Doves of peace Walk out March 7, 1989 June 9, 1990 Steve Miner Matthew Carlson
17th 11 Kevin said Nemesis March 14, 1989 June 16, 1990 Daniel Stern Matthew Carlson
18th 12 In rapid succession Fate March 28, 1989 June 23, 1990 Steve Miner Bob Brush
19th 13 Paul becomes a man Birthday boy April 11, 1989 July 7, 1990 Steve Miner David M. Stern
20th 14th little brother and little sister Brightwing April 18, 1989 July 14, 1990 Daniel Stern Matthew Carlson
21st 15th Margaret of all people Square dance May 2, 1989 July 21, 1990 Tom Moore Todd W. Langen
22nd 16 Childhood is being cut down Whose Woods Are These? May 9, 1989 July 28, 1990 Peter Horton Bob Brush
23 17th The best time of the year How I'm Spending My Summer Vacation May 16, 1989 4th August 1990 Michael Dinner Jane Anderson

season 3

No.
( total ) 		No.
( St. ) 		German title Original title First broadcast in the USA German language first broadcast (D) Director script
24 1 A summer love affair Summer song 3rd October 1989 August 11, 1990 Michael Dinner Mark B. Perry
25th 2 Damn formulas Math class October 10, 1989 August 18, 1990 Andy Tennant Tom Gammill, Max Pross
26th 3 Wayne at the wheel Wayne On Wheels October 31, 1989 September 1, 1990 Beth Hillshafer Mark B. Perry
27 4th Football or mom Mom wars October 24, 1989 August 25, 1990 Daniel Stern Todd W. Langen
28 5 Such a theater On the spot November 7, 1989 September 8, 1990 Matia Kerrell Matthew Carlson
29 6th The best friends Odd man out November 14, 1989 September 15, 1990 Peter Baldwin David M. Stern
30th 7th New car, new luck The family car November 21, 1989 September 22, 1990 Michael Dinner Debra Frank, Jack Weinstein
31 8th A volcano erupts The Pimple November 28, 1989 17th November 1990 Matia Karrell David M. Stern, Todd W. Langen
32 9 The calculation with a trick Math Class Squared December 12, 1989 November 24, 1990 Daniel Stern Matthew Carlson
33 10 The rock "n" roll legend Rock'n roll 2nd January 1990 December 15, 1990 Michael Dinner Bob Stevens
34 11 Oh these women Don't You Know Anything About Women? January 16, 1990 December 1, 1990 Jeff Brown Tammy Ader
35 12 Got to the dog The Powers That Be January 23, 1990 December 8, 1990 Daniel Stern David M. Stern
36 13 Dear friend - love affliction! She, My Friend And I. February 6, 1990 December 22, 1990 Peter Baldwin Kerry Ehrin
37 14th give me back my Heart The St. Valentine's Day Massacre February 13, 1990 December 29, 1990 Matia Karrell Mark B. Perry
38 15th Back to the trees The Tree House February 20, 1990 5th January 1991 Michael Dinner David M. Stern, Matthew Carlson
39 16 Brave men The Glee Club February 27, 1990 January 19, 1991 Jim McBride Bob Brush, Todd W. Langen
40 17th Kiss to order Night out March 13, 1990 February 2, 1991 Dan Lauria Tammy Ader, Todd W. Langen, Mark B. Perry
41 18th Help SOS Faith March 27, 1989 February 16, 1991 Michael Dinner Bob Brush, Matthew Carlson
42 19th Heroes The Unnatural April 17, 1990 March 2, 1991 Nick Marck Ian Gurvitz
43 20th Nothing lasts forever Goodbye April 24, 1990 March 16, 1991 Michael Dinner Bob Brush
44 21st Hands off my mother Cocoa and Sympathy May 1, 1990 March 30, 1991 Peter Baldwin Winnie Holzman
45 22nd I'm going dad Daddy's Little Girl May 8, 1990 April 6, 1991 Jim McBride Todd W. Langen, Mark B. Perry
46 23 Everything will be different Moving May 16, 1990 April 20, 1991 Michael Dinner Jill Gordon, Bob Brush

