Adult Adam: Back in the '80s, no one hosted Thanksgiving
like my mom.
From turkey to taters, her dinners were legendary.
And no one loved them more than me and my brother, Barry.
It's 24 hours until Thanksgiving,
and soon we will stuff our faces
to the point of overwhelming nausea --
just like the pilgrims first did
many years ago. America!
We overeat to honor those who cannot,
which is why I created a food plan
so we can ensure our stomachs are properly expanded.
Wake up at 3:00 A. M. to eat 1.75 Toaster Strudels?
It is crazy how much I'm learning in med school.
Beverly, we're here.
Hi, Linda. Here ya go.
Why are you giving away the dishes
that hold my Thanksgiving foods
before they enter my mouth and fill my belly?
Well, it felt weird to have Thanksgiving here
without your dad,
so I told Linda she could host it.
Oh, Lou, grab a dish.
Sadly, I cannot.
I sprained my wrist opening jars for Linda.
He has very sensitive joints. That's why I mow the lawn.
Enough with your obviously fractured marriage.
I heard the word "jars".
You do know everything must be homemade from scratch,
including 12 in-season fruit pies?
And that means fruit from trees, Linda.
Boys, be nice!
What her food lacks in taste it more than makes up for
with its disturbing presentation.
Thank you. Wha-- Wait, what?
Mom, you can't do this to us.
This blows.
I have nothing to be thankful for,
except all the world has given me.
Dad wouldn't want this. Lou: The boy's right.
No one hated Linda's cooking more than Murray.
Maybe the best way to honor Dad
this year for Thanksgiving
is to have it right where it should be --
right here at home.
Oh, it's sweet how much it means to you two.
So what do you say, Mama?
Well, it's a lot of work in a short amount of time,
but...
Thanksgiving is back at the Goldbergs'!
Huzzah! Yes!
Thanksgiving is saved from Linda!
Lou. [ Grunts ]
♪ I'm twisted up inside ♪
♪ But nonetheless, I feel the need to say ♪
-- Captions by VITAC --
♪ I don't know the future ♪
♪ But the past keeps getting clearer every day ♪
It was the day before Thanksgiving, 1980-something,
and while the rest of us had to wait to stuff ourselves,
my niece had already started her feast.
Erica, I'm desperately seeking
my "Desperately Seeking Susan" video and --
Sister parts!
I'll come back or not. Please, don't go.
I could really use some human interaction.
Seems to me you're having a very intense human interaction.
Well, I would talk to Geoff, but he's not here.
You know where he is?
Somewhere he's not confronted
with the mysteries of the female body?
The twerp's actually out for a run.
Good for him, moving his body.
Not my bag, but some people swear by it.
He's training for the Turkey Trot.
Living his best life.
Meanwhile, I'm cooped up here every morning.
[ Cooing ] Shoot, I lost track.
Do you remember which breast she was on when you came in?
You really can't sense other people's discomfort, can you?
Baby, younger baby, guess what.
Five miles in under 32 minutes.
That's awesome or terrible.
It's a sport, so I famously don't know the ins and outs.
Here I was thinking that having a baby would slow me down.
If anything, my times are improving.
Great story. Well told.
Oh, and I borrowed your Vaseline for my nipples.
Runner's World said that it helps prevent chafing,
which I was starting to have an issue with.
Oh, were your nipples a source of discomfort?
But no more, thanks to a generous glop
of medicinal jelly.
Okay. Get the [bleep] out.
What? What?
I said get out of here and take a shower, you maniac.
Oh, right. [ Chuckles ]
Yeah, back in a bit.
God, I have so much energy. Whoo!
What about me?
I'd like to run, but no, I'm a lonely dairy cow.
And do lonely dairy cows get to run?
I'm gonna say...no?
No, we don't.
We just sit here smelling like spit-up and despair
while the life force is literally drained from us.
And what's drained from me
is the desire to ever drink milk again.
Goodbye.
While Erica overflowed with resentment,
Barry and Pop-Pop were gobbling up
some Thanksgiving entertainment.
God, I love the parade.
The Clydesdales, the floats, Ed McMahon.
It's basically perfect entertainment.
At last year's, a Rockette got cold.
You can't top that.
The grocery store was a zoo.
I had to fight a woman for a yam.
[ Chuckles ] The only thing that got candied was her ass.
Your hands look full, so I'll help you out by telling you now
I'd like a whole picnic watermelon for lunch.
