Dan Lauria: Why The Wonder Years Was Cancelled | Jack Arnold | Jason Hennessey Podcast

Dan Lauria shares his thoughts on why The Wonder Years was cancelled, the behind-the-scenes scoop, and what would've happened to the characters.
Brooklyn-born Dan Lauria is a renowned actor and beloved TV Dad to many. He is best known for playing the memorable role of Jack Arnold in The Wonder Years, and also Jack Sullivan on Sullivan and Son. Dan is someone who has been immersed in the TV business long enough to have seen Hollywood undergo some massive change, which is something we dive deep into during this episode. He has endless stories about some of the iconic greats, many of which were his friends, co-stars, and even mentors.
Dan hasn’t spent his career merely acting on TV, but also writing, and being fully entrenched in the mounting theater scene. Join us on today’s episode as we talk about his deep-rooted affinity for old movies, his influential time overseas serving his country in the US Marines, his uncensored thoughts on the film industry and how it’s evolved, and how he went from hometown Sports hero, to acting legend.
We chat about his early days in the business working restaurant jobs with Bruce Willis and John Goodman , his extensive list of IMDb credits, and the impact his iconic character, Jack, had on America in the hit TV show, “The Wonder Years.” Dan dives into the details of the show’s untimely ending, and shares what would have happened to each of the characters, had the show continued. He gets into the reasons “The Wonder Years” was so successful, including the use of masterful storytelling, solid writing, and sparing editing. It’s no wonder the show got its own reboot on ABC.
We go all the way back to Dan’s high school days, and talk about what it was like to be a schoolboy at Lindenhurst High School on Long Island, New York, and eventually a college kid at Southern Connecticut State University. We also talk about his enriching experience in adulthood with the Big Brothers & Sisters program, and even his newfound tik-tok dancing skills.What you might not know about Dan is that during his early years, in between theater jobs, he was a substitute teacher and a football and wrestling coach. He’s also been known among his friends to have “double-feature night,” where he plays back-to-back classic movies at his home and invites his friends and fellow cast members to partake.
Dan is not only an impressively talented and well-accomplished actor, but he is a true humanitarian and someone I now call a friend. We hope you enjoy this inspiring episode!
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In his first original podcast series, “The Jason Hennessey Podcast,” Jason will sit down with creators, innovators, technologists, artists, entrepreneurs, business leaders, scientists, athletes, and influencers to talk with these brilliant minds about their personal journey.
Each episode will be specifically themed and will showcase guests and experts sharing their unique story, in a conversational manner, with Jason as lead host guiding the discussion and asking inciting questions.
This show promises to uplift, entertain, and leave an engaged audience with a new found way of thinking and many memorable takeaways from our brilliant cast of diverse and authentic guests who make the show unique.

[@ShadeedKelly329]

The Wonder Years was just purely underrated! I'm glad I watched this show as a little boy!

[@Buck82Fla]

The Wonder Years was a childhood favorite of mine. Many fond memories watching it with my family.

[@chrisxavier3147]

Dan Lauria was perfectly cast

[@johnmoeller8654]

I'm grateful Dan shared this, it was hinted at on the extras on the dvds but Dan is just so bluntly honest and genuine and I appreciate him.

[@matthewalkman386]

wow this is crazy to hear... i had no idea it was abruptly cancelled like that

[@MrMountainMan]

What a shame about the Wonder Years, one of the greatest family shows ever. Dan is super cool. BTW - sounds like that dude from Revlon that Dan was mentioning didn't fare so well in the last few years: "Ron Perelman’s Empire Loses Crown Jewel as Revlon Goes Bankrupt." I think they've since tried to emerge but not with him at the helm.

[@Kickingit06]

This is a recurring problem in Hollywood. Too many money guys who have absolutely no respect for the art.

[@johnmoeller8654]

To be fair, Fred Savage was causing problems on the set with females and did it again a second time 30 years later.

[@yehezkelnafshy8754]

❤ What a great show it was.... Thank you for a perfect childhood

[@davidcamacho3513]

Dang, I enjoyed everything about that show so much.

[@chosentobedifferent6242]

This explains why the Final Episode of the Series seemed rushed and only partially done!!! It seemed like something was missing from the plot when I watched it, as if they tried to stuff six episodes in one 45 minute segment!!!

[@josephross7936]

Love to see a new wonder years reliving the late 80-early 90s or even today, start late 1993-1999ish.

[@legendkillla21]

But those aren't even the rite years for it

[@KentPetersonmoney]

I would love to see a wonder years that take place in the 90s-2000's. I would actually be able to relate since I was a kid during that time. I mean I was a kid in the 80's but most of that decade I don't really remember.

[@travino]

At 1:10 YIKES!😲😯🤯 I randomly watched the series finale last night.

[@washguy9577]

I've thought of why for years just found this interview thank you.

