Recently, CBS' long-running sitcom The Goldbergs encountered a problem. In December, Jeff Garlin, who played the Goldberg patriarch, was let go from the show for inappropriate behavior on set. Unfortunately, as the father figure in a light sendup of '80s family comedies that has run for over 200 episodes, he was essentially irreplaceable. Whereas another television show might kill off or recast the character, The Goldbergs turned to the wonder of technology, and produced … this:

They should either cancel The Goldbergs or kill off Jeff Garlin’s character because the workarounds they’ve been using this season ain’t working. pic.twitter.com/EgG4so6rIA

— Noel Murray (@NoelMu) March 14, 2022

It appears, in an effort to keep Garlin's character around, CBS crafted him out of A.I. After Garlin's departure, Variety reported that his character would remain on the show and that showrunners would recreate him using deepfake technology and unused voice dialogue. The result is, at least to the internet's eyes, deeply disturbing.

This is so cursed, and I've watched it three times now

— Alison Willmore (@alisonwillmore) March 14, 2022

that cgi jeff garlin looks pretty cool honestly pic.twitter.com/MRKlbncLhN

— Adam Murray (@AtomMurray) March 15, 2022

The graphics for the PS3 Jeff Garlin Simulator still hold up honestly pic.twitter.com/RPAiBwrMdy

— wyatt dunkin (@WyattDuncan) March 14, 2022

“CGI Jeff Garlin can’t hurt you.”

CGI Jeff Garlin: pic.twitter.com/GxYfUVaD0x

— Marcelo “SXSW” Pico (@MarceloJPico) March 14, 2022

Garlin is still getting paid for every episode The Goldbergs craft him, 6 Million Dollar Man-style out of the remains of his time on the show. It's unknown if Garlin will return as the character Jeff Greene on the HBO series Curb Your Enthusiasm or be similarly deepfaked.