Arrested Development - Tonight

[Crapshoot]

The Triathalon scene - followed by the line - "Actually, Lucille went down faster". I love this show.

[Draft Dodger]

I WILL be bummed when it gets cancelled.

[Crapshoot]

One of us has to be a Neilsen family!

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by Crapshoot

One of us has to be a Neilsen family!

"He was the reason The Jetsons got cancelled"

One of my favorite TV lines of all time. I know, I'm pathetic.

Anyone know where the line comes from?

[Coop]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

I WILL be bummed when it gets cancelled.

Nothing like thinking optimistic. Btw both episodes were great.. mole vs jetpack.

[ISiddiqui]

BRILLIANT... both of them!

From Maeby about to win the contest ("If I lost my legs, I'd question God") to Oscar going to car that was bulletproof ("Thank God I wasn't in the Humvee"), to "UNCLE MIKE" in the first episode.

From George Michael in the rocketpack against Tobius as MoleMan, to moles on the backside on the lot and Frank's backside, to the Tunnel of Evil (er.. Love Aduitibuly), to Annoyong hiding in the wall.

BRILLIANT!

[Crapshoot]

Arrested Development has quickly become one of my barometers of taste in people...

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by TroyF

"He was the reason The Jetsons got cancelled" ... Anyone know where the line comes from?

I do ... but I had to Google it to get it, so I won't claim credit for it.

[Barkeep49]

"Do you want men or do you want boys? I know how I'd answer that question" had me in stitches. I read that the series does well enough on DVDs that Fox might continue the series long enough to get 100 episodes making it eligible for syndication. That would be great.

[Zippo]

The part when Tobius told George Michael to have sex right there to prove that he is not uncomfortable about sex made me laugh.

[TLK]

It's not looking good for "Arrested Development""Arrested Development" or frosh laffer "Kitchen Confidential." Fox has cut back its episode order on the critically-admired "Arrested" to just 13 segs, down from 22. Producers of "Kitchen," meanwhile, have been told the show won't be getting a full-season pickup.

More worrisome: Fox is pulling both shows from the schedule, effective immediately. "Arrested" returned from a month-long hiatus this week, while "Kitchen""Kitchen" was slated to return Monday.

Instead of the two laffers, Fox will air repeats of drama "Prison Break" in the 8-9 p.m. Monday slot for the rest of the November sweeps. It's presumed "Arrested" and "Kitchen" will return to finish out the remainder of their runs in December. Come January, net has long planned to move "House" into the Monday slot.

Fox wasn't commenting Thursday morning, and for now, nobody's using the word "cancellation." But in the case of "Arrested," the handwriting appears to be on the wall.

While numbers for "Arrested" were underwhelming this week, it's worth noting that a number of returning laffers -- including Fox's "Stacked" -- aren't doing much better.

linky

[Crapshoot]

Oh come on Damnit! Seriously- anyone here a Nielsen family ?

[kurtism]

Nice to see Fox continuing to embrace the "sound" thinking that seems to make any quality show on the network an anomaly...

[Cuckoo]

There have been a lot of shows I've watched over time get cancelled. For some of them, it was just their time. For others, I missed them only slightly. But this would be the first that I'd be really disappointed over.

Great show and one of the better comedies on TV in a long time.

[Easy Mac]

That article was in variety? Do retarded chimps work there now?

And yeah, can't say I didn't see this coming. Nobody I know in real life watches AD. Sad reality of life I guess, but at least we have another year of 2 and a half men.

[Crapshoot]

See, its funny - I know a few people who do, and I'm in an online league where everyone one of us watches it. Strange.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by kurtism

Nice to see Fox continuing to embrace the "sound" thinking that seems to make any quality show on the network an anomaly...

Frankly, you can't blame Fox here. They promoted the Hell out of it before the 2nd season and have kept it going for 2.5 seasons so far. The ratings have just stunk. There is only so much we can expect from them.

[GrantDawg]

Sad, sad day.

[Crapshoot]

Great. More "Big Fat Survivor who Married My Mother In Law who's a Nanny" instead of a well written, intelligent show.

[Hammer755]

I don't think I've ever been this depressed about something as trivial as a TV show.

[ISiddiqui]

Stupid Neilsen viewers... I mean everytime you get an intelligent show, the numnuts in this country won't watch.

They are trying to pitch the show to cable companies, but it costs a lot to make it, so it's unlikely that TNT, USA, etc., will pick it up.

Hmmm... maybe HBO is a possibility... but I doubt it.

[chinaski]

[Crapshoot]

HBO does seem to the best hope.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by Crapshoot

HBO does seem to the best hope.