Barry, it's November.
Cubed, no seeds, in a glass bowl
so I can make sure you made no mistakes.
Whoa, are we eating that yellow dingbat from "Sesame Street"?
We need a big one.
Marvin's bringing a lady,
and I think it's a real girlfriend this time
and not a bail bondswoman.
Marvin and some Jezebel?
Now I gotta say no to giving money to two idiot grifters.
I have faith that this year will be different.
Let's give Marvin and his likely shifty girlfriend a chance.
Well, you do what you want.
I'm stashing my wallet in the toilet tank.
Tell your mom not to seat me near Marvin or his strumpet.
Probably won't pass that on.
We have real problems brewing with Erica.
Yeah, she's really open with the common area feedings.
We also need a better labeling system for milk in the fridge.
Yeah, human bodies are insane,
but I mean she's gonna ruin Thanksgiving.
Apparently, she's resentful 'cause Geoff is running.
Same thing with Uncle Marvin and Pop-Pop,
except not at all about running. What do we do?
Clearly, we have no choice
but to insert ourselves into their problems
and make sure Thanksgiving is a peaceful triumph,
or Mom will never want to host it again.
She's been through too much this year.
We have to make it a joyous holiday
free of conflict and strife.
For Mom. Yes, for Mom.
But also for us.
A future of eating Linda Schwartz's
Ritz Crackers appetizer?
She just fans them out.
I'll handle Uncle Marvin and Pop-Pop,
you fix this Erica-Geoff drama.
We're gonna save Thanksgiving for our beautiful mother.
[ Breathes deeply ]
What is going on with my fruit?
While Barry was gonna iron out the kinks
with Marvin and Pop-Pop,
I was gonna smooth over Geoff and Erica's troubled marriage.
There's the guy.
Oh, what fun banter.
Are we brothers-in-law
or brothers-in- closeness-and-affection?
Small talk over.
Listen, you want your wife to be happy
and not secretly resentful, right?
Oh, no! Major conversational tone change.
Erica's super jealous you get to go running all the time.
So she wants to run?
I mean, Muriel was really going to town on her,
so I wasn't completely present,
but she wouldn't stop talking about running.
Okay. I know just what to do.
And so, armed with my limited and inaccurate information,
he did this.
"Excited for you to get out there!
Love, Geoff."
What the hell is this?
Whoa! Top-of-the-line running shoes!
He wants me to run, does he?
Well, I'll run all right.
Great, run!
But why did the room get so much colder?
Geoff thinks he's gonna win that stupid race tomorrow?
But, oh, no, another turkey has entered the Trot.
Love the determination, but, reality check,
it's very unlikely you can run a race faster than him.
Why the hell not?
For one, he's a real runner, and earlier I saw you
eating a chicken pot pie in the bathroom.
I am a mother! I have to multi-task!
And maybe this present has given me the edge
because now I have rage --
the rage of a new mom who's just been called out
by her husband for being out of shape.
Ohh!
Is that what's happening right now?
Runner boy is going down.
♪♪
[ Breathing heavily ]
Here I go.
I might not have saved Thanksgiving.
While Erica was setting out on a hate run,
Barry was determined to keep things friendly
between Pop-Pop and Marvin.
[ Doorbell rings ] Marvin's here.
Be nice, Pop-Pop.
Eh, I was nice once, wasn't for me.
Barry, thank you for having us.
I brought flowers.
Probably picked 'em from his neighbor's garden.
These are store-bought!
They're wrapped in that fancy brown paper
like a dirty magazine.
Good afternoon, Father. You're looking trim and hale.
And the yellow cardigan really brings out
the jaundice in your eyes.
Trying the ol' pickpocket, huh?
Joke's on you, kid.
I hid my wallet, and I don't even remember where.
Uncle Marvin, where's this new girlfriend of yours?
She's parking the Celica. Celica?
Don't you have some dumb vehicle
that perfectly illustrates your terrible decision-making?
I don't know what you mean. But he did.
There was a DeLorean, a red guy,
one he called "The Lady",
and, of course, the car from "Knight Rider."
Sure, in the past, I was fond of a big swing
in the transportation department, but no more.
Toyota is the modest gal for me.
Speaking of modest gals.
[ Quietly ] Hello. Don't be shy, sweetie.
She was a chatterbox all the way here.
I was counting mailboxes.
[ Chuckles ] What a peach! This is Martha.
Hit 'em with the million-watt smile.
