The Wonder Years (1988) Interview With Dan Lauria

The Wonder Years is an American coming-of-age, comedy-drama television series created by Neal Marlens and Carol Black. It ran on ABC from March 15, 1988, until May 12, 1993. The pilot aired on January 31, 1988, following ABC's coverage of Super Bowl XXII.

[@lancesmith8073]

I loved Dan, always have. His portrayal of Jack in WY reminds me even now of my own father and how he raised me. Such a hard working man only thinking about their families. Tough love at times but always meaning the best and wanting the best for their families. Such a lovable character and actor.

[@Suddenlyits1960]

@Lance Smith,I agree. What Dan and Alley brought to those roles was priceless and I can’t imagine anyone else playing those roles to such perfection. It was brilliant casting. Dan and Alley got overshadowed by the child actors on the show,but in reality they were every bit as important and contributed just as much to the shows success. The depth of humanity they gave their characters was incredible. Watch the episode “Faith”,where Norma loses the shopping bag with all the tax receipts in it,and how she handles the situation with such class and kindness. The scene at the end where she finally realizes she has to tell Jack,and it shows the two of them laughing together working to regain the lost information is touching and shows how relationships should be. Based on love,understanding and patience. Dan was also great in the episode where he was concerned for Wayne and tried to talk him out of enlisting and winding up in Vietnam. “The Wonder Years” was a great show,I only wish it had a better and happier ending,and could have run for many more seasons even with the kids becoming adults.

[@jaysmith179]

Love The Wonder Years. Sad the new show went Woke!

[@kendallrivers1119]

@@jaysmith179 Forget that imitation. The original is the ONLY real Wonder Years.

[@Professor__S]

He looks exactly like Helga's father in the cartoon series 'hey Arnold'. Ironic that the surname of the family's name in wonder years is Arnold...

[@ACD1994]

@@Professor__S Helga's last name is Pataki. But yeah...I could see some resemblance between the two characters

[@mjccarpenter]

Dan is a national treasure. 🏆

[@dmoney668]

He's so good, still look at him as a great example of a father

[@Suddenlyits1960]

Jack & Norma Arnold were my favorite characters on “The Wonder Years”. Dan Lauria and Alley Mills were both so talented and brought such depth and humanity to those roles that no “big name” actor could have ever topped them. The episodes of the series that I consider the best are all ones that feature Dan or Alley prominently. “my fathers office”,”pottery will get you nowhere”,”the tree house”,”road trip”,”the family car”,”grandpas car”,”the powers that be”,”faith”,”fishing”,”the ties that bind”,”the house that Jack Built”,and others. The episodes featuring Dan and Alley in “a” stories were some of the most powerful,beautifully written and deeply moving episodes of the series. I do truly hope they realize they were every bit as important to what made the show the outstanding series it was as the children who starred in it. It’s hard to watch the fishing trip episode without welling up inside and feeling Jacks sadness. I truly wish the show had a better ending than it did. I don’t like to watch the last episode because an adult Kevin relates to us that his dad passed a couple years later after opening the furniture business.

[@hokahey7236]

I agree. The Dan episodes especially were moving to me. I didn't like that they gave his character only two years left to live after the last episode but I think they kind of copped that ending from the movie 'Stand By Me' (another childhood nostalgia drama with an adult version of the character narrating). At the end of 'Stand By Me' the narrator gives an epilogue of what happens to the characters later and mentions that his best friend gets killed in a bar fight. Then the narrator's children (who are about the same age as he was in the story he has just told) come in to speak to their father. Very similar to the 'Wonder Years' ending and about the same emotional impact. I just finished re-watching the entire series for the first time since it originally aired back when I was a kid. Now I'm ready to start it over from the beginning and watch it again!

[@Suddenlyits1960]

Hokahey,I don’t think they copied that from “stand by me”. Films and tv shows have been doing that for a long time before 1986. American Grafitti also ended with an epilogue that told what happened to each of the characters. It’s a common literary device.

[@Suddenlyits1960]

Alley Mills had said she got the role of Norma because when she went to audition the other women who tried out for the role all had modern day attitudes that they projected into the role. When Jack would come home in a bad mood they would fly off the handle and get loud and nasty. Alley said she remembered how her mother was and how women were back then. That gentleness and understanding. Knowing when to just listen and let him blow of steam. Men and women took marriage much more seriously back then. People who weren’t alive back then don’t realize how different things were. Even in day to day meetings just going about your business folks were much kinder and more considerate than now. Alleys portrayal of Norma was fantastic. She was sweet natured and kind and came across as genuinely loving her family. The way she approached the issue of getting a new car in “the family car” is a great example of how compassionate and caring her character was. She was the glue that held the family together.

