The Goldbergs – “The Tasty Boys” Recap. Creature of Habit.

Season 3, Episode 11

Air Date: Wednesday, January 6, 2016, 8:30/7:30c on ABC

Rating: ★★★★★

“Well, there’s going to be some big changes around here, big changes.” – Beverly

The Tasty Boys

Barry (Troy Gentile) makes Adam’s (Sean Giambrone) dreams come true when he invites him to join his Beastie Boy tribute group, The Tasty Boys. Visions of adoring fans and wild parties are quickly dashed when the brothers realize their band is one member short. Will their dreams of rock stardom be dashed or will they find someone worthy to join their group?

Barry and Adam hold auditions for a third member and the results are a riot. Director Christine Gernon’s montage of familiar characters from past episodes trying out for the band is comical. I especially enjoyed Naked Rob (Noah Munck) once again finding a reason to justify taking off his clothes. Focused on recreating The Beastie Boys’ look rather than searching for actual talent, the brothers settle on Geoff Schwartz (Sam Lerner) because of his likeness to one of the band members.

More Geoff please.

Geoff’s increased screen time has been one of my favorite additions this season as he continues to try, albeit failing, to win Erica’s (Hayley Orrantia) heart. Lerner’s performance is wonderful to watch because Geoff’s affections appear sincere. I doubt I’m the only one rooting for Geoff.

Despite having never practiced, news of The Tasty Boys’ impending fame consumes the school, cumulating in their first concert during a school pep rally. Unfortunately, it’s also the very moment when Barry and Adam realize they have no talent. In typical fashion for The Goldbergs, Erica is there to save the day even though she was against the idea of The Tasty Boys from the beginning.

The “Shake Your Rump” number at the rally is priceless. Everything, from the lip-synching to the choreography, is flawless. The entire bit is entertaining and even all the extras in the gym appear to be having a good time. I can only imagine the shenanigans that took place in between takes.

Full disclosure — despite growing up a child of the 80s and relating on a personal level to almost every episode of The Goldbergs, I can’t name a single song by the Beastie Boys, a popular hip hop rock band at the time; heck, I don’t even know any of the band members’ names.

Thankfully, you don’t have to be a fan of the rock group or their music to appreciate “The Tasty Boys.” As Adam has grown up over the last three seasons, it’s been entertaining to watch Barry and Adam’s relationship evolve. Gentile and Giambrone have amazing chemistry together, which is amusing to watch when the two act like real siblings. As Barry continues to see Adam as a peer instead of his pesky younger brother, the only question that remains is how long will it last?

Dream Kitchen.

Meanwhile, Beverly (Wendi McLendon-Covey) finds herself envious of her neighbor Virginia (Jennifer Irwin) and the rest of the Kremp family after seeing the Kremps’ newly remodeled kitchen. Not to be outdone, Beverly informs Murray (Jeff Garlin) changes are coming.

Beverly: “We’re getting a new kitchen.”

Murray: “What’s wrong with the old kitchen?”

Beverly: “You just said it; it’s old.”

McLendon-Covey is hilarious as Beverly becomes disgusted with how old and antiquated her kitchen is. Murray isn’t as convinced; after all, he hates change and is content with the way things are.

While the Beastie Boys weren’t a household name when I was growing up, Bob Vila was; my parents watched his show, This Old House, religiously. I got a good laugh as Beverly tries to undertake the remodeling job herself by watching Vila’s show. The banter between Beverly and Murray, who remains set in his ways even after Beverly destroys the kitchen, is amusing yet familiar.

While both story lines in the episode are extremely predictable, that doesn’t make it any less entertaining. In the end, “The Tasty Boys” is less about the Beastie Boys and their music and more about having the courage to dream. After all, who hasn’t dreamed they were the next rock star as they sing into a spoon as if it’s a microphone — or a sports star shooting a winning basket while tossing a crumpled up piece of paper into the garbage can? Who did you always try to emulate growing up?

Tweet me @Staffaroadtrip or leave a comment below to let me know what you think about “The Tasty Boys.”

Tune in to The Goldbergs Wednesdays at 8:30/7:30c, only on ABC.

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Greg Staffa

I provide testosterone to the site. You won’t be reading about how nice a actress looks in a dress or how much of a hunk Matt Bomer is in my reviews. I describe colors using words like brown, not taupe. My twitter name is @staffaroadtrip because I love road trips and have done two different 48-state road trips since 2008. My favorite show is White Collar.