Marvin, oh, it's so good to see you!
[ Gasps ] And who is this vision in brown?
Mom, this is Martha.
Why don't you take her and her green beans into the kitchen
and show her how you get yours extra creamy?
Oh, well, the trick is -- heavy on the heavy cream.
[ Chuckles ] I don't get it.
What, are you on the run or something?
And what's with this disguise?
This is what I wear now. I'm a bank teller.
Someone put you in charge of money?
[ Chuckles ] I don't believe it.
Quick, what's the interest rate on a high-yield CD?
8.2% compounded semi-annually.
Crap, that's too boring to follow up on.
I understand how you might be skeptical.
I've given you plenty of reason to feel that way.
But things have changed for me.
Martha's given me a fresh start.
She's given me reason to be a better man.
I just wish you could be happy for me.
I suppose if you're happy with this mousy broad,
then I'm happy, too.
Whoa.
Pop-Pop's mouth crinkled up a little,
and it probably wasn't from indigestion.
You must be feeling pretty good.
I hate my miserable life.
It was Thanksgiving.
Geoff and Erica were gearing up for the Turkey Trot.
Hey, you two!
Everyone in here getting along
and running for all the right reasons?
Oh, you know it.
It's just me, my two legs, and the open road.
Melting away the worries of the day.
Your teeth are gritted, but I'm just gonna chalk that up to,
let's say, runner's high?
Oh, speaking of which, I'll catch up with you guys later.
I want to get a pre-run run in before the real run.
Bye. Oh. Bye.
So you're really gonna rage-run against your husband
in a holiday race for charity?
Oh, no.
When I fell going up the stairs yesterday
and couldn't get up for half an hour,
I had time to come up with a new plan.
Celebrate a peaceful Thanksgiving
with everyone you love, I hope?
Get this.
He'll come home with his first place medal,
naturally I'll be infuriated.
Sure, that tracks.
But I'm gonna let my fury simmer.
Not simmering fury!
Until we're all sitting down to say what we're thankful for.
And I'll say, "I'm not thankful for anything,
because my piece-of-crap husband only thinks about himself!"
That is not at all in the spirit
of a traditional Thanksgiving toast!
Oh, once I see that medal around his neck,
I'm gonna come in first for ruining Thanksgiving.
Barry: Caw-caw, caw-caw. Adam!
Consider being a good person
while I attend to the whippoorwill in our hallway.
Out here. Bird sounds.
[ Whistling ]
Ad-Rock, we've got a real problem.
Can't be worse than my thing.
Uncle Marvin hates his boring life
and is crying in the basement.
I was wrong!
This is gonna be a complete disaster!
But Mom needs a peaceful and loving Thanksgiving.
Great news!
The 18 sticks of butter
I jammed under the skin of the turkey
have finally dissolved,
but there's no one more juicy and delicious than my boys.
Oh, yeah, we are.
You get everything right, Mama.
Oh, I have to say I'm really glad you convinced me
to have the meal here.
Mwah!
Crap, did you see the light in her eyes?
I don't wanna snuff out Mama's light!
But if Geoff wins this race,
Erica's gonna blow up Thanksgiving.
Unless you run that race.
Me run what now?
I'd easily do it myself,
but I'm tied up with Marvin and Pop-Pop.
Wha-- I can't beat him.
He's been training all month,
and my body isn't equipped for more than strolling.
And you've been training for this your entire life.
Being Cowboy #3 in "Oklahoma!",
standing next to a cone when you had that job once,
and other relevant memories from your past that prove my point.
Are you saying that even though my upper torso is that of a boy,
my legs are somehow built for speed?
Adam, I'm almost a doctor,
so I am confident that my confidence in you is valid
and in no way a trauma response to me seeing our uncle cry.
Fine!
I'll save the day by dishonoring Geoff
so our sister will not confront their marital issues.
So Barry convinced me I could win.
Whether he could convince Marvin
that his life was on track was a taller order.
I don't get it.
You got a great job, you got a gre--
grown lady,
and you smell less like ground beef than usual.
My stupid boss said I had to cover up
my natural scent with cologne
because it was "confusing Judy's seeing-eye dog."
It's a step in the right direction.
My musk is my thang, bro.
Do you know what I pray for every single day?
A bank robbery.
I would rather be hog-tied and stuffed in that vault
than have to stand at that teller window.
If this is the beginning of you asking me to join a heist,
I'm a tentative no.
