ABC’s The Wonder YearsThe reboot received a lot of buzz in its first season and was awarded a second-season renewal by the network. The show will continue without a series director or EP. Fred Savage was fired following a misconduct investigationIt was a few months back. Since then, more alleged details on Savage’s dismissal have come to light, including Savage’s purported misbehavior with younger crew members. The situation has prompted both Savage and the studio responsible for the dramedy to make statements.
What 20th Television Has Said In Regard To Fred Savage’s Dismissal
News of Fred Savage’s firing was reported back in May, during which it was said that the star was facing three separate allegations. According to reports, the star who appeared on the OG Wonder Years series was cooperating. 20th Television, which produces the series, didn’t provide any specifics on the alleged incidents at the time, though the entertainment entity’s statement (shared with THR(and other news outlets), suggested that the findings were sufficient to remove Savage from the production.
We were recently made aware of Fred Savage’s alleged inappropriate conduct. An investigation was launched as per policy. After the investigation was completed, it was decided to terminate Fred Savage’s employment as executive producer and director at The Wonder Years.
Additional details regarding the behind-the scenes situation were also reported earlier in this week. The Kevin Arnold actor responded to the allegations with a statement.
How Fred Savage Responded To The Multiple Accusations He’s Facing
THRThe lengthy report details the allegations of multiple individuals and was published. A group of six women joined together to take action against Fred Savage, according to the trade. The women, who did not identify themselves, accused Savage of being cordial and friendly around the show’s stars and network execs but being less accommodating when it came to “below-the-line employees who don’t have power.”These allegations included accusations of verbal abuse.
The women also made note of an alleged relationship that the former director had formed with a younger female crewmember on set, adding that the woman’s personality was negatively affected by her interactions with the TV vet. Another woman said Fred Savage followed her to the toilet and physically subdued it before. “forcefully”Savage put his mouth to hers. In conjunction with the story, Savage released a statement in which he addressed the claims and stated that he’s currently working on himself:
Since the age of six, I’ve worked on hundreds of sets and with thousands of people. I strive to create a safe, supportive, inclusive work environment. It’s devastating to find out that my coworkers feel I have failed to meet these goals. There are many incidents that were not reported and cannot have happened. However, one person can feel hurt or offended because of my actions. As a supporter of co-workers, friends, husbands, fathers, and other people, I will do my best to correct and change any behavior that negatively affects anyone.
Fred Savage’s involvement in the Wonder YearsRebootReports indicate that the actor was working on the project in summer 2020. Along with series creator Saladin K. Patterson, EP Lee Daniels, the actor was believed to have been instrumental in the show’s launch. Elisha, the series’ lead actress, was welcomed by the star. “EJ”Williams to the show. The pilot episode was the last of seven episodes that Savage would direct.
This new version of The Wonder YearsIt takes place in the late ‘60s and focuses on the Williams’A Black family lives in Montgomery, Alabama. Dean, 12, is the main character. Like Kevin Arnold before him, Dean is experiencing the ups, downs, and joys of adolescence. The show notably stars Dulé Hill, who plays family patriarch Bill. Hill is vocal about how OG fans are lovedAfter being initially skeptical, they have become more open to the show. There’s not much connective tissue between the shows narrative-wise, though it did feature a major Winnie Cooper connection.
As a midseason addition, ABC will be bringing back the coming-of-age program in its second season in 2023. While it is hard to know what Fred Savage has in store, it seems certain that he will be leaving the show.
The premiere season of The Wonder YearsIt is streamable with a Hulu subscription.