Monday, September 23, 2013
ABC Fall Pilot Review: The Goldbergs - Premieres Sept. 24; 65th Annual Primetime Emmy Award Winners
The Goldbergs - Tuesdays at 9:00PM ET/PT on ABC
Premieres Tuesday, September 24, 2013 at 9:00PM ET/PT
by Pavan
Before there were parenting blogs, trophies for showing up and peanut allergies, there was a simpler time called the '80s. For geeky 11-year-old Adam (Sean Giambrone), these were his "wonder years," and he faced them armed with a video camera to capture all the crazy. The Goldbergs are a loving family like any other -- just with a lot more yelling. Mom Beverly (Wendi McLendon-Covey) is a classic "smother," an overbearing, overprotective matriarch who rules this brood with 100% authority and zero sense of boundaries. Dad Murray (Jeff Garlin) is gruff, hot-tempered and trying to parent without screaming. Sister Erica (Hayley Orrantia) is 17, hot, terrifying and not one to mess with. Barry (Troy Gentile) is 16, an overly emotional teen with severe middle child syndrome. Adam (Sam Giambrone) is the youngest, a camera-wielding future director who's crushing on an older woman. Rounding out the family is beloved grandfather Al "Pops" Solomon (George Segal), the wild man of the clan, a shameless Don Juan who's schooling Adam in the ways of love. When Pops buys a new sports car and offers his Caddy to middle child Barry, it's enough to drive this already high-strung family to the brink of chaos.
Cast Details:
Patton Oswalt as adult Adam Goldberg
Sean Giambrone as Adam Goldberg
Troy Gentile as Barry Goldberg
Hayley Orrantia as Erica Goldberg
George Segal as Pops Solomon
Jeff Garlin as Murray Goldberg
Wendi McLendon-Covey (Beverly Goldberg) has never been busier: In addition to her role on ABC's The Goldbergs, she is currently shooting the film Think Like a Man 2. Audiences will also be able to see her this winter in A Friggin' Christmas Miracle, opposite Robin Williams, Joel McHale and Lauren Graham, and next year co-starring in Tyler Perry's Single Mom's Club. She is perhaps best known for her starring roles in Bridesmaids, Reno 911, Lovespring International and the television series Rules of Engagement.
Patton Oswalt (adult Adam Goldberg) continues to find success in all areas of entertainment, from his Grammy-nominated comedy special, Finest Hour, to numerous memorable TV guest roles, the upcoming comedy The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, with Ben Stiller, and a starring role on Adult Swim's The Heart, She Holler. Last year Oswalt was recognized for his work on the big screen with a Critics' Choice Award nomination for his performance in Jason Reitman's Young Adult, opposite Charlize Theron. In addition to his guest roles this past year on Justified, Two and a Half Men and Burn Notice, Oswalt has a recurring role on the upcoming season of The Newsroom and also recurred in Caprica. He was a series regular on United States of Tara, and appeared as a guest star on Bored to Death, Flight of the Conchords, and The Sarah Silverman Program. He is also a regular contributor to Countdown with Keith Olbermann, Real Time with Bill Maher and Lewis Black's Root of All Evil.
Sean Giambrone (Adam Goldberg) is the 11-year-old version of the show's creator, Adam Goldberg. Giambrone is also a series regular on Cartoon Network's Clarence, a new animated series debuting this fall. He's the voice of Jeff, intellectual sidekick of the main character. Giambrone began his acting career at the age of 9 and starred in various television commercials, including for McDonald's and Friendly's Restaurants. He gained particular attention in the nationwide campaign for Sea World, even making an appearance in a spoof on The Tonight Show, and also appeared as Afro Boy in the film I Heart Shakey.
Troy Gentile (Barry Goldberg) got his start in entertainment at the age of 11 when he landed his first acting job, playing the supporting role of Hooper - the bear in the wheelchair - in the remake of Bad News Bears with Billy Bob Thorton. He later went on to play another supporting role as little Jack Black in the film Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny. His career continued its rise when he was cast in the role of young Dan Fogel in Good Luck Chuck. At the age of 13, Gentile was cast in Drillbit Taylor in his first lead role, opposite Owen Wilson and produced by Judd Apatow. He was also seen in Pineapple Express, Nacho Libre and Hotel for Dogs, with Don Cheadle and Kevin Dillon. In television he has had guest appearances in Entourage, Disney's The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, HawthoRNe and The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson.
Hayley Orrantia (Erica Goldberg) is a 19 year old actress, singer and songwriter originally from Highland Village, Texas. She was a contestant on Season 1 The X Factor USA. Originally auditioning as a solo artist, she and three other contestants were assembled during the boot camp phase by Simon Cowell into a girl group to continue in the competition. Calling themselves Lakoda Rayne, they were the last group in the competition and made it to the top 9. As a solo artist, Orrantia has recorded songs on the soundtracks for Disney's Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure, Camp Rock 2 and Hannah Montana Forever. She has opened for several major artists and celebrities, including Hot Chelle Rae, Jack Ingram, JLS, Julianne Hough and Rachel Ray.
