My Secret Identity

My Secret Identity is a Canadian 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] The series won the 1989 International Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Programming for Children and Young People.[2]

My Secret Identity
The Cast of My Secret Identity
GenreAction/Adventure/Sci-fi
Created by
Written by
  • Wilson Coneybeare
  • Fred Fox, Jr.
  • David Garber
  • Richard Marcus
  • John May
  • Dawn Ritchie
  • Eric Weinthal
StarringJerry O'Connell
Derek McGrath
Opening theme"My Secret Identity"
ComposersFred Mollin (S1-2)
Brad MacDonald (S3)
Country of originCanada
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 company
DistributorMCA TV
Release
Original network
Original releaseOctober 9, 1988 (1988-10-09) –
May 25, 1991 (1991-05-25)

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, but mainly takes place 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
  • 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
Main article: List of My Secret Identity episodes

Novel

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

Syndicated stations (United States)
City Station
Baltimore, Maryland WNUV-TV 54
Boston WNDS 50[3]
Charleston, West Virginia WVAH-TV 11[4]
Chattanooga, Tennessee WDSI 61[5]
Chicago WPWR-TV 50[6][7]
Detroit WXON 20[8]
Fayetteville, North Carolina WKFT-TV 40[9]
Fort Wayne, Indiana WFFT 55[10]
Green Bay, Wisconsin WXGZ 32[11]
Greensboro, North Carolina WGGT 48[12]
Hartford, Connecticut WTIC-TV 61[13]
Honolulu KHNL 13[14]
Indianapolis WXIN 59[15]
Johnstown, Pennsylvania WWCP-TV 8[16]
Lexington, Kentucky WDKY-TV 56[17]
Los Angeles KTLA 5[18]
Miami WDZL 39
Milwaukee WVTV 18
Philadelphia WPHL-TV 17[19][20]
Oklahoma City KAUT-TV 43[21]
Omaha, Nebraska KPTM 42[22]
Orlando, Florida WCPX-TV 6[23]
WFTV 9[24]
Pittsburgh WPTT 22
Salt Lake City KUTV 2[25]
Seattle KCPQ 13[26]
Secaucus, New Jersey/New York City WWOR-TV 9[27][28]
Spokane, Washington KAYU-TV 28[29]
St. Louis KPLR 11[30]
Washington, D.C. WFTY 50[31]
Wichita, Kansas KSAS-TV 24[32]

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. "Retro: Boston/Manchester/Providence Sat, Feb 23, 1991". Radio Discussions. February 22, 2010.
  4. WVAH Learning the Ropes & My Secret Identity promos, 1988 on YouTube
  5. "HARTFORD/NEW HAVEN RETRO - March 23-29, 1991 - Independents/Fox Affiliate". Radio Discussions. February 26, 2006.
  6. Sulski, Jim (September 23, 1988). "PROGRAMS TO LOOK FOR ON STEREO TV". Chicago Tribune.
  7. "Retro: Chicago 9/15/90". Radio Discussions. October 11, 2009.
  8. "Retro: Detroit/Windsor, Sunday, June 2, 1991". Radio Discussions. April 6, 2017.
  9. "Retro: Eastern North Carolina Sat, July 27, 1991". Radio Discussions. July 27, 2010.
  10. "Northern Indiana - Sunday, February 26, 1989". Radio Discussions. October 13, 2006.
  11. "Retro: Northern Wisconsin/Western UP Michigan Sun 3/10/91". Radio Discussions. October 18, 2005.
  12. "Retro: North Carolina, 9/14/91". Radio Discussions. August 25, 2005.
  13. "HARTFORD/NEW HAVEN RETRO - March 23-29, 1991 - Independents/Fox Affiliate". Radio Discussions. February 26, 2006.
  14. "Hawaii, December 3, 1988". Radio Discussions. March 26, 2010.
  15. May 1989 - Indy Promo for 'My Secret Identity' on YouTube
  16. "Retro: Pittsburgh/Ohio & Mahoning Valleys Sun, May 19, 1991". Radio Discussions. May 10, 2013.
  17. "Retro: Bristol/Knoxville/Lexington (3-4-1990)". Radio Discussions. March 3, 2015.
  18. Weinstein, Steve (September 4, 1989). "Battling It Out in Syndication : THE NEW TV SEASON : Joan Is Back; 'Jeopardy' and 'Wheel' on KCBS". Los Angeles Times.
  19. WPHL My Secret Identity promo, 1989 on YouTube
  20. "Philadelphia independents - June 1990". Radio Discussions. June 10, 2012.
  21. "Retro: Oklahoma City - Week of April 22, 1990". Radio Discussions. January 19, 2019.
  22. "Retro: Nebraska, Sat. May 19th, 1990". Radio Discussions. December 8, 2012.
  23. Hinman, Catherine (December 24, 1988). "'SUPERBOY' STRONG EXCEPT IN HOMETOWN". Orlando Sentinel.
  24. "Retro: Central Florida, Saturday, January 5, 1991". Radio Discussions. December 25, 2016.
  25. "Retro: Montana Sat, Aug 26, 1989". Radio Discussions. August 21, 2012.
  26. "Retro: Yakima, WA; Sat. July 15th, 1989". Radio Discussions. August 2, 2015.
  27. My Secret Identity Commercial (1990) on YouTube
  28. WWOR & WCBS: October, 1989 Commercial Break on YouTube
  29. "Retro: Spokane, Washington — Sunday, February 19, 1989". Radio Discussions. January 24, 2019.
  30. "Retro: St. Louis, Saturday, Jan 28, 1989". Radio Discussions. January 25, 2020.
  31. "Retro: Baltimore and Washington, DC...Saturday 9/14/91". Radio Discussions. February 20, 2006.
  32. "Retro: Kansas Sat, May 6, 1989". Radio Discussions. May 3, 2011.
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