My Secret Identity
My Secret Identity | |
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Genre | Action/Adventure/Sci-fi |
Created by |
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Written by |
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Starring |
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Opening theme | "My Secret Identity" |
Composers |
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Country of origin | Canada United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 3 |
No. of episodes | 72 (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Executive producer | Martin J. Keltz |
Producers |
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Cinematography |
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Editor | Christopher Cooper |
Running time | 30 minutes |
Production companies |
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Original release | |
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Release | October 9, 1988 May 25, 1991 | –
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]
Synopsis
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]- Jerry O'Connell as Andrew Clements
- Derek McGrath as Dr. Benjamin Marion Jeffcoate
- Christopher Bolton as Kirk Stevens (1989–1991)
- Marsha Moreau as Erin Clements
- Wanda Cannon as Stephanie Clements
- Elizabeth Leslie as Ruth Schellenbach
Episodes
[edit]Novel
[edit]A novelization of the pilot episode, written by Jovial Bob Stine (R. L. Stine), was released in 1989.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ 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.
- ^ Greer, Sandy (December 15, 1990). "No Secret To Show's Success". The Spectator TV Times. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
- ^ 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.
External links
[edit]- 1988 American television series debuts
- 1991 American television series endings
- 1980s American comic science fiction television series
- 1990s American comic science fiction television series
- 1990s American superhero comedy television series
- 1980s American teen sitcoms
- 1990s American teen sitcoms
- 1988 Canadian television series debuts
- 1991 Canadian television series endings
- 1980s Canadian science fiction television series
- 1990s Canadian comic science fiction television series
- 1980s Canadian sitcoms
- 1990s Canadian teen sitcoms
- Canadian superhero comedy television series
- Teen superhero television series
- CTV Television Network original programming
- First-run syndicated sitcoms
- American television series about teenagers
- Canadian television series about teenagers
- Television shows filmed in Toronto
- Television series by Universal Television
- Canadian English-language television shows