TV on DVD Buzz

Wonderfalls is a show I have heard many good things about, but have never been fortunate enough to see. Created by Tim Minear (Firefly), the show was originally slated to premiere in the fall of 2003 but for some reason was delayed until March of 2004. It premiered to critical acclaim. Viewers were hard to come by though, at what should have been the end of the TV Season rather than the beginning. A timeslot change after the first episode wasn’t promoted and didn’t really help their plight either. After airing only 4 of the 13 episodes, the network pulled the show. Immediately after the show’s cancellation, its producers attempted to interest other networks, including The WB, in picking up the series but nobody was interested.

The show centered around Jaye Tyler, a recent Brown University graduate with a philosophy degree, who instead of going on to a job in her field, works as a sales clerk at a Niagara Falls gift shop. Her job is quite ordinary until one day when inanimate objects start talking to her, instructing her to help others in need. Jaye reluctantly agrees and ends up becoming the reluctant hero.

The cast included:

Caroline Dhavernas as Jaye Tyler
Tracie Thoms as Mahandra McGinty
Tyron Leitso as Eric Gotts
Lee Pace as Aaron Tyler
Katie Finneran as Sharon Tyler
William Sadler as Darrin Tyler
Diana Scarwid as Karen Tyler
Neil Grayston as Alec “Mouthbreather”
Jewel Staite as Heidi Gotts

I couldn’t help but note that Lee Pace starred in this show. You might know Lee from another off-the-beaten-path show, which I happen to love, Pushing Daisies.

As with most cancelled-before-their-time shows, Wonderfalls had developed a loyal fanbase. A fan-led campaign was launched to try and get the show released on DVD. They garnered support of many of the cast and crew. 

They got their wish on February 1, 2005 when 20th Century Fox released a DVD set including all 13 episodes. Also included is commentary by the producers and cast members, a behind-the-scenes documentary, an examination of the show’s visual effects, and one of the two music videos produced for the theme song, “I Wonder Why the Wonder Falls” by Andy Partridge.