My Secret Identity

Last updated
My Secret Identity
My Secret Identity.jpg
The Cast of My Secret Identity
Genre Action/Adventure/Sci-fi
Created by
Written by
  • Wilson Coneybeare
  • Fred Fox Jr.
  • David Garber
  • Richard Marcus
  • John May
  • Dawn Ritchie
  • Eric Weinthal
Starring
Opening theme"My Secret Identity"
Composers
  • Fred Mollin (S1-2)
  • Brad MacDonald (S3)
Country of originCanada
United States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes72 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producerMartin J. Keltz
Producers
  • John Delmage
  • Brian Levant
  • Paul Saltzman
  • Patrick Doyle (S3)
Cinematography
  • Peter Benison
  • Brian R.R. Hebb
EditorChristopher Cooper
Running time30 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network
ReleaseOctober 9, 1988 (1988-10-09) 
May 25, 1991 (1991-05-25)

My Secret Identity is a television series starring Jerry O'Connell and Derek McGrath. Originally broadcast from October 9, 1988 to May 25, 1991 on CTV in Canada, the series also aired in syndication in the United States. [1] It was later shown in reruns on the Sci-Fi Channel. The series won the 1989 International Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Programming for Children and Young People. [2]

Contents

Synopsis

O'Connell stars as 14-year-old Andrew Clements, who while looking one day for his friend, Dr. Benjamin Jeffcoate (McGrath), trips and is hit by a photon beam, causing him to develop superpowers. He uses these abilities to fight crime, to solve personal problems, and to help others. He hides his powers from his mother, sister, and friends with the exception of Jeffcoate. Andrew initially called himself Ultraman, but this was later dropped.

Powers

In the first season, Andrew must carry around aerosol spray containers and use them to move through the air, as his flying ability is limited; he can make himself nearly weightless, and move up without any problems, but he cannot propel himself through the air or move down without some external force. He can jump quite high and do amazing flips. In the second season, unexplained, Andrew gains the ability to move through the air without the use of aerosol cans. Later in that season, after being struck by the photon beam a second time, Andrew develops superhuman strength but loses his invulnerability.

For the entirety of the series, Andrew loses his powers when exposed to radiation (e.g. electromagnetic waves and x-rays). Starting in episode 10, he loses his powers for 2–3 days after exposure to an x-ray at the dentist. Later in the series, he regains them immediately after the exposure stops.

Setting and characters

The main setting of the show is Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in the fictional suburb of Briarwood. Andrew goes to Briarwood High and his sister Erin goes to another school.

Dr. Jeffcoate (supposedly the fourth-smartest man in the world) is a close friend of the family who lives next door. He is attracted to Mrs. Clements but never tells her.

Cast

Episodes

Novel

A novelization of the pilot episode, written by Jovial Bob Stine (R. L. Stine), was released in 1989. [3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">R. L. Stine</span> American writer and producer (born 1943)

Robert Lawrence Stine, known by his pen name R.L. Stine, is an American novelist. He is the writer of Goosebumps, a horror fiction novel series which has sold over 400 million copies globally in 35 languages, becoming the second-best-selling book series in history. The series spawned a media franchise including two television series, a video game series, a comic series, and two feature films. Stine has been referred to as the "Stephen King of children's literature".

<i>Whats Happening Now!!</i> American sitcom (1985-88)

What's Happening Now!! is an American sitcom sequel to the original ABC 1976–1979 sitcom What's Happening!! focusing on its main characters as independent people. It aired in first-run broadcast syndication from September 7, 1985 until March 26, 1988.

<i>Eureekas Castle</i> American childrens television series

Eureeka's Castle is an American children's puppet television series created by Debby Beece and Judy Katschke. R. L. Stine developed the characters and was the head writer of the show. It originally aired on Nickelodeon's Nick Jr. block from September 4, 1989, to November 10, 1991. The program featured various puppet characters who live in a giant's wind-up music box. The show was a joint development by Nickelodeon, animators Kit Laybourne and Eli Noyes of Noyes & Laybourne Enterprises, and the puppeteers at 3/Design Studio.

<i>Out of This World</i> (American TV series) American television sitcom (1987–1991)

Out of This World is an American fantasy sitcom about a teenage girl who is half alien, which gives her unique supernatural powers. It first aired in syndication from September 17, 1987 and ended on May 25, 1991.

<i>We Got It Made</i> American TV series or program

We Got It Made is an American sitcom television series that aired on NBC from September 8, 1983, to March 10, 1984, and in first-run syndication from September 11, 1987, to March 30, 1988. It starred Teri Copley as a woman who works as a maid for two bachelors in New York City, played by Tom Villard and Matt McCoy, who was replaced by John Hillner for the syndicated version. The series was created by Gordon Farr and Lynne Farr Brao. The executive producer was Fred Silverman.

