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"And now, the story of a wealthy family who lost everything and the one son who had no choice but to keep them all together. It's Arrested Development"
Latest
Petitions, petitions! Here's one that seems popular:"This is a request from the fans of TV comedy Arrested Development that Mitch Hurwitz and the cast, writers and producers will consider a one-off Christmas special or more in 2009.
"We just ask that everyone keeps an open mind about updating us on the lives of the Bluths, and we suggest Christmas 2009 as a good time to catch up with them."
To learn more, visit www.arresteddevelopment2009.com
About the Show
One of the best sitcoms in recent memory, "Arrested Development" was created by Mitch Hurwitz. It's a vague send-up of documentaries/reality-programming (think "This Is Spinal Tap" or "The Office," but without the talking heads), focusing on a wealthy family from Newport Beach whose patriarch, George Sr., is under investigation for Enron-type corporate crimes. Michael Bluth, the family's "good son," is charged with running what's left of the family business (a housing development/construction company), and his hilariously dysfunctional family.
The show currently airs on Fox (under danger of cancellation), and theoretically airs Mondays at 8PM. It's produced by Imagine Entertainment, 20th Century Fox, and The Hurwitz Company. Ron Howard is also the uncredited narrator of the show.
The jokes come fast and furious, with nary a line of dialogue or narration - or even facial expression) spared in service of a setup or punchline to a joke, reference ("callback") or visual gag. In fact, new viewers may find themselves overwhelmed by the constant barrage of jokes, particularly if, having watched more conventional comedies on network TV, they are unaccustomed to finding such a high level of quality and quantity of humor. Viewers who watch episodes multiple times stand a better chance of catching and appreciating a surprisingly large number of jokes that have been crammed into the background, or delivered in what are ostensibly "throwaway" lines.
In addition, the numerous references to events from previous episodes, spanning all three seasons, means that loyal viewers find the experience of watching the show most rewarding (though we're all thrown off by references that are only explained in future episodes - e.g., Buster's hand and GOB's roofies). The writers of the show also love making references to other television shows (most notably "Happy Days," but also "Everybody Loves Raymond," "Cops," and even Spanish soap operas).
Given how densely packed each episode is, it's not surprising that there is usually something for almost everybody - witty banter, slapstick comedy, even warm-and-fuzzy character interaction followed by hilarious parodies of same. The humor can get daring, broaching topics in politics, race and incest that don't normally show up on network sitcoms (there is also a high bleep-quotient, and a lot of double-entendres).
The show currently airs on Fox (under danger of cancellation), and theoretically airs Mondays at 8PM. It's produced by Imagine Entertainment, 20th Century Fox, and The Hurwitz Company. Ron Howard is also the uncredited narrator of the show.
The jokes come fast and furious, with nary a line of dialogue or narration - or even facial expression) spared in service of a setup or punchline to a joke, reference ("callback") or visual gag. In fact, new viewers may find themselves overwhelmed by the constant barrage of jokes, particularly if, having watched more conventional comedies on network TV, they are unaccustomed to finding such a high level of quality and quantity of humor. Viewers who watch episodes multiple times stand a better chance of catching and appreciating a surprisingly large number of jokes that have been crammed into the background, or delivered in what are ostensibly "throwaway" lines.
In addition, the numerous references to events from previous episodes, spanning all three seasons, means that loyal viewers find the experience of watching the show most rewarding (though we're all thrown off by references that are only explained in future episodes - e.g., Buster's hand and GOB's roofies). The writers of the show also love making references to other television shows (most notably "Happy Days," but also "Everybody Loves Raymond," "Cops," and even Spanish soap operas).
Given how densely packed each episode is, it's not surprising that there is usually something for almost everybody - witty banter, slapstick comedy, even warm-and-fuzzy character interaction followed by hilarious parodies of same. The humor can get daring, broaching topics in politics, race and incest that don't normally show up on network sitcoms (there is also a high bleep-quotient, and a lot of double-entendres).
