ABC The wonderful years the reboot created a relatively solid buzz during its first season on the air and as a result managed to secure a network renewal for a second season. However, the show will continue without a key character, the series director and the EP. Fred Savage, fired after a misconduct investigation a few months earlier. From, further alleged details of Savage’s firing have been revealed, including Savage’s alleged misconduct with younger crew members. In the midst of the situation, he and the studio behind the comedy-drama have made statements about it.
What 20th Television said about Fred Savage’s firing
News of Fred Savage’s firing came in May, during which the star would face three separate charges. The star, who starred on the OG Wonder Years show, is also said to have helped with the proceedings. 20th Television, which produces the series, did not provide details on the alleged incidents at the time, although the entertainment body’s statement (shared with THR and other outlets) suggested that the results were enough to pull Savage out of production:
We recently became aware of allegations of inappropriate conduct by Fred Savage and, as is the case, an investigation has been initiated. Eventually, the decision was made to end his employment as executive producer and director of The Wonder Years.
Further alleged details of the behind-the-scenes situation were reported earlier this week. And with that, actor Kevin Arnold provided a statement in response to the allegations.
How Fred Savage responded to the multiple allegations he faces
THR published a lengthy report detailing the allegations of various people. According to the exchange, a group of six women met on set, with the aim of taking action against Fred Savage. The women, who did not identify themselves, accused Savage of being cordial and friendly to show business stars and network executives, but less accommodating to “employees below the line who have no power.” Allegations of verbal abuse were among those complaints.
The women also took note of an alleged relationship the former director had formed on set with a younger crew member, adding that the woman’s personality was negatively impacted by her interactions with the TV vet. Another woman also claimed that Fred Savage followed her to the bathroom and physically subdued her before “forcibly” putting her mouth on her. Along with the story, Savage released a statement addressing his claims and stating that he is currently working on himself:
Since the age of 6, I have worked on hundreds of sets with thousands of people and have always tried to contribute to an inclusive, safe and supportive work environment. It is devastating to know that there are colleagues who think I have not achieved these goals. While some reported incidents have absolutely not happened and could not have happened, anyone who feels hurt or offended by my actions is just another person. I will strive to address and change any behavior that has negatively impacted someone, because nothing in the world is more important to me than being a colleague, friend, husband, father, and caring person.
Fred Savage’s participation in the wonderful years start over was reported in the summer of 2020. The actor is said to have been instrumental in launching the series alongside series creator Saladin K. Patterson and executive producer Lee Daniels. The star was also on hand to welcome series frontman Elisha “EJ” Williams to the show. Savage would eventually direct seven episodes during the first season, including the pilot.
This new iteration of The wonderful years is set in the late 1960s and focuses on the Williams, a black family living in Montgomery, Alabama. The central character is 12-year-old Dean, who, like Kevin Arnold before him, experiences the ups and downs of adolescence. The show is starring in particular Dulé Hill, who plays the family patriarch, Bill. Hill talked about how OG fans praised the show after being initially skeptical. There isn’t much connective tissue between the shows on a narrative level, even if it was present an important bond with Winnie Cooper .
The adult show will return to ABC for its second season in 2023 as a mid-season addition. In the meantime, it’s hard to say what’s in store for Fred Savage, but it seems clear he’s no longer involved with the show.
The first season of The wonderful years is available to stream with a Hulu subscription .
Source: Cinemablend
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