It wasn’t uncommon for writers of “The Wonder Years” to add tidbits to the script that they’d overheard the kids saying on set. They even used Savage’s friendship with McKellar to better develop Kevin and Winnie’s onscreen relationship. This added authenticity to the show as they used phrases kids were using at the time.
One example McKellar gave in an interview was a conversation she had with Savage about a boy she was crushing on. It seems that Savage asked if she “liked him” or if she “liked him, liked him”. Their conversation ended up inspiring a scene on the show!
Casting Kevin
Casting the lead role of Kevin proved to be easier than expected. While casting a child is never easy, producers Carol Black and Neal Marlens sought the assistance of several casting directors.
Of the five directors consulted, all recommended Savage for the part. At the time he was best known for his role in "The Princess Bride".
It Premiered After the Super Bowl
The first episode of "The Wonder Years" premiered after the 1988 Super Bowl between the Washington Redskins and the Denver Broncos.
Reason for a Lengthy Split
Kevin and Winnie’s on-and-off relationship was essential to the show’s storyline. But their lengthy split between season 3 and 4 was written in for a specific reason.
See, McKellar had a growth spurt that left Savage in her shadow on set. The couple was separated just long enough for Savage to have his own growth spurt and catch up to McKellar.
How Jack Arnold Became a Veteran
It was actor Dan Lauria’s idea to present his character, Jack Arnold, as a Korean War veteran. As a vet himself, he was able to bring a realistic edge to the role and give it more overall dimension.
His time in the war mentioned several times throughout the series, and Karen went off to college, he presented her with his old duffle bag from the service. Additionally, there are often scenes from the war being played on the television in the background while the family eats dinner.