It's been a while since we heard any news about that Arrested Development movie that might be happening, might not be happening, was being written, was being thought about, etc. Now comes word from Jason Bateman that the movie is still a go and it's still being written as we speak.
Bateman tells Collider.com that Mitch Hurwitz is still writing the script, and once that's done they have to get the scheduling of the filming down (which won't be easy with so many cast members).
There's no doubt that the names Spike Jonze and David Cross usually belong on the quirkier side of the entertainment world, but I still never would have expected something like this. Apparently, the two have created a comedy pilot for Channel 4. That's right: a British comedy.
The show, called The Increasingly Poor Decisions Of Todd Margaret, will be co-written by Cross and Shaun Pye (you may know him as Andy's smarmy nemesis on BBC/HBO's Extras) and star Cross, Will Arnett and Spike Jonze.
Yup, there's an Arrested Development documentary, and the trailer is below. I didn't even know this film was coming out, but it looks like it's the ultimate drug for hardcore AD fans (at least until the movie comes out). Besides the cast and crew being interviewed, we also see comments from people like Andy Richter, Keith Olbermann, and many other fans.
OK, I'm going to trust you not to read this piece in the New York Daily Newswhere David Cross explains why he has dumped on Jim Belushi so much over the last ten plus years. Before you read it, vote in the poll below. What happened to make the Mr. Show/Arrested Development star dislike Belushi?
And no, it's not because Cross wanted to be the lead on According To Jim.
MyDamnChannel has a new web series starting today called Pilot Season, a new series that follows a bunch of actors, agents, managers, and other Hollywood types as they navigate, well, pilot season. It stars Sarah Silverman, Sam Seder, David Cross, Andy Dick, Isla Fisher, Marc Maron, and Brenden Small. Here's a sneak peek.
Jeffrey Tambor guarantees that Michael Cera will be in the Arrested Development movie.
That's what Tambor said at a recent Uprights Citizens Brigade show. He says that even if he has to call Cera up on the phone and order him to be on the set, Cera will definitely be in the big-screen version of the TV show. I can picture Tambor going to Cera's house, grabbing him by the ear and dragging him to his car to go to the set. And then Cera would be blindfolded and handcuffed to the car door, and if he tries to get out, two bodyguards will punch him in the gut and tell him to shut up. Then they'll get to the set and Cera will be kept in a cage when he's not filming scenes for the movie, fed scraps of food like bagels and Pringles (Sour Cream and Onion flavored).
Sorry, the scenario got out of hand there for a moment.
I also have no doubt Cera will be in the movie. Of course, I never thought there would even be a theatrical Arrested Development, so I'm not exactly Kreskin when it comes to this stuff.
It does look like that Arrested Development movie will get made at some point, some way, some how. But it's not a given that every single member of the cast will be in the film. There have been many reports that the only cast member holding out is Michael Cera, who played George Michael. Is it because he doesn't want to go back to something he already finished? Is it because he has a movie career (Superbad, Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist, Youth in Revolt, etc)?
Creator Mitchell Hurwitz puts an end to the stories and rumors in this interview with Fancast. He says that...uh, yeah, actually, Cera is the one holding up the film.
Warning: the following may cause dizziness, headaches, dry mouth, and severe pain to fans of Arrested Development. Ask your doctor before reading it.
So everyone seems to be on board for a big screen version of the already-classic FOX comedy. Everyone except Michael Cera, that is. While doing press for his new indie comedy Nick and Norah's Ultimate Playlist, Cera told The National Post that he hasn't heard anything about a movie version of the show, and that "I don't think I would want to see a movie of the series if I was a fan, anyway." He also doesn't understand why people would want a movie if they can watch the three seasons of the show on DVD.
Do not adjust your web browser. You are now entering the Retro Squad, where we are reviewing past episodes of classic TV shows.
(S01E02) Many people will tell you that they got sucked into Arrested Development by its pilot. I wasn't. For some reason, I didn't watch the pilot when it first aired. But that's just fine, because the second episode, "Top Banana," was a perfect representation of everything AD ended up being. Throwaway jokes. Quick cut-aways and flashbacks. Subtle catchphrase generation. A "lesson of the week" couched in vicious barbs between members of the Bluth family. Oh, and two words that I'll never forget: "No touching!"
Do not adjust your web browser. You are now entering the Retro Squad, where we are reviewing past episodes of classic TV shows.
I will admit, I was super late to the Arrested Development game. It had been canceled and I'm pretty sure everything was on DVD. Actually, I remember the first time I watched an episode, it was on G4. There was that guy from Teen Wolf Too and he was talking to David Cross, who was painted like a Smurf for some reason. And then he did some things that didn't really make sense, and I laughed nervously because I was worried I had become too stupid to keep up with sitcoms. I gave up after another ten minutes of confusion and switched over to Flavor of Love or something equally brain-numbing to make myself feel better.
Do not adjust your web browser. You are now entering the Retro Squad, where we are reviewing past episodes of classic TV shows.
(S02E01) Here's the rundown. Michael and his son leave for Phoenix. Well, not really. Michael needs money so he ends up going back to his old life at the model home in order to track down the company check book.
