Ok, plain and simple, Fox just doesn't deserve this show. Regardless of what they "want to do with it",
they don't deserve Arrested Development. Cancel it and let ABC or Showtime try something instead. I mean, what
idiot at Fox decided to put the funniest episode of the season up against the Fiesta Bowl? This is just the latest
example of their complete lack of respect for one of the funniest shows ever. There are only so many ways that you can
screw up perfection, and I'm pretty sure Fox has now run the gamut. At the end of a good show's run, they always try
and pull some kind of stunt to bring back some new viewers. Tonight's episode was like a Cliff's Notes version, and it
was brilliant. On with the show!The entertainers that are self-aware are always much, much more effective; David Hasselhoff, Pamela Anderson, William Shatner, etc know their roles in the entertainment industry and who they are in life. Because of this, they end up playing a parody of themselves to often hilarious results. So when a show as stellar as Arrested Development is self-aware, well, it rarely gets much better. In last night's episode, they learned that The Bluth Company was in serious trouble, and the Home Builder's Organization (HBO) wasn't interested so it was time to go for Showtime. I mean, put on a show that is, a fundraiser.
Michael tried to track down Andy Richter to host the event, since one of Andy's quintuplets now taught George Michael at "Openings", an open-minded school. To save some money, both Gob and Lindsay took on jobs they later utilized for the charity dinner; Gob, a charming waiter, and Lindsay the cooking housewife. Granted, neither performed their roles well, but, hey, bully for them for trying. Andy however, sends one of his look-a-like siblings, so they are without a host for the event and the spotlight falls on Michael's speech about his father. Michael, armed with the knowledge that his father poisoned a few of his teachers decades earlier, is less than enthused though. He verbally tears both his family and company apart. Much to the shock of everyone though, everyone felt sorry for them, and started sending in checks left and right. The company is saved (we hope)!
Fantastic, unbelievable, brilliant, stellar.... I could go on and on, but I will never be able to say enough to describe this show. The way they made fun of all those "jumping the shark" moments (celebrity guest stars, 3-D episodes, live episodes) was unbelievable. Stupid Fox, they could have advertised this episode as everyone of those things, but nope, they went and buried it with little to no notice. Come on Showtime give me some good news... Let me know what you think.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
1-03-2006 @ 8:44PM
MW said...
I loved this one, it was probably my favorite of the season. The reference to Andy's failed show "Quintuplets," the blatant promotion of the Save Our Bluths website, the gag about the quintuplet with the blurred face, the very quick live gimmick gag at the end, the "tell your friends about this show" at the beginning, and of course, Michael's speech were all incredibly funny. Somebody really needs to pick up this show.
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1-03-2006 @ 8:45PM
Doron said...
According to http://forums.prospero.com/foxarrested/start, ratings were up for this episode (http://forums.prospero.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=foxarrested&msg=9286.1)
Would have been great to get Winkler back and make fun of the whole jump-the-shark concept :)
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1-03-2006 @ 9:21PM
Lampbane said...
The episode was perfect because it was self-contained. They should have promoted it for that alone.
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1-04-2006 @ 12:18AM
Greg said...
I think that if they somehow got Henry Winkler to jump a shark (on a Segway maybe!), my head would've exploded from too much awesome.
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1-04-2006 @ 12:38AM
Frank said...
According to Fox's press site (foxflash.com, non-free login required), the last two episodes originally scheduled for next Monday are off the schedule (replaced by a repeat of House). Here's the relevant bit:
"[EDITOR'S NOTE: The last Monday telecast for ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT will be Jan. 2; airdates for remaining original episodes are TBA.]"
Bummer.
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1-04-2006 @ 1:13AM
Roy said...
Anyone notice that they flashed 'SaveOurBluths.org' and NOT 'SaveOurBluths.com' as the website? It's like they WANT to be cancelled, promoting the wrong (and non-existent) website.
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1-04-2006 @ 1:18AM
Tee said...
I am utterly astounded by the level of incompetence at the Fox network. The "Save Our Bluths" episode could have been the one (if it had been scheduled and promoted properly) to rake in a boat-load of new fans. It's almost like they want to shoot themselves in the foot. With proper promotion (heck, with any promotion, Fox never did anything to help this show) AD could have been a cash cow for them. To say this show is brilliant in it's writing and performances is an understatement. Jerry Seinfeld himself probably wets his pants watching these episodes. I don't know what's more upsetting, the fact that Fox can't see what a gem it has, or that the majortiy of the viewing public is actually content with the "vote'em off the show" crap that proliferates and profanes the small screen. I can't afford premium cable channels, but I'd consider a second job just to get one if they pick up this show...yeah, I mean that.
