There are literally hundreds of shows premiering weekly these days, whether it be on cable or streaming services. There are almost too many options. Finding that one show you can truly call “a number one favorite” is like finding a needle in a haystack. One show that has been a constant favorite of mine ever since it started is “The Goldberg’s” on ABC. A show which I have come to refer to as “my go-to never lets me down, always amazingly awesome” favorite. This hilarious nostalgic gem currently in its fifth season on ABC, is a show that lets me for twenty-two minutes weekly travel back in time to the years of the 1980’s. The Goldberg’s is still as funny and fresh today in 2018 as it was back when it premiered in 2013.
The show centers around The Goldberg family in the 1980’s. It very much has a feel similar to that of “The Wonder Years”, with a voice over from Adam recalling his earlier days. What sets this show apart from others is that the Goldberg’s are “real” people. The show is based on the real life experiences of Adam F. Goldberg, who is the show’s creator. Another thing that is so special and different on this show is when an episode covers a real life experience of Goldberg’s. The actual people the episode dealt with appear on the show. It’s not until the end of the episode that you find out the real person shown in the episode actually made a cameo. Growing up, Goldberg was an aspiring filmmaker and filmed everything in his life. Whether it be his family around the dinner table, school musicals, or trying to make his own movie version of “Indiana Jones” with friends. At the end of most episodes, a few seconds of a 1980’s video is shown. It’s having the real people from Goldberg’s life actually come on the show them that makes this so special. I love that aspect of this show. After so many years, to see that these people still care and appreciate each other is heartwarming.
Another thing that I love about the show is that it’s set in the 1980’s. Usually for me anytime a show is set in that decade I will tune in. I just love the over- the- top ridiculous campy fashion, and the glorious music to have come out of this decade. As a child born in the early 80s, I don’t think I fully appreciated it. That’s why anytime a show is set in this decade, I love it. I now understand how unique and awesome things were. They were more carefree, and I’m aware that not everything was perfect. Although, in this blog post I am going to be focusing on the fun times that 80s had to offer. This show really embraces the 80s and the nostalgia one feels when looking back. I think when you’re younger you can’t really appreciate what nostalgia is. You are young and living in the moment, real life in many ways hasn’t set in. Then you get older and the world changes. Things aren’t so simple and carefree as they once were. That’s why a show like this is very much needed. It takes you back to a time when things were simple and easy. You hear a song, see a fashion trend or hairstyle, even something as simple as a snack or popular drink of the time and for just a moment you remember that life again. If there’s one show that truly embraces those fun times in the 80s this is the show. It embraces that 80s nostalgia in the most endearing way.
The show also lets us see how technology has improved for the most part since the 1980’s. I understand how technology is not such a bad thing, since I am I able to share my thoughts on this blog and that is really cool. What I mean is people weren’t glued to their phones or computers and lived in the moment. They had fun with friends, they didn’t have to make an effort for a “no phones at the table” because that didn’t exist. Other things maybe weren’t as simple such as if you wanted to watch a program, then you had to watch it live. If you couldn’t watch it live, then you could tape the program on a VHS tape and pray that the VHS tape wouldn’t get eaten up in the VCR. If so, there goes the program. No DVR, TiVo, or streaming services. Families watched their favorite programs together live and hopefully enjoyed each others company. Usually on The Goldberg’s it will start off that way, but within five minutes a friendly argument would start in no time.
The cast of actors on this show combined with the personal storytelling, is what makes this show just so perfect. The cast includes Wendi McLendon- Covey, Jeff Garlin, George Segal, Sean Giambrone, Troy Gentile, Hayley Orrantia and Patton Oswalt (who does the voice overs). This cast works extremely well with each other. It’s a true ensemble at its finest. All the performers comic timing is point on and with such precision. With a show such as this one timing is a critical element. The show is a comedy and for it to work the performers must be able to handle the comedy element the show requires. They all handle this ability and their acting shines in the process.
In my opinion, the show has never had a bad, a boring, or an unwatchable episode. This show is funny, embraces nostalgia, and is incredibly heartwarming. I could go on and on for my love of The Goldberg’s. I’ll just leave it with my thanks to ABC for believing in and sticking with this gem that has come to mean a lot to me.
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