Jeff Garlin (Murray Goldberg) has talent encompassing writing, producing, directing, acting and performing stand-up comedy. He is best known as Larry David's manager on the critically acclaimed HBO comedy, Curb Your Enthusiasm, for which he is also an executive producer. In 2007 Garlin adapted his solo stage show I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With into an independent film. It premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival to critical acclaim and was a successful independent release for IFC. His second feature as writer, director and star, dealin' with idiots, was released by IFC in July 2013. He's also an executive producer on the forthcoming documentary Finding Vivian Maier. Garlin has extensive feature acting credits, including Disney-Pixar's Academy Award-winning films WALL-E (The Captain) and Toy Story 3 (Buttercup the Unicorn). In 2012 he released a book, Curbing It (Simon & Schuster), in which he shares his eye-opening journey to reduce his waistline and his carbon footprint during the production of the seventh season of HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm.
"The Circle of Driving" (airs Tuesday, September 24 at 9:00PM ET/PT)
In the pilot episode for the series, Barry wakes on his birthday expecting to get a car, but is disappointed at the kitchen table when Beverly says that he's not ready for that responsibility and gives him something else that shocks him. Pops complicates matters by giving Barry the car he wants, but Beverly instantly makes her father take the car back. Meanwhile, Adam seeks Pop's advice on his crush at the local diner.
Guest starring Troy Winbush as Officer Pochinski and Brec Bassinger as Zoe.
"The Circle of Driving" was written by Adam F. Goldberg and directed by Seth Gordon.
Analysis:
After watching the pilot, I can't help but think of the well-done sitcom The Wonder Years. That show was aired in the late 80s/early '90s but was set in the '60s. This show is set in the '80s but it is airing 2013. The time is right for something like this. It's such a great pilot and we are really invested in each family member. The backdrop of the '80s is well done but the key to the show is this family. I was really looking forward to this show and it did not disappoint. Each character shines in this premiere and we have a great set-up for things to come. These days people seem to forget that pilots are just set-up and when reviewing something, you have to also look at what the future will hold. 11-year-old Adam is probably the funniest on this show, but the entire family including the father (Murry), mom (Beverly), older brother (Barry), older sister (Erica) and grandpa (Al "Pops") are all funny. Adam's chemistry with "Pops" is so good and Pops' advice for Adam and a crush he has at a diner is hilarious. It's like Kevin and Winnie all over again. I love it!
It's just an enjoyable premiere and you know it is something special when you want to watch the pilot over and over again. I've watched it about three times already and I laugh every single time. It may not be as sharply written as Modern Family's pilot, but in a way it reminds of that series. The core of the show is the family and that's what makes Modern Family so special. This show also is using real-life stories from the creator, like Modern Family has done. That makes it more real and funny and I'm sure many of you will relate very well to this. If you were living in the '80s or not. This is a core ABC family-centric comedy and it should work very well for them. Adam video tapes everything in his '80s video camera and you should be recording this show in 2013 on your DVR every week. Well, also watching live, too...because this is appointment television.
Conclusion:
Final Numbers (out of 5 stars):
Watchability: 4.5/5
Funniness: 4/5
Overall: 4.5/5
Discuss the show after you watch it on Tuesday, September 24, 2013 at 9:00PM ET/PT on our message board.
Related Links:
Preview:
The 65th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards aired last night on CBS. Here are the winners!
OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES
The Big Bang Theory (CBS)
Girls (HBO)
Louie (FX)
Modern Family (ABC)
30 Rock (NBC)
Veep (HBO)
WINNER: Modern Family (ABC). Racked up a fourth straight win! This was a sure bet.
OUTSTANDING LEAD COMEDY ACTOR
Jason Bateman, Arrested Development (Netflix)
Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory (CBS)
Matt LeBlanc, Episodes (Showtime)
Don Cheadle, House of Lies (Showtime)
Louis C.K., Louie (FX)
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock (NBC)
WINNER: Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory (CBS). After not winning last year, Parsons comes back and wins it this year.
OUTSTANDING LEAD COMEDY ACTRESS
Laura Dern, Enlightened (HBO)
Lena Dunham, Girls (HBO)
Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie (Showtime)
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation (NBC)
Tina Fey, 30 Rock (NBC)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep (HBO)
WINNER: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep (HBO). For the second straight year. From this list, I would have guessed her, too.
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING COMEDY ACTOR
Adam Driver, Girls (HBO)
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern Family (ABC)
Ed O'Neill, Modern Family (ABC)
Ty Burrell, Modern Family (ABC)
Bill Hader, Saturday Night Live (NBC)
Tony Hale, (Veep) (HBO)
WINNER: Tony Hale, (Veep) (HBO). I would have thought someone from Modern Family would have won. Ed O'Neill was very deserving this season.
