As the main cast grew older, creators knew that the show would have to come to an end. Since “The Wonder Years” was a family show that aired at 8 p.m., they simply couldn’t address the kinds of subject matter that other sitcoms could.
With the show’s actors becoming teenagers right in front of their eyes, writers felt constricted with which subject matters they could address.
The Show Was Almost a Film
The creators of "The Wonder Years" originally planned to write this story as a screenplay.
As a narrator’s perspective was never used in a sitcom before, it only made sense for their idea to be transformed into a movie. Fortunately, they took the risk and created the show we all know and love today!
Hervey’s Real-Life Brother Inspired His Character
Jason Hervey has said that his character, Wayne Arnold, was largely inspired by his real-life brother. He has even called his brother the true Wayne Arnold.
In one particular episode, Wayne is forced to pick up Kevin from the mall. Every time Kevin reaches for the door handle, Wayne lurches the car forward. Hervey has said his brother did this to him on his first day of 7th grade, intentionally embarrassing him in front of his classmates. How Rude!
David Chase Wrote an Episode
After some time on the air, "The Wonder Years" producer Ken Topolsky began to feel that the show was losing steam. To maintain viewer interest, he asked "Sopranos" creator David Chase to lend his skills to the show and write a script.
While it was said to be phenomenal and one of the best scripts ever written for the series, the content was found too mature for viewers. Little is known about the episode other than the fact that it included illegal substance abuse and was never used.
The Marilyn Manson Theory
There has been a long-time conspiracy theory that Josh Saviano grew up to become Marilyn Manson. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
Likely Saviano’s disappearance from the limelight helped to contribute to these rumors, but they have long since been disproved. The conspiracy is so widely known that when Savage met Manson, the two joked about it!