A Review of the Fox Sitcom “The Goodwin Games” by Tiffany A. White
Written by the creators of How I Met Your Mother, The Goodwin Games follows three siblings after they learn of their father’s recent passing. The two brothers and their sister return home and are immediately summoned to the office of their father’s attorney where they will hear the reading of his will. Everything seems normal, that is until they learn their father (Beau Bridges) was worth millions… twenty-three million to be exact.
Unlike traditional wills, these siblings will not split the inheritance… instead, only one of them will earn it all. That’s right; I said “earn” it.
By following previously taped video instructions, the older brother (Henry, played by Scott Foley), the sister stuck in the middle (Chloe, played by Becki Newton), and the youngest and perhaps least responsible of the three (Jimmy, played by comedian T.J. Miller) battle it out—starting with a game of “Trivial Pursuit” that Daddy Goodwin has personalized to fit the family’s history.
I just happened upon this show last week… I had no idea it planned to air on Fox this summer (great job promoting the show, by the way). So I did what anyone would expect of me—I stopped and watched it. LIVE! And I never watch live TV…
Anyway, while I’m not at all accustomed to seeing Scott Foley in a comedy, he plays the role of the responsible and successful Henry very well. He has a dry sense of humor and his comedic timing is great as he brags about himself. Becki Newton I am more familiar with, especially since her role as Barney’s ex on HIMYM. She’s cute and honestly seems to be playing the same kind of role I’ve seen her in before. And then there’s T.J. Miller. He’s funny and he’s also playing a role that I would expect from him, knowing him from Chelsea Handler’s show.
But let’s not forget about Beau Bridges. He’s great, but when is he not? Did anyone watch him on My Name is Earl? Sitcoms are his thing.
Casting and acting aside, is The Goodwin Games worth a watch? I’m going to stick it out…
Why? Because I did laugh-out-loud. That is a requirement of mine when watching sitcoms… if they make me smile, good for them. If they make me laugh, good for me.
This sitcom really does have a sweet family dynamic. Despite the siblings bickering at the beginning, they grow and learn to laugh together and love each other once again. But will it last? Because now they have another leg of “The Goodwin Games” to compete against one another to win their father’s millions… and probably many more games after that, or at least while Fox airs new episodes.
*****
Tiffany A. White is the author of the YA mystery “Football Sweetheart” series. She blogs at The Ooo Factor and is available for contact via Twitter at , Facebook at , or by email at .
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