Questions about some of the original airings - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

ArtOfLosingBV3k · 10-09-2008, 06:31 PM

I asked this on the IMDB boards but didn't get as much of a response as I had hoped. So I'm hoping to find some more Wonder Years vets here that can help me with these questions.

1.) When the pilot first aired on ABC back in the day, did it include the theme song at the beginning of the episode? Let's go with the second airing, technically, when Daniel Stern was narrating. Most pilots don't include theme songs, that's why I ask. Watching the show now, I'm guessing that the theme song was added at the beginning for the syndicated run. I say this because it would make much more sense for the episode, and series, to just begin with the title card and The Byrd's "Turn Turn Turn". Also, the footage that comprises the theme song is taken from the pilot itself. Am I correct in my thinking?

2.) Regarding the instrumental of the opening theme that plays over the end credits: was that played over the end of every single episode? There was never a different variation of it that played instead?

3.) The series finale was aired, in the U.S., as a one-hour finale combining the last two episodes of the series. Was this a decision made by the creators of the show, as in were the episodes written this way? Or were they written as two separate episodes, and ABC decided to put them together in hopes of attracting a larger audience? Networks have been known to do that from time to time.

Thanks in advance for any help, it's much appreciated.

DSfan · 10-10-2008, 10:38 PM

I have never watched Wonder Years in the original run, but I'm pretty sure I know the answers to your questions.

1) Definitely, the theme song was used for the original run.

2) I'm pretty sure it was played during every episode (it might have changed from time to time though). Just because you have seen it on ABC Family or wherever and they have taken it off doesn't mean that it was never originally used.

3) When shows become syndicated, that is when the show turns into 2-parts. If it originally aired as a 1-hr episode that is the way it was produced to be. They just cut it at the proper moment and add the "previously on.." at the beginning of the 2nd part. (Just think of the Friends finale. It was 1 hr but now in syndication on FOX or CW they show 2 parts because they don't have that entire to air the show.

Hope this helps and welcome to the boards!

10-09-2008, 06:31 PM	#1
ArtOfLosingBV3k Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Oct 09, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 10	Questions about some of the original airings I asked this on the IMDB boards but didn't get as much of a response as I had hoped. So I'm hoping to find some more Wonder Years vets here that can help me with these questions. 1.) When the pilot first aired on ABC back in the day, did it include the theme song at the beginning of the episode? Let's go with the second airing, technically, when Daniel Stern was narrating. Most pilots don't include theme songs, that's why I ask. Watching the show now, I'm guessing that the theme song was added at the beginning for the syndicated run. I say this because it would make much more sense for the episode, and series, to just begin with the title card and The Byrd's "Turn Turn Turn". Also, the footage that comprises the theme song is taken from the pilot itself. Am I correct in my thinking? 2.) Regarding the instrumental of the opening theme that plays over the end credits: was that played over the end of every single episode? There was never a different variation of it that played instead? 3.) The series finale was aired, in the U.S., as a one-hour finale combining the last two episodes of the series. Was this a decision made by the creators of the show, as in were the episodes written this way? Or were they written as two separate episodes, and ABC decided to put them together in hopes of attracting a larger audience? Networks have been known to do that from time to time. Thanks in advance for any help, it's much appreciated.
	Last edited by ArtOfLosingBV3k; 10-09-2008 at 07:41 PM.

10-10-2008, 10:38 PM	#2
DSfan Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 15, 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 1,204	I have never watched Wonder Years in the original run, but I'm pretty sure I know the answers to your questions. 1) Definitely, the theme song was used for the original run. 2) I'm pretty sure it was played during every episode (it might have changed from time to time though). Just because you have seen it on ABC Family or wherever and they have taken it off doesn't mean that it was never originally used. 3) When shows become syndicated, that is when the show turns into 2-parts. If it originally aired as a 1-hr episode that is the way it was produced to be. They just cut it at the proper moment and add the "previously on.." at the beginning of the 2nd part. (Just think of the Friends finale. It was 1 hr but now in syndication on FOX or CW they show 2 parts because they don't have that entire to air the show. Hope this helps and welcome to the boards!