Small Wonder (1985-1989)

Small Wonder is an American comedy science fiction sitcom that first aired from September 7, 1985 to May 20, 1989. The show centres on a family consisting of loving parents Ted and Joan Lawson, their 10-year old son Jamie Lawson and their modelled robot daughter Vicki Lawson, who is adored by her supposed family, and the struggles they face hiding V.I.C.I's secret from the rest of the world. V.I.C.I (or Voice Input Child Identicant) was built by Ted Lawson who is an engineer for United Robotronics for helping handicapped children. Having brought home for human interaction necessary for VICI's development, the family hides her identity from the world but almost always fails to do so because of their displeasing neighbours who show up uninvited and at the most unexpected moments. V.I.C.I. is staged to the world as an orphan and so she was supposedly adopted by the Lawsons. Her artificial intelligence is somewhat imperfect; being incapable of emotion, she speaks in a monotonous voice. She however, manages to blend in with the real world. 

Harriet Brindle, who claims to be madly in love with Jamie, is their nosy next-door neighbour who cannot stop herself from interfering in the Lawsons' lives. Her father is Ted's boss who received that stature after stealing Ted's ideas, adds to the bunch of annoying neighbours, including his ever-bothersome wife Bonnie Brindle.

The show's humour derives from V.I.C.I.'s attempt to learn human behaviour, her literal understanding and interpretation of language and the family's effort to mask her true identity. The often jab of wittiness from the one-sided love affair of Harriet and Jamie, and the frequent intrusion of the Lawsons' neighbours make it all the more fun and a hilarious sitcom to watch with family.