Arrested Development

[The Man]

I've been making threads on this brilliant comedy series at virtually every message board I frequent, so I might as well continue the tradition here since I just finished viewing the last episode.

Arrested Development is a satire about the fictitious, wealthy Bluth family, who suddenly find themselves deprived of financial resources due to business improprieties. The series' three seasons follow the mostly dysfunctional family members as they struggle to cope with suddenly being forced to live somewhat like the remaining ninety-nine percent of society, with hilarious results. The series is presented like a documentary, with fast pacing and frequent references to past events in a manner perhaps inspired by Family Guy, but less non-sequiturish. The writing is perhaps the most sharp and incisive in the history of television, featuring commentary on virtually every contemporary poltiical issue of importance and amply demonstrating the emptiness of bourgeoisie life through the Bluths' struggles to get by.

Unfortunately, Fox canceled it after its short-lived third season because they're a bunch of wankers.

Anyone else familiar with this show? If not, a box set of all three seasons was recently released for fifty-five dollars, which is really one of the best DVD bargains out of there.

[The Dude]

God I loved that show. The mother was absolutely hilarious for her dry wit that she used on her children frequently. I remember someone mentioned on another site this line

Lucielle: "Anyone ready for some Lindsay Chops? What? I'm just trying to prepare her incase a bully would be as clever as me."

Narrator: no bully ever would be.

Also I loved the episodes that involved the guy with one arm and how he was used to scare the adults when they were children into learning lessons that always ended with him getting his prosthetic arm taken off some how but made it look like a real arm and he'd say "And that's why you should always leave a note." or whatever the lesson was.

[Saint]

My brother and I both made threads about this one back before FFE went belly up last time.

This show was one of the funniest, smartest comedies on television, up there with shows like Scrubs and The Office. The only problem is that the show was a little too smart for its own good. Often, its jokes went over the heads of its audience, even going so far as to poke fun at them. Come to think of it, this show made fun of everyone: television viewers, sponosors, itself. The foreshadowing that they used on the show also made the show even funnier to go back and watch a second time.

I will never forget the episode where they kept advertising that someone would die, and they used all those corny television gimmicks: 3-D, live broadcast, a character dying. At the beginning, George Sr. said "We'll resort to begging if it comes to that," to which Ron Howard (the narrator) says, "Please, tell your friends about this show."

That's when it was coming up for it to get cancelled. One of the DVD's even has bonus feature with David Cross ranting to, I think, Michael Cera about whose fault it really is that the show was being cancelled.

[The Dude]

I remember that episode. I think it was in the third season and it was the episode that they made after hearing that fox wasn't going to renew them for another season. I remember how there was a nice dressed old lady and either Michael or his son GM helped her to her seat and she said something either racist or antisemetic and the narrator said "oh and if you haven't figured it out. She's the one that's going to die."

[Saint]

(:OD

Why are all the premade smilies Nazis?

[The Dude]

not sure. probably because Frag's german.

[Antikhrist]

I never got into the show, though a couple of their episodes I've watched on G4.

Originally Posted by The Man

Unfortunately, Fox canceled it after its short-lived third season because they're a bunch of wankers.

No they're not. They still have House and they brought back Family Guy, didn't they? Then again, they did get rid of Wonderfalls. </3

[The Dude]

They only brought back family guy cause they saw how badly they shat themselves when Adult Swim picked it up. As for House well that's all thanks to Hugh Laurie.

[The Man]

They got rid of Futurama too. Srsly, **** Fox.

And agreed with Saint and Rob's commentary. I definitely intend to watch it a second time.

If you've seen all the episodes, go back and read stuff about it on Wikipedia; there's plenty of stuff there I didn't pick up on which makes everything even more hilarious.

[The Dude]

Note for those who haven't seen all the episodes but would like to. This was a while back but MSN PUT UP ALL THE ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT VIDEOS. It was awhile back but I favorited it so I should still have it. I'll post it up in a sec.

edit. Here's the link. thank me later. Not sure if it's all the episodes but good chunk of them.

http://arresteddevelopment.msn.com/?gt1=8717

Also, Aaron, you'll be delighted to know that Fox should be bringing back Futurama sometime within the next year. from what I heard, there will be a couple of tv movies of futurama aswell.

[Antikhrist]

Fox isn't bringing Futurama back, I thought Comedy Central was.

[The Dude]

someone is then. Well it's coming back aint it? I hope to god they atleast bring back the actor who played Bender.

[Antikhrist]

John DiMaggio? He confirmed that he'll be back. I can't wait. <3

[The Man]

I knew about Futurama's return, but it's only going to be a limited number of episodes apparently. Sad [s]panda[/s] polar bear. Although any new Futurama is good news.

[Antikhrist]

If Futurama's return does well for Comedy Central, then I don't see why they shouldn't renew the show.

[The Man]

Me either, but honestly, who knows. Television audiences are retarded, as the limited reception of Arrested Development proves.

[Antikhrist]

That and the increase in reality shows like American Idol. I can't stand that show. D:

[The Man]

Tr00f.

[The Dude]

I only watch American Idol for only a few minutes whenever I need a quick ego boost in knowing that I still have my dignity and I haven't sold my soul for five minutes of quick fame followed by being told that I should kill myself.

[Seph Stampede]

It's really not very often that an American production team can produce an original, truly hilarious comedy show. Which is why it's a real damn shame that Arrested Development was cancelled. Honestly. There were two shows I devoted myself to watching in the past two years: Deadwood, and Arrested Development. Both were cancelled.

Woe is me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN9XlAW-Cu0

Best clip ever.