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Gettin’ Tricky: ’80s Style
“The Goldbergs” on ABC continues to do everything right.
Television shows and products have a tendency to, occasionally, be over-hyped (except Life Alert, that’s the real deal!). This is simply not the case with America’s new favorite family from the ’80s: The Goldbergs. This sitcom looked amazing from the promos and almost instantaneously became one of the “Must See” shows of the week. The cast is dynamite, from the two unknown actors and actress who portray the kids/siblings to the hilariously lovable and recognizable parents and eccentric grandfather.
Jeff Garlin, Wendi McLendon-Covey and George Segal all bring their comedic experience and nuances to their parental characters who continue to complement each other and the kids perfectly. The kids epitomize the three-sibling dynamic so well it’s almost frightening. But funny frightening. Having grown up with two older sisters, there are definitely some similarities.
We can all relate to our Mom worrying about us while waiting for our confirmation call informing her we had arrived at our neighbor’s house, fearing that we will somehow find ourselves lying face down in a ditch somewhere. But has that ever happened? Ever?
Moms are just a little paranoid I suppose.
The scenes from last night’s episode that showed Barry and Erica collaborating together in order to trick their über-Mom Beverly for car privileges were diabolical, genius and primed for genuine laughs at that special moment of the forgotten (yet essential) detail. The end result was a quintessential middle child moment for señor Barry.
It was muy divertido!
While Adam’s remote control ploy with Erica (and Barry later) against Murray was pretty tame, it still made for a great family bonding moment. Deception-centered yes, but great nonetheless. Could that trick be pulled off today…
Plus, the references to all things gloriously ’80s have been nothing short of pure magnificence. When nostalgic movie posters and movie clips, clothes, music, cars and attitudes are combined with the clever, fresh and funny dialogue from the creative writers and performed by the brilliant cast of talented known and unknown actors and actresses, it makes for a sincerely fantastic show.
Add in the occasional dose of heart/love and a soundtrack of awesomeness and you’ve got “The Goldbergs.”
Perhaps no other line from last night’s rad episode could encapsulate the love this family shows for one another than the following sequence: Murray, after driving around for an hour one night looking for his (moron) son because of his wife’s nagging, apocalyptic pleas to find him, drives onto a lonely road to spot none other than Barry’s red Flyer’s jacket and said son about ten feet to his right. Murray is relieved to have found his oldest son. Only temporarily though…
“You couldn’t have been sitting up in a ditch? Or reclining comfortably? No. Face down! Like she said!”
So, that can actually happen…who knew? And the point goes to Beverly.
On a note of equal importance, Beverly wants everyone to watch, “The Goldbergs” every Tuesday night at 9:00 p.m. on ABC!
THE GOLD-BERGS
The Awesome Power of “The Remote”
Last night, another episode of “The Goldbergs” again solidified the fact that there is at least one reason to look forward to Tuesday night entertainment (9:00 p.m. EST). One of the plot lines focused on Beverly (the Mom) desperately wanting “snuggies” from her children, especially her youngest, Adam, because she knows he is her last chance at that kind of special Mother-Son/Daughter love.
Just like Barry’s dream of becoming the next Dr. J, time is running out…and fast!
Swish!
In an attempt to punish Adam for betraying her parental warning not to see “Poltergeist,” Beverly secretly scares Adam in exchange for daily “snuggies” from the terrified little rebel. One of her schemes included taking the remote control outside and messing with the television that Adam was watching in the family room one afternoon in a sudden state of total fright.
Well played, Beverly…well played.
This reminded me of a beloved commercial from not too long ago. It underscores why the remote (in whatever form) is such a treasured and valuable entity in our society for both men and women.
The remote: a parent’s secret weapon.
Back to the ’80s
Only two episodes in and “The Goldbergs” has already inspired me to search my local mall for a highlighter yellow (or orange) jacket that glows in the daytime.
“Science!”
Based in the 1980s, the story of “The Goldbergs” is told by the youngest child Adam “Wonder Years” style. Equipped with a shoulder rock (known then as a video recorder), Adam chronicles some of the funniest and strangest moments his family has to offer. The VHS quality recordings range from the mundane no-pants Father to the bizarrely hilarious Big Tasty: recognize!
Impressively, this sitcom successfully transports the viewer to the house and neighborhood straight out of the era when hover-boards on the silver screen and A-ha’s “Take on Me” ruled the day.
Oh, and as mentioned above, the clothes are very boss as well. Acid wash jeans? Yes, please!
And I think all sons can relate to shopping with our Mom at one point and hearing them infamously shout throughout the store about getting a pair of pants that better fit the, well, you know the region if you’re a guy.
Memories.
Beyond the great stereotypical roles of the rebellious, Daddy-wrapped-around-her-little-finger teenage daughter (Erica) to the stuck between a rock and a roller rink middle child (Barry) to the ready-to-see-the-world youngest son (Adam), The Goldbergs provide fun, eccentricity and just the right amount of heart for a totally awesome and strangely relatable family.