Unfortunetly I've just read that HBO doesn't pick up non-original programming . Maybe they'll make an exception? This show seems right up their alley.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Stupid Neilsen viewers... I mean everytime you get an intelligent show, the numnuts in this country won't watch.

Sad but true... So very, very sad.

An inane show like "Dance With The Stars" gets off-the-hook ratings, but something like Arrested Development, Freaks 'n Geeks, or Firefly comes out and gets nothin'.

Well, like HL Mencken famously said: "No one ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public."

[ISiddiqui]

Though I am happy to see "My Name is Earl" and "The Office" getting pretty good ratings. At the very least SOME non-laugh track comedies are doing ok. Just a shame about Arrested Development, which was the best of the lot.

[Crapshoot]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Sad but true... So very, very sad.

An inane show like "Dance With The Stars" gets off-the-hook ratings, but something like Arrested Development, Freaks 'n Geeks, or Firefly comes out and gets nothin'.

Well, like HL Mencken famously said: "No one ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public."

Heh - I thought PT Barnum said that "No one ever went broker underestimating the intelligence of the American public." And yes, tis almost certainly true.

[Easy Mac]

its on tonight

[Cuckoo]

From Yahoo News...

Showtime, ABC Try Getting "Arrested"

Although Fox has stunted Arrested Development's development, the show's obituary might have to wait: Both Showtime and ABC have expressed interest at heading into the wild Bluth yonder.

The two networks are in preliminary talks to pick up the critically acclaimed yet consistently low-rated show after it ends its run on Fox early next year, per trade reports.

All three networks have refused to comment on the talks, except to say that no formal negotiations have taken place.

And for good reason: Fox has yet to officially cancel the show.

Though the network recently cut the series' season order from 22 to 13, no official axing has taken place, making it difficult for producer 20th Century Fox Television to engage in any closed-door deal-making.

Besides, there are other potential hiccups to the Emmy-winner's would-be network jump.

The
Jason Bateman-led series comes with a hefty $1.6 million price tag per half-hour. According to Daily Variety, the high cost means the studio is in the hole $400,000 per episode produced, which is part of the reason why the season's episodes were so drastically cut.

That, and the fact that the show averages just 4 million viewers per week, despite recent efforts to boost the ratings with the stunt castings of
Scott Baio,
Charlize Theron and most recently,
Justine Bateman.

But 4 million viewers is nearly twice the amount that a bona fide cable hit draws, a key should the series jump to Showtime and keep its audience intact. But Showtime would likely try to find a way to rein in the per-episode cost.

To help offset the cost, 20th Century Fox TV may push for any bidders to pick up at least 22 episodes. The studio needs just 36 more to reach 88 total--the magic number required to sell into syndication. (Of course, a lucrative syndication deal is not guaranteed.) There's also speculation that 20th Century Fox TV might be willing to share home-entertainment revenues as an enticement--Development is a strong performer on DVD.

News of networks putting out feelers for Arrested Development comes just two weeks after executive producer Brian Grazer told CNN he was working to make sure this season wouldn't be the series' last.

"I can't tell you anything other than I'm hoping it works out in the way that we want it to," Grazer said. "But I'm optimistic."

The cast, meanwhile, has mixed feelings about a possible network jump.

"Obviously, we would all do it until we're dead," Jason Bateman told E! Online last week. "But you don't want to be the last guy at the bar.

"I think we're getting out just in time," he continued. "We may have screwed it up if we stayed any longer."

Barring any last-minute reprieves, Arrested Development's season--and series--finale is expected to air on Fox in late January or early February.

[panerd]

Originally Posted by Cuckoo's Article

To help offset the cost, 20th Century Fox TV may push for any bidders to pick up at least 22 episodes. The studio needs just 36 more to reach 88 total--the magic number required to sell into syndication. (Of course, a lucrative syndication deal is not guaranteed.) There's also speculation that 20th Century Fox TV might be willing to share home-entertainment revenues as an enticement--Development is a strong performer on DVD.

I could have sworn that it was on in syndication here in St. Louis over the summer. Maybe Fox was just playing epiosodes at 11 every night, but isn't that what syndication is?

[Draft Dodger]

a couple of things

a) great news
b) Justine Bateman?
c) WHY is this show so expensive? the cast?
d) wait a minute - I don't GET showtime. forget that!

[Cuckoo]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

a couple of things

a) great news
b) Justine Bateman?
c) WHY is this show so expensive? the cast?
d) wait a minute - I don't GET showtime. forget that!

Exactly my thoughts. I hope ABC takes it.

As for the cost, I would suspect cast as well as the team behind the show. Ron Howard probably charges through the roof.