Season 4

No.
( total ) 		No.
( St. ) 		German title Original title First broadcast in the USA German language first broadcast (D) Director script
47 1 Growing up is hard Growing up September 19, 1990 May 4th 1991 Michael Dinner Bob Brush
48 2 misfortunes never come singly Ninth Grade Man September 26, 1990 May 18, 1991 Daniel Stern Jill Gordon
49 3 Operation "slumber party" The Journey 3rd October 1990 June 1, 1991 Peter Werner Jeffrey Stepakoff
50 4th The value of money The cost of living October 10, 1990 June 15, 1991 Nick Marck Mark Levin
51 5 It's hard to be an idol It's A Mad, Mad, Madeline World October 24, 1990 July 20, 1991 Rob Thompson Eric Gilliland, Jeffrey Stepakoff
52 6th Seductive culinary art Little Debbie November 7, 1990 August 3, 1991 Michael Dinner Mark B. Perry
53 7th Paul's victory The Ties That Bind November 14, 1990 17th August 1991 Peter Baldwin Mark B. Perry
54 8th Your own stove is worth gold The Sixth Man November 28, 1990 August 31, 1991 Nick Marck David Chambers
55 9 The unloved Santa Claus A Very Cutlip Christmas December 12, 1990 December 21, 1991 Michael Dinner Gene Wolande, Mark Levin
56 10 Politics stinks The candidate January 9, 1991 September 21, 1991 Neal Israel David Chambers, Eric Gilliland
57 11 Broken hearts Heartbreak January 23, 1991 5th October 1991 Andy Tennant David Chambers
58 12 The party lion Denial January 30, 1991 October 19, 1991 Richard Masur Mark Levin, David Chambers
59 13 Who was Aunt Rose? Who's Aunt Rose? February 6, 1991 November 2, 1991 Rob Thompson Jill Gordon, Mark B. Perry
60 14th Dog days courage February 13, 1991 November 16, 1991 Daniel Stern Mark B. Perry
61 15th The chair of horror Buster February 27, 1991 November 30, 1991 Nick Marck Jeffrey Stepakoff, Jill Gordon, Mark B. Perry
62 16 Shopping with obstacles Road trip March 6, 1991 December 7, 1991 Ken Topolsky David Chambers
63 17th Hello Darling When Worlds Collide March 20, 1991 December 14, 1991 Lyndall Hobbs Eric Gilliland
64 18th Moving concerns Separate rooms April 3, 1991 4th January 1992 Michael Dinner Jill Gordon, Bob Brush
65 19th A yearbook for eternity The Yearbook April 10, 1991 January 11, 1992 Neal Israel David Chambers
66 20th A new beginning The Accident April 24, 1991 January 18, 1992 Richard Masur Jill Gordon, Bob Brush
67 21st The divided house The House That Jack Built May 1, 1991 January 25, 1992 Ken Topolsky Mark B. Perry, Mark Levin
68 22nd An era comes to an end Graduation May 08, 1991 February 1, 1992 Michael Dinner Bob Brush
69 23 My best time The Wonder Years May 15, 1991 October 20, 1995 Nick Marck Mark B. Perry, Mark Levin

