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:

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.

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.