Wendell & Vinnie is an American sitcom television mini-series that premiered on Nickelodeon on February 16, 2013 and ran until September 22, 2013. The series stars Jerry Trainor and Buddy Handleson. The first official promo for the show was released on December 21, 2012.
On August 15, 2013, Nickelodeon cancelled Wendell & Vinnie after one season and the remaining six episodes began airing on August 18, 2013.
After Cartoon Network began programming shows with a TV-PG rating, Nickelodeon started development on TV shows that were more 18+-oriented than their regular programming. Writing and filming of Wendell & Vinnie began in late 2011/early 2012 at Warner Brothers Studios, and the show had its first official promotion on December 21, 2012. It premiered on February 16, 2013.
Vinnie is the owner of a pop culture memorabilia store and lives in Los Angeles without a care in the world. After his nephew's parents suddenly die six months before the setting of the show, Vinnie finds himself as the legal guardian of his wise-beyond-his-years nephew, Wendell. With a little help from Vinnie's sister, Wilma, and his next-door neighbor, Taryn, Vinnie gets the hang of being a parent. At the same time, Wendell finds himself trying to keep his immature uncle under control.
Jerry Trainor as Vinnie Bassett, the true child of the two. He even says in one episode, "I know what 12-year-old boys like 'cause I've been one for 20 years!" He runs a pop culture memorabilia business, and is fond of video games, comic books, and eating junk food. He realizes that he was given custody for Wendell because Wendell’s parents wanted to give Vinnie a chance and knew that Wendell is making his way no matter where he lives.
Buddy Handleson as Wendell Bassett, an intelligent 12-year-old who has a number of hobbies. His parents died six months before the events of the show, so he lives with his uncle. He is stereotypically nerdy and does not have many friends. He enjoys magic tricks and homework (so much so that he even created a fictional student named Jeremy in order to get more homework).
Nicole Sullivan as Wilma Bassett, Vinnie's older sister, Wendell’s aunt, and personal injury attorney. She does not understand why Wendell’s parents left Vinnie in charge and wants to be Wendell’s legal guardian for herself. She often tries to get men to date her, even if it means she must be dishonest—as in pretending she went to the same high school as a man she was attracted to or using a fake profile picture on an online dating website and claiming to be Persian.
Haley Strode as Taryn Kleinberg, the beautiful recently divorced new neighbor of Wendell and Vinnie and close friend of the two. She comes from Houston, Texas. Vinnie was originally attracted to her but she rejected him after Vinnie stopped on asking her out he asks out someone else and she said yes. In the series finale, Taryn noticed that she loves Vinnie and shares a kiss with him but then Vinnie tells her that he's involved with someone else.
Angelique Terrazas as Lacy, Wendell's best friend whom he met in detention. She threatened him at first, but then she revealed that she is not really mean, but just wanted to look tough in front of her friends. She sometimes gets Wendell into trouble—Wendell's grandfather considers her a bad influence—but Wendell still likes her. She enjoys eating corn dogs. It is revealed that Vinnie is in a scrapbook club with Lacy's grandmother.
The series was canceled by Nickelodeon on August 15, 2013.
Wendell & Vinnie received some negative reviews. Common Sense Media gave the show 2 out of 5 stars saying "Lackluster sitcom has mixed messages about parenting."