[@thekirksiffs5285]

I am kinda glad they didn't have an episode with Jack dying. Just knowing he was going to soon, was sad enough. It was a wonderful show though.

[@KentPetersonmoney]

If i remember correctly, Kevin said dad passed away 2 years later.

[@KinkESizemore]

They had a separate narration ready for the last episodes in case the show kept going. It was canceled, so they put the other in instead.

[@wasteofspace20]

Dan Lauria is an excellent actor, he was mind-blowing as Lombardi.

[@bridgetisjonesing5007]

Yeah but even the ending episode was very well written and I would rather it have ended that way. Leave it as it Was and just memory of that specific time.

[@ezcleghorn4025]

It’s funny that even if the show had continued, Kevin and Winnie would not have gotten married. It’s also kind of crazy cool if you think about it that the show ended in May 1993, and Boy meets world which of course starred Ben Savage started that September and continued. And then Boy meets world did in fact go to Cory being a father with a kid just like was hoped might happen here with Fred. Interesting stuff. I also have a lot of respect after this for Ted Turner, because not only this, and being willing to have financed it if he had to, but what he did for WCW. 😂

[@drlommis5176]

I forget what he talked about in this entire three minutes the ending he had great aspirations for the show and his own idea great show

[@dickhickey909]

Having kevin walk into the house to find his dead father on the floor as the final scene in the final episode would've been legendary...

[@neilpotsch1023]

“Our friends named us Babe!!!!!”😁😄😁😄😁😄😁😄😁😄, “My name’s Marlene😁😄😁😄😁😄😁😄😁😄!!!!!”

[@SuperMarioBrosIII]

First comment and there is an episode from season 4 where it talks about Jack being around to see Kevins children albeit this was before the series would be cancelled just a couple years later at the time! So hearing that Jack died 2 years after Kevin graduated High School was a shock. Maybe the producers forgot about the earlier episode in which Kevin recalls his father still being alive when his own kids are born. Maybe an oversight?

[@jasonwilkerson9497]

They couldn't predict the show would be cancelled at the last minute and that Dad would die. Sad, political behind the scenes realities.

[@ColdBloodedBastard]

Do you remember which episode?

[@SuperMarioBrosIII]

@@ColdBloodedBastard Yes it is from Season 3: Episode 12 "The Powers That Be."🤗📺📼👍

[@ColdBloodedBastard]

@@SuperMarioBrosIII thanks, I'm gonna go watch it now

[@ColdBloodedBastard]

Ok just watched it. It doesn't say he actually met them. It says he is "the grandfather of my sons." So i guess it's open to interpretation.

[@johnrider5701]

It definitely ended way too soon .

[@crazycatman5928]

ABC is known for canceling shows. I stopped watching anything on ABC since they canceled “V”. Back in 2009 I think.

[@DeltaAssaultGaming]

Well, it had a 6 year run. Shame about the cancellation, but it’s not like it left us prematurely. By the end, Fred Savage was like 6 feet tall or something.

[@CAM8689]

never liked the way wonder years ended.......knowing the truth about it like damn

[@VahanNisanian]

There's all sorts of reasons given why it ended. Others being ratings were dwindling, and Fred was aging out his role. Alley Mills claims it was due to Fred being accused by Monique Long.

[@matthewalkman386]

lol nobody cares about Monique Long

[@VahanNisanian]

@@matthewalkman386 No sane person should. She is a vile cretin.

[@entertainingblackmanvideos7691]

It was canceled because Fred and Jason were accused of making a woman uncomfortable

[@writerspen010]

The idea of Kevin living across the street from Winnie is so wrong 💀 I would've liked to see the desired ending, but that is creepy and gross

[@Secretname807]

How is it creepy and gross. Their relationship didn't work out so they remained friends.

[@biggienorm420]

I feel like getting into a fright with Dan Lauria would be like getting into a fight with a silverback gorilla...

[@danerichards7280]

So is he stil alive in real life

[@legendkillla21]

Yes he is 76

[@JaysLogic1]

Should've Did Another Season of Kevin In College With Paul and Winnie In a Different College and Hang Out Still and Still The Family Involved

[@jasonwilkerson9497]

The ending was very rushed, wrapping it all up. Reminded me of the Star Wars ep. 9. Dan should not have died, and Kevin and Winnie should have been together, possibly married just like Ross and Rachel. That 7th season would have been perfect. I wish Winnie would come to some closure with her brother's passing. Wayne finds true love. Karen lets go of her hippie past and is more realistic of her life of being a mother. Of course Winnie and Kevin dont get married, its easier to end it that way than having their marriage episode and having children, etc. This all makes since now. Thanks, Dan!

[@philipmontgomery9153]

Becomes really successful business wise…. because he’s Marilyn Manson !!! Lol

[@KentPetersonmoney]

I felt like they should have at least did one more season. It ended when Kevin was a junior. I felt like they might as well did one more to end it in Kevin senior year.