News and Other
news and other current things
- Emmy Nominations
- Despite being cancelled and airing only 13 episodes last season, AD managed to snag 4 Emmy nominations!
- Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing For A Comedy Series (for "The Ocean Walker")
- Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series (Will Arnett as GOB)
- Outstanding Comedy Series
and
- Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series (for "Development Arrested")
Here's to one last hurrah! (Taste the bittersweet) - The End of "Arrested Development''
- Looks like it really is the end, since Mitch Hurwitz has really decided not to go on.
Taste the sad!!
Although rumors had been going around for months that Showtime was going to pick up the show, a final decision was never announced because (reportedly) Hurwitz hadn't been completely on board. Understandable, considering how hard he worked as the show-runner, compounded by the unbelievably despicable treatment he received from Fox.
So he's burnt out, and told Variety he won't be running show anymore.
Leaving us with nothing but disappointment, sorrow, and bitterness (at Fox).
Wel, that and 53 awesome episodes of the greatest TV show ever.
Yeah. - I've made a huge mistake...
- 25 Best Arrested Development Moments, at least according to Progressive Boink. Just scrolling down and seeing the pictures is enough to make you want to puke all over Fox marketing's head.
Or set yourself on fire!!
But I'm sure you all have other top moments. I just watched "Motherboy XXX" again this morning, and I think that whole episode should be in the top 25. - NPR Fresh Air interview with Mitch Hurwitz
- This links to an interesting interview with Mitch Hurwitz, the creator and executive phttp://www.squidoo.com/images/icon-reorder.gif
reorderroducer of "Arrested Development." Aired November 3, 2005, needs RealAudio or Windows Media Player. - The Whole Bluth
- Interview with Jessica Walter, Michael Cera, and David Cross on what their favorite AD episodes are.
- The Save Arrested Development Campaign
- Save the Bluths is trying to organize a wide-ranging campaign to send the message to network execs (from ABC, Showtime, and Fox too) that our favorite show deserves to go on . Visit the site and forums for info on how to organize your own AD viewing party and learn where to get shirts, fliers, even business cards to help promote the show to the uninitiated.
Quotes
A few of my favorite quotes from the show
Buster: [Lindsay's] taking care of me. She glued my thumb back on. Sister's my new mother, Mother! And is it just me, or is she looking hotter, too?Lucille: Well, why don't you marry her?
Buster: Maybe I will!
(3x09, SOBs)
Michael: It does seem like you've been having a whole lot of trouble since the hair transplants. Maybe you should see a boo-boo-man.
Tobias: A... "bubuman"?
Michael: Oh, uh, a doctor. It's a British expression. Like they say "go-up box" instead of "elevator."
Tobias: Oh, like when they say "poofter" to mean "tourist," yes. Boy, that Rita's a smarty.
(3x06, The Ocean Walker)
Maeby: You get to miss school for that?
Narrator: And that's when Maeby decided to become a devout Christian.
Maeby: Do you guys know where I could get one of those gold necklaces with a 'T' on it?
Michael: That's a cross.
Maeby: Across from where?
Buster: My Army training tells me... that this is going to be a hot mission.
Michael: What? A hot mission?
Buster: Yes. I create a diversion, and you grab George Michael and go. We need a name. Maybe "Operation Hot Mother."
(2x13, Motherboy XXX)
Michael: We have a private eye, huh?
Lucille: Oh, I hired him a hundred years ago to find out if your father was cheating on me. He never did find anything.
Michael: Well, he can't be very good then.
Lucille (to Annyong): Here's some money. Go see a Star War.
(2x03, iAmigos!)
GOB: Oh, now you love the Ten Commandments! And yet you're the one who so conveniently forgot "Thou shalt protect thy father, and honor no one above him unless it beith me-thy sweet Lord."
(1x17, Justice is Blind)
Lindsay: I hate to say it, but Michael might be right. You need to learn a little discipline.
Maeby: Hmm. Nope. That doesn't feel right.
