The Goldbergs are just your average, all American family living a normal life in the quiet suburbs of Pennsylvania….in the 80’s. From the moment the show begins the audience is viewing the crazy life of the Goldbergs through the camera lens of 11 year old Adam, an aspiring filmmaker who makes it his duty, or rather pleasure to capture every embarrassing moment of his family on film. If you remember the 80’s get ready for a flashback.
First, we have a nagging, snooping, overbearing mother, Beverly (played to hilarious perfection by Wendi McLendon-Covey) whose goes to every extreme as a mother. Beverly is the perfect portrayal of just how far a mother will go to keep her kids from growing up, whether it’s snooping in her children’s diaries, listening in on phone conversations, using her daughter for her employee discounts and even reminding her eldest son to wash his bottom. Then there’s the outspoken, brash father, Murray (Jeff Garlin) who has a strange habit of walking around the house in his tighty whities, calling his kids “morons” and cursing at the television. Next we have the svelte, outgoing, fun loving Pops (George Segal) who tries to prove he’s still young at heart, whether it’s dating young women, driving (in his case crashing) fast cars and pushing his way back into working for the family furniture business. Next, there’s Erica (Hayley Orrantia), whose only wish is to be treated as an adult, get accepted into a good college, have complete privacy by getting as far away from her insane parents as possible. Finally, there’s Barry (Troy Gentile), the awkward middle (Jan Brady) child of the ‘80s, who would rather focus on cruising for chicks, torturing his little brother, Adam, always trying to be and making his parents lives a living hell, instead of putting all his time and effort into his studies.
So what is it about the Goldbergs that truly appeals to television audiences so much? It’s the fact that every situation or character being displayed has something we can all relate to. Whether it’s Adam trying to prove his independence from his mother by buying his own clothes, Erica attempting to show she’s an adult by having a job or Barry proving to his parents, or even himself that he isn’t a joke and does have something to offer to this world. The Goldbergs may be giving you a glimpse into the 1980’s, an era of totally rad fashion (leg warmers, stirrup pants), bangin’ music (Duran Duran, REO Speedwagon) and righteous films (The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller), however it proven to be so much more than that. It just goes to show you that no matter what generation you’ve grown up in, there probably was a Adam, Erica, Barry, Beverly, Murray or Pops in your family. The Goldbergs may bicker, throw things at each other and swear to never speak to one another ever again, but at the end of the day no matter what they are a loving family. So sit back, relax and take a glance into the family based show of the everyday lives of the Goldbergs. The Goldbergs airs Tuesdays on ABC
Nicole Rohde is a San Diego native who appreciates the arts, especially when it entertains, informs and gives audiences something to relate to. She is a graduate of UC San Diego, whose main focus was on journalism and theatre. She has written numerous short stories, poems and plays. If you’re looking for an arts writer to review television, film or theatre, she has a blank page that is ready to be filled. Feel free to email her at artsywriter80@hotmail.com