[@oooh19]

Sadly they were expected to be submissive but yea it takes place in the 60s so it had to reflect that and capture it

[@Suddenlyits1960]

​@oooh19 No,that's not it at all. Women weren't nasty and abrasive back then. It had nothing to do with being "submissive",it had to do with both men and women having roles in the family and being mature and less selfish back then. Now women degrade themselves by acting as foul and nasty as the men. You shouldn't go into a marriage thinking what's in it for me, you should go in there looking for what you can give to the other

[@sonhuynh8222]

U can see how emotional he gets talking about the show ….. wish this show was still on reruns

[@user-rf3zh7te4s]

I loved the show.Fred was cute, and Danica was adorable. The music chosen to say Kevin's love for Winnie was perfect, reminds me of one I adored 40 years ago, and those feelings for her could never change. Almost every episode brought a tear

[@calilove5758]

It's on Hulu. I'm watching the whole series now for probably the 10th time lol. Just brings me back to my childhood

[@ACD1994]

@@calilove5758 Not everyone has Hulu. I have the complete series on DVD, though. One of my favorite shows still after all these years.

[@haro82]

I'm watching it now on Hulu. Yeah it's pay though. Maybe do month trial and binge?

[@SittinOn6s]

He’s got an awesome memory recalling episodes. Probably one of my favorite tv shows. Oh man how cool would it be with a wonder years sequel/spin off with Kevin and 3 kids, that still narrators around Kevin…

[@hokahey7236]

The Dan Lauria A-story episodes were among my favorites. Love that guy!

[@joeyone4683]

My favorite show 😊 I can watch it over and over …

[@moisesperez4605]

You could definitely feel it with Dan that, he was totally into that show and his character, you could feel it in his words when he’s trying to explain different scenes and, you could sense that he would go back at times and kinda just feel it in his tone of voice you can definitely understand that he cared for everybody in the show

[@wdunn06]

Could listen to Dan endlessly. Thanks for this video

[@JoshuaTraffanstedt]

What a great show this was. Wayne and Kevin sort of reminded me of me and my brothers. We never bullied each other but we did fight occasionally. But the moment someone messed with one of us, they messed with ALL OF US. This show is a national treasure. I watched it as a kid, i watch it as an adult, and ill watch it on my deathbed. Thats how much i love it.

[@jimmyshaker1720]

The Pepsi episode was one of my favorites." This Family don't need pottery, this Family needs Pepsi." The way he delivers that line was so perfect. It really showed how flawed and vulnerable Mr. Jack Arnold really was. His acting scenes with Karen and Gramps were also spot on. Watching him discipline his kids was exactly how my Dad spoke to me. The writing on this show was simply perfect. Jack Arnold was a pleasure to watch. Thank you Dan Lauria for your memorable performances. 😃

[@Suddenlyits1960]

That episode is “Pottery Will get your nowhere”,and I agree,it’s one of my favorites too. It also showed that Jack was a good man and really loved his wife. All of us are flawed at times because we are human. But Jack and Norma loved each other and worked things out. That’s how relationships should be,and why relationships lasted much longer back in the 40’s through the 60’s.

[@eliocosmos]

That Pepsi line always makes me chuckle

[@hoopsheavenpa]

Dan was made for the role of Jack Arnold.

[@jaysmith179]

Love The Wonder Years. Sad the new show went Woke!

[@newyorklove4u]

Great Dad.Thank You

[@denn2XXX9]

Thank you for the videos. These interviews are great!

[@kaymeuwissen2165]

Dan played the perfect dad,on wonder years,he reminded me some times on the show ,like my dad.

[@writerspen010]

I love how he remembers so many specific episodes. Most actors (understandably) can't keep track of the stories they've done, especially after so long. Lauria clearly _loves_ this show and that's great to see. Also, cool trivia that Winnie's brother was played by Robert Mitchum's grandson :00

[@mikegeiler2347]

One of my favorite episodes was the treehouse episode. He captured an entire generation of men in one character

[@housesforsale7936]

This was amazing !! I loved hearing about the episodes that would’ve filmed…but sadly did not

[@shanehester5317]

he played what probly would have been like fathers really were back then.he was very good.i agree with him and some of the best shows i think were with the father and daughter.

[@ErnestoelIncorruptible]

Excelente y un Genio Dan Lauria.

[@georgekosmala5856]

Great show some episodes remind me of times in my life between 9 n 17

[@jaysmith179]

Love The Wonder Years. Sad the new show went Woke!

[@juanjulioromancampos9814]

Recuerdo en la serie,lo veía tan rudo como padre, después te vas dando cuenta, que es un gran tipo con sentimientos nobles.

