The Philadelphia-inspired sitcom The Goldbergs began its 10th season Wednesday without Murray, the pants-hating Eagles fan played by Jeff Garlin.
After playing Murray for the show’s entire run, Garlin exited in December following an investigation into alleged misconduct on the set and was ultimately written off the show.
So how did The Goldbergs do away with Murray? They hit the fast-forward button.
[Warning: spoilers]
The first episode of the new season begins several months after Murray’s death. As an adult Adam (voiced by Patton Oswalt) sums up the events that have happened since last year’s season finale, the camera focuses on Murray’s empty chair.
“Just a few months ago, out of nowhere, we lost my dad,” Adam says as the music turns solemn. “We will always love you dad, always. And we’ll find a way to continue on together, because after all, we’re the Goldbergs.”
» READ MORE: Six things you might not know about 'The Goldbergs'
The episode never mentions how Murray died, but given the reasons for Garlin’s exit, it’s surprising how much of it is focused on the show’s missing patriarch.
Adam (Sean Giambrone) plays a Field of Dreams prank on Barry (Roy Gentile) not realizing the father-son connection in the film. Beverly (Wendi McLendon-Covey) reveals her shrine full of Murray’s clothes in the upstairs closet, and in a bid to purge, gets rid of her late husband’s well-used recliner (referred to as “Mr. Chair”). That upsets Erica (Hayley Orrantia), who is pregnant and now married to Geoff (Sam Lerner).
As with just about every episode of The Goldbergs, there is an emotional reconciliation in the third act, one which involves the missing chair and Ben “Pop Pop” Goldberg (played by TV veteran Judd Hirsch).
“It honestly feels like a huge reboot for us,” co-showrunner Chris Bishop told Entertainment Weekly last month.
So did Garlin know his character was being killed? According to co-showrunner Alex Barnow, the comedian knew he was being written out of the show, but wasn’t sure if he was aware Murray was being killed off.
A representative for Garlin did not respond to a request for comment.
» READ MORE: How TV sees Philly: From ‘The Goldbergs’ to ‘It’s Always Sunny’ and ‘This Is Us’
Garlin exited the show late last year after multiple allegations of misconduct on the set of The Goldbergs led to an HR investigation. One unnamed Goldbergs employee told Deadline that Garlin was “extremely verbally and emotionally abusive.” Other eyewitnesses described an incident where he screamed at a female stand-in.
Garlin gave an interview with Vanity Fair in which he repeatedly described his actions as “silly.”
“It’s always the same thing,” Garlin said. “It’s about me and my silliness on set. They don’t think it’s appropriate. I do. That’s where we’re at.”
Meanwhile, Garlin continues to star in HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, where he plays Larry David’s agent. The show was renewed for a 12th season in August, and Jeff Schaffer — a longtime writer and producer on the show — said in an interview last month shooting was expected to begin this fall. No release date has been announced.
The Goldbergs, which remains one of ABC’s top comedies, is based on the upbringing of creator Adam F. Goldberg, who grew up in Jenkintown and went to William Penn Charter School. Garlin’s character was based on Goldberg’s own father, Murray, who died in 2008.
Less successful was The Goldbergs spin-off, Schooled, which premiered in 2019 but was canceled following its second season.
ABC’s Wednesday night comedy lineup features The Conners (minus Roseanne Barr) at 8 p.m., followed by The Goldbergs at 8:30. Abbott Elementary, another Philadelphia-inspired sitcom created by Quinta Brunson, airs at 9 p.m. It’s followed by Home Economics, featuring Topher Grace, at 9:30 p.m.
» READ MORE: How an '80s-set episode of 'The Goldbergs' started as a Phillies pitch (with Mike Schmidt catching)
FAQs
So how did The Goldbergs do away with Murray? They hit the fast-forward button. The first episode of the new season begins several months after Murray's death. As an adult Adam (voiced by Patton Oswalt) sums up the events that have happened since last year's season finale, the camera focuses on Murray's empty chair.
What does Wendi McClendon say about Jeff Garlin? ›
McLendon-Covey said she felt “obnoxious” asking Cohen to stop asking questions about Garlin, stating: “I feel like the less people know about it, the better. No one benefits from knowing anything.” The finale of The Goldbergs' 10th season airs this may.
How did The Goldbergs write off Pops? ›
Months after Pops passed away quietly in his sleep, Bill points out to Murray that his family is not handling the death well: Beverly has taken to calling herself an orphan; Erica is dismissive of Geoff's wedding ideas; Barry is angry that Pops left him a pen instead of his cherished Super Bowl watch; and Adam is ...
