The actress who played Fred Savage’s mother in the popular ABC television show, “The Wonder Years,” recently opened up about what she called a “completely ridiculous” sexual harassment suit filed against Savage decades ago, which she believes ultimately ended up being the show’s demise.
“When we shot the series finale … nobody knew whether or not “The Wonder Years” was going to be renewed,” actress Alley Mills said. “And that’s because of a completely ridiculous sexual harassment suit that was going on against Fred Savage — who is, like, the least offensive, most wonderful, sweet human being that ever walked the face of the Earth.”
'Wonder Years' star Alley Mills says show was cancelled due to a sexual harassment lawsuit against Fred Savage and costar Jason Hervey https://t.co/kRyA2f8QhF
— Us Weekly (@usweekly) January 28, 2018
In 1993, the Los Angeles Times reported that former costume designer Monique Long, who worked on the set of “The Wonder Years,” accused Fred Savage and his television brother, Jason Hervey, of sexually and physically harassing her daily. According to production companies, New World Entertainment Inc. and New World Television Directions Inc., Long was a “disgruntled” employee looking for revenge after she was terminated from her position.
“New World regards the suit as completely baseless. We deny each and every substantive charge. The company intends to vigorously defend its position in court, and we’re completely confident that our position will be vindicated.” James Conroy, senior vice president of the parent company of New World, said at the time.
According to the lawsuit, Long claimed she was fired when she couldn’t do her job properly, after Savage constantly harassed her by asking her to hold hands with him and making sexual remarks.
NEW REVELATIONS: Did a sexual harassment lawsuit against Fred Savage lead to the cancellation of “The Wonder Years”? pic.twitter.com/wU4ufMcGHf
— ABC World News Now (@abcWNN) January 29, 2018
Mills brought up the lawsuit that happened over 20 years ago in response to the numerous sexual assault allegations currently going on today–some of which she thinks are fabricated. The actress blamed Mills for the show’s cancelation and said it would have likely continued into its seventh season had Long not made up “that garbage.”
“So I just thought [the lawsuit] was a big joke and it was going to blow over. It’s a little bit like what’s happening now — some innocent people can get caught up in this stuff; it’s very tricky. It was so not true. It was my dresser, and I don’t care if she’s listening — I probably shouldn’t be telling this, but I don’t care because it was so long ago and it’s gotta be over now.”
ABC eventually settled the lawsuit out of court, something Wills called a joke.
“I just thought this was a joke. You know, they bought her off, which really made me mad,” Mills said. “That was incorrigible that the network did that; they should never have paid her off.”
Page Six recently asked the former costume designer about the lawsuit, but she declined to comment until speaking with an attorney.
“The Wonder Years” premiered in 1988, with its final show airing on May 12, 1993.
[Feature Photo: Fred Savage via AP/Evan Agostini/Invision]