[@tgold8422]

Such a brilliant show, obviously. Those ideas about Kevin and his own three kids with his ghost father, would be amazing. But like the man said, it’s too good. Too PC now. So interesting to hear about the “ball and chain” episode. It would be great to be able to read those scripts of the shows they were going to make.

[@karenrich9092]

The episode when Karen is going off to college tears at my heart because my dad's name was Jack. My Dad once told me "The only thing I did wrong was I didn't have two of you." It seems as though every clip I've seen here on KZbin brings a tear to my eye. These clips plus the stories from Steve Hartman (CBS on the Road) will make you say, "Pass the Kleenex" every time. As for the Kennedy assassination, while I don't remember where I was, I will never forget that dark November day the 22 of 1963. That was my mom and dad's wedding anniversary. And now it is also the day that my husband died.

[@richboss619]

You are the best Dan hands down brother!

[@pinebarrenpatriot8289]

I remember Dan in Growing Pains as the Hockey coach that Jason Seaver gets into a fight with. Funny episode. I love the Wonder Years.

[@patricias5122]

Dan Laurie was so astonishing in Dead Man Walking, as the grieving murdered girl's father...he should have won a Best Supporting Actor for that role. Of course, I loved him in Wonder Years, as well.

[@johncortez2009]

Every time I sing that guy to me he wouldn't make the perfect Fred Flintstone

[@frederickwise5238]

One more edit (up front) I LOVED THE INTERVIEW TOO. TOPS!! Dan do you have any idea just how YOU WERE 1000% MR ARNOLD, Kevin's DAD!!!!! Only guy for the part!!! I watched Nash Bridges (for the Cuda and Treasure Is bits) and you played parts there too. But you were Wonder Years dad.!!!!!! I remember the episode in the front yard looking at the stars, realizing sadly that I never had the opportunity to know of MY Dad's dreams. Near the end. Your idea of a follow up series , SOUNDS MARVELOUS CAN YOU PUSH EM. Kev would make a great dad and your idea about the material - being in the background rooting him on. Pure gold!!!! There would be an instant audience. "Wonder Years 2nd Generation". With as many of the orig actors/actresses as possible..

[@tonygarcia4593]

El abrazo de Jack y Arnold tras su ruptura con Winnie Cooper fue uno de los momentos mas emocionantes de la historia de la televisión. El que no lloró en esa escena no tiene ni sentimientos ni corazon.

[@johnwatkins343]

Life long democrat cowboy rob from M.D. says. Dan we have not forgotten you. I was in my late 20s even i enjoyed the show a very kool guy best actor ever thank you for just being you ?well done well done 2/10/2023

[@BobbyGeneric145]

Is it normal that he still terrifies me?

[@phillipgarcia2809]

Top TV Dad's Al Bundy. Homer Simpson Jack Arnold Respect too All

[@bunnybubs757]

What year was this interview ?

[@MrDetroit1701]

0:57 It couldn't of been anybody but Lauria!

[@whyyoulittle4537]

This interview is from 1988?? He looks terribly much older than he did on the show! Weird.

[@peterj.fallon4327]

Whatever you say Ken…

[@MichelleLovesJesus]

This interview can't be from 1988 since he mentioned 9/11, which happened in 2001.

[@Subypowa]

Its not. Its from when the dvd was released

[@MichelleLovesJesus]

@@Subypowa If you're referring to the boxed DVD set, then that was around 2014/2015, I believe. Are these interviews with the cast members part of the extras on the boxed DVD set?

[@osaji922]

Oh, come on. This was the late 80s. There were good shows on tv. I don't have to run down the list.

[@kendallrivers1119]

very true. But I think what Dan means to say is that there was literally nothing like Wonder Years at that time. It was like a little movie on television and an unusual blend of drama and comedy that was extremely rare. There were great shows like The Cosby Show, Cheers, Night Court, Hill Street Blues, Moonlighting, Roseanne etc. But nothing quite like Wonder Years and that specific style.

[@J03Y27]

They remade the wonder years and... we should just re-watch the original.

[@pinebarrenpatriot8289]

Another woke disaster

[@jaysmith179]

Love The Wonder Years. Sad the new show went Woke!

[@violinda.]

Elliot Gould or George Segal? Um... great actors, but I like Dan Lauria.

[@khalilreid8343]

Dan's and Ed's eggs

[@khalilreid8343]

Eggs 🥚 and bacon 🥓 eggs and bacon eggs and bacon eggs ands bacon every day for 25 years

[@double0nine73]

Clearly this was not from 1988..

[@kiranolan7104]

@doubleOnine73 That was the year the show premiered. You're supposed to put the year the show premiered in parentheses.