Season 5

No.
( total ) 		No.
( St. ) 		German title Original title First broadcast in the USA German language first broadcast (D) Director script
70 1 Easy come easy go The Lake October 2, 1991 October 23, 1995 Michael Dinner Mark Levin
71 2 The Zero Hour Day One October 9, 1991 October 24, 1995 Daniel Stern Denise Moss, Sy Dukane
72 3 Tie obligation The Hardware Store October 16, 1991 October 25, 1995 Ken Topolsky Craig Hoffmann
73 4th The magic of poetry Frank and Denise October 23, 1991 October 26, 1995 David Greenwalt David Greenwalt
74 5 Nothing works without a car Full moon rising October 30, 1991 October 27, 1995 Ken Topolsky Mark B. Perry
75 6th Shared brotherly Triangle November 6, 1991 October 30, 1995 Daniel Stern Sy roses
76 7th Soccer? No thanks! Soccer November 20, 1991 October 31, 1995 Thomas Schlamme Mark Levin
77 8th Congratulations, dad Dinner out 4th December 1991 November 2, 1995 Bryan Gordon Gina Goldman
78 9 Christmas party? No thanks! Christmas party December 11, 1991 November 3, 1995 Jim McBride Sy Dukane, Denise Moss
79 10 Built on sand Pfeiffer's Choice December 18, 1991 November 6, 1995 Ken Topolsky Mark B. Perry
80 11 Parking has to be learned Road test January 8, 1992 November 7, 1995 Thomas Schlamme Craig Hoffmann
81 12 The old man and his car Grandpa's Car January 15, 1992 November 8, 1995 Michael Dinner Mark Levin
82 13 Either ... or Kodachrome January 29, 1992 November 9, 1995 David Greenwalt Gina Goldman
83 14th The army is calling Private butthead 5th February 1992 November 10, 1995 Nick Marck Sy roses
84 15th A house full of women Of Mastodons And Men February 12, 1992 November 13, 1995 Thomas Schlamme Mark Levin
85 16 The gang of four Double double date February 26, 1992 November 14, 1995 Peter Baldwin Sy Rosen, Mark B. Perry
86 17th The basketball genius Hero March 11, 1992 November 15, 1995 Stephen Cragg David Greenwalt
87 18th enjoy the meal! Lunch Stories March 18, 1992 November 16, 1995 Ken Topolsky Sy Dukane, Denise Moss
88 19th To love the art Carnal Knowledge March 25, 1992 November 17, 1995 Nancy Cooperstein David Greenwalt
89 20th A great weekend The Lost Weekend April 8, 1992 November 20, 1995 Arthur Albert Rob Cohen, Sivert Glarum, Stephen Jenkins
90 21st Good night! Stormy Weather April 22, 1992 November 21, 1995 Ken Topolsky Denise Moss, Sy Dukane
91 22nd Yes I do! The Wedding April 29, 1992 November 22, 1995 Peter Baldwin Mark B. Perry
92 23 Working - no thanks! Back to the lake May 6, 1992 November 23, 1995 Michael Dinner Mark Levin
93 24 Hamburger with jealousy Broken Hearts And Burgers May 13, 1992 November 24, 1995 Ken Topolsky Craig Hoffman

Season 6

No.
( total ) 		No.
( St. ) 		German title Original title First broadcast in the USA German language first broadcast (D) Director script
94 1 Big and small wars Homecoming September 23, 1992 November 27, 1995 Michael Dinner Bob Brush
95 2 The wilderness is calling Fishing September 30, 1992 November 28, 1995 Greg Beeman Phil Doran
96 3 Always at the wedding Scenes From A Wedding October 7, 1992 November 29, 1995 Michael Dinner Michael Curtis, Gregory S. Malins, Jon Harmon Feldman
97 4th Freshly painted Sex and Economics October 14, 1992 November 30, 1995 Ken Topolsky John Bunzel, John Harmon Feldman
98 5 Two candidates Politics As Usual October 21, 1992 December 1, 1995 Bryan Gordon Craig Hoffman
99 6th The lie White lies October 28, 1992 4th December 1995 Peter Baldwin Jon Harmon Feldman, Robin Riordan
100 7th New friend, old friend Wayne and Bonnie November 11, 1992 5th December 1995 Greg Beeman Sy roses
101 8th An spring roll, please! Kevin Delivers November 25, 1992 December 6, 1995 Arthur Albert Frank Renzulli
102 9 risk The test 2nd December 1992 December 7, 1995 Ken Topolsky Robin Riordan
103 10 Merry Christmas Let Nothing You Dismay December 16, 1992 December 27, 1995 Ken Topolsky Craig Hoffman
104 11 Happy New Year New Years January 6, 1993 December 29, 1995 Tom Moore Jon Harmon Feldman
105 12 Love goes through the carriage Alice in Autoland January 13, 1993 December 8, 1995 Arthur Albert Robin Riordan
106 13 Where are the Rolling Stones playing? Ladies and Gentlemen ... The Rolling Stones January 27, 1993 December 11, 1995 Peter Baldwin Kim Friese
107 14th The new Unpacking 3rd February 1993 December 12, 1995 Greg Beeman Sy Rosen, Bob Brush
108 15th Fighting machine Kevin Hulk Arnold February 10, 1993 December 13, 1995 Ken Topolsky Kim Friese
109 16 Nasal problems Nose February 24, 1992 December 14, 1995 David Greenwalt Sy roses
110 17th The power of darkness Eclipse March 3, 1993 December 15, 1995 Stephen Cragg Craig Hoffman
111 18th Gambling poker March 24, 1993 December 18, 1995 David Greenwalt Max Mutchnick, David Kohan, Jon Harmon Feldman
112 19th Woman power The Little Women March 31, 1993 December 19, 1995 Ken Topolsky David M. Wolf
113 20th Class reunion Reunion April 28, 1993 December 20, 1995 Arthur Albert Mark B. Perry, Robin Riordan
114 21st Free at last (1) Buzzer (1) May 12, 1993 December 21, 1995 Michael Dinner Sy roses
115 22nd 4th of July (2) Independence Day (2) May 12, 1993 December 28, 1995 Michael Dinner Bob Brush

