The Goldbergs at the Paley Center

In many ways, ABC TV’s hit comedy The Goldbergs is a classic sitcom. But don’t believe for a minute that it’s an over-the-top version of creator/producer Adam Goldberg’s real family in the 1980s. He will hasten to assure you, “People assume I exaggerate, but I pull back a bit.”

This was just one of many observations made by Goldberg, along with others on the creative team and most of the cast of The Goldbergs at a recent panel discussion at the Paley Center in Beverly Hills. Producer Lew Schneider (Everybody Loves Raymond, American Dad) moderated, and welcomed Goldberg, Executive Producer Doug Robinson, and cast members Haley Orrantia (Erica), Troy Gentile (Barry), George Segal (Pops), Jeff Garlin (Murray) and Wendi McLendon-Covey (Beverly). The audience was treated to an upcoming episode (which airs May 6) before meeting the cast and crew.

Adam Goldberg, who created the show, serves as an Executive Producer and wrote 22 episodes in the first season, explained that he always wanted to produce a family show. When asked if it was exactly like his own family, he pointed out that his brother Eric appeared as sister Erica—which was different. After making the comment that it was pulled back somewhat he cheerfully admitted, “My family is loud.” They also aren’t afraid to give him notes on the weekly episodes. Mother Beverly is inclined to ask, “Where are my hugs?”

Another issue that was quickly addressed was the videos seen at the end of most episodes. They are real. Adam Goldberg considered, “I assume I’ll run out eventually.” Fellow producer Doug Robinson countered, “No you won’t,” adding, “He videotaped his entire childhood.” The writers so far have seen only a fraction of the thousands of hours.

Schneider next turned to the subject of the casting process that assembled the television Goldberg family. Beverly, the mother, was the first character cast. As the script was being developed Robinson recalled McLendon-Covey from Rules of Engagement and called her in.

For her part, McLendon-Covey said it took all of a minute and thirty seconds before she was in. Rather than a script reading, she was shown video footage of the real Adam Goldberg. After watching him lying on the floor sucking up saltine crackers like an anteater, she decided that this was a show she would watch.

The next person cast was Jeff Garlin as dad Murray. Goldberg admitted it was hard to cast his own family. As good as many performers were, in the end he had to say, “That’s not my dad.” Garlin looked promising, but they heard he might not do the show. But after one look at the script, Garlin called his agent and said a terse, “OK.” Goldberg concluded, “I cast my dad to play my dad.”

With the parents in place, Goldberg sent a photo of the couple to his own mother for her reaction. She wrote back to him, saying, “I don’t recognize this house. Where were we?”

The final adult casting was Albert “Pops” Solomon, the grandfather. Goldberg used the words “so lucky” to describe getting veteran performer George Segal for the role. Not only was Pops a key figure in the family dynamic, he even looked like Segal’s granddad. With him in place the producers were three for three.

Goldberg described the casting of the kids as the hardest part. He knew he wanted Troy Gentile to play Barry, but was concerned that the other producers hadn’t seen him in Nacho Libre. On the other hand, Hayley Orantia was the first choice for Erica. Sean Giambrone had done only one commercial before he was cast as Adam. His audition consisted mostly of talking about video games and giving “weird answers” to questions.

From the performer’s side, Garlin asserted that he looks at a lot of scripts, and, “They stink!” But after receiving the script for The Goldbergs, he called his agent and said, “This is good. How did that happen?” When Segal pointed out that it was Garlin himself who was good, Garlin replied, “I am so honored to be in this show.”

Schneider next turned to the setting of the show, the 1980s, asking at what point does the period become the star. Goldberg hastened to point out that he did not simply want people sitting around playing with Rubik’s Cubes—that at the end of the day it has to be about the family and the characters. As far as the period setting goes, “It’s the landscape of the show.”

While reviewing specific episodes, Doug Robinson recalled the fight over the Goonies episode. Among the writers it was the most divisive, but audiences loved it. Goldberg asserted his fondness for the Star Wars episode that was shown before the panel discussion. [SPOILER ALERT!] He even took the “home-made” tauntaun with him after the filming and stored it in his garage.

Schneider next turned his attention to each cast member. Wendi McLendon-Covey spoke of meeting the real Beverly at the studio. “When I heard she was coming to the set, I was very nervous,” she said. “She was perfectly sweet,” she concluded. “She is so proud to be Adam’s mother.” McLendon-Covey pointed out that Adam’s two brothers are both doctors—something Beverly lets you know within minutes. And having seen the three on Adam’s vintage video, McLendon-Covey agreed that those boys really were delicious.

Beverly’s distinctive wardrobe was the next topic at hand. “Sometimes I look into the closet and I want to cry,” McLendon-Covey chuckled. She confided that the real Beverly actually sent the show some of her “gems.” Adam Goldberg chimed in, saying, “She’s a pack rat. She sent some of her sweaters. But she wants them back.”

