You Should Be Watching ‘The Goldbergs,’ You Know

It seems a tad white and nerdy, which it is, but Adam F. Goldberg‘s (not to be confused with the one in Saving Private Ryan and FX’s Fargo) semi-autobiographical sitcom, The Goldbergs, is the most charming show you’re not watching. Not only does it do ’80s retro justice, but the series has given this generation their own versions of Roseanne and Dan Conner in Wendi McLendon-Covey and Jeff Garlin.

Set in suburban Pennsylvania in the 1980s, the Goldbergs are your very average white, working-class family with three moody teenagers: Barry, Erica, and the youngest, Adam, whose adult self (voiced by Patton Oswalt) narrates the series. Adam’s grandpa Albert “Pops” Solomon shacks up in the basement and his parents, Beverley and Murray are still very much in love, despite Beverley’s hovering and Murray’s impatience, especially when it comes to traffic. The real Adam Goldberg followed his family around with a Super 8 camera back in the day and concludes each episode with one of his home movies.

Though the show is three episodes in to its second season, The Goldbergs is not nearly talked about enough. In fact, only an average of 6 million people watched it last year, low numbers for a network primetime show.

It’s kind of a mix of Roseanne and Modern Family, with similar spot-on writing and a solid cast with a ton of chemistry. The real star though is Wendi McLendon-Covey. You know her as Rita from Bridesmaids. You’ve also seen her on Reno 911 and the wholly underrated Rules of Engagement (damn you, David Spade, for ruining everything!).

McLendon-Covey is exactly how she was in Bridesmaids: a hoot. The only differences between Rita and Beverley are the hair, the loud ’80s sweaters, her feelings toward her kids (in The Goldbergs, she adores her three children). While she’s a stay-at-home mom whose sun rises and sets over her kids, she’s the furthest thing from the neurotic basketcase that is Claire Dunphy. She’s warm, and you can tell Adam Goldberg takes a little extra time making sure her character is crafted to represent the real Beverley Goldberg.

While the show’s writing isn’t necessarily on par with, say, Arrested Development (then again, what is?), in 14 episodes there isn’t a single weak link. Maybe the growing resentment toward network shows is to blame. Networks that release a slew of new series every fall only to have them close up shop six weeks late. Series that simply can’t keep up with the quality audiences are demanding in this Golden Age of Television. It’s hard to give network shows a chance when you see promos like this. However, don’t like the goofy network marketing of this show deter you from giving it a try. This is one of the few worth binging, especially if you’re having a crappy day.

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Photos: ABC/Hulu