Created by: Anne Beatts
Other cast: Amy Linker, Jami Gertz, Merritt Butrick, John Femia, Tracy Nelson, Claudette Wells & Jon Caliri
Premiere date: September 22, 1982
Episodes: Appeared in all episodes
Genre: Comedy
Running time: 30m
Former "Saturday Night Live" writer Anne Beatts looked back at her own painful adolescence for this character-driven sitcom about skinny Patty Greene and brace-faced Lauren Hutchinson, two bright but nerdy Weemawee High School freshmen who make doomed attempts to join the "in" crowd, which includes spoiled rich girl Jennifer DeNuccio and preppy head cheerleader Muffy Tepperman. At least Patty and Lauren have a pair of friends in class clown Marshall Blechtman and New Wave music maven Johnny Slash.
Tagline
You know the feeling. The awkwardness, the tender times, the silly moments of being fourteen and not quite sure you’ve got what it takes to be popular. That’s what Square Pegs is all about. Join Patty and Lauren in the sights, sounds and songs of growing up in the 80’s.
Photos
Trivia
Amy Linker and Sarah Jessica Parker were actually fighting during the filming of the episode It’s All How You See Things (1982), wherein their characters are at odds as well. When Patty throws the lunch tray at Lauren, Amy Linker was so enraged that she threw the milk at her. This was not directed or planned. The two actresses later made amends.
Sarah Jessica Parker originally wasn’t going to get the part of Patty because the producers thought she was too pretty. Luckily, the casting director was wearing sunglasses that day and the producers took out the lenses, asked Sarah to put them on, and gave her the part.
Sarah Jessica Parker (Patty) was the first actor to audition on the first day.
Character Quotes
Lauren Hutchinson: [during opening credits] Listen, I’ve got this whole high school thing psyched out. It all breaks down into cliques.
Patty Greene: Cliques?
Lauren Hutchinson: Yeah, you know, cliques; little in-groups of different kids. All we have to do is click with the right clique and we can finally have a social life that’s worthy of us.
Patty Greene: No way! Not even with CLEAVAGE!
Lauren Hutchinson: I told ya. This year we’re gonna be POPULAR!
Patty Greene: Yeah?
Lauren Hutchinson: Yeah. Even if it kills us!
Episode Guide
S1.E1 ∙ Pilot
Mon, Sep 27, 1982
Sarah Jessica Parker and Amy Linker star as best friends and new high school students in this series premiere. The two best friends are anxious to fit in at Weemawee High and become popular.
S1.E2 ∙ A Cafeteria Line
Mon, Oct 4, 1982
Vinnie and Jennifer, Weemawee’s “killer couple”, are suddenly on the outs when Vinnie is cast as the male lead in the school musical and starts making eyes at his female co-star, Patty.
S1.E3 ∙ Pac Man Fever
Mon, Oct 11, 1982
The class clown, Marshall, becomes addicted to the new arcade game that has arrived on campus. His friend Johnny is concerned, and looks to Father Guido Sarducci (played by Don Novello) for help.
S1.E4 ∙ Square Pigskins
Mon, Oct 18, 1982
High School sports takes a step backwards when Lauren encourages a skeptical Patty to join her on the Weemawee girls’ football team. Lauren is convinced it’s the perfect way to meet boys.
S1.E5 ∙ Halloween XII
Mon, Nov 1, 1982
Patty and Lauren are exuberant over being invited to a Halloween party with the “popular kids.” But the festivities turn spooky with the overwhelming sense that they’re being watched.
S1.E6 ∙ A Simple Attachment
Mon, Nov 8, 1982
Marshall hopes his science project, a “love detector,” will convince Lauren that she’s in love with him. Instead, the “gadget” goes haywire, turning Weemawee High’s social circle into a social mess.
S1.E7 ∙ Weemaweegate
Mon, Nov 15, 1982
“Ace” reporters Lauren and Patty investigate Weemawee High’s scandal-ridden campaign for a new school mascot. Class clown Marshall’s latest stunt makes him a prime suspect.
S1.E8 ∙ Open 24 Hours
Mon, Nov 22, 1982
The music industry might never be the same when Weemawee High’s Career Week influences Johnny to start his own rock band, with best friend Marshall acting as the manager.
S1.E9 ∙ Muffy’s Bat Mitzvah
Mon, Nov 29, 1982
Lauren, Patty, Johnny and Marshall are left off the guest list for the coolest party of the year, Muffy’s “new wave” Bat Mitzvah. DEVO makes their primetime TV debut with the single, “That’s’ Good.”
S1.E10 ∙ Hardly Working
Mon, Dec 13, 1982
A need for money forces the supercool Jennifer into donning a uniform and taking an unlikely, and “uncool” job after school.
S1.E11 ∙ Child’s Christmas in Weemawee: Part 1
Mon, Dec 20, 1982
During the holidays, Patty’s estranged father (played by Tony Dow of “Leave It to Beaver” fame) decides they need to spend more time together. This may ruin the girls’ holiday party plans.
S1.E12 ∙ Child’s Christmas in Weemawee: Part 2
Mon, Dec 20, 1982
Patty and Lauren face the prospect of a bleak holiday season, and no New Year’s Eve party at Vinnie’s, unless Patty can resolve her relationship with her estranged father (played by Tony Dow).
S1.E13 ∙ It’s All How You See Things
Mon, Dec 27, 1982
Patty “blindly” ventures out to prove her theory that glasses decrease popularity at Weemawee, but her visionary experiment could jeopardize her longtime relationship with best friend Lauren.
S1.E14 ∙ Merry Pranksters
Mon, Jan 10, 1983
In an effort to increase their popularity, Lauren and Patty orchestrate a series of outrageous practical jokes at Weemawee High. The plan backfires when a well known prankster gets all the credit.
S1.E15 ∙ It’s Academical
Mon, Jan 24, 1983
Patty is chosen to represent Weemawee High on a TV quiz show. Muffy is also on the panel, along with a handsome senior, and both girls are determined to make him their top prize.
S1.E16 ∙ The Stepanowicz Papers
Mon, Jan 31, 1983
Lauren is head over heels in love, but the unlikely object of her teenage infatuation could innocently be setting her up for a crushing romantic fall.
S1.E17 ∙ To Serve Weemawee All My Days
Mon, Feb 7, 1983
Lauren and Patty are pitted against Muffy when they go to bat for their favorite teacher. His radical lifestyle and unconventional teaching methods threaten to get him fired from Weemawee.
S1.E18 ∙ No Substitutions
Mon, Feb 14, 1983
Bill Murray guest stars as Mr. McNulty, a free-wheeling Weemawee High substitute teacher, who creates some unexpected repercussions for the freshman class.
S1.E19 ∙ No Joy in Weemawee
Mon, Feb 21, 1983
Patty and Lauren’s pal, Johnny Slash, might help bring them popularity. His home run hitting streak attracts the 1982 N.L. Rookie of the Year Steve Sax, and other Dodger teammates.
S1.E20 ∙ The Arrangement
Mon, Mar 7, 1983
Lauren’s convinced that she and Patty have finally cracked the Weemawee High popularity barrier, but Patty knows the real reason behind their instant popularity, and can’t reveal it.