Fred Savage Was Fired As Director And Executive Producer From “The Wonder Years” Reboot For Inappropriate Conduct

Well, it looks like Fred Savage is at it again and added another one to his Winnie Cooper, Come And Get Your Boy file. Bill Murray and Frank Langella now have a little company, because, like them, Fred Savage has been shit-canned from a project for allegedly acting a mess. Fred was fired as director and executive producer of the Wonder Years reboot over several complaints of alleged assholeness and “inappropriate behavior.” Who knew that the term “inappropriate behavior” would be the Hollywood phrase of 2022, sadly.

Fred starred as Kevin Arnold in the original Wonder Years series, which ran from 1988 to 1993. And as with most everything, the show has been rebooted in 2021, this time focused on a Black middle-class family in the 1960s. Fred has been involved with the reboot since the jump, serving as an executive producer and director. However, thanks to Fred’s behavior, he’s been given the boot! via Deadline:

Disney is severing ties with Fred Savage following multiple complaints of misconduct in his role as executive producer and director on the freshman ABC comedy series The Wonder Years, produced by 20th Television, part of Disney Television Studios. The allegations were investigated, leading to Savage’s dismissal.

The Wonder Years, a reboot of the beloved 1988 series, which starred Savage, has not been renewed for a second season yet but remains in contention.

“Recently, we were made aware of allegations of inappropriate conduct by Fred Savage, and as is policy, an investigation was launched. Upon its completion, the decision was made to terminate his employment as an executive producer and director of The Wonder Years,” a spokesman for 20th Television said in a statement to Deadline, declining further comment.

Details about the nature of the allegations are unclear, but I hear they included verbal outbursts and inappropriate behavior. Deadline has reached out to Savage’s reps for comment.

If this story comes as a shock to you, it shouldn’t. Even as far back as the 80s, Fred was getting into trouble on set. In 2018, his TV mom Alley Mills revealed that the original The Wonder Years basically came to an end because Savage and Jason Hervey (the actor that played Kevin’s older brother) were slapped with a sexual harassment lawsuit. A handsy Kevin Arnold? Say it ain’t so! Fast forward 25+ years later and Fred allegedly brought his difficult behavior to the production of The Grinder. You remember The Grinder! The show that featured Rob Lowe, the guy who slept with a 16-year-old in the 80s? Dang, the 80s were a bad time. Anyway, Fred was accused of physically and verbally abusing a crew member. He denied the allegations and settled the associated lawsuit out of court. Geez, if being an actor or director brings out the rage, then maybe Fred should consider being an accountant or something.

There’s been no outline of what exactly Fred did on set. “Inappropriate behavior” can mean anything from burping at a meal to hurling loud insults at people (I’m thinking these allegations fall more in the latter part of the range). For now, Fred is staying quiet and reserved (cue a heaving sigh of relief from his former crew members) about the current allegations. Well, I guess there’s always Keanu Reeves. Please, Keanu, for the sake of our collective hearts, stay delightfully precious!

Pic: INSTARImages