I just wanted to let anyone who lives in the NY metropolitan area or who plans on visiting the area at some point know that the Paley Center in NYC has the full ORIGINAL airing of the pilot with Arye Gross as the narrator and a different opening (no home movies). There are some short clips of the original pilot online (one has an atrocious watermark) but I have never found the entire original pilot in it's entirety until now.

My mind was truly blown by this.

Has anyone seen this or own a copy?

I just wanted to let anyone who lives in the NY metropolitan area or who plans on visiting the area at some point know that the Paley Center in NYC has the full ORIGINAL airing of the pilot with Arye Gross as the narrator and a different opening (no home movies). There are some short clips of the original pilot online (one has an atrocious watermark) but I have never found the entire original pilot in it's entirety until now.

My mind was truly blown by this.

Has anyone seen this or own a copy?

"Atrocious watermark" here ;) . I posted it that way as a way to share it without completely giving up my claim to being owner of one of the rare copies of it (I guess that's selfish of me, but I figured sharing what I did was more than what was already out there). I was contacted by Time Life when they did the complete series set, and provided them with a full copy of it. I sent it to them with no strings attached (as in I did not seek remuneration for providing it) as I simply wanted it on the definitive set for all to see and to finally put to rest the big mystery. They negotiated for quite a while with FOX to include it on the DVD set, but unfortunately weren't able to include it because the master couldn't be located and they were unable to verify my copy's authenticity without it. I also provided them with my copy of the original broadcast of the series finale, and they WERE able to locate the master copy of it, so it WAS included as a bonus (albeit with one disappointing song replacement on the barn scene).

Its interesting that you say you found the original pilot at the Paley Center--is it a clear fine print, or was it a poorly recorded version from a VHS? If its higher quality than mine, its bizarre that they weren't able to use the Paley Center version for the DVD!

I have a great deal of experience in digital editing, and admit that the clip I put online received a lot of restoration work before it went up. The copy I have is the most complete copy of the other ones I've seen.

"Atrocious watermark" here ;) . I posted it that way as a way to share it without completely giving up my claim to being owner of one of the rare copies of it (I guess that's selfish of me, but I figured sharing what I did was more than what was already out there). I was contacted by Time Life when they did the complete series set, and provided them with a full copy of it. I sent it to them with no strings attached (as in I did not seek remuneration for providing it) as I simply wanted it on the definitive set for all to see and to finally put to rest the big mystery. They negotiated for quite a while with FOX to include it on the DVD set, but unfortunately weren't able to include it because the master couldn't be located and they were unable to verify my copy's authenticity without it. I also provided them with my copy of the original broadcast of the series finale, and they WERE able to locate the master copy of it, so it WAS included as a bonus (albeit with one disappointing song replacement on the barn scene).

Its interesting that you say you found the original pilot at the Paley Center--is it a clear fine print, or was it a poorly recorded version from a VHS? If its higher quality than mine, its bizarre that they weren't able to use the Paley Center version for the DVD!

I have a great deal of experience in digital editing, and admit that the clip I put online received a lot of restoration work before it went up. The copy I have is the most complete copy of the other ones I've seen.

Dude that's awesome that you even have it.

Is it on YouTube?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w22pMGJxxfE&t

Here is the clip that I have posted. I am going to reach out to the Paley Center and see if they want it. If not, then I may try to find a way to put up the whole thing somewhere online. Even though it is copyright, I think this needs preserved...if no one else has it at this quality, then its one tragedy away from being lost forever. If the Paley Center refuses it, then at least putting it on YouTube would mean someone has it somewhere other than me lol.

Hi Matty, the Paley Center has a version that appears to be an old VHS copy that is not as nice as the one that you uploaded a portion of to YouTube. It's very watchable with no tracking issues that I can remember but still does not compare well to your copy from what I can see. It would be wonderful if you could upload your copy to either YouTube or DailyMotion. The episode is great piece of TV history that I personally have been looking for for about 2 decades! Hopefully you will consider doing this even if the Paley Center is interested in your copy.

Just as a reference for all those reading, the original pilot is different in three ways far as I can tell:

1. Arye Gross, not Daniel Stern, does the narration.
2. As previously mentioned, the opening credits are simply white lettering on a black background. No home movies are present.
3. I'm fairly certain (perhaps Matty can confirm) that all dialogue and scenes are exactly has they appear in the pilot everyone is familiar with EXCEPT for a line early on when Wayne is punching Kevin and the narrator Stern says Wayne was "a really funny guy" while Gross originally said Wayne was a "funny guy all around"...

Thanks!!

