When The Goldbergs Returns After The Olympics

ABC’s The Goldbergs is taking a break for the 2022 Olympics, and here’s when it will return to TV. Debuting in 2013, The Goldbergs got in early on the 1980s nostalgic TV craze that Stranger Things‘ 2016 Netflix arrival would really kick into high gear. Created by Adam F. Goldberg – not to confused with prolific character actor Adam Goldberg – The Goldbergs draws heavily on notable events and important people from its creator’s own childhood, albeit presented through the exaggerated lens of a sitcom.

The Goldbergs has been on the air for a very respectable length of time, currently airing its ninth season. It’s a good thing that the specific part of the 1980s that The Goldbergs takes place in has always been hazy, as had it gone year by year, it would be about time to head into the 1990s. As was seen when That 70’s Show tried to spawn That 80’s Show, changing decades isn’t always an easy feat when it comes to sitcoms with a period setting.

Unfortunately for Goldbergs devotees, the ABC sitcom is taking a break right now, and won’t be on this Wednesday, February 9. It also won’t air a new episode on February 16. Thankfully, there’s not much reason to fret, as The Goldbergs is set to return on Wednesday, February 23. That’s the first Wednesday after the 2022 Winter Olympics wraps up, so ABC is wasting no time bringing The Goldbergs back after the worldwide athletic showcase signs off for another four years.

The Goldbergs episode airing on February 23, season 9, episode 14, is titled “The Steve Weekend”. A plot synopsis for the episode has yet to be released, but the most recently aired episode, “A Peck of Familial Love,” focused on Adam and Brea attempting to remain on friendly terms after breaking up romantically. Season 9 has become an odd period for The Goldbergs, following the sudden departure of Jeff Garlin, who played Adam’s dad Murray since the beginning of the series.

Garlin left after an investigation revealed multiple accusations of inappropriate on-set behavior from the actor. To The Goldbergs‘ credit, they have so far not resorted to killing off Murray, as might seem like the easiest solution. Instead, previously unused footage and stand-ins have been used to make it seem like Garlin’s Murray is still around. It remains to be seen if ABC will order a The Goldbergs season 10, but if they do, one wonders how long this strategy being employed to keep Murray in the mix will manage to last before showrunner Adam F. Goldberg is faced with the hard choice to either kill off or recast the character.

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