Square Pegs was a short-lived but culturally significant American teen sitcom that aired on CBS for a single season from September 27, 1982, to March 7, 1983. Created by writer Anne Beatts, who had made her name as a pioneering female comedy writer on Saturday Night Live, the show aimed to bring a more authentic and quirky voice to teenage life,
one that stood in contrast to the more sanitized or romanticized versions typically seen on TV at the time. Beatts drew upon her own experiences as an outsider in high school to shape the tone and humor of the show, infusing it with a sense of ironic detachment and observational wit that was ahead of its time.
The plot centered on two awkward teenage girls, Patty Greene and Lauren Hutchinson, played by Sarah Jessica Parker in her first major role and Amy Linker, respectively. They were freshmen at the fictional Weemawee High School, trying desperately to fit in with the popular crowd while staying true to their offbeat identities. Their world was populated by a cast of vividly drawn characters,
including Valley Girl Jennifer DiNuccio (Tracy Nelson), new wave musician Johnny Slash (Merritt Butrick), preppy Vinnie Pasetta (Jon Caliri), and nerdy Marshall Blechtman (John Femia). The show’s tone was defined by its embrace of outsider culture and its nuanced depiction of adolescence as both excruciatingly awkward and deeply funny.
Main Cast
- Sarah Jessica Parker – Patty Greene – A bright, insecure, and socially awkward freshman at Weemawee High, Patty Greene is determined to be popular despite her eccentricities and outsider status. She navigates high school with sarcasm and sincerity, often relying on best friend Lauren for emotional support. – Sarah Jessica Parker rose to fame years later as Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City, winning multiple awards for the role. Her film credits include Hocus Pocus, L.A. Story, The Family Stone, and Failure to Launch. She also appeared in Divorce, Footloose (1984), and Ed Wood.
- Amy Linker – Lauren Hutchinson – Patty’s best friend and confidante, Lauren is also an outcast but slightly more optimistic and socially driven. She often concocts plans for the two to become popular, with mixed results, and serves as Patty’s moral compass. – Amy Linker appeared in few roles beyond Square Pegs, though she had a part in the animated series Dungeons & Dragons. After stepping away from acting, she focused on education and professional life outside the entertainment industry.
- Merritt Butrick – Johnny Slash – An eccentric, soft-spoken student deeply into new wave music, Johnny Slash is a self-defined individual who frequently says “Totally different head, totally.” He marches to his own beat and remains loyal to his friend Marshall, often providing a cool counterpoint to the show’s more frantic characters. – Merritt Butrick is best known for his role as David Marcus in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. He also appeared in Death Spa, Fright Night Part 2, and shows like Hill Street Blues and Simon & Simon before his untimely death in 1989.
- John Femia – Marshall Blechtman – The nerdy, overly confident aspiring comedian of Weemawee, Marshall is known for his rapid-fire jokes and schemes. He forms a quirky duo with Johnny Slash, often offering unsolicited comic relief and commentary. – John Femia had a relatively brief acting career, appearing in Special Bulletin and episodes of The Facts of Life. He later transitioned away from acting and did not maintain a high profile in the industry.
- Tracy Nelson – Jennifer DiNuccio – The archetypal popular Valley Girl, Jennifer is stylish, self-absorbed, and seemingly shallow, yet occasionally reveals unexpected depth. Her speech is filled with “like”-laden slang, and she dominates the school’s social hierarchy. – Tracy Nelson starred in The Father Dowling Mysteries as Sister Steve and had recurring roles in Melrose Place, Melrose Place 2009, and 7th Heaven. Her film credits include Down and Out in Beverly Hills, The Night Caller, and numerous Lifetime movies. She is the daughter of singer Ricky Nelson and actress Kristin Harmon.
- Jami Gertz – Muffy Tepperman – A high-strung, overachieving student who leads every club at Weemawee, Muffy is full of school spirit and relentless optimism. Her pushy personality often grates on others, but her good intentions usually shine through. – Jami Gertz is widely known for her roles in The Lost Boys, Less Than Zero, and Twister. She starred in the sitcoms Still Standing and The Neighbors, and appeared in Entourage, Ally McBeal, and Square One TV. Gertz has also become prominent off-screen as a philanthropist.
- Claudette Wells – LaDonna Fredericks – As one of the few characters of color on the show, LaDonna is a grounded, sharp-witted member of the in-crowd who often speaks with authority and attitude. She is Jennifer’s friend but sometimes challenges the group’s social norms. – Claudette Wells appeared on shows like A Different World, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Cagney & Lacey. Her career also includes voiceover work and roles in films such as Things Are Tough All Over.
- Jon Caliri – Vinnie Pasetta – A slick, streetwise guy with a Fonzie-like demeanor, Vinnie is Jennifer’s on-again, off-again boyfriend. He is more interested in his image and his car than schoolwork and often speaks in outdated cool-kid slang. – Jon Caliri had a brief acting career, with Square Pegs being his most recognizable role. He also appeared in Grease 2 and a few minor projects before leaving acting in the mid-1980s.
Other Characters
- Steven Peterman – Mr. Rob Donovan – A young, idealistic teacher at Weemawee High who tries to relate to the students by being “cool” but is often out of touch. He represents adult attempts to understand youth culture and adds comic relief through his awkward attempts at connection. – Steven Peterman is better known for his behind-the-scenes work as a writer and producer for shows like Murphy Brown, Suddenly Susan, and Hannah Montana. His acting credits are limited compared to his Emmy-winning work in television writing.
- Basil Hoffman – Principal John Spacek – The mild-mannered and slightly bewildered principal of Weemawee High who tries to maintain order amid the school’s chaos. He often appears detached but occasionally asserts himself with surprising authority. – Basil Hoffman had a long character-acting career, with appearances in All the President’s Men, Ordinary People, The Artist, and My Favorite Year. He also guest-starred in series like Hill Street Blues, Murder, She Wrote, and The West Wing. He was known for portraying bureaucratic or professorial characters with dry humor.
- Catlin Adams – Ms. Bernadette Meara – Ms. Meara is a stern, no-nonsense teacher at Weemawee High who often clashes with students over their lack of discipline and academic focus. She stands in contrast to the more “hip” Mr. Donovan, enforcing structure and rules while subtly revealing moments of dry wit and vulnerability. – Catlin Adams – The Jerk, Tootsie, The Last American Virgin, Victory at Entebbe, Behind Enemy Lines, Starsky & Hutch, Lou Grant, One Day at a Time, and later became a respected acting coach and director, working with actors behind the scenes rather than continuing a high-profile screen career.
- Craig Richard Nelson – Mr. Robin Bloom – Mr. Bloom is the eccentric drama teacher at Weemawee High, known for his theatrical mannerisms, over-the-top personality, and passion for the performing arts. He frequently tries to inspire students through dramatic expression, even when they aren’t particularly interested. – Craig Richard Nelson – The Paper Chase, The Goodbye Girl, Three Days of the Condor, The Associates, T.J. Hooker, Remington Steele, The Facts of Life, Murder, She Wrote, and numerous stage productions, often cast as intellectuals, bureaucrats, or educators with a quirky edge.
Production of Square Pegs took place primarily at the abandoned Excelsior High School in Norwalk, California, which gave the show an unusually realistic and atmospheric look compared to the standard studio sets used for most sitcoms of the time. Despite airing on a major network,
the production faced frequent difficulties, including reported tension behind the scenes and complaints from CBS about alleged drug use among the cast and crew, which Anne Beatts vehemently denied. These behind-the-scenes controversies contributed to the network’s decision not to renew the show,
despite its growing cult following. One of the show’s most memorable aspects was its music, which reflected the vibrant new wave and punk influences of the early 1980s. The opening theme was performed by The Waitresses, best known for their hit “I Know What Boys Like,” and their presence helped cement the show’s reputation as having a finger on the pulse of youth culture. Other musical acts made appearances or were referenced, adding to the series’ cred among music-savvy viewers.
A Few of the Actors Who Made an Appearance on the Show
- Anne Beatts
- Tony Dow
- Bill Murray
- The Waitresses
- John Densmore (The Doors)
- Devo
- Jimmy & The Mustangs
- Richard Blade
- Father Guido Sarducci
- Martin Mull
- Steve Sax
The character Johnny Slash, a new wave enthusiast who was both eccentric and endearing, became a fan favorite and helped capture the cultural zeitgeist of the MTV generation just as it was emerging. Square Pegs has remained a cult favorite due to its unique blend of satire, sincerity, and cultural awareness.
Though only 20 episodes were produced, it has been fondly remembered for its authentic portrayal of teenage insecurity and social dynamics, and for launching the career of Sarah Jessica Parker. Critics have often cited it as a precursor to later, more successful teen shows that
dealt more directly with social awkwardness and identity, such as Freaks and Geeks or My So-Called Life. Despite its brief run, Square Pegs remains a landmark of 1980s television for its wit, aesthetic, and refusal to conform to the usual formulas of its genre.
Music
- The Waitresses appear in the premiere episode performing as themselves. They play “I Know What Boys Like” during a scene at the school dance, and “Square Pegs” in a scene during the closing credits, with the characters dancing along. Their song “Christmas Wrapping” also plays in the show’s hangout diner (The Grease) during the Christmas episode. They are also mentioned by Jennifer in the episode in which she works at the diner.
