Wonder Years

Wonder Years was a hit comedy series starring Fred Savage as Kevin Arnold the main character, a boy facing rites of passage on his way to adulthood. This 1988-1993 period dramedy takes place during the turbulent times of the late 1960s and 1970s. The show focuses on Kevin Arnold (Fred Savage), a young teenager living in a quiet middle-class suburb, and his family and friends. Throughout the series' 5-year run, Kevin deals with middle and high school, encounters puberty, has ups and downs with childhood sweetheart Winnie Cooper (Danica McKellar), deals with annoying older brother Wayne, and hangs out with geeky-but-lovable Paul (Josh Saviano). The Emmy-winning series, produced from 1988 to 1993, describes the problems, wishes and dreams of a boy coming of age in the late 1960's and early 70's.

What makes "The Wonder Years" so appealing is that many Americans can identify with what was happening in Kevin's life. Not only could those who lived through the 60's and 70's relate to the historical events, but almost anyone who was a teenager can relate to Kevin's personal adventures. Kevin is the universal American teenager. Most of us get our first kiss, our driver's license, and experience all these other pivotal stages on our trip through puberty and adolescence into adulthood. These times really are wonder years, the time when we learn how the world and it's people work. Indeed, Kevin represents the American teenager that many of us were at one time. If someone from another country were to ask you what it is like to grow up in America, you would have to think no farther than to tell them that they should watch this show. No matter when you grew up (in America), the things that happened to Kevin most likely happened to you. Surely, Kevin's adolescence came at a pivotal period in American history that some of us did not go through, but that makes his experience all the more dramatic.