Cast and dubbing

role actor Voice actor
Kevin Arnold (adult) Daniel Stern Norbert Langer
Kevin Arnold (young) Fred Savage Björn Schalla (season 1)
Marcel Collé (from season 2)
Jack Arnold Dan Lauria Engelbert von Nordhausen (season 1–4)
Bert Franzke (from season 5)
Norma Arnold Alley Mills Kerstin Sanders-Dornseif
Karen Arnold Olivia d'Abo Maud Ackermann
Wayne Arnold Jason Hervey Simon hunter
Paul Pfeiffer Josh Saviano Kim Hasper
Winnie Cooper Danica McKellar Uschi Hugo
Michael David Schwimmer Nicolas Boell
Craig Hobson Sean Baca Florian Kiesel
Becky Slater Crystal McKellar Caroline Ruprecht
Coach cutlip Robert Picardo Ulrich Gressieker

Awards

Alley Mills and Dan Lauria at the 1989 Emmy Awards
  • Wonderful Years received an Emmy and a Grammy for Best TV Comedy in 1988 . The series was also awarded a Golden Globe .

Trivia

  • Daniel Stern not only acted as the original narrator voice for Kevin Arnold, but also directed a number of episodes.
  • In the German version of the series, the narrator's voice was dubbed by Norbert Langer , who in turn had already taken over speaking roles from the off in previous series such as Magnum and as the standard speaker for Tom Selleck or as the voice of He-Man in the radio play series Masters of the Universe has become known.
  • Crystal McKellar, who plays Becky Slater and competes with Winnie Cooper, is the real-life sister of Danica McKellar, who plays Winnie.
  • The song With a Little Help from My Friends by Joe Cocker - a cover version of the British rock band The Beatles - was the theme song of the series.

DVD release

The complete series was released on DVD in the US in the second half of 2014 by StarVista / Time-Life. Almost all known songs from the series can be heard on the DVD. While the first season is also available for non-US residents via US mail order companies, the complete box of all six seasons is only available directly via StarVista / Time-Life and this exclusively for US residents. The complete box offers four additional bonus DVDs with extras that are not fully published on the individual releases of the seasons. On May 9, 2016, another complete box containing over 23 hours of bonus material was released in the UK .

In contrast to other popular series, however, there have not yet been any German-language DVDs of “ Wunderbar ”.

documentation

In 2002, an American television station produced a documentary about The Wonderful Years , which was broadcast several times in the USA. The program called The Wonder Years - Coming of Age has not yet been shown on German television . In the documentary, actors of the series as well as producers and screenwriters were interviewed and insights were given behind the scenes of the set of the series.

book

During the fourth season of the series in 1990, the book The Wonder Years: Growing Up in the Sixties , written by Edward Gross, was published in the United States ( ISBN 1-55698-258-5 ). In addition to a detailed episode guide, this also contains numerous interviews with actors and producers. Since the book is now out of print, following a petition from fans of the series, the author gave a website permission to publish the book entirely online.

Web links

Commons : Wonderful Years  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ German episode guide of the TV series . fernsehserien.de. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  2. ↑ German synchronous index: German synchronous index | Series | Wonderful years. Retrieved December 8, 2019 .
  3. ↑ The Wonder Years - StarVista / Time-Life Press Release Announces 'The Complete Series' on DVD!
  4. ^ The Wonder Years - Growing Up in the Sixties