After the death of George Segal, ABC's The Goldbergs paid the perfect tribute to both Segal and his beloved character, Pops. The Goldbergs is based on real-life events, and Segal's death left the series with a difficult decision to make; the series could cast another actor to play the role of Pops or move Pops' death earlier in the timeline of the series. Their choice to not recast the character, as well as the way they honored Pops' life, was a perfect tribute.
On March 23, 2021, George Segal passed away due to complications during bypass surgery. George Segal played the role of Albert "Pops" Solomon from Goldbergs season 1 until his death after season 8. Pops, who was based on Adam F. Goldberg's real maternal grandfather, was Beverly Goldberg's father and one of Adam's best friends — both in real-life and on The Goldbergs. Segal was an iconic veteran of television, movies, and the stage. He was best known for his work in projects like Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and A Touch of Class, as well as playing Jack Gallo on Just Shoot Me!. Throughout his career, Segal was awarded two Golden Globe awards and nominated for an Academy Award.
Because George Segal passed shortly before filming for season 8 wrapped, his final appearance was marked with a touching video tribute at the end of The Goldbergs season 8 episode 16, "Couple Off." For Pops, however, his tribute came at the beginning of The Goldbergs season 9 with episode 1, "The Goldbergs' Excellent Adventure," which spoofed on the movie Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. A movie-themed tribute was an excellent way to send off Segal — a nod to his iconic career — and Pops, who greatly supported Adam in his dreams of becoming a filmmaker. In search of the perfect place to spread Pops' ashes, the family band together through their grief to explore Pops' colorful life and come to terms with his death — all while collecting more people whose lives Pops' had touched. While searching for the perfect way to tribute Pops' life, the family learns that just because he is gone, it doesn't mean he isn't with them for the rest of their "excellent adventure."
Segal's unexpected death means that Pops' departure from the show at the beginning of The Goldbergs season 9 doesn't quite fit the timeline of the true Goldbergs' story, though the show manages to make it work. Because each Goldbergs episode is set in the fluid year of "1980-something," the show doesn't get bogged down by the specifics of keeping an accurate timeline. The real-life Pops passed when Adam was in college; however, having this moment happen while Adam is still in high school means the family was able to experience this loss while they were all still together. Each family member is suffering his loss in their own way, but it is only together that they were able to begin healing.
Ultimately, this tribute was far more fitting than recasting the role of Pops. George Segal was an entertainment icon, and recasting the role would be a disservice to his career. After eight seasons on the show, the cast had bonded like a real family; while it wouldn't be the first time The Goldbergs had recast a character, replacing a member of the family would be an entirely different scenario. In real life, there was only one Pops, and only one George Segal. Paying respects to these men with a movie-themed tribute was ultimately the best way The Goldbergs could have honored their lives.