WONDER YEARS, THE: CHRISTMAS PARTY (TV)
Summary
One in this series about Kevin Arnold, a young boy growing up in the suburbs during the late 1960s, whose experiences, thoughts, and reactions are recalled by the adult Kevin, who narrates and makes wry observations throughout. In this episode, Kevin reminisces about his parents’ yearly Christmas party, which is always a big hit with the neighbors. However, this year, the family seems to be weighed down with the “conveniences of modern life” and is too busy to plan the event, but Norma insists that they should keep with tradition. Kevin and Wayne are less than pleased, however, as the party always means that they are roped into “indentured servitude,” helping to ready the house inside and out. Kevin tries to coerce some of his friends to attend to make things less boring, but everyone seems to already have interesting plans, including Winnie, who is attending a vigil against the Vietnam War with her parents.
As Jack shops for wine, Wayne and Kevin come up with a scheme and request to be paid for their services, but their father dismisses them. As the brothers argue over the preparations, Norma notes that several of their friends have already given their regrets, and she ponders whether or not the party is worth it, which gives the boys hope. However, Norma and Jack soon give into nostalgia. On the night of the party, the Arnolds are tense, and as guests begin to arrive, Wayne and Kevin are on coat duty. The party quickly seems to be “losing steam,” but they are encouraged when an old war buddy of Jack’s arrives—with a pretty young woman in tow, which shocks Jack and Norma, who did not know about his separation from his wife. Things get more awkward from there, as the woman overhears Jack rudely commenting on her age. Norma breaks out the Twister in a desperate bid to make things livelier, but Kevin observes that everyone seems to be acting out of obligation rather than fun. He and Wayne attempt to escape to the basement, only to find a neighbor, Ed, the “king of lawn care,” enjoying some “grass” on their couch. This upsets Jack and Norma and they begin to argue, sending Wayne and Kevin off to the store and out of the house. On the way home, Kevin realizes that the world has “moved on” from its earlier, more idyllic times. When they return home, however, their parents have made up and are relaxing cozily together, and Kevin realizes that the night was “not a disaster” for them because of their strong bond. He states that they never had another Christmas party after that year, but still looks back on “the old days” with fondness. Includes commercials.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: December 11, 1991 8:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:30:00
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:23430
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; Drama
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1988-1993
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - Advil Cold & Sinus medication
- TV - Commercials - Black and Decker vacuums
- TV - Commercials - Braun Oral-B toothbrushes
- TV - Commercials - Chevrolet automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Ford automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Fruit of the Loom underwear
- TV - Commercials - Honda automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Malibu Musk fragrances
- TV - Commercials - Polaroid cameras
- TV - Promos - "Baby Talk"
- TV - Promos - "Civil Wars"
- TV - Promos - "Family Matters"
- TV - Promos - "Good Morning America"
- TV - Promos - "Hook" motion picture
- TV - Promos - "Perfect Strangers"
- TV - Promos - "Primetime"
- TV - Promos - "Step By Step"
- TV - Promos - "The Wonder Years" upcoming episodes
CREDITS
- Bob Brush … Executive Producer
- Michael Dinner … Co-Executive Producer
- Ken Topolsky … Supervising Producer
- Gina Goldman … Producer
- Mark B. Perry … Co-Producer
- Mark Levin … Co-Producer
- Bruce J. Nachbar … Co-Producer
- Denise Moss … Co-Producer, Writer
- Sy Dukane … Co-Producer, Writer
- Barry M. Parker … Associate Producer
- Joshua A. Taurek … Associate Producer
- Sy Rosen … Consulting Producer
- Neal Marlens … Created by
- Carol Black … Created by
- Jim McBride … Director
- W.G. Snuffy Walden … Music by
- Fred Savage … Cast, Kevin Arnold
- Dan Lauria … Cast, Jack Arnold
- Alley Mills … Cast, Norma Arnold
- Olivia d'Abo … Cast, Karen Arnold
- Jason Hervey … Cast, Wayne Arnold
- Danica McKeller … Cast, Winnie Cooper
- Josh Saviano … Cast, Paul Pfeiffer
- Ben Slack … Cast, Mr. Ermin
- Candice Azzara … Cast, Mrs. Ermin
- David Selburg … Cast, Lou
- Carol Mansell … Cast, Jeanne
- Kimberley Kates … Cast, Carol
- Parker Whitman … Cast, Bill
- Scott Nemes … Cast, Ricky
- Michael Tricario … Cast, Randy
- Marty Zagon … Cast, Mr. Wannamaker
- Patrick O'Brien … Cast, Mr. Santa
- Lorna Scott … Cast, Mrs. Santa
- Roger Nolan … Cast, Mr. Weisman
- Anne Marie Gillis … Cast, Mrs. Weisman
- Gwen Willson … Cast, Mrs. Weisman's Mother
- Fitzhugh Houston … Cast, Clerk