While Michael tries to do something productive, the rest of the siblings are into the usual mischief. When she and Tobias decide to explore an open relationship, Lindsay falls for a real estate agent. Tobias readies himself to join the Blue Man Group, excited at this new acting opportunity. GOB, who has been put in charge of the company, finds the contracts with Saddam Hussein but inadvertently gives them to his father who is dressed up like Oscar, George Sr.'s twin brother. Buster reconnects with Uncle Oscar but gets enlisted in the army by Lucille.
And at the end of the day, the Bluths realize they all need each other. If they didn't, it wouldn't be Arrested Development.
Do not adjust your web browser. You are now entering the Retro Squad, where we are reviewing past episodes of classic TV shows.
(S01E01) Some shows come out of the gate with such a power that you can't help but stand up and take notice. For the far too few of us who happened to catch Arrested Development when it premiered, it quickly established that it was going to be something a little different than the other comedy fare on the television. The trend at the time was moving toward the single camera format, that's almost become the norm for comedies nowadays (The Office, My Name is Earl, hell NBC's entire Thursday night lineup).
There was a time when audiences were less receptive to this kind of television. It was funny, but minus a laugh track. So while shows like The King of Queens, Everybody Loves Raymond and even According to Jim had this comfortable format with the basic house set and laughter to cue us into the funny bits, AD was something a bit more challenging. Perhaps it was just a few years ahead of its time, or perhaps it was on the wrong network (FOX), or perhaps it was just too smart for its own good.
There's news about CBS's Mike Birbiglia's Secret Public Journal, and from the sounds of it, this may be a real sleeper -- that's if you believe in the quality of the casting. Joining Mike in the show are comic Bob Odenkirk, actress Rachel Blanchard and former deejay Phil Hendrie.
Mike Birbiglia's Secret Public Journal, based on his stand up comedy, includes Blanchard (7th Heaven) as his significant other, an aspiring doctor and the sensible one of the couple. Phil Hendrie, best known as a popular radio talker but was also on The Unit in a supporting role, has been cast as Mike's abrasive doctor. But perhaps the best news for this CBS project is adding Bob O to the company as Mike's big brother. In everything I've ever seen him do, Odenkirk is a riot. He's a two-time Emmy winner for his comedy writing.
As the first Futurama straight-to-DVD movie, Bender's Big Score, begins airing on Comedy Central (they'll air the movie as a four-episode blok on Sunday night), Fox has announced the name and release date of the second straight-to-DVD epic.
AnimationMagazine.net reports that Futurama: The Beast With A Billion Backs will be released on June 24, and they note that Fox calls it "the most tentacle-packed Futurama epic." Since it's a continuation of Bender's Big Score, I'll talk about the plot of the new movie after the jump, for the benefit of those who haven't seen the first movie yet.
The folks behind some of my favorite series of the past decade talking about the TV comedy business? Yes, please.
Golden Fiddle has a transcript of a panel discussion with David Cross (Arrested Development, co-creator of Mr. Show), Bob Odenkirk (the other co-creator of Mr. Show), Chuck Tatham (writer, Arrested Development), and Wonder Showzen creators Vernon Chatman and John Lee.
It's been a while since we heard any news about that Arrested Development movie that might be happening, might not be happening, was being written, was being thought about, etc. Now comes word from Jason Bateman that the movie is still a go and it's still being written as we speak.
There's no doubt that the names Spike Jonze and David Cross usually belong on the quirkier side of the entertainment world, but I still never would have expected something like this. Apparently, the two have created a comedy pilot for Channel 4. That's right: a British comedy.
OK, I'm going to trust you not to read this piece in the New York Daily News where David Cross explains why he has dumped on Jim Belushi so much over the last ten plus years. Before you read it, vote in the poll below. What happened to make the Mr. Show/Arrested Development star dislike Belushi?
Jeffrey Tambor guarantees that Michael Cera will be in the Arrested Development movie.
Warning: the following may cause dizziness, headaches, dry mouth, and severe pain to fans of Arrested Development. Ask your doctor before reading it.
Do not adjust your web browser. You are now entering the Retro Squad, where we are reviewing past episodes of classic TV shows.
Do not adjust your web browser. You are now entering the Retro Squad, where we are reviewing past episodes of classic TV shows.
There's news about CBS's Mike Birbiglia's Secret Public Journal, and from the sounds of it, this may be a real sleeper -- that's if you believe in the quality of the casting. Joining Mike in the show are comic Bob Odenkirk, actress Rachel Blanchard and former deejay Phil Hendrie.
As the first Futurama straight-to-DVD movie, Bender's Big Score, begins airing on Comedy Central (they'll air the movie as a four-episode blok on Sunday night), Fox has announced the name and release date of the second straight-to-DVD epic.
The folks behind some of my favorite series of the past decade talking about the TV comedy business? Yes, please.
Andy Richter: The TV Squad Interview
Have any questions for Vik Sahay of Chuck? Ask them here!
Mike Henry and Daryl Hall on a Cleveland Show Thanksgiving