If I hear Marco drone on
about his kid's little league team one more time,
I will puncture my ears with all of the chained pens.
They're 5-11, forget the playoffs, dummy!
"I'm proud of him."
That's what your father just said.
You hear that, Marvin?
His actual words were --
"Eh, I guess I'm kinda proud of him.
Now move it, blondie, I gotta take a whiz."
Slightly different but still pretty good for that old walnut.
I'm sorry Murray missed this,
but you have made this a Turkey Day to remember.
Yeah. [ Whimpers ]
You can tell by his tears that he's truly touched.
[ Whimpering ]
It's nice that he'd proud.
Of the fake me!
I can't believe that I changed my life and my scent
to try to impress this man!
You seem to be winding up to something.
It's time I tell my dad what I really think about him.
Your mom said it's a Turkey Day to remember.
Well, she ain't seen nothing yet!
With that, my Uncle Marvin was gonna stop hiding who he was.
Meanwhile, I was hiding in a turkey costume
to beat Geoff in a race.
And while it seemed almost impossible,
that day, something amazing happened.
P.A. Announcer: Go!
Adult Adam: Despite my years of skipped gym classes
and overwhelming fear of physical activity,
I was fast.
[ Triumphant music plays ]
I tapped into a well of strength and speed
I never knew I had.
P.A. Announcer: Whew! That turkey's running
like he's got a lot on the line.
♪♪
Adult Adam: I was racing for my mom.
I was racing to save Thanksgiving.
And against all the odds, I did it!
I won!
[ Laughing, gasping ]
P.A. Announcer: The turkey has collapsed.
And here comes the pack.
Wait, isn't this the finish line?
That's in about six miles.
You ran like 100 yards.
What?!
Oh. Oh, my God.
Oh, this is both horrifying and undeniably hilarious.
My toe! My little toe!
It's critical for balance!
♪♪
Barry and I were determined
to make it a great Thanksgiving for our mom.
But tensions were simmering as much as my mom's
triple-cheesy potatoes au gratin.
Uh, without exaggeration,
I have literally pulled the greatest meal in history
out of my remarkably toned tuchus.
[ Light laughter ] And everything smells scrumptious, Bev.
And the painful sting of not being on the original guest list
hasn't dampened my excitement.
Praise all.
Screw these place cards.
I wanna sit with my boy, the banker.
Bank teller.
And I'll be happy to sit next to you, Father.
We should probably honor the place cards.
Since pilgrim times, they are legally binding documents.
Your sketchy legal knowledge is crazy wrong
but crazy hot, babe.
Marvin, you're over here, next to me.
Great. So great.
Sorry, took a little while to get down the steps.
It's not just my toe, it's also the painful realization
that my name could've been in the "Jenkintown Post".
I'm bummed you didn't win, too, hon.
I was so rooting for you.
You win some, you lose some is something people say, right?
It is disappointing, Geoffrey.
We cleared space on the mantel for that trophy.
That damn turkey came out of nowhere.
Son, what do you say we go hunt turkeys?
I mean, that's something that fathers and sons do together.
Oh, would that make you happy?
'Cause it's all about your happiness?
Why's he saying weird things?
Pop-Pop's just looking for a simple yes or no
on the killing of innocent birds.
Speaking of innocent birds,
Beverly, that is a thing of beauty.
Oh, thank you, Lou.
You know, the secret is cutting your basting butter
with sour cream, buttermilk, and melted Jolly Ranchers.
That explains the vibrant color.
I've never seen one that looks so moist and juicy.
I make a turkey every year, Lou.
Both our statements are true, Linda.
[ Laughs ] Who invited Henny Youngman?
Sir, you are a comedic dollop of Cool Whip
on my pumpkin pie.
Before we really dig in, I have something to say.
We should eat first. Everyone, take and pass.
Marvin, can you pass the cornbread soufflé?
I'm sorry, do you have to speak so loudly into my ear?
Uh, Marvin, tell us more about the job.
I'm a bank teller. I sit behind a cage.
And I get to see how much more money everyone else has than me.
Boom! I think we fully covered Marvin's career journey.
Next topic, let's say turtles.
Geoff, how many turtles passed you
on the way to the finish line?
Mr. Glascott,
I'll bet you've got something to say about turtles.
Indeed I do.
I had two turtles growing up -- Sheldon and Michelle.
So, is there a promotion in your future?
Branch manager?
Marvin, you'd be a great branch manager.
Why are we still talking about Marvin's work?
The most important thing is
he won his cranky father's love and respect.
End of story.
The turkey doesn't even need the gravy.
Bev, you're a miracle worker.
Bar, can we come here again next year?
Next year is my turn!
Maybe next year my husband will run a marathon
while I'm home with the baby.
Or go climb Everest.
While those are both on my bucket list,
why are you saying them in such a mean tone?
Oh, I know how to reclaim the elusive festive spirit.
Adam, why don't you go put on that adorable turkey costume
you had on this morning.
Turkey costume?
No, no.
I was wearing Barry's Eagles jersey.
Mr. Glascott gets his large birds mixed up.
I can abide many an insult.
But I do not get my large birds mixed up.
Adam, you're the one that tripped me?
But why? I would've won!
Oh, who gives a crap?
It's all we've heard about for weeks.
While I'm stuck at home with our baby,
you're out having an affair with the open road.
Guys, guys, I'm trying to have a meal
with the son I finally love.
What you love is a sham.
You love what you wish I could become.
Well, guess what? Nobody guess.
I'm still me, damn it!
I tried.
I got a mind-numbing job.
I wore khakis.
I got a boring girlfriend.
Crud, it's happening again.
And for what?
For your happiness, not mine.
I didn't tell you to get a boring girlfriend.
If you had a problem with me running, why didn't you say so?
I shouldn't have to say so!
Adam, do something.
Oh, like you got a great handle
on the Marvin-Pop-Pop fiasco!
I knew you were the wrong partner
to try to save Thanksgiving with!
How dare you!
I entered a running race for this.
A running race!
You know what? I'm quitting my job.
Why would you do that? 'Cause it's not who I am.
I have a buddy who said he's gonna cut me in
on an electric fork that he's trying to invent.
That's who I am!
And, Martha. I don't care.
I'm sorry, Doll. We had a good run.
It was just okay. See ya.
Can someone give me a ride home later?
[ All arguing ]
Excuse me. [ Glass clinking ]
I have something to say. Excuse me.
As many of you know, I was reluctant
to host Thanksgiving this year
because I was afraid it wouldn't be like it always is.
Sorry, Mama.
We failed you.
No, you didn't.
Because you gave me a Thanksgiving
that is exactly like it always has been.
This is who we are.
I mean, sure, we argue,
but it all comes from a place of love.
So thank you.
I'd like to say what I'm thankful for.
There's a time and a place, John.
Geoff, this may be hard for you to understand,
but as joyful as it is being a new mother,
it's very hard to watch your husband living his best life
when you are healing from an assault on your body.
Oh, God, Erica, I haven't been nearly supportive enough.
I'm so sorry.
No, in all our years together,
you only had this one tiny blind spot,
and I'm pretty thankful for that.
And, Marvin,
you tried to change because Murray isn't here,
didn't you? Well, he was the good son.
And I thought that my dad deserved that in his life
and instead all he got was the same old screw-up.
Were you trying? For me?
Oh, I was the real screw-up.
I mean, I-I wasn't there for you enough when you were growing up.
Yeah, but you're here now.
And I ain't going anywhere.
And, Lou, all those terrible things you say
about your wife's cooking?
Keep them in your head...
like I do.
The truth is, she's an amazing woman
and she puts up with me all the time.
Yeah, Mom, you're the best.
I'd like to propose a toast.
To a perfect Thanksgiving.
Adam: To the perfect Thanksgiving.
Perfect.
[ David Bowie's "Changes" plays ]
Thanksgiving can be a tricky time.
♪ Ch-Ch-Changes, turn and face the strange ♪
It can be stressful, bring out the worst in us.
Especially when you're missing people
who've always been there.
♪ Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes ♪
But the best traditions endure.
Sometimes you even add new faces to the mix.
And all these years later,
even though we're all grown up and have families of our own,
we always come back to my mom's.
And it always feels like magic.
♪ Time may change me ♪
♪ But I can't trace time ♪
Ugh! Ugh, no.
I don't need to see your lady business
as I eat my evening cereal.
Relax, this is beautiful and natural.
So just get over it. [ Doorbell rings ]
Hey, neighbors.
[ Gasps ] Oh, look at you.
Providing life-giving nourishment.
Uh, this is a little -- What's the matter?
Not enjoying your invasive neighbor eyeballing you?
I'm just gonna take the baby upstairs for unrelated reasons.
So, Barry, you needed something?
That was it.