<i>The Munsters Today</i> American television sitcom, 1988 to 1991

The Munsters Today is an American sitcom and a revival of the original 1964–66 sitcom The Munsters that aired in syndication from October 8, 1988, to May 25, 1991.

Derek McGrath is a Canadian actor and writer.

<i>The New Gidget</i> American TV series or program

The New Gidget is an American sitcom sequel to the original 1965–66 sitcom Gidget. It aired in syndication from September 15, 1986, to May 12, 1988. The series was produced by original Gidget series producer Harry Ackerman and was launched after the made-for-television film Gidget's Summer Reunion, starring Caryn Richman as Gidget, aired in 1985.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ashi Productions</span> Japanese animation studio

Ashi Productions Co., Ltd is a Japanese anime studio, located in Suginami, Tokyo, Japan, known for its four magical-girl anime, especially Magical Princess Minky Momo. It was established by Toshihiko Sato and other artists on December 20, 1975, as Ashi Productions. It changed its name from Ashi Productions to Production Reed Co., Ltd.' on November 1, 2007. On February 12, 2019, the company changed its name back to Ashi Productions.

<i>Harry and the Hendersons</i> (TV series) American TV series or program

Harry and the Hendersons is an American sitcom based on the film of the same name, produced by Amblin Television for Universal Television. It aired in syndication from January 13, 1991, to June 18, 1993, with 72 half-hour episodes produced. It is about a family who adopts a Bigfoot called Harry.

<i>Super Sunday</i> (TV series) 1980s animated series

Super Sunday was a 1980s American animated television series produced by Sunbow Productions and Marvel Productions. It was distributed by Claster Television.

<i>Marvel Action Universe</i>

Marvel Action Universe was a 1988–1991 weekly syndicated television block from Marvel Productions featuring animated adaptions of Dino-Riders and RoboCop, along with reruns of the 1981 Spider-Man cartoon and Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends.

<i>Police Academy</i> (TV series) American animated television series (1988–1989)

Police Academy is a 1988 animated television series based on the Police Academy series of films. The show was produced by Ruby-Spears Enterprises for Warner Bros. Television. It aired weekdays and lasted two seasons for a total of 65 episodes.

<i>Shes the Sheriff</i> American television sitcom (1987–1989)

She's the Sheriff is an American television sitcom that aired in first-run syndication from September 19, 1987, to April 1, 1989. Produced by Lorimar Television, the series marked the return of Suzanne Somers to television for the first time since she left her role as Chrissy Snow on ABC's Three's Company in 1980.

Marblehead Manor is an American sitcom that originally aired in first-run syndication from September 19, 1987 to May 28, 1988. It starred Paxton Whitehead, Phil Morris, Linda Thorson, Bob Fraser and Michael Richards. The series was a Dames-Fraser Production in association with Paramount Television.

Bustin' Loose is an American sitcom starring Jimmie Walker based on the 1981 film of the same name. The show ran in first-run syndication from September 19, 1987, to May 28, 1988.

Learning the Ropes is a Canadian-produced sitcom that aired on CTV in Canada and in syndication in the United States from September 1988 to March 1989. The series stars Lyle Alzado as Robert Randall, a teacher who works as a professional wrestler in the evening. Although his children knew about Randall's double life, the family was forced to keep it secret at school. The series featured guest appearances by many wrestlers of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). The sitcom was shot in Toronto.

You Can't Take It with You is an American sitcom television series produced for syndication in 1986. It was based on the 1938 film adaptation of the 1937 play by the same name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Universal Pictures Debut Network</span> American syndicated movie package

The Universal Pictures Debut Network, or simply the Debut Network, was a syndicated movie package that MCA Television sold to independent stations. The service reached agreements with ten stations in larger American markets such as New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago by late 1984. The Debut Network was a precursor of sorts to the Action Pack, which was also a syndicated package created by Universal Television.

References

  1. Hasan, Zaki (June 22, 2012). "Nostalgia Theater: My Secret Identity -- "It's All In a Day's Work For Ultraman"". Zaki's Corner. Salon.com. Archived from the original on October 13, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  2. Greer, Sandy (December 15, 1990). "No Secret To Show's Success". The Spectator TV Times. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  3. Stine, Jovial Bob; Levant, Brian; Fox, Fred (1989). My secret identity: a novelization. Copyright Paperback Collection (Library of Congress). New York: Scholastic. ISBN   978-0-590-42414-1. OCLC   19653556.