Adam works on his new persona for the first day of high school that he hopes will up his coolness level. Meanwhile, Beverly gets her teaching certification to become a substitute teacher. But when she is demoted to sub-janitor, she sends the Goldberg kids to a Saturday detention.
Erica and Lainey try to find Bill a love match using some new dating technology and Adam's fillmmaking skills. But they face some competition from Beverly, who insists on taking an old-fashioned approach to matchmaking. Meanwhile, a "failed" aptitude test leads Barry to decide to pursue being a gym teacher as Coach Mellor's apprentice.
Erica and Adam follow the lead of Jan from "The Brady Bunch" when dealing with relationship problems; and Beverly reaches her limit when it comes to dealing with Murray's stubbornness after he causes her to miss the Beach Boys at Live Aid.
After getting their first-ever answering machines, Murray and Pop-Pop wage a message war on one another. Fed up, Erica, Barry and Pops try to stop the fighting by offering a trip to a hockey game as an olive branch. Meanwhile, Adam finally finds a lunch-time home with some lovable geeks in the computer room, but Beverly worries about his social standing and intervenes.
Adam decides to start writing horror stories after being inspired by Stephen King; when Beverly finds out that the monster in Adam's story is based off of her, she makes him stay home on Halloween to rewrite the story to depict her in better light.
After learning of Murray's love of action movies, Adam uses the moment to garner the courage to ask his dad for money to film his own action film. But the production goes from bad to worse when Barry goes missing for playing the lead, and an unlikely replacement steps in. Meanwhile, Erica takes Beverly to go clothes shopping. When a situation at the hip store goes awry, Erica decides to make her own version of the popular outfit she wants -using Beverly's own sweaters
A mutual love of "Knight Rider" brings Murray and Uncle Marvin to the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day parade to see the car K.I.T.T. in person. However, their bonding doesn't last long due to a slighted Adam. Meanwhile, Beverly's Turkey Day plans go awry after she invites Bill and Lainey to celebrate the holiday
Barry starts to make fun of Adam for wanting to join theater until he finds out that Adam and Lainey have been cast in roles that require them to kiss; Barry decides to sabotage the production by joining the stage crew.
When Adam attends a Globetrotters game, he falls in love with the “theatrics” of the team and tries doing his own tricks on the court. But when he cuts together a video that makes Barry look like he lost a game to Adam and his friends, Barry demands a rematch, culminating in an epic battle at the school gym. Meanwhile, it’s Murray’s 50th birthday, and, despite his protests, Beverly throws yet another surprise party for him but gets more than she bargained for.
After finding out there is only going to be one Hanukkah song in the Holiday Pageant, Beverly convinces Erica to create the perfect song to bring some excitement to the holiday. Erica sees her shot to break into the music business while Barry does his best to prove he too can be a hit maker with music. Meanwhile, Adam’s childlike wonder with movies and entertainment is called into question when things he loved as a child aren’t as good as he remembers.
Beverly substitutes for Barry’s chemistry class in hopes to inspire students in the same way as Mr. Keating from “Dead Poets Society,” much to Barry’s embarrassment. When Beverly refuses to give Barry special treatment, Murray pushes Barry to work hard and prove to her that he can get a good grade. Meanwhile, after accidentally embarrassing Emmy by reading a note about her in class, Adam enlists Erica’s help to be a better friend.
Adam and Barry learn about Murray's fear of snow when a snow day cancels school; the boys try to exploit Murray's weakness for their own ends and take advantage of him; Beverly find's Erica's college application.
Adam feels like he's losing his best friend, Chad, so he attempts to join the tennis team. When Chad picks Dave Kim as his partner, Adam vows to take him down with Barry in a tennis match, changeling Andre Agassi. Meanwhile, with the help of Beverly, Erica deals with her post-break up depression just in time for Valentine's Day.
When both Barry and Erica gets jobs working at Spencer’s Gifts, Erica gets jealous at how good of an employee Barry is. Meanwhile, Muray is thrilled that two of his children have jobs, so he insists that Adam gets one, despite Beverly’s adamancy that he should focus on filmmaking,
Beverly is on a mission to transform Adam into a teenage heartthrob after a local kid talent agent insists he’s only right for nerd roles. Meanwhile, Barry decides to go punk and Murray attempts to become more involved in Erica’s life, but it backfires.
Inspired by the "Karate Kid" films, Adam and the other Adam Goldberg face off in a karate match to settle once and for all a long-running feud. Barry and Adam go to Uncle Marvin for training, but the only thing they learn is how to clean an apartment. Meanwhile, when Erica and Geoff's relationship becomes public, they realize that they aren't the good guys.
Barry feels threatened when school deadhead Matt starts hanging out with the JTP and soon finds himself kicked out of the group when he becomes too controlling. Back at home, Adam uses a curse word which sends Beverly into a tail spin, even though she curses all of the time. To curb everyone’s behavior, a swear jar is created, with the money going to a vacation of the winner’s choice.
While Erica receives her college acceptance letters, Barry decides to become a doctor and looks at schools with good medical programs; Lainey announces that she is going to a school without a medical program, making Barry rethink his idea.
The Goldberg kids have big plans on prom night, all of which go awry. The night includes Barry's big romantic gestures for Lainey; Erica's attempt to go to prom with Geoff; and Adam being asked out by a nerdy but cute junior.
Barry feels left out, so he tries to create a divide between the relationship of Adam and Pops, while they debate the merits of a movie; Erica intentionally messes up her.
When Murray is honored as one of Jenkintown’s top businessmen, his plaque is hung on a wall with all of the other honorees. And soon Beverly is dismayed to learn he has no discernable hobbies, and her attempts to help him find some backfire. Meanwhile, Barry creates a scheme stealing golf carts, but the situation goes awry and Erica comes to save the day.
After TV movie “The Day After” airs, Barry takes matters into his own hands by attempting to convince Murray to build an underground bunker. When he says no, Barry tries one last attempt at getting Murray to change his mind. Meanwhile, Erica and Adam give over-the-top Mother’s Day gifts before making important requests to Beverly, but it ultimately backfires.
As the school year comes to a close, Barry and Erica wonder what they’ll be voted for in the yearbook and pressure Adam – who’s on staff – to see the rough layout before it goes to print. But when they accidentally delete it, mass panic ensues and messes up Adam’s relationship with Jackie. Meanwhile, Murray is annoyed when Marvin comes to visit for money, but Beverly convinces him to help Marvin out with a plan, because he’s family.
Graduation Day is quickly approaching, and Erica cannot wait to get out of the house, until it dawns on her how much Beverly's love means to her. She attempts to delay her graduating so she can stay home. Later, Barry has plans for him and Lainey, but they turn to dust. Meanwhile, Dana makes a surprise visit just as Adam and Jackie officially become a couple.