by senior contributor Brendan Kownacki
Photo credit: Brendan Kownacki
“At dinner last night I looked at Fred’s mom before I ordered a cocktail. And I’m 42….” quipped actor Jason Hervey about co-star Fred Savage’s mother and how even after many years growing up, since their hit show The Wonder Years was on the air, being back together can still make them feel like kids.
“The Wonder Years which ran from 1988 to 1993 tells the timeless story of growing up through the eyes of a young teenager, Kevin Arnold,” said David Allison, Associate Director for Curatorial Affairs at the Smithsonian as the items were officially signed over to the museum. “The show fostered a sense of nostalgia, transcending generations and grew quickly to become one of the most popular shows on television. It recorded awkward first crushes, teenage angst and troubles with friends, teachers and family; all these things are presented in a show that depicted more than just the typical suburban life during the 1960s and 70s by examining America’s social awareness during the years of the Vietnam War.”
The script
The show itself tackled a different look at the family sitcom that was a little more dark and akin to real life than some of its predecessors and this drew in the audience. “So we always knew the writing was good, so on the page it was terrific, but you never know how people are going to respond to it, if people are going to like it or not” said Fred Savage who starred in the show and managed to grow up on a lot of set along with his character. Filming began when Savage was 11 for six seasons and that meant Fred got to experience many of firsts along with his character Kevin, including the now iconic first kiss with Winnie Cooper in the pilot episode, a real life first for him and actress Danica McKellar.
Joanne Savage, Fred Savage, Jason Hervey, Josh Saviano and costume designer Scilla Andreen
People were attracted to the story of growing up in the era and as they grew together on stage, the actors said that the cast became a real life family for them as well. “We were always there for each other. Fred, to this day, will always be my little brother. I will always look after him as my little brother,” said Hervey of Bonding on set. “I think over the years I’ve probably given Fred some horrible advice.” he added, thinking back to what he could offer as a big brother on the issues of women and money, among other teenage issues.
Josh Saviano
Josh Saviano who played Kevin’s geeky best friend Paul noted “at this stage in our lives, the thing that made me the happiest was meeting Fred’s family” as his own daughter was on hand to witness her father’s work added to the Smithsonian. Savage himself had his two young children with him as well as his own mother to celebrate the occasion and it reinforced the bonds of friends and family that the show put front and center.
Fred Savage with his mother Joanne Savage
Savage’s mother Joanne was actually one of the heroes of the day in fact because while her son recounted that he would often tease her as a ‘hoarder’ for keeping boxes and boxes of keepsakes, including the Jets leather jacket being added to the collection and other items from the early days of his career, the joke was on him when the Smithsonian came calling. As she put it, “so I want to thank you, Smithsonian, for turning me from a hoarder overnight into a preserver of national treasures.”
Fred Savage with his children and Josh Saviano with his daughter
Hollywood on the Potomac took a trip down memory lane with the stars:
