Wendell & Vinnie

Did You Know?

• On August 2, 2012, Nick at Nite announced the show had been picked up for 20 episodes, but on February 7, 2013, it was announced it would premiere on Nick instead.
• Writing and filming began in late 2011/early 2012 at Warner Brothers Studios.

Premise

Vinnie, owner of a pop culture memorabilia store in Los Angeles, becomes the legal guardian of his nephew Wendell after the boy's parents die six months before the show's setting. With help from Vinnie's sister Wilma and neighbor Taryn, Vinnie learns parenting while Wendell tries to keep his immature uncle under control.

Cast and characters

Jerry Trainor plays Vinnie Bassett, Wendell's uncle, a manchild who runs a pop culture memorabilia business and enjoys video games, comic books, and junk food. He realizes his brother and sister-in-law gave him custody because they knew Wendell would thrive anywhere. Buddy Handleson portrays Wendell Bassett, a smart 12-year-old whose parents died six months before the series. He is nerdy, has few friends, and likes magic tricks and homework. Nicole Sullivan appears as Wilma Bassett, Vinnie's older sister and a personal injury attorney who wants to be Wendell's guardian and often uses dishonesty to attract men. Haley Strode plays Taryn Kleinberg, the recently divorced neighbor from Texas who initially rejects Vinnie but later kisses him in the finale, only to learn he is involved with someone else. Angelique Terrazas portrays Lacy, Wendell's best friend met in detention; she initially threatens him but is not truly mean. She sometimes gets Wendell into trouble and enjoys corn dogs, and Vinnie is in a scrapbook club with her grandmother.