Jeff Garlin was a bit taken aback when asked what it was like to play a dad on TV. He said it was strange, because his wife was so much like Beverly, and his two sons were the same age as his TV sons. He said it was disturbing, and that after an episode his wife would turn to him and say, “It’s weird, isn’t it?” He went on to say, “At home I drop my pants the minute I walk through the door.” George Segal broke in to add that women apparently like his legs. “We get letters,” he said. “Who am I to argue,” replied Garlin. He concluded that when the show is in production, it’s as if his own life was just going on and on.

Schneider next turned to George Segal, asking a nuanced question about the tender relationship between Adam and Pops, asking Segal if he could speak to that dynamic. “Speak to that?” questioned a perplexed Segal. He claimed that the producer had never spoken to him in such reverential tones. This caused Jeff Garlin to roar with laughter, and offer his own opinion on the relationship. As he wound down, Segal dourly observed, “Like everything else, you’ve just eaten up my segment.”

Garlin quickly pointed out that Segal, at 80 years old, suffers fools very poorly. When asked how he had made the adjustment to a weekly TV series, Segal’s measured reply was, “I’m very happy in my work. People hold me in high regard. What more can a man ask?” To which Garlin exulted, “I’m working with George Segal! He means the world to me!” For his part, Segal rolled his eyes and dabbed his cheeks with “tears” from his water bottle.

Turning next to the youngsters in the cast, Schneider said of Troy Gentile, “No one burns more calories.” When asked what the most physically demanding task that had been set for Barry, Gentile unhesitatingly replied, “To learn roller skating.” He also recalled the Goonies episode. It seems they were all sick during the filming, but had to maintain their tight schedule.

Hayley Orrantia cheerfully averred, “I am really a singer.” Cast in her first acting role, she considers herself lucky and happy to be a part of The Goldbergs. George Segal added, “She is dynamite.”

The youngest Goldberg, Adam, was not present. Sean Giambrone who plays the part had gone back home to school following the end of the season’s taping. The cast and crew agreed that Giambrone was the nicest person ever. Adam Goldberg spoke of how amazing it was to watch him grow in the role. “When he messes up, he’s so sweet,” he said. Gentile pointed out, “He has two jobs. He goes to school; he does this show. He’s such a smart kid.”

The cast recalled that on the last day of taping he cried and cried because he knew he would have to leave. “It’s crazy how this kid is so beloved, “ said Garlin. He went on to say he would be seeing him in May. “I got him a gig—he will be singing Take Me Out to the Ball Game at Wrigley Field.” He concluded, “The best scenes in the show are between George and Sean.”

The rest of the evening was spent answering questions from the audience. When asked how often people compare them to their own relatives, McLendon-Covey said, “Every day.” Garlin added, “So many say I am just like their dad.”

The next question was about the chronology of the show—whether there was a conscious effort to keep events in order. Adam Goldberg admitted that they had made some effort in the first season, but realized it was not critical now that they had been picked up for a second season. There was a moment of stunned realization, followed by whoops and cheers. Goldberg apologized to the cast, saying he had intended to let them know they had been renewed.

Getting back to the question at hand, Goldberg said, “I am freed from the chronology of the show.” Robinson pointed out, “You don’t remember 30 years ago in exact chronology.” He concluded simply, “We are the 80s.”

When asked where he grew up, and if he drove his family crazy, Goldberg stated that he grew up in a suburb of Philadelphia, and that yes, he did drive his family crazy.

Would Mr. T show up in an episode? “If Mr. T would allow us.”

When asked if future episodes would focus on the family’s Jewish heritage, Goldberg asserted, “I just want to do my family.” He spoke of the universal language and attitude that joins all families, and how great it is to see Twitter messages saying. “Your dad is my dad; your mom is my mom.”

Jeff Garlin mused aloud, “Will we see a dreidel episode?” Wendi McLendon-Covey admitted she was initially concerned that she might be recast—that she wasn’t Jewish enough. Garlin snorted in derision, “You look like a big bowl of Jew!” He went on to say that she looked like all the friends of his mother back in the 80s.

The next question was for the cast, and concerned favorite moments from the 1980s. Orrantia said she didn’t personally know about the 80s, but had heard about them from her parents. She would, however, like to hear some Whitney Houston music. Garlin readily agreed, saying it would be better than the “crap music” Adam uses.

Adam Goldberg was asked to recall any particularly dysfunctional moments with his family. He spoke of his first night at college, when his mother Beverly delivered groceries to his dorm. Once inside, she claimed she had night vision and couldn’t possibly drive home. She stayed in his dorm room the rest of that night, and later claimed that Adam had asked her to stay.

Goldberg was asked if his brother Barry really ran like Troy Gentile’s portrayal of the character. Goldberg carefully considered his response, pointing out that his brother was watching the live stream of the panel. “He does get the short end of the stick, “ he admitted. “He had a lot of passion, not a lot of skill.” He concluded that he says he ran that way, but the real Barry says he can win any foot race.

The final question of the night concerned a possible special feature for the inevitable Goldberg DVDs. Was there any chance the actual Goldbergs could offer commentary on the episodes. Adam Goldberg exulted, “That would be cool!”