Travel Back to 1988 and the WONDER YEARS…
Were you there?
In 1988, I was 27 years old. WOW, it’s amazing to say that. That’s half my current age. I was working for GM for Buick Motor Division as a Marketing Analyst. Every Tuesday night, 8:00pm EST, I would be on the couch watching my favorite series, The Wonder Years. Needless to say, I was quite excited when Time-Life sent us along a copy of The Wonder Years the Complete Series for review.
The series featured the Arnold family as they struggled to live through the radical late 1960’s and into the early 70s. The target viewing market for this series was baby boomers and success for the series was immediate. As noted in Wikipedia:
The show achieved a spot in the Nielsen Top 30 for four of its six seasons.TV Guide named the show one of the 20 best of the 1980s. After only six episodes aired, The Wonder Years won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series in 1988. In addition, at age 13, Fred Savage became the youngest actor ever nominated as Outstanding Lead Actor for a Comedy Series.
The reason I loved the series was the format and the time setting. Kevin Arnold, a 13 year old boy, was the “star” of the show with his family and friends filling out the storyline. However, the story was fleshed out with “Kevin’s voice” as a grown-up, so the “voice” could say things that Kevin, as a 13 year old, never could. All of this was set against a compilation of 60’s music which was a new approach in TV series at the time and the music became an indelible part of the beloved series, which ran on ABC from 1988-1993.
Really the best way for you to get a idea of the series (if you haven’t ever seen it) is to watch this short clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGr2UJLaTKE&feature=youtu.be
The Wonder Years Complete Series DVD brings it all back
Never before released on DVD in its entirety — THE WONDER YEARS COMPLETE SERIES will be presented as a 26-disc collector’s set featuring all 115 episodes housed in a replica metal locker, along with a host of extras including 23 total hours of specially-produced bonus programming — featurettes, an incredible cast reunion 16 years in the making and never-before-seen outtakes. THE WONDER YEARS COMPLETE SERIES will be available exclusively online at for $249.95
Fans of THE WONDER YEARS will thrill to the extensive list of cleared music, which includes 285 modern day classics and instrumentals such as “Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season)” by The Byrds, “Louie Louie” by The Kingsmen, “Sunshine of Your Love” by Cream, Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-Changin’,” The Trogg’s “Wild Thing,” “Good Vibrations” and “Wouldn’t it Be Nice” by The Beach Boys, “My Girl” by The Temptations and hundreds of others!
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Update: This post originally had a giveaway attached for The Wonder Years Complete Series DVDs. The Rafflecopter entry device has been removed and had 4321 entries. See Giveaway Winners.
I would like the It All Started With Doo Wop for my sister
I would pick Mama’s Family. I loved to watch that show.
I like the power rangers from mighty morphin to lost galaxy. My grandsons would love to watch them
I would choose Mama’s Family DVD set. I have always loved this show, for some reason it kept me coming back to watch it. Both Carol Burnett and Vickie were amazing on that show.
I would like the Midnight Special Collector’s Edition. I used to watch this show all the time. There are some great performances on it
I would like to see the Best of Carol Burnett, I haven’t seen them in years
I’d get the The Six Million Dollar Man: The Complete Collection. I love Lee Majors.
I wouldn’t mind having the Mama’s Family dvd collection. I remember watching this show with my dad — whom is still living but 1800 miles away). Great memories!
I would love Mama’s Family. It was one of my grandmother’s favorite shows, and I’d love to relive those memories, even though she’s no longer with us.
I want THE BEST OF THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON because I never missed his late night talk show and he cracked me up all the time.
Either the Vintage Hollywood Collection, or the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts Collection. The reason why is because it would be nice to see how real Hollywood stars were like. It was the Hollywood that I would rather see.
i would probably chose the wonder years. it seemed to be the only kid friendly show (besides power rangers which my boys aren’t supposed to watch). i am always looking for classic, safe shows for the kiddos…
I’d love to get my parents the Motown 25: Yesterday•Today•Forever: Deluxe Collector’s Set — such a great list of songs from the history of Motown included!
I would also choose Mama’s Family – The Complete Series. I would always watch re-runs of this show and liked the humor.
I would choose the Motown 25: Yesterday•Today•Forever: Deluxe Collector’s Set because I love the music from that time!
I would like to see The Six Million Dollar Man: Season 1 I have not seen that show since I was a kid but I loved the things that bionic man could do 🙂
The Best of the Carol Burnett show. My spirits were lifted whenever I watched her show. Laughing is good for the soul.
I would love, “Mama’s Family”. My goodness was this a hilarious series! Vicki Lawrence was brilliant!
I would want to get The Six Million Dollar Man: The Complete Collection for my husband! Thanks so much for sharing! Very cool collections!
From the website, I really liked the Vintage Hollywood set. How fun!