TVSquad

It seems these days when anyone talks about Arrested Development, the conversation inevitably turns to the still up-in-the-air film sequel -- something that's proven to be more elusive than finding your own Cornballer. Last we heard, the film was actually in development (a term that only loosely means what it's supposed to in Hollywood), but in the meantime, though, there is some good news - IFC has picked up the off-network rights to 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.

(S03E13) Originally aired February 10th, 2006 -- I could roll out about a dozen clichés when describing the series finale of Arrested Development, but I'm honestly not sure that saying "this was the end of an era" does it enough justice. For those that own the DVD sets, take a look at the cover for season two. There's a quote from Entertainment Weekly on it: "Once in the history of time comes a sitcom like Arrested Development."

Too bad FOX never saw it that way. Not only did they delay the airing of the final four AD episodes, but when it came time to show them, they got bundled together and aired 'em in a row - on a Friday night in the middle of winter! As I've said before, it sucks that Emmy wins don't dictate a show's future. But we really can't blame FOX because those Emmys are arguably why we were lucky enough to get three seasons period. Blame the people who watched Skating with Celebrities (AD's time-slot replacement) instead.

So, after three seasons of GOB's greatest moments, I found I had so much more to say about my favorite character. GOB has so many great lines over the course of three seasons of Arrested Development. Furthermore, Will Arnett does an incredible job with the delivery. To finish off my tribute to GOB, I compiled a list of some of my favorite lines from the show. One could even say it's the final countdown.

After the jump, you have "GOB: The B-Roll." Let the eldest Bluth take you through important matters like race, women, business affairs, and family.

Do not adjust your web browser. You are now entering the Retro Squad, where we are reviewing past episodes of classic TV shows.

(S02E13) Originally aired March 13th, 2005 -- There are way too many great episodes of Arrested Development. I can't think of any other sitcom that has as much replay value as this show does. Maybe Seinfeld, but c'mon - Jerry, Kramer, George, and Elaine had a lot of stinkers. I don't think the Bluths ever disappointed. When we nominated Arrested Development to get the "Retro Squad" treatment, "Motherboy XXX" immediately popped into my head. It's one of my favorites because it blends so many different stories together and it includes what I think is quite possibly the funniest, and most important, inside joke ever featured on the show.

That's what a reporter in England is pushing for. He has started an online petition to have the Bluths come back together for an Xmas special in 2009.

So far reporter Eddie Wrenn has 3000 signatures, which, while nice, isn't enough to get anyone's attention. But it's the first step in a campaign to get Jason Bateman, Jessica Walter, Michael Cera, Ron Howard and company to come back and do a special for fans. And that's something that's a lot more realistic than some fans who try to get a show to come back full time on some network's schedule (as if actors don't move on to other projects and are just waiting around to be called back).

More shows should do this. Not only would they please fans, I think it would show some good will towards those fans and probably increase DVD sales as well. Yeah, I can imagine an Arrested Development special every couple of years.

As we all know by now, Friday is 99.9999999% more than likely the last time any new episodes of Arrested Development will ever air on Fox. Whether or not Showtime picks it up, I've relegated myself to the fact that this is a good thing. Fox has treated this brilliant show like garbage. Hopefully though, we'll get an announcement sometime within the next week or two officially canceling the show, which will then lead to an official announcement from Showtime. Well, one can hope. So to celebrate Friday's swan song, we here at TV Squad will be having a Live Arrested Development Chat.  Will George Michael and Maebe maybe hook up? Will Lucille 2 make her triumphant return? What will become of the banana stand? I honestly don't know, but I can't wait to see, and I hope you all join me. Check back here on Friday at 8pm EST, it's gonna be one wild ride off into the sunset.

UPDATE:
Come one, come all;  here is the secret location for our Arrested Development Chat! See you inside.

Disclaimer: All or parts of the discussion in this chatroom may be posted in a later column on this site.