'The Goldbergs' returns to the Spectrum to root on the 1980-something Flyers

The Goldbergs are returning to the Spectrum.

Next week, the cast of the popular ABC sitcom will be ringside during a Flyers game from 1980-something, this time in an attempt to bring together Murray, the show's stubborn father (played by Jeff Garlin) with his own dad (played by TV veteran Judd Hirsch).

Adam Goldberg, the show's creator, said his best bonding memories with his dad all revolve around watching Flyers games while he was growing up.

"Watching Kerr, Tocchet, and Hextall play got my dad out of his chair and on his feet screaming," Goldberg said, noting the family's season tickets at the Spectrum were the one place they would stop yelling at each other and come together.

"When we were writing an episode about Murray's strained relationship with his dad, I wrote a scene about how the kids all think the Flyers is the one thing that can bond them," Goldberg said. "Unfortunately, even the 'Broad Street Bullies' can't unite Murray and Pop Pop."

In one scene, Murray angrily refuses to buy a pretzel for his father, who has the message passed down to him broken-telephone style by older brother Barry (played by Roy Gentile).

"Pop Pop, Dad says to get bent and buy your own," Barry tells him.

"I wasn't asking for a free pretzel," he angrily responds. "Tell that ungrateful bastard he still owes me $17. He can take it out of my tab."

The timing for the episode couldn't be better, with the Flyers celebrating the team's 50th anniversary (complete with golden anniversary jerseys). But it's far from the first time The Goldbergs has featured the Flyers in the five seasons the show has been on the air.

Last season, an entire episode revolved around "Big Orange," Barry's favorite Flyers shirt, which was destroyed in an act of "shirt murder" by his mother, Beverly (played by Wendi McLendon-Covey) and girlfriend Laney (played by AJ Michalka). The episode was dedicated to the late Ed Snider, and featured rare footage of the Flyers cofounder holding the Stanley Cup after one of the team's championships in the 1970s.

"It is comforting to see generations of Flyer fans come together and enjoy Flyers hockey together," said Shawn Tilger, the Flyers chief operating officer. "I am sure Ed Snider is smiling down knowing that families like the Goldbergs and countless others gather around their TVs or in person to root for the team he created and cared so much about."

The Goldbergs airs Wednesday night on ABC.