Though its ratings never made it into a massive success, ABC‘s The Wonder Years was still a classic to many and is considered a quintessential sitcom of the late 1980s and early 1990s. This reputation was bolstered by its somewhat landmark production style, eschewing sitcom conventions such as laugh tracks and multiple cameras to create a more modern TV experience.
Unfortunately, this didn’t lead to an incredibly long life for the show, which ended after six seasons. Though ratings and increasing salaries may have been contributing factors, it was the aim to maintain the show’s innocent appeal that ultimately ended The Wonder Years. Here’s how the producers came to the decision to end the series.
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Why the Wonder Years Ended
As previously stated, The Wonder Years ratings declined over the years, particularly in the latter half of its five year run. Additionally, the actors involved obtained larger salaries than when they had started on the show. Likewise, the scope of the series started to expand once the child protagonist, Kevin Arnold, become a teenager who was no longer confined to wherever his parents drove him. This increased the show’s budget even as ratings continued to fall, but these weren’t the only reasons for the show’s eventual ending.
The series was known for its heartfelt, innocent tone, which fit its 1960s setting and its title. It differentiated itself with its more realistic storytelling compared to other, more traditional sitcoms. As the show went on, ABC wanted to maintain its morality and family-friendly atmosphere. This was despite the producers themselves wanting to tackle more mature themes as Kevin grew into a young adult, but they were flat out told that, “You could do this on any show besides ‘The Wonder Years.'”
Because of these constraints, the producers didn’t think the show could follow Kevin into his college years while still maintaining its sense of authenticity. This made the end of Kevin’s tenure in high school a logical endpoint for the series. For most of that season’s production, it was unknown if this was indeed going to be the last one. When the decision was finally made to formally end the show, last minute narration was added to wrap up each character’s story. This resulted in a rushed and rather disappointing conclusion.
The Wonder Years Lawsuit
There had also been a notable lawsuit during the production of the final season, which drug the names of two of the show’s stars through the mud. Monique Long, one of the show’s costume designers, claimed that Fred Savage and Jason Hervey, who played the two Arnold brothers, had sexually harassed her. The situation was dealt with outside of court, with the drama becoming the stuff of tabloid headlines, contrasting the show’s more innocuous appeal.
Alley Mills, who portrayed Kevin’s mother on the series, spoke out on the situation years later. She defended Savage’s character while also claiming that the situation played a big part in the network not wanting to pursue another season of the show. This somewhat contrasts the sentiment held by the show’s producers, who felt that it had run its potential course anyways. Nevertheless, the show, which is considered one of the finest sitcoms ever, ended on a relative whimper, though it did so in its trademark innocent-yet-honest style. The Wonder Years can now be streamed on Hulu in all of its retro glory.