Hi Matty, the Paley Center has a version that appears to be an old VHS copy that is not as nice as the one that you uploaded a portion of to YouTube. It's very watchable with no tracking issues that I can remember but still does not compare well to your copy from what I can see. It would be wonderful if you could upload your copy to either YouTube or DailyMotion. The episode is great piece of TV history that I personally have been looking for for about 2 decades! Hopefully you will consider doing this even if the Paley Center is interested in your copy.

Just as a reference for all those reading, the original pilot is different in three ways far as I can tell:

1. Arye Gross, not Daniel Stern, does the narration.
2. As previously mentioned, the opening credits are simply white lettering on a black background. No home movies are present.
3. I'm fairly certain (perhaps Matty can confirm) that all dialogue and scenes are exactly has they appear in the pilot everyone is familiar with EXCEPT for a line early on when Wayne is punching Kevin and the narrator Stern says Wayne was "a really funny guy" while Gross originally said Wayne was a "funny guy all around"...

Thanks!!

Yes, you are correct. There was a rumor for many years that the original narration differed in one other more important way: many speculated that it had said "it was the only time that Winnie and I ever kissed" rather than "It was the first kiss for both of us." With the creation of YouTube, we now know that simply wasn't true! I'll let you all know if I decide to post it.

No promises here, but I may--or may not--accidentally share a link to it on the exact night of the 30th anniversary, probably sometime around 8PM. The video WILL still have a logo on it, but hopefully it will be less "atrocious". In the event the video is flagged immediately on upload which I've seen happen before, you won't be seeing it. Sorry.

If I do post it, it will probably only be available for one night only, so you must be there. Also keep an eye on "the world's online marketplace" over the next couple weeks. Again, it may or may not happen. ;)

This sounds interesting!!! By the way, there is probably a better chance the episode would be allowed to stay on DailyMotion, rather than YouTube...

I have a copy of the original airing in real good quality I will see if I can dig it out.

I have a copy of the original airing in real good quality I will see if I can dig it out.

That's awesome!! Definitely let us know if you can find it!

Have you all seen these? ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAQwDOk2hPE

To MRPITT

Its quite possible that my copy may just surface tomorrow evening provided it doesn't get an instant block. However, I would still love to see your copy when you find it as well just to "compare notes". Mine is completely uncut and commercial free, broadcast ready. I had thought that it was on what was referred to as "Beta tapes", but it turns out the tapes are actually called "U-Matic" tapes...very large and bulky (I just knew it wasn't a VHS!). Mine didn't have commercials...it may be neat to see the old commercials if you have them!

I found three total promos for the premiere elsewhere online. Two of them are included in the above link for your "preview" enjoyment. Fingers crossed this works... Stay tuned!

https://www.tvinsider.com/658505/the-wonder-years-30-year-anniversary/

The country first met Kevin Arnold and his friends and family when the Vietnam War-era comedy premiered after Super Bowl XXII on January 31, 1988. “Part of what made The Wonder Years such a grand exercise in nostalgia is that it was mostly narrated by the adult Kevin looking back on his childhood with the perfect mix of reverie and embarrassment,” says David Bianculli. Music from the 1960s and early 1970s was also key to the series, but the expensive rights to the nostalgic songs delayed its release on home video until a few years ago.

ALSO:

Daniel Stern recalls being hired, fired and rehired to the narration (https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/wonder-years-30-voice-kevin-arnold-hired-fired-rehired-145143009.html)
10 reasons why The Wonder Years was the best show of the 1980s (http://metro.co.uk/2018/01/31/10-reasons-why-the-wonder-years-was-the-greatest-show-of-the-80s-7171510/)

Tonight is the night!!! For the first time in 30 years for most of us!!

Tonight is the night!!! For the first time in 30 years for most of us!!

Here you go! I want to hear your thoughts!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ7svAqxpEY

Also, interestingly, Yahoo did an article about the narration today! Check it out here:

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/wonder-years-30-voice-kevin-arnold-hired-fired-rehired-145143009.html

Hi Matty,

Thank you so much for this!! Definitely a piece of TV history. Including the brief preview at the beginning was great touch too. I actually think Arye does a very good job with the narration, albeit differently than Daniel Stern. Hard to believe this became so rare for so long seeing as how the show has a huge following a drew a very good rating that night. How did you feel about Arye Gross's narration?

Thanks again...

Hi Matty,

Thank you so much for this!! Definitely a piece of TV history. Including the brief preview at the beginning was great touch too. I actually think Arye does a very good job with the narration, albeit differently than Daniel Stern. Hard to believe this became so rare for so long seeing as how the show has a huge following a drew a very good rating that night. How did you feel about Arye Gross's narration?

Thanks again...

