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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
5 Kinds of Crazy
It would literally be crazy not to watch Robin Williams on prime time television.
No joke.
“The Crazy Ones” provides its crazy lead actor with a fantastic 4-person ensemble of unique, slightly less crazy supporting actors and actresses that continues to build a comedic rapport worthy of a weekly Thursday night visit at 9:00 p.m. on CBS. Not only that, but the show also (shhhh, in a whisper voice) has heart.
Last night’s installment featured the collision of two worlds that are usually not meant to interact with one another: Professional Life and Past High School Awkwardness (George Costanza would have gone berserk!). When announcing her father’s competitors for the “Creative of the Year” award in advertising, Sydney Roberts noticed a familiar name on the list: Josh Hayes. Josh Hayes. This is the name of her high school crush “that got away.”
At a cocktail party devised specifically by and for Sydney to flirt with Josh Hayes with an outfit that instantaneously reminded us male viewers why we fell in love with her during her “Buffy” days, Sydney the advertising partner was reduced to a giddy, fawning schoolgirl.
It was cute.
Despite a fairytale-like kiss and a 7-hour “Bones” marathon with David Boreanaz (a nice “Buffy” shout out), the romance ended as quickly because of betrayal, deceit and a self-promoting blimp in the Chicago skyline.
After all was said and done, the five advertising dreamers sat lonely, yet reassuringly at the Aragon bar. Void of the glory of victory and the promise of a lifelong love affair, the Roberts’ looked at their beverages as being half-full. And that’s precisely when the pulse of the show really started to pick up speed.
In his relentless charm offensive, whether it’s professional, personal or both, Zach took Sydney’s hand and lured her to the dance floor with the musical help of Andrew and weather girl power of Lauren for what can only be described as odd, sweet and, well, just perfect. As her Dad assured her, the man in Sydney’s romantic snow globe is still out there, waiting to dance with her as snow flakes fall gently from the Heavens. Sydney should consider her latest setback as a bad pitch. Luckily, in advertising, there is always another pitch to be made.
Perhaps the real reason why the show is called, “The Crazy Ones” is because it’s not afraid to couple the borderline inappropriate stream of consciousness humor (though it always feels fine when Robin Williams says it, doesn’t it?) with genuine concern for the well-being of its characters. Impressively, all of this is accomplished while maintaining sharp, witty and clever dialogue.
During a time when network television is constantly pushing boundaries of what it considers suitable for audiences, it’s refreshing to immerse oneself into a story that enjoys dancing on the edge with a comedy legend and television star that recognize the necessity for the combination of humor and warm, endearing moments.
A random joke is funny, but it’s only memorable if the person or people telling the joke make us care after it’s said and done.
Kind of crazy, right?
P.S. Always remember to stay tuned for the bloopers…classic Robin Williams!
Happy Halloween!
There are too many quintessential scary/Halloween movies to try to squeeze into watching today. From “Beetlejuice” to “Dracula” to “The Lost Boys” to “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” to “Psycho” to “Rear Window” to “Vampires” to “The Ring” to “The Exorcist” to “The Addams Family” to “Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles” to “Young Frankenstein” to “The Shining” to “Hocus Pocus” to “Halloween” and all its subsequent sequels.
And that’s just to name a few.
All of the films listed above have validity on this day of Trick-or-Treat: October 31st/All Hallows’ Eve. Last year’s post was dedicated to the Disney staple, “Hocus Pocus.” A truly great, fun movie. This year, the focus will be on the complete opposite end of the scary spectrum.
It’s the classic Halloween movie. Literally.
Have a Fun and Scary Halloween!!
Jimmy's Daily Planet 