'Small Wonder' Could Never Be Redone For TV or Movies - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 06-12-2010, 04:36 PM

As a kid growing up, I really got a kick out of this show. It was TGIF before ABC had TGIF. The thing is, its basically a show that can't be remade. Sure, never say never in Hollywood, but the concept of a grown man making a 10 year old female robot, just wouldn't sit well with today's PC crowd.

catlover79 · 06-12-2010, 04:42 PM

Very true. I watched this show when it was on the first time (I was about 6 when it debuted). I think it was syndicated, and not a network show. In the Cleveland market, they aired the show on our local CBS (now FOX) affiliate early on Saturday evenings. Those were the days!!!

Small_Wonder_Lover · 06-18-2010, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

As a kid growing up, I really got a kick out of this show. It was TGIF before ABC had TGIF. The thing is, its basically a show that can't be remade. Sure, never say never in Hollywood, but the concept of a grown man making a 10 year old female robot, just wouldn't sit well with today's PC crowd.

To quote Harriet's mom, Bonnie Brindle, "No na na no no no!"

Marvo301 · 06-18-2010, 02:38 AM

Well for starters if they remade this show today the mother would probably be the one building the robot! And they could make the robot a boy if that would work better. The point is if they wanted to remake this they would find a way.

GSU2004 · 10-28-2012, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

As a kid growing up, I really got a kick out of this show. It was TGIF before ABC had TGIF. The thing is, its basically a show that can't be remade. Sure, never say never in Hollywood, but the concept of a grown man making a 10 year old female robot, just wouldn't sit well with today's PC crowd.

It may work on cable such as Nickelodeon or Disney. I wouldn't see this lasting that long on network television. Remember it was canceled when Fox was being created as they felt it was 'too kiddy and too cutsey' for their brand. This was it was alleged that the show was going to be added to the Fox lineup.

GSU2004 · 10-28-2012, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Very true. I watched this show when it was on the first time (I was about 6 when it debuted). I think it was syndicated, and not a network show. In the Cleveland market, they aired the show on our local CBS (now FOX) affiliate early on Saturday evenings. Those were the days!!!

It used to air on Saturdays here in Atlanta as well. It was right before Whats Happening Now. Saturday night television started at 7pm for me, at 8pm it was off to NBC for 227, Amen, Golden Girls and Empty Nest.

TMC · 11-25-2013, 07:22 PM

http://www.fembotcentral.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=11488

Quote:

Hello ASFRNation,

I had this chat with a good friend of mine about remaking a few shows from the past that featured an android or gynoid in them, and it is interesting to think how we viewed the casting of the characters. I figured I would throw it out to you all and see your thoughts on who YOU would cast as the character/characters. So here is the small list that we began to discuss with the characters:

"The Lost Saucer" - Fi and Fum
"Get Smart" - Octavia from the "It Takes One to Know One" episode (We know Hymie made an appearance in the "Get Smart movie with Steve Carrel)
"Small Wonder" - Vicky (Perhaps an older version in her 20's, but still living with her parents and brother)
"Andromeda" - Rommie and Dolye (Kinda hard to figure this one)

Now here is where our argument came from...I'l take the first show listed. I looked at the show for it's comedy and both Ruth Buzzi and Jim Neighbors brought that to the show, even playing androids. I thought to myself in casting a remake to look in that view, so my choice for Fi was Joan Cusak and for Fum possibly Will Ferrel (not completely sold on him yet, but it had some merit). My friends choice for Fi was Katy Perry (which I could see because she can be comical at times, but I think she went with the sexy looking route with her choice), but she had a difficult time thinking of someone to play Fum.

So I'll open it up for you out there to see if you would make a great "Casting Director" for a television network . So here was my other thoughts for the small list that we had began discussing:

As Octavia....Sorry, but I will have to go with our own Diana Knight for the role. She has the Octavia look for me, and my friend agreed with that as well (Congrats Diana ).

As Vicky....I am torn between Brooke Lyons from "2 Broke Girls" or Aarti Mann from "The Big Bang Theory". Again cute but understands comedy.

Now as for Rommie and Doyle....It's hard since Lexa Dogg and Brandy Ledford made the roles, so here I have to go sexy and an action type of actress...so for Rommie I would cast Gemma Arterton (now this is funny) from the 'remake' of "Clash of the Titans" and "Hansel and Gretel", and for Doyle I would probably pick Evan Rachel Wood (who sorta favors Brandy Ledford) from the movie "The Wrestler".