Personally, I think Arye did good, but I think his approach to storytelling was significantly different from Daniel Stern. I think he was a little more consistently "serious", and comedic moments in the narration were a bit awkward. I almost wonder if the producers' decision to have Fred Savage voice the "No, butthead, the question is, why do you have a brain the size of a baby pea?" was because of Arye's seriousness. In the rest of the series, Daniel Stern would have probably done it, no question. I don't necessarily fault him for his seriousness, I think he just had a different approach to storytelling. There were also times when I felt that Arye sounded more like he was "reading" the script and not putting any subtle emotion on it.

I think the decision to give the job back to Daniel Stern was the right decision. In fact, there are moments in the rest of the series where I really can't imagine how it would have played with Arye--or anyone else--doing the narration.

It is still a great piece of television history. Its always interesting to see (or in this case, hear) two different actors do the same role. Its sort of like Kevin and Ronald playing the same song on the piano in the "Coda" episode!

There's no doubt that Daniel Stern's delivery is a big part of what makes the show unique and great. I never really thought about the "baby pea" comment until you pointed it out. That's really interesting. Is that the only instance in the series of Fred Savage doing a voiceover? I can't think of any others off the top of my head...

Episodes like this are always fascinating. Saved by the Bell had a pilot for Good Morning Miss Bliss with a nearly entirely different cast that only aired once that is out there. Unaired pilots for Full House and Step by Step are out there as well. I believe there is an unaired pilot of Growing Pains that surfaced not long ago also. I know there is an unaired pilot for the King of Queens that the Paley Center has that I've never seen anywhere else...

There's no doubt that Daniel Stern's delivery is a big part of what makes the show unique and great. I never really thought about the "baby pea" comment until you pointed it out. That's really interesting. Is that the only instance in the series of Fred Savage doing a voiceover? I can't think of any others off the top of my head...

Episodes like this are always fascinating. Saved by the Bell had a pilot for Good Morning Miss Bliss with a nearly entirely different cast that only aired once that is out there. Unaired pilots for Full House and Step by Step are out there as well. I believe there is an unaired pilot of Growing Pains that surfaced not long ago also. I know there is an unaired pilot for the King of Queens that the Paley Center has that I've never seen anywhere else...

The "Full House" pilot with John Posey as Danny was included on the show's season one DVD set in its entirety. Excerpts of the "Growing Pains" pilot were included on its first season release. Since they only re-shot the scenes that Elizabeth Ward was in when Tracey Gold assumed the role, many of the clips from the original filming were included in the aired version; if anyone cared enough to, the full pilot could semi-easily be cut back together with what is provided on the DVD (I know how to cut video, obviously. Maybe I'll look at that sometime ;) ). I was really never a fan of Saved by the Bell or King of Queens, but I was aware of the "Good Morning, Miss Bliss" season from The Disney Channel. IMO, with the whole season missing, the unaired pilot is trivial. Hopefully both will surface mainstream someday. I would love to see the "Step by Step" pilot (or, at this point, "Step by Step" at all, for that matter! it hasn't aired in years!). I know that they recast the Mark character, and the original actor is prominent throughout the show's opening credits at Six Flags Magic Mountain. I always thought it was funny how they sort of "explained" this by showing Christopher Castile (the "new" Mark) and Peggy Rea on the ground when the rest of the cast was on the Colossus roller coaster (the coaster was sadly closed in 2014 after 30 years. Side note: another TGIF staple, the Winslow house from "Family Matters", was torn down in 2017).

A couple of other interesting pilot notes:

"Hangin' with Mr. Cooper" was shot on the "Growing Pains" set--and actually aired that way. They even broke the 4th wall with Alan Thicke making a cameo appearance to come and get the family photo off the wall which was supposedly "forgotten" (although, if you saw the GP series finale you know they definitely didn't forget!). When that show was picked up, they started the beginning of episode #2 with Mark Curry telling the audience (again, breaking the 4th wall) by telling them that the pilot was shot on the GP set and they now have their own set and have moved to California.

The pilot for the Taj Mowry WB sitcom called "Smart Guy" was filmed on the set of "Boy Meets World" while BMW was on summer hiatus in 1996. They went to some length to cover this fact when they built some wall appendages in the kitchen set to cover the stairs and fridge area from BMW.

"Reba" was filmed on the set of "The Hughleys" during a time when they thought that "The Hughleys" had been canceled--but ultimately got a last minute pick up. Reba liked the set so much that she had the entire 'Hughley's set recreated on a different soundstage, so there were two sitcoms with the exact same set airing simultaneously on different networks. Oddly, very few people noticed this.

"According to Jim" was also filmed at the same studio as "Boy Meets World", but a year after the BMW series had ended. Unlike the above instances, however, they did not use the exact sets, but rather some very recognizable aspects of the "Boy Meets World" set, including the unmistakable unique staircase from the living room set which was used for the entire series run of A2J. The bedroom set that was used in the pilot appeared to be Angela's old dorm room from the BMW college sets. However, the bedroom was redesigned after the pilot.

cool show.