Whereas TV sitcoms can typically appear to be the cheeriest locations attainable to work each day, that’s clearly not all the time the case. And for a number of years now, audiences have been conscious that ABC’s The Goldbergs was simply such a spot the place behind-the-scenes tensions had been having an impact on a minimum of a few of its lead actors. Issues got here to a heated head in late 2021, with star Jeff Garlin exiting the present beneath unclear circumstances, regardless of his character dwelling on in varied methods till being formally killed off going into its tenth season. Star Wendi Mclendon-Covey has addressed the troublesome matter previously, and lately shared some extra trustworthy ideas in regards to the scenario, whereas making it clear it’s not a enjoyable matter for her.
Talking with Bravo’s Andy Cohen on his Sirius radio present, McClendon-Covey talked in regards to the long-running ABC sitcom coming to an finish this yr, although she already has one other comedy venture lined up.When Cohen requested her about Bev turning into a widow after Jeff Garlin’s considerably mutual ousting, she spoke in a measured tone, clearly not eager to dig into issues too a lot. In her phrases:
That was a very long time coming. It was a very long time coming. That if lastly h appended, it was like, ‘Okay…lastly somebody is listening to us.’ That was sort of arduous, although, as a result of we had misplaced George Segal in actual life, after which to should undergo one other loss on a sitcom, you’ll be able to’t maintain asking your viewers to mourn folks.
To not apply tone (or a scarcity of it) the place it’s unwarranted, however Wendi McClendon-Covey’s reply didn’t look like overtly displeased over the idea of Garlin leaving, and any foul emotions appeared to be aimed extra at the truth that it took so lengthy for that final result to occur. She additionally appeared to point that she and others made complaints that weren’t listened to, although she didn’t go into element on that entrance.
The truth is, when Cohen pushed somewhat additional and requested whether or not it was a sudden factor, or if there had been a prolonged lead-in, the Goldbergs star and Reno 911 fave pulled again as politely as may be with a frank request:
If we couldn’t discuss that, it will be nice. I’m exhausted by that matter, and the PTSD of all of it.
Although she apologized for asking, Andy Cohen discovered it to be fairly refreshing for her to plead the fifth in such a method, versus dancing across the matter and providing empty solutions. It’s clearly her proper to maintain her ideas and reminiscences to herself till deciding to speak about it brazenly, if that time ever comes. No different co-stars have shared prolonged particulars about Garlin’s exit and on-set habits, both, so she’s not alone in maintaining mum about it.
Forward of the massive exit, Jeff Garlin addressed rumors that he could be fired, saying that will by no means occur, however spoke in non-specific phrases about being conscious of his actions on-set being bothersome and towards the desires of his superiors. On the time, he known as it “foolish stuff,” however for Wendi McClendon-Covey to really feel shades of PTSD about that point makes it sound a bit extra critical. Right here’s hoping she and her fellow Goldbergs stars can attain the purpose the place it’s now not a wrestle to dwell on that matter.
The Goldbergs airs Wednesday nights on ABC at 8:30 p.m. ET, with the following new episode set for April 5, going down partly in Pop-Pop’s former condo. Episodes may be rewatched on demand and with a Hulu subscription.