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING COMEDY ACTRESS
Mayim Bialik, The Big Bang Theory (CBS)
Jane Lynch Glee (Fox)
Sofia Vergara, Modern Family (ABC)
Julie Bowen, Modern Family (ABC)
Merritt Wever, Nurse Jackie (Showtime)
Jane Krakowski 30 Rock (NBC)
Anna Chlumsky Veep (HBO)
WINNER: Merritt Wever, Nurse Jackie (Showtime). Probably the biggest upset and "huh?" of the night. Bowen or Vergara should have won.
OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES
Breaking Bad (AMC)
Downton Abbey (PBS)
Game of Thrones (HBO)
Homeland (Showtime)
House of Cards (Netflix)
Mad Men (AMC)
WINNER: Breaking Bad (AMC). Last year it was Homeland, but now Breaking Bad takes it.
OUTSTANDING LEAD DRAMA ACTOR
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad (AMC)
Hugh Bonneville, Downton Abbey (PBS)
Damian Lewis, Homeland (Showtime)
Kevin Spacey House of Cards (Netflix)
Jon Hamm, Mad Men (AMC)
Jeff Daniels The Newsroom (HBO)
WINNER: Jeff Daniels The Newsroom (HBO). A first time winner!
OUTSTANDING LEAD DRAMA ACTRESS
Vera Farmiga, Bates Motel (A&E)
Michelle Dockery (Downton Abbey (PBS)
Claire Danes, Homeland (Showtime)
Robin Wright, House of Cards (Netflix)
Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men (AMC)
Connie Britton, Nashville (ABC)
Kerry Washington, Scandal (ABC)
WINNER: Claire Danes, Homeland (Showtime). She takes it for the second straight time. We wanted Kerry Washington to win so badly.
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING DRAMA ACTOR
Bobby Cannavale, Boardwalk Empire (HBO)
Jonathan Banks, Breaking Bad (AMC)
Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad (AMC)
Jim Carter, Downton Abbey (PBS)
Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones (HBO)
Mandy Patinkin, Homeland (Showtime)
WINNER: Bobby Cannavale, Boardwalk Empire (HBO). We thought Aaron Paul would win again.
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING DRAMA ACTRESS
Anna Gunn, Breaking Bad (AMC)
Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey (PBS)
Emilia Clarke, Game of Thrones (HBO)
Christine Baranski, The Good Wife (CBS)
Morena Baccharin, Homeland (Showtime)
Christina Hendricks, Mad Men (HBO)
WINNER: Anna Gunn, Breaking Bad (AMC). I thought Maggie Smith would win.
View the full list of winners.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Thursday, November 21
Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "The 6:10 to Lubbock" (CBS, 10:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Georgie and Mandy get fed up staying with her parents and reconsider their living situation after a fight with Mandy’s mom, Audrey.
Ghosts - "Man of Your Dreams" (CBS, 10:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Sam learns that one of the ghosts’ powers is to enter the dreams of the livings and influence their decisions. Also, two of the ghosts think they’ve learned the secret to moving on.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of November 18)
Thursday, November 21
- Jim Gaffigan (The Jim Gaffigan Show/My Boys/The Ellen Show/Welcome to New York) - Catch Jim on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Rita Moreno (One Day at a Time/Happily Divorced/9 to 5) - Rita appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Justine Lupe (Nobody Wants This/Cristela), Jackie Tohn (Nobody Wants This/GLOW) and Timothy Simons (HouseBroken/Veep) - Justine, Jackie and Timothy are guests on After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
- Kristin Chenoweth (Trial & Error/Kristin) - Kristin appears on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 10pm on Bravo.
- Maura Tierney (NewsRadio/The Van Dyke Show) - Maura is in the studio to discuss the neww season of Law and Order on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your listings.
- Paul Reiser (Mad About You/Red Oaks/Married/My Two Dads) - Paul is telling Drew about his huge return to comedy after thirty years with his standup special, Life, Death and Rice Pudding, and his new movie The Gutter on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- John O'Hurley (Seinfeld/Over the Top/The Mullets) - John will be on PIX11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 9:40am.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
09/10 - Rick and Morty - The Complete Seasons 1-7
09/10 - The Ropers - The Complete Series (VEI)
09/10 - Ted - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/17 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - Video Scrapbook
09/17 - Top Cat - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
09/24 - Friends - The Complete Series (4K UHD)
09/24 - Young Sheldon - The Complete Seventh Season (DVD) / The Complete Series (DVD) (Blu-ray)
10/08 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Twelfth Season / The Complete Series
10/22 - Veep - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/05 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/12 - The King of Queens - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (2024 Release)
11/19 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fourteenth Season
11/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 4 (Blu-ray)
12/03 - Angel (1960-1961) - The Complete Series, Volume 1
12/17 - Seinfeld - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (4K UHD)
02/04 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive
Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts