The Goodwin Games
The Goodwin Games is an American sitcom series that aired as a midseason replacement on Fox from May 20 to July 1, 2013.[1] It was created and written by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas (creators of How I Met Your Mother) alongside Chris Harris.
| The Goodwin Games | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Comedy |
| Created by |
|
| Starring | |
| Composer | John Swihart |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 7 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producers |
|
| Cinematography |
|
| Editors |
|
| Camera setup | Single-camera |
| Running time | 22 minutes |
| Production companies |
|
| Original release | |
| Network | Fox |
| Release | May 20 – July 1, 2013 |
Premise edit
The series revolves around a trio of estranged siblings: Henry, an overachieving surgeon with an overabundant ego; Chloe, a former child mathematical prodigy who became popular in high school and abandoned academia (and her friends) for a career as a struggling actress; and Jimmy, a career petty criminal with a string of convictions who has to sneak into his pre-teen daughter's bedroom at night to visit her. The siblings return home for their father's funeral. His attorney (one of Chloe's abandoned childhood friends) April Cho informs them that their father's will awards them $23 million, but only if they agree to compete in a series of games of their father's devising. The games are designed to force them to confront their personal failings, recall their childhoods, and bring them together as a family once again. When the siblings resist, April informs them that their father anticipated their reaction, and therefore a fourth individual will be involved in the games, a complete stranger named Elijah, who collects part of the remaining inheritance every time the siblings fail to follow their father's instructions.
Cast edit
Main cast edit
- Becki Newton as Chloe Goodwin
- Scott Foley as Henry Goodwin
- T. J. Miller as Jimmy Goodwin
- (Jake Lacy in the original pilot)
- Kat Foster as Lucinda Hobbes
- (Felisha Terrell in the original pilot)[2]
- Melissa Tang as April Cho
Recurring edit
- Sabrina Carpenter as Young Chloe Goodwin
- Will Shadley as Young Henry Goodwin
- Jadon Sand as Young Jimmy Goodwin (Gibson Bobby Sjobeck in the original pilot)
- Beau Bridges as Benjamin Goodwin
- Kaitlyn Maher as Piper Goodwin (Francesca Capaldi in the original pilot)
- Jerrod Carmichael as Elijah
- Stefanie Black as Annie
- Laurie Metcalf as Dr. Richland[3]
- Adam Rodriguez as Ivan[4]
- Janina Gavankar as Hannah
- Chris Diamantopoulos as Chad
- William Edward Dagsher as Fisherman
Production edit
On May 9, 2012, Fox placed a series order for the comedy[5] that was expected to premiere during the 2012–13 television season as a mid-season entry.[6] On June 7, 2012, it was announced that T. J. Miller was replacing Jake Lacy in the role of Jimmy.[7] On November 2, 2012, it was announced that Fox cut the episode order from thirteen to seven.[8]
Episodes edit
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Production code | U.S. viewers (million) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Pilot" | Peyton Reed | Chris Harris, Craig Thomas & Carter Bays | May 20, 2013 | 1AVW79 | 1.61[9] |
| Henry, Chloe and Jimmy Goodwin are brought together when their father, Benjamin, dies shortly after finishing his will video. At the will reading, it is revealed he has left a fortune of $23 million. When he sets the siblings a challenge, which he calls "The Goodwin Games", to complete a game of trivial pursuit, something that they have never seemed to accomplish, along with Elijah, someone hired by their father. | ||||||
| 2 | "Welcome Home, Goodwins" | Peyton Reed | Tom Ruprecht | May 27, 2013 | 1AVW01 | 1.37[10] |
| The Goodwins are forced to be there for each other when they hear church bells. | ||||||
| 3 | "Small Town" | Jesse Peretz | Greg Schaffer | June 3, 2013 | 1AVW06 | 1.62[11] |
| When Chloe sees Jimmy with a strange man, she suspects him of returning to his old ways. | ||||||
| 4 | "The Hamletta" | Peyton Reed | Carter Bays & Craig Thomas | June 10, 2013 | 1AVW02 | 1.54[12] |
| Chloe goes back to college. | ||||||
| 5 | "The Birds of Granby" | David Katzenberg | Chris Harris | June 17, 2013 | 1AVW03 | 1.39[13] |
| Jimmy reconnects with Piper's mother. | ||||||
| 6 | "Happy Hour" | John Putch | Christine Zander | June 24, 2013 | 1AVW04 | 1.50[14] |
| Chloe and April spend a night at the bar with an old friend from Math Club. Jimmy performs songs that are maybe a little too autobiographical. Henry accidentally "sexts" his ex. | ||||||
| 7 | "The Box" | Neil Patrick Harris | Rachel Axler | July 1, 2013 | 1AVW05 | 1.49[15] |
| Chloe becomes convinced that her father is controlling her life from beyond the grave, and her paranoia is infectious. | ||||||
Broadcast edit
The series premiered in Australia on Eleven on May 20, 2014.[16]
Reception edit
On Rotten Tomatoes, the series has an aggregate score of 38% based on 6 positive and 10 negative critic reviews. The website consensus reads: "The Goodwin Games is simply unimpressive in the most uninteresting ways."[17] On Metacritic, the series has a score of 57 out of 100 based on 17 critic reviews, indicating "Mixed to Average"[18]
References edit
- ^ Byrne, Craig (February 28, 2013). "FOX Announces Season Finale Dates & Summer Premieres". FOX. KSiteTV. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 23, 2012). "Several More New Series In Recasting Mode; Returning Ones Add/Cut Regulars". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
- ^ Masters, Megan (22 October 2012). "Exclusive: Roseanne's Laurie Metcalf Books Arc on Fox's New Comedy The Goodwin Games". TVline.com. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
- ^ Snierson, Dan. "Adam Rodriguez signs on to 'The Goodwin Games' -- EXCLUSIVE". EW.com. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
- ^ Seidman, Robert (May 9, 2012). . TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 13, 2012. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 8, 2012). "3rd Update: Fox Picks Up Kevin Williamson, Mob Doc Drama, Three Comedy Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 14, 2012.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (June 7, 2012). "T.J. Miller To Play Lead On New Fox Comedy Series 'Goodwin Games' In Recasting". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
- ^ Michael Ausiello (2012-10-25). "Fox Cuts Episode Order For Midseason Comedy The Goodwin Games in Half". TVLine. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
- ^ Bibel, Sara (May 21, 2013). . TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on June 7, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
- ^ Bibel, Sara (May 28, 2013). . TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on June 7, 2013. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
- ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (June 4, 2013). . TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on June 8, 2013.
- ^ Bibel, Sara (June 11, 2013). . TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on June 14, 2013.
- ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (June 18, 2013). . TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on June 22, 2013. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
- ^ Bibel, Sara (June 25, 2013). . TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on June 28, 2013.
- ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (July 2, 2013). . TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on July 5, 2013.
- ^ Knox, David (May 7, 2014). "Returning: New Girl, Airdate: The Goodwin Games". TV Tonight. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
- ^ "The Goodwin Games". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
- ^ "The Goodwin Games". Metacritic. Retrieved September 5, 2022.