[moriarty]

Originally Posted by Cuckoo

Exactly my thoughts. I hope ABC takes it.

As for the cost, I would suspect cast as well as the team behind the show. Ron Howard probably charges through the roof.

Even if it's on Showtime, it'll still come out on DVD at some point. I just hope for a few more seasons somewhere.

[Hammer755]

Count me as another fan who would rather see AD go the ABC route if possible. First because I don't get Showtime, but mainly because I think the show works better on a network than it would on a pay channel. Part of the humor of the show is it trying to play within the rules inherent on network TV. I think the bleeps, the blue dots, and the smart jokes you may not get the first time make the show more funny.

Here is a joke that I didn't get until about the fifth time I watched the episode:
Michael (to Gob): Get rid of the Seaward.
Lucille: I’ll leave when I’m good and ready.

[GrantDawg]

I'd love for to be on Showtime (I have Showtime). Just keep it away from HBO.

[Draft Dodger]

Vagitable Platter

[Draft Dodger]

btw, Monday's "Save our Bluths" episodes may be my favorite yet. Such a clever freaking show.

[Barkeep49]

I've read that Showtime is going to pick it up, if they can make the salaries of the ensemble cast work.

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by Barkeep49

I've read that Showtime is going to pick it up, if they can make the salaries of the ensemble cast work.

"I don't think the Home Builders Organization is going to support us," George says.

"Yeah, the HBO is not going to want us," replies Michael. "What are we going to do?"

"I think it's show time," George then says.

[jeff061]

Thanks to my new found Tivo love(Christmas gift) I've finally watched this show, as well as Curb Your Enthusiasm. Good show, but didn't live up to the hype I had been reading(in my opinion). I think I missed a lot of the references that require viewership of earlier episodes. Curb Your Enthusiasm is fantastic.

[ThunderingHERD]

Just realized that Fox is airing all 4 remaining episodes consecutively in a two hour block--right now!

[Kobeck]

what a great show, sad to see it go but it is my understanding they are gonna tie up all the storylines so it should be excellent

[ISiddiqui]

And they HAD to put it up against the Winter Games ceremony! Bastards . Since they are canceling it, they don't give a damn.

[MrBigglesworth]

Originally Posted by Kobeck

what a great show, sad to see it go but it is my understanding they are gonna tie up all the storylines so it should be excellent

Two other networks are supposedly bidding on taking over the show.

[ISiddiqui]

HOLY CRAP! That was the most hilarious thing I've ever seen! 2 hours of comedy Gold! I can't believe they were able to fit all those self-referential jokes in! Ending it with Annyong calling the SEC (to get revenge for his banana stand grandfather who was pushed out by Lucille) was just priceless!

Though you had to love the fact that George actually WAS a pansy! And GOB put away for 'burning bush', and after being released riding on Cheney Highway and Halliburton Road! LOL!

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by MrBigglesworth

Two other networks are supposedly bidding on taking over the show.

I've heard ABC dropped out of the running. It's Showtime or bust... or what Ron Howard alluded to at the end of the finale.

[MrBigglesworth]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

I've heard ABC dropped out of the running. It's Showtime or bust... or what Ron Howard alluded to at the end of the finale.

Did they drop out because they didn't like the show or because Showtime had the bidding too high?

I can't see it as a movie...

[Blade6119]

Lol, adult swim talked about it. "Heared arrested development got cancelled...shame, it was a really funny show. Maybe we should pick it up...we have a pretty good history with cancelled fox shows."

Well, i found it funny

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by MrBigglesworth

Did they drop out because they didn't like the show or because Showtime had the bidding too high?

I can't see it as a movie...

ABC doesn't want it:

http://tv.zap2it.com/tveditorial/tve_main/1,1002,271|99658|1|,00.html

Speaking to reporters Saturday (Jan. 21) at the Television Critics Association press tour, ABC Entertainment chief Steve McPherson acknowledged his love for the show but also said chances are slim it would land on his network next fall."I don't really foresee" a situation in which ABC picks up the Emmy-winning series, which is likely on its last legs at FOX. Earlier in the week, FOX head Peter Ligouri acknowledged it was "highly unlikely" that he'd pick it up for a fourth season, although the network has yet to cancel it outright.

[MrBigglesworth]

Originally Posted by Blade6119

Lol, adult swim talked about it. "Heared arrested development got cancelled...shame, it was a really funny show. Maybe we should pick it up...we have a pretty good history with cancelled fox shows."

Well, i found it funny

I don't understand why great shows go to FOX to die, yet we have to be subjected to Celebrity Ice Dancing. WTF?