Did Beverly Goldberg remarry in real life? ›
Beverly Actor Wanted the Character to Find Real Love
"I would have loved to see her find love for real, because she did ultimately remarry [in real life]," said Wendi McLendon-Covey, who portrayed Beverly Goldberg across all 10 seasons of the period sitcom.
What did they say happened to Murray on The Goldbergs? ›
(The actor maintained that he is "always a kind and thoughtful person.") Murray was killed off between season 9 and the show's 10th and final season, which premiered last September.
How rich is Jeff Garlin? ›
Jeff Garlin Net Worth. Jeff Garlin is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer. He is best known for his roles as Jeff Greene on the HBO series Curb Your Enthusiasm and Murray Goldberg on the ABC sitcom The Goldbergs. Garlin's net worth is estimated to be $15 million.
Why did Jeff Garlin lose so much weight? ›
Simple changes like adding vegetables to his protein meals, eating apples and berries as snacks, and finding a love for cottage cheese have helped him go from weighing 320 lbs to 229 lbs. "I lost all my weight from being a boring eater."
What is going on with Jeff Garlin? ›
Garlin had been accused of allegedly engaging in a “pattern of verbal and physical conduct that made people uncomfortable,” claims he had refuted. Garlin also told Vanity Fair at the time that he “was not fired” from the show.
Does Wendi McLendon-Covey have a child? ›
Though McLendon-Covey doesn't have children of her own, she says of Beverly's parenting style, "I wouldn't be any different. I would be just as annoying cause, you know, it all comes from love." But doesn't mean her time as the ultimate mom on The Goldbergs has influenced her in real life.
Why was Murray killed off on The Goldbergs? ›
ABC announced the sitcom would be killing off Murray, the Goldberg family patriarch, after star Garlin left the show following several allegations of misconduct. "The Goldbergs" is back for another season of amusing antics - but there's one member of the family missing this time around.
Though Murray is a used-furniture salesman on the show, the real-life Murray became a doctor and only sold used furniture during his college days. The Curb Your Enthusiasm star does look like his real-life counterpart in The Goldbergs — especially after his major weight loss.
Why is Pops not in The Goldbergs? ›
Because George Segal passed shortly before filming for season 8 wrapped, his final appearance was marked with a touching video tribute at the end of The Goldbergs season 8 episode 16, "Couple Off." For Pops, however, his tribute came at the beginning of The Goldbergs season 9 with episode 1, "The Goldbergs' Excellent ...
Did Adam Goldberg's mom remarry? ›
Goldberg says his mother, who is remarried and living in Warminster, loves the show and has been a good sport about McLeondon-Covey's portrayal of her.
Is Lainey Lewis based on a real person? ›
While the show famously uses a number of real life people for the characters on the show (for instance, almost all the teachers on the series are named after the actual teachers at William Penn Academy), one of its most notable outright fictional characters is Lainey Lewis, the best friend of Erica Goldberg and the ...
Did Barry Goldberg really date Lainey? ›
Before Joanne, Barry's most serious girlfriend on The Goldbergs was Lainey, his older sister Erica (Hayley Orrantia)'s best friend. Barry and Lainey dated throughout high school and got engaged, though they call off the wedding and break up after Lainey decides to move to California to pursue a music career.
How was Murray at Adams graduation on The Goldbergs? ›
During the graduation, Murray can be seen sitting next to Beverly when the audience is seen from the front. During several shots of the audience from the rear, Murray is absent (most likely due to him being added with CGI during some scenes).
How did Jeff Garlin lose weight? ›
Simple changes like adding vegetables to his protein meals, eating apples and berries as snacks, and finding a love for cottage cheese have helped him go from weighing 320 lbs to 229 lbs. "I lost all my weight from being a boring eater."
Did The Goldbergs replace Grandpa? ›
The cast has been somewhat reconfigured. Jeff Garlin is gone; George Segal had to be written out after passing away (and replaced by another grandfather played by Judd Hirsch), and even Bryan Callen — who played the Coach — had to be written out amid sexual assault allegations.
What is Jeff Garlin doing now? ›
Now he's found a new acting gig on Mindy Kaling's Never Have I Ever. In the fourth and final season of the Netflix show, Garlin will play a character named Len who catches the eye of Nirmala (Ranjita Chakravarty), Devi's (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) widowed grandmother.
