Wonder Years ORIGINAL Pilot from 1988 with Arye Gross

[tpcrotty2]

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?

[mattyg1306]

Originally Posted by tpcrotty2

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.

[KRW]

Originally Posted by mattyg1306

"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.

[Corkys-Place]

Is it on YouTube?

[mattyg1306]

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.

[tpcrotty2]

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!!

[mattyg1306]

Originally Posted by tpcrotty2

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.

[mattyg1306]

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.

[tpcrotty2]

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

[MRPITT]

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

[tpcrotty2]

Originally Posted by MRPITT

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!

[mattyg1306]

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!

[TMC]

https://www.tvinsider.com/658505/the...r-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
10 reasons why The Wonder Years was the best show of the 1980s

[tpcrotty2]

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

[mattyg1306]

Originally Posted by tpcrotty2

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/...145143009.html