Lindsay: No, no, no. I am telling you. You are now punished! I punish thee!
(1x10, Pier Pressure)
Michael: She's always got to wedge herself in the middle of us so that she can control everything.
Buster: (Chuckles.) Yeah. Mom's awesome.
(1x03, Bringing up Buster)
Quick Poll
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Non-Official Links
- Balboa Observer-Picayune: An Arrested Development Fan Site
- The definitive fan site for Arrested Development, with everything you've ever wanted to know about the Bluth family.
- Save the Bluths!
- Their goal: to save "Arrested Development."
- TwoP Forums: Arrested Development
- Forums on Television Without Pity with discussions on various topics related to Arrested Development
- Arrested Development on Yahoo! TV
- Yahoo!'s page on the show
- IMDB: Arrested Development
- IMDB page for "Arrested Development" (2003) - Cast, Crew, Reviews, Plot Summary, Comments, Discussion, Taglines, Trailers, Posters, Photos, Showtimes, Link to Official Site, Fan Sites
- Wikipedia entry for AD
- A fairly comprehensive description of the show, with a general guide through each season, and some discussion of the show's pertinent storylines and themes.
- TV.com episode guide for AD
- A more specific episode guide to the show
Official "AD" Web sites
Because Fox couldn't afford a billboard or two for our show
Or these sites..apparently, they're all dead now. RIP.
- Arrested Development :: Fox
- Official Fox Website for Arrested Development - forums, guide to jokes, and cool, behind-the-scenes content can be found here.
- Free Annyong (Hello!)
- Website for Annyong (hello!), the Korean boy who was adopted by Lucille Bluth for all the wrong reasons.
- I'm Oscar! Dot Com!
- Website for the wrongly imprisoned Oscar Bluth, twin brother of George, Sr.
- Tobias is a Never-Nude
- Which is exactly what it sounds like
- I'm No Scar!
- This website features another man who was apparently mistaken for the real criminal. It's written all in Squiggly, though, so bring a translator.
Miscellaneous Links
Remotely related to the show
- Cafe Press
- Lots of "Save Our Bluths" merchandise and other designs from our favorite show
- Will Arnett on Conan
- Here is a video (thanks youtube.com) of a great interview with Will Arnett on Conan O'Brien. Will is hilarious and Conan obviously loves him. Watch for a great air-guitar performance.
- Volkswagen Golf Commercial
- Quicktime video of the infamous commercial: Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto! Look closely at the man in the driver's seat.
- Star Wars Kid Videos
- This website is dedicated to the real Star Wars kid, bless him.
- Easter Egg
- Click here for info on how to find an Easter Egg on one of the Season 2 AD DVDs
Please tell your friends about this show
Arrested Development - Season One
Amazon Price: $12.49 (as of 12/01/2009) 
List Price: $29.99
Arrested Development - Season Two
Amazon Price: $18.49 (as of 12/01/2009)
List Price: $29.99
Arrested Development - Season Three
Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 12/01/2009)
List Price: $29.99
Bananas
Amazon Price: (as of 12/01/2009)
List Price: $14.98
Arrested Development - Greatest Hits
Amazon Price: $12.99 (as of 12/01/2009)
List Price: $10.98
Village People - Can't Stop the Music
Amazon Price: (as of 12/01/2009)
List Price: $9.98
Chickens don't clap!
What are your favorite lines?
submit
-
Reply
- arncyn arncyn Sep 3, 2006 @ 9:58 am
- Taste the sad indeed, this series will be greatly missed. :( Thanks for making this lens.
-
Reply
- Christian Christian Aug 29, 2006 @ 4:08 pm
- Tobias: I have an announcement!
Lindsay: You're gay?
Tobias: (chuckles) No, Lindsay. How many times do I have to tell you....no....well, anyway...
-
Reply
- TherapyDept TherapyDept Aug 27, 2006 @ 4:45 pm
- I love this show!
And I am glad that the show that did show that literally jumped the shark, never metaphorically jumed the shark.
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