The TV series started as a spin-off from the film, "The Heartbreak Kid" which was adapted from the play of the same name by Richard Barrett. Ben Gannon produced the film with Michael Jenkins directing it and it met with critical and financial success upon release in 1993.

Ben then approached the TV networks with the idea of a youth show based upon the film and the TEN NETWORK signed on. Chris Roache was hired to set up and run the Script Department. After 91 episodes the TEN NETWORK parted company with the show and, after year or so the ABC picked up the Australian TV rights.

In all, 210 episodes were made and the series was much more successful internationally than in Australia which has a relatively small viewing audience. The series continues to screen all over the globe and probably has a world wide audience of ten million or more.