- John Densmore, original drummer for The Doors, plays himself as a member of Johnny Slash’s New Wave band, Open 24 Hours, in the episode “Open 24 Hours” (episode #8). He also is the drummer in Johnny’s band, renamed Open 48 Hours, in “Muffy’s Bat Mitzvah” (episode #9).
- Also performing in “Muffy’s Bat Mitzvah” is the new wave band Devo, appearing as themselves.
- Rockabilly band Jimmy & The Mustangs perform in the final episode, “The Arrangement”.
- Radio and television personality Richard Blade makes a cameo as himself in “Muffy’s Bat Mitzvah” and “The Arrangement”.
- The walls of the school radio station, run by Marshall, are covered with posters from then-current New Wave acts, including Berlin, The Clash, Missing Persons, Squeeze, Devo, The B-52’s, and Laurie Anderson.
- Billy Idol’s song “Dancing with Myself” is featured in episode #18 (“No Substitutions”), which guest starred Bill Murray as a substitute teacher. The song is replaced with generic music in the show’s DVD release for licensing reasons, but the original audio is in the version of the episode available on iTunes.
Some_Episodes
- “Pilot” (Episode 1): The series kicks off with Patty and Lauren determined to break into the popular clique at Weemawee High. Their attempts to transform their image lead to cringeworthy and hilarious moments, including an awkward cafeteria scene and a botched invitation to Jennifer’s party. The pilot established the show’s distinct voice and quirky characters, especially the endearing social misfits Patty and Lauren. Sarah Jessica Parker’s performance made an immediate impression, and the show’s signature style of sardonic teen commentary was born.
- “Muffy’s Bat Mitzvah” (Episode 4): In one of the most iconic and bizarre episodes, the popular yet clueless Muffy Tepperman invites the entire school to her bat mitzvah, which turns into a chaotic and awkward party filled with social faux pas and over-the-top spectacle. Johnny Slash and Marshall provide musical entertainment, and Devo make an appearance, performing live. The episode is beloved for its absurd energy, cultural satire, and a surprising amount of heart underneath the humor.
- “Square Pigskins” (Episode 6): Patty and Lauren try to fit in by becoming pep squad managers, but their lack of enthusiasm for school spirit is evident. Meanwhile, Johnny Slash and Marshall create their own bizarre football commentary. The episode satirizes high school sports culture while highlighting the girls’ increasing awareness that being themselves might be better than conforming. It’s often cited as a classic example of the show’s anti-clique message and off-kilter humor.
- “Halloween XII” (Episode 7): This seasonal episode finds the Weemawee gang throwing a Halloween party in a supposedly haunted house, leading to misunderstandings, scares, and a memorable new wave dance sequence. The episode plays with horror tropes in a lighthearted way while offering deeper insights into the social insecurities of the characters. Fans love the costume designs and the nostalgic 1980s Halloween vibe.
- “Hardly Working” (Episode 11): Lauren gets a job at a trendy fashion boutique and becomes enamored with her more sophisticated co-workers, causing a rift with Patty. This episode explores themes of peer pressure and friendship as Lauren begins to lose touch with her true self. The setting outside the school gave the show a fresh atmosphere, and the emotional conflict between the girls resonated with viewers who appreciated the show’s honest take on adolescence.
- “No Joy in Weemawee” (Episode 15): Patty accidentally becomes the school mascot for the football team and feels humiliated, but eventually discovers unexpected pride in her role. Meanwhile, the popular kids struggle with actual responsibilities, leveling the playing field. The episode balances slapstick comedy with character development, showing Patty gaining confidence while subtly mocking the arbitrary rules of high school popularity. Fans cite it as a perfect summary of the show’s charm and underlying message of self-acceptance.
- “No Substitutions” (Episode 18): Jack McNulty, a charismatic and unconventional substitute teacher played by Bill Murray, steps in for Ms. Loomis, who is away at a teacher’s conference in Reno. McNulty immediately charms the class with his unorthodox teaching methods, including organizing mock marriages among the students to teach them about relationships and responsibility. At first, the kids are delighted by his relaxed and humorous approach, seeing him as the ultimate “cool teacher.” However, the experience begins to unravel as emotional complications emerge, especially when the mock marriages bring unexpected tensions and reveal hidden insecurities. Ultimately, the students walk away with a deeper understanding of themselves and their peers, learning a life lesson—though not necessarily the one Mr. McNulty intended. Bill Murray’s guest appearance adds a unique energy to the episode, blending comedy with heart in a way that sets this installment apart as one of the most memorable and beloved of the series.
Further Reading
Sources
- Wikipedia “Square Pegs” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Square_Pegs
- Ken’s Alternate Universe “Throwback Thursday: Square Pegs (1982)” https://kensalternateuniverse.com/2021/08/19/throwback-thursday-square-pegs-1982/
- IMDB “Square Pegs” https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083482/
