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Small Wonder

1985 – 1989Show4 seasons99 episodesTV-G

ComedyFamily
68
GoodGoodWatch score
IMDb7.0Metacritic–6.5

A heartwarming, nostalgic comedy series about family and technology.

Good for family movie night · friends night · kids

Skip it if you want dark or edgy material

Where to watch

Set your services

Not streaming in any country yet.

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Not for brutality, big ideas or tears.

Shows with

Episodes

4 seasons · 99 episodes · best: S4E10 "Mommie Dearest" 8.0

Episodes

7.4
7.4
7.4
7.4

Story

When genius cybernetics engineer Ted Lawson brings home his top-secret invention, a Voice Input Child Identicant or V.I.C.I., life becomes anything but mechanical for the Lawson Family. With his boss and his nosy family living next door, Ted, his wife Joan and their son Jamie must pass Vicki off as a real child. It is easy for Joan, who cannot help doting on her like a daughter, but harder for precocious Jamie, who uses Vicki to do his homework and to ward off Harriet, the annoying redheaded girl next door.

Feels like

  • 80s Family Sitcom
  • AI Child Mascot
  • Wholesome Comedy
  • Secret Identity Tropes
  • Nostalgic Comfort Food TV
  • Light Sci-Fi
  • Found Family Dynamics
  • Campy Charm
  • Background Friendly

Cast

12 of 12 · most episodes first

Crew

Directors
Leslie H. Martinson, Peter Baldwin, Dick Christie
Written by
Steve Granat, Dick Christie, Howard Meyers

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

September 7, 1985 · May 20, 1989 · Ended

First aired
September 7, 1985
Last aired
May 20, 1989
Status
Ended
Length
4 seasons · 99 episodes
Age rating
TV-G
Genres
Comedy, Family
Original language
English
Made in
United States

Tropes

Conveniently Unverifiable Cover Story, Pick Your Human Half, Cue the Flying Pigs +9

  • Conveniently Unverifiable Cover Story
  • Pick Your Human Half
  • Cue the Flying Pigs
  • Drugs Are Bad
  • Hand Wave
  • Very Special Episode
  • Hypno Fool
  • Dream Episode
  • Face on a Milk Carton
  • "Rashomon"-Style
  • Divine Race Lift
  • Exiled to the Couch

12 of 81 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

6 questions, like "Is Small Wonder worth watching?"

Questions about Small Wonder

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Is Small Wonder worth watching?

68
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 68 (IMDb 7).

Is Small Wonder okay for kids?

TV-G

Yes: it's rated TV-G in the United States, and the viewing guide lists it for kids.

How long does it take to watch Small Wonder?

35 h

About 35 hours: 99 episodes in 4 seasons of about 21 minutes each, aired from 1985 to 1989.

Will Small Wonder make me laugh?

Funny

Yes: the humor is mostly situational comedy (9 of 10) and slapstick (6 of 10).

Can I half-watch Small Wonder?

Easy watchDemanding

Yes: it's easy to follow, with philosophical at only 3 of 10, and the viewing guide calls it good for background watching.

What tropes does Small Wonder use?

Conveniently Unverifiable Cover StoryPick Your Human HalfCue the Flying PigsDrugs Are BadHand WaveVery Special EpisodeHypno FoolDream EpisodeFace on a Milk Carton"Rashomon"-StyleDivine Race LiftExiled to the Couchand 69 more

TV Tropes lists 81 tropes for it, including Conveniently Unverifiable Cover Story, Pick Your Human Half, and Cue the Flying Pigs.