The Grandfather (Albert) humorously refuses to grow up (a Burt Reynolds twin anybody?), the Father (Murray) has a “Red Forman” dynamic upgraded for the ’80s by means of a floppy disk and the Mother (Beverly) is quite simply spectacular as she perfectly blends adorably embarrassing moments (trains are plenty dangerous!) with the amazingly lovable defense of her kid’s best interests. Who else could intimidate a store clerk to open a store after hours and convince the same clerk to honor a coupon that’s been expired for more than a year? Only a Mom on a mission.
Aside from the killer soundtrack at the end of each show, one of the best parts is when nostalgic home movie clips are shown of the real Goldbergs for whom the characters are based.
It’s surreal how familiar all those home movies look…
“The Goldbergs” will rap their way into your living room Tuesday nights at 9:00 p.m. on ABC.
This show not only shows off some tasty fashion, but is also looking like it might become pretty big.
Forever Yours
I’m quite flashy on the outside and at your disposal with a permanent knowledge of information you’ll need to know for the future. I am dressed top to bottom in the exact right colors. In fact, I’m a very sharp dresser. Although, to be completely honest, I did not dress myself. Still, I look good!
Summer has been very relaxing for me, though ultimately uneventful. However, when Fall rolls around, that is when my world will get really exciting. From this point on, everything will happen at a blistering pace. I’ll know where I’m sitting just minutes before kickoff. There are countless variables in the air and once the flow of the day starts, it’s anyone’s guess as to what could transpire next. I hear the band playing, see the sun shining and feel the warmth of a late September afternoon. Though I’m still felling chilly.
Life is good. In fact, OH-
It’s a long hike to the seats, but what a view! C-Deck is high up, but I can literally see everything on the field below. Without a doubt, this will be a glorious event. Today is what I’ve been waiting for all Summer. Luckily, this is just the beginning.
While I was hopeful I’d see the whole game, I suppose that was me being far too optimistic. Once the small popcorn ran out, my view was severely impaired. The time came when I had to go “below deck.” That’s my code for under the seat. I’ll likely remain here only until the game is over. Then, hopefully, my shelf life will soon begin.
Oh, I’m a souvenir cup from an Ohio State football game…and this is my story.
There is not always a guarantee that I’ll be picked up and taken home, but like my countless plastic brothers and sisters, I prayed before the game that my new friend would see me as more than just a medium Pepsi. I have so much more to offer!
The game ends and the Buckeyes dominated, which is what I gathered from all the cheering. Another great start to the season.
Will she pick me up? Please, please, please! There’s nothing I can do at this point but to sit here with my Scarlet and Grey shield, my trusty 2013 Schedule perfectly labeled and pray. This is the moment of truth. This is it. The next few seconds will change my life forever for better or worse…
She takes a quick “selfie” with the field in the background and a couple other pictures with her friends she met for the game. They were all in a celebratory mood. One step, two steps, three steps. She started her descent down C-Deck. A drip of leftover condensation rolled down my face. A few steps down the stairs, she turned her head and peered over her right shoulder. Thinking to herself, she debates whether or not she needs another cup. After all, last weekend she went to Target and bought lots of colored plastic cups for the school year. Technically, she was all set. After she took an exhaling breath, she gingerly made her way back towards her seat, reached down in the aisle and…
Yes! Yes! Yes! I successfully pulled off one of the most unthinkable things at the end of an OSU football game: a girl picked me up!
The rest of the day was a blur, a magical, life-altering blur.
Throughout the next several years, she and I were together during thick and thin, like that 10-page essay that was written in one evening and one really long night/early morning and when she spent a couple weeks on her couch after she sprained her ankle while she watched movies and television shows of past and present. Through everything, we were together. Despite sitting on a shelf most of the time, I somehow managed to stay on the shelf year after year. Even after slightly fading from those water and soap-soaked adventures in the dish washer, I survived. Every time.
The most special moments for me happened after she got married and had a child. Incredibly, during the need vs. want throwing away fest with her husband early on in her marriage, I stayed. Other precious items were thrown out, but I kept my spot on her shelf.
Back to her son. When she mixed some orange Tang for him in her trusty souvenir cup (me) one Tuesday after picking him up from school, she paused with a nostalgic smile. Turning the cup, it brought back memories of that day when she told all her friends she had gotten engaged the night before on a lake underneath the starry night in her hometown.
She nearly cried.
She then handed the cup to her son, now 5. As he drank it, she continued to reminisce about that weekend and how special it was for her. That game was one of those moments in life she’ll never forget. She’ll remember and cherish everything that was part of it…everything.
Then, as her son was was raising me higher and higher, some song lyrics popped into her head.
Summer’s heat or winter’s cold
The seasons pass the years will roll
Time and change will surely (truly) show
How firm thy friendship…OHIO!
She hugged her son and said “I love you.”
Talk about a Buckeye win for the ages.
Jimmy's Daily Planet 