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1-04-2006 @ 2:35AM
jeff stiefer said...
brillliant episode...such a shame. Im really hoping for an ABC pickup at this point because i dont really want to pay for showtime...
jeffro
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1-04-2006 @ 8:39AM
Tim Canterbury said...
Without going into the whole fate of AD thing, I need to comment on what was one of the funnier bits of the episode (that seems to have skipped most people's mention): when Buster turns Lindsay into his new mother. Sister Mother and her ham water thing. How is that not funny? And yes, Buster, she is getting a little hotter.
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1-04-2006 @ 8:45AM
Sidebottom said...
The address was www.saveTHEbluths.org, not saveOURbluths. It exists, but there isn't much content, yet. Also, they already did the Winkler jumping the shark joke in one of the last episodes of season 2 (Motherboy XXX). G.O.B, Micheal, Buster, and Barry go down to the docks to see the newly found locator device from the loose seal that bit off Buster's hand. It was attached to the seal's flipper which was found in a shark. When the guys realized it was a dead end, Barry jumps over the shark to get off of the dock instead of going around. No one, including the narrator, mentions this act, trusting the audience to get one of the funniest references sitcoms have ever seen. This show is loaded with stuff like that.
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1-04-2006 @ 9:24AM
R-Bro said...
FWIW, #2 and #3, there was an episode in which Winkler either stepped or hopped (I forget) over a little stuffed shark.
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1-04-2006 @ 9:30AM
Carl Winslow said...
FOX has pulled AD from it's schedule again! No new episodes remain on their schedule for (at least) the next two weeks. And after one of the greatest episodes they've ever done. I'm getting sick of this.
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1-04-2006 @ 10:47AM
riki said...
so they are not going to show the episode with Justine Bateman as a guest star?? THIS SUCKS!
I HATE FOX!
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1-04-2006 @ 8:33PM
apainter said...
I just got the Quintuplets thing. I don't know how I missed it after two viewings but somehow it slipped right by.
It's a shame Andy's shows were cancelled, Andy Controls the Universe would have been a nice hour block partner for AD. Quints wasn't that bad either, it was like a bad SNL parody of a sitcom, I liked it.
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1-04-2006 @ 10:17PM
Ketan said...
The last line was great. "I love my cousin." "I love you too."
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1-05-2006 @ 6:48AM
Mhario said...
I see the program in Mexico, by the Latin American version of FOX. To half of the second season they cut it, and this year they announce that they will put the rest and some of third season. I hope that the FOX idiots realize that they have in his power a very lucrative program, if they know to take advantage of; if not, someone else should. It seems ridiculous, but regularly I am looking for news in Internet to see if they have not cancelled it.
i sign a petiton on FOX site a long time ago..... is there another one?....
Excuse me if I do not express myself correctly, i barely know some words in english.
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1-05-2006 @ 3:45PM
jen said...
Fox needs to learn the NBC patience game, They know how to let a show be to let it gain an audience. I mean hell, they gave Joey 3 WHOLE YEARS!
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1-06-2006 @ 8:09PM
Liza said...
i hate Fox. i didn't even know it was going to be new ep until i was watching it, since everything else on tv has been reruns, why wouldn't they advertise that they have a new fresh episode of AD??
idiots. idiots. so frustrating!!!!!
it was hilarious at the end, when GM said "i love my cousin."
i can't believe they haven't scheduled some new episodes!!!!! i want to see Justine Bateman! that will be a classic! c'mon FOX WAKE UP YOU MORONS!!!!
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1-08-2006 @ 10:39PM
Hunter Red said...
Fox's treatment of Arrested Development speaks to the networks true motives, making money hand over fist with no regard for quality. To cancel a great show like Arrested Development without giving it the tools it needs to succeed, while continuing to pumping out absolutely horrid reality shows absolutely disgusts me. The only saving graces Fox has is that it has 24, The Simpsons, and Family Guy. I hope that NBC, CBS, or even the WB picks up Arrested Development, then gives it the stage it so sorely deserves, and in doing so absolutely trounces Fox in the ratings. The egg on Fox's face will be priceless.
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1-08-2006 @ 10:49PM
Sean said...
I know this isn't even on the radar, but if I was some kind of entertainment executive, I would pitch this show to COMEDY CENTRAL. First of all, CS promotes the hell out of all its shows (including the horrible ones). So you know Arrested Development would get pimped all day long. Secondly, put it on immediately after the Daily Show. I know they have the Colbert Report, but I think most agree it was a nice attempt, but most likely will fail. Arrested Development would be attractive to the same kind of audience that adores Jon Stewart and the Daily Show's brand of irreverent humor. I can almost guarantee the show would become a smash hit on in this time slot after the Daily Show. Anybody with me?
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