Okay...I'l open the floor for your ideas. Also if you can think of another show or movie that featured a sexy gynoid that you would remake, add it to the discussion and let us know who you would cast.

tlc38tlc38 · 12-14-2013, 10:31 PM

"small Wonder" was classic cheese at its best (which I love!!!) and a remake would be horrible. They would never be able to top the original. I wish Shout! would release seasons 3 & 4 on DVD.

Mace Dolex · 01-06-2014, 07:52 PM

Yeah I loved this show, it use to air here in Bakersfield, CA on Saturdays alongside the Too Close For Comfort spin-off The Ted Knight Show.

I had such a crush on the mom Marla Pennington, man she was so 'effin hot.

KurtfromPitts · 09-17-2014, 11:15 AM

It aired Saturdays in Pittsburgh on WTAE-4. If stations were still running different shows on different nights at 7:30 in 1985 I'd have loved to see SW Tuesdays as a lead-in to the Who's The Boss-Growing Pains tandem.

TMC · 09-19-2014, 03:59 AM

Considering the "high concept" stuff that Disney Channel/Disney XD has put out in recent years, a show like Small Wonder may in hindsight, have been a bit "ahead of its time".

damin mance · 12-23-2014, 10:39 AM

I love this show im so glad im getting it on DVD

billybatts · 07-06-2015, 10:33 PM

There is a show on Disney, K.C. Undercover, They are a family of spies and have a young robot daughter.

The robot is not the star of the show and the actress is not very good at playing a robot.
I didn't know she was one until they said it out loud.

TMC · 11-02-2018, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billybatts

There is a show on Disney, K.C. Undercover, They are a family of spies and have a young robot daughter.

The robot is not the star of the show and the actress is not very good at playing a robot.
I didn't know she was one until they said it out loud.

Nickelodeon has this show called I Am Frankie, which is pretty much the closest thing we may have to a modern day version of Small Wonder.

I think that if a proper remake of Small Wonder were to be made, heavy alterations would have to be made in order to make the premise decidedly less skeevy.

06-12-2010, 04:36 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	'Small Wonder' Could Never Be Redone For TV or Movies As a kid growing up, I really got a kick out of this show. It was TGIF before ABC had TGIF. The thing is, its basically a show that can't be remade. Sure, never say never in Hollywood, but the concept of a grown man making a 10 year old female robot, just wouldn't sit well with today's PC crowd. Attached Images
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

06-12-2010, 04:42 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Very true. I watched this show when it was on the first time (I was about 6 when it debuted). I think it was syndicated, and not a network show. In the Cleveland market, they aired the show on our local CBS (now FOX) affiliate early on Saturday evenings. Those were the days!!!
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

06-18-2010, 02:38 AM	#4
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,452	Well for starters if they remade this show today the mother would probably be the one building the robot! And they could make the robot a boy if that would work better. The point is if they wanted to remake this they would find a way.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

12-14-2013, 10:31 PM	#8
tlc38tlc38 Every day’s a Dolly day! Forum Star Join Date: May 02, 2008 Location: I’m just travelin’ thru Posts: 19,257	"small Wonder" was classic cheese at its best (which I love!!!) and a remake would be horrible. They would never be able to top the original. I wish Shout! would release seasons 3 & 4 on DVD.
	__________________ Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. Deuteronomy 15:10 In loving memory of my best friend, my Mama.

01-06-2014, 07:52 PM	#9
Mace Dolex Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 12, 2013 Posts: 2,666	Yeah I loved this show, it use to air here in Bakersfield, CA on Saturdays alongside the Too Close For Comfort spin-off The Ted Knight Show. I had such a crush on the mom Marla Pennington, man she was so 'effin hot.

09-17-2014, 11:15 AM	#10
KurtfromPitts Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 10, 2006 Location: Carnegie PA Posts: 1,531	It aired Saturdays in Pittsburgh on WTAE-4. If stations were still running different shows on different nights at 7:30 in 1985 I'd have loved to see SW Tuesdays as a lead-in to the Who's The Boss-Growing Pains tandem.

09-19-2014, 03:59 AM	#11
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,797	Considering the "high concept" stuff that Disney Channel/Disney XD has put out in recent years, a show like Small Wonder may in hindsight, have been a bit "ahead of its time".

12-23-2014, 10:39 AM	#12
damin mance Member Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 19, 2003 Location: new jersey newark Posts: 894	I love this show im so glad im getting it on DVD

07-06-2015, 10:33 PM	#13
billybatts Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 04, 2015 Location: St. Louis, MO. Posts: 111	There is a show on Disney, K.C. Undercover, They are a family of spies and have a young robot daughter. The robot is not the star of the show and the actress is not very good at playing a robot. I didn't know she was one until they said it out loud.