Double Take: In Which CourtneyK and Amrie disagree about THE GOLDBERGS on ABC

The Double Takes are back this season as CourtneyK and I offer up our opinions of some new fall shows without knowing what the other is thinking.  In most cases this season, it seems we tend to disagree ha!  Today, we’re tackling THE GOLDBERGS, a family comedy set in the 80s from the mind of Adam F Goldberg (BREAKING IN; this guy, not this guy).  The series stars Wendi McLendon-Covey and Jeff Garlin, as well as George Segal, and a bunch of fresh faced kids.  Check out our varying opinions below!

STANDING: JEFF GARLIN, WENDI MCLENDON-COVEY, GEORGE SEGAL;   SEATED: SEAN GIAMBRONE, HAYLEY ORRANTIA, TROY GENTILEAmrie

One of the top comedies for me this season – I cannot get enough of McLendon-Covey’s 80s mother.  She is GENIUS and so exactly how a lot of the aerobics doing moms of the day were.  I really enjoyed the family interactions, and love the relationship that the grandfather (Segal) has with all three of the kids.  In the pilot, premiering tonight, Barry (the CLASSIC middle-child) is celebrating his 16th birthday, and thinks it’s time he gets a car.  When he doesn’t, he pretty much has a meltdown, and the story spirals as his parents smother and upset him, all while little Adam is video-taping everything and getting a kick out of his brother’s hissy-fits.  One complaint? Barry is a bit over the top, and I’m not sure I’ll be able to handle his everything over the course of more episodes, but I’m otherwise all in, and can’t wait to see more!


BACK ROW: HAYLEY ORRANTIA, GEORGE SEGAL, TROY GENTILE; FRONT ROW: SEAN GIAMBRONE, JEFF GARLIN, WENDI MCLENDON-COVEYCourtneyK

First Impression: I wanted to like it. But I had a hard time of it.

Oh Sweet Mother, it’s an 80s Coming-of-Age flashback sitcom.

There are some funny parts, but the overall is a bit…depressing? I’m not sure. There is potential, with Patton Oswald voice-overs and Wendi McLendon-Covey as the Smother-I MEAN-Mother, I really wanted to love the pilot. But it reminded me of THE MIDDLE (which is a good show) except with the 80s theme. A bit sad, a bit funny. I’m not sure this formula is the way to go, ABC.

Check out our gallery of THE GOLDBERGS images (hover for info, or click on any image to pop up a slide show –  whose side do you think you’ll fall on?  Mine or CK’s?  Or neither?