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[Shig]

In place of Arrested Development, get ready for...

GLUTTON BOWN 2K5

Thumbs-up for Family Guy cancellation in-joke. Talk about pouring salt in a wound.

 

[Litigation Manuel]

This ruined my day. I can only hope it gets picked up by someone else.

 

[Willco]

I hope it doesn't get picked up by NBC. I don't want anything to displace Joey's time slot!

 

[Litigation Manuel]

I hope it doesn't get picked up by NBC. I don't want anything to displace Joey's time slot!

Willco, I still have the man crush, and I hope you do as well, but shut the fuck up.

 

[Takuan]

Disappointing, but I can't say it wasn't expected. The ratings just weren't there, it's obviously not the type of show that appeals to the lowest common denominator. A show of this quality is bound to be picked up by someone.

 

[theo]

it would fit in great on hbo, airing after CYE in the fall

 

[border]

A show of this quality is bound to be picked up by someone.

Famous last words of...

Andy Richter Controls the Universe
John Doe
Futurama
Undeclared
Titus
Wonderfalls
Greg the Bunny
Firefly
Millenium

HBO might have some interest, but they'll put it on the crappy HBO scheduling program where there's only 13 new episodes over the course of 2 years. Has a new season of "Curb" even gone into production yet?

 

[mattx5]

Discovering Arrested Development made my Sunday nights infinitely better. I can't believe Fox is doing this. They are going to pay for this, I'm seriously not joking, they've cancelled too many fucking good shows. I'm going to snap, and I'm going to fucking murder the Fox executives. It's that fucking simple.

*twitch*

 

[Willco]

Arrested Development is an okay show, but its niche following speaks volumes about its elitist humor. It's very hit or miss, whereas a genuinely funny show like Joey has mainstream appeal because its humor is so broad.

Arrested Development probably would work better on cable, because it just can't hang with the mainstream shows.

 

[WedgeX]

It's very hit or miss, whereas a genuinely funny show like Joey has mainstream appeal because its humor is so broad.

...What?

 

[Phoenix]

Famous last words of...

Andy Richter Controls the Universe
John Doe
Futurama
Undeclared
Titus
Wonderfalls
Greg the Bunny
Firefly
Millenium

HBO might have some interest, but they'll put it on the crappy HBO scheduling program where there's only 13 new episodes over the course of 2 years. Has a new season of "Curb" even gone into production yet?

John Doe, Undeclared, Titus, Wonderfalls, and Greg the Bunny aren't on my list of 'yeah I'd watch it' and unfortunately none of them are the type of show that anyone else would want either. Andy is somewhat 'iffy' but I could see WB or UPN wanting a show like that. Futurama should go to TNT or CN (if they had the money), Firefly should have been a scifi show (if they had the money) and I believe there are 2 networks trying to push 2 millenium'ish shows next season so they should just stop and pick up one that wasn't generic... though mill only really had an appeal till the millenium and since that's past I guess no one will want it. It boggles the mind that they didn't let the show run through the millenium...

 

[Phoenix]

It's very hit or miss, whereas a genuinely funny show like Joey has mainstream appeal because its humor is so broad.

You mean stupid people or Friends fans who couldn't deal with the fact the show ended?

 

[BuddyC]

You mean stupid people or Friends fans who couldn't deal with the fact the show ended?

And they got like, seven years of that shit.

 

[Willco]

You mean stupid people or Friends fans who couldn't deal with the fact the show ended?

Or maybe intelligent people who appreciate good humor and like to see that transferred to an original, fresh take on a winning formula.

 

[Phoenix]

Or maybe intelligent people who appreciate good humor and like to see that transferred to an original, fresh take on a winning formula.

So Friends fans who wanted more sets then...

 

[Drozmight]

Well... now that AD's been cancelled I could care less if the nuclear holocaust happened.

 

[GG-Duo]

What the fuck is wrong with you people?

I'm going nuts.
Please, somebody say
Arrested Development has arrested development.

 

[Dan]

Arrested Development is an okay show, but its niche following speaks volumes about its intelligent humor. It's very hit or miss, whereas a genuinely funny show like Joey has mainstream appeal because its humor is so stupid.

Fixed. People suck. Sorry, Friends was dumb as fuck and Joey is even dumber. It's popular for all the reasons that television is considered a "vast wasteland".

David Cross was on Jimmy Kimmel Live tonight and he said that the cast wasn't even informed by the network that they were closing down production. Cross said that he found out about the close down on the internet. He sounded very bitter (as he should be) and said that the network couldn't even make a 2 minute phone call to the cast members to let them know of the production stoppage.

Cross went on to speculate (very funny) about the reality shows that FOX would replace AD with - more midget shows? A bad cartoon reality show? Kimmel asked him about the show possibly being brought to another network but he knew nothing of it, of course. He named all the awards that the show has won and been nominated for and how they couldn't save the show.

Cross said that the cast was on their way to NYC to attend the SNL taping this weekend to see Kelly Clarkson perform not to see Jason Bateman host. He was joking, of course, but said that they were proud of Bateman and his Globe win recently.

That quotation about what Cross said on Jimmy Kimmel's showed said that Cross heard from the Internet that the show had stopped production. If that were true, we'd know... so that sounds like a bizarre extrapolation from the only real news we have, being the Hollywood Reporter article about Fox probably reducing its order.

 

[Willco]

So Friends fans who wanted more sets then...

They're in a completely new place, but you probably haven't watched a single new episode. Not many sitcoms try a fish-out-of-water approach and this style of humor fits LeBlanc very well. And again, it transfers that quality of humor that made Friends so great and popular.

I don't know why you people are all upset. Arrested Development isn't even close to being in the Top 15 shows on network TV.

 

[Nemrael]

I just finished watching another episode of AD on BBC4, and was thinking how great it is to finally have a sitcom I enjoy as much as Seinfeld. Then I come here to find out it's being cancelled! This really sucks. I guess it's going to go down with Bakersfield PD and Police Squad in the list of sitcoms cancelled way too early...

 

[WedgeX]

Not many sitcoms try a fish-out-of-water approach and this style of humor fits LeBlanc very well.

AFTER M*A*S*H?

It may fit him...but I can't stand the show right now.

And AD seems to be one of those shows that will be big after 3-4 years and take off from there.

 

[BuddyC]

They're in a completely new place, but you probably haven't watched a single new episode. Not many sitcoms try a fish-out-of-water approach and this style of humor fits LeBlanc very well. And again, it transfers that quality of humor that made Friends so great and popular.

I don't know why you people are all upset. Arrested Development isn't even close to being in the Top 15 shows on network TV.

It's almost like you're intentionally trying to piss people off.

 

[border]

The show's fate is unclear until we can see exactly what Cross said last night, and until Bateman makes a statement on Conan this evening (asusming he'll talk about the issue at all). Jeffrey Tambor cancelling his appearance today might just be a coincidence, but it could be something quite bad.

Quote from David Cross on Defamer:

I hope Fox puts in its place, like, you know, America’s Cutest Retards. What’s left for them to do? We got midgets trying to pull an elephant. What’s left? We’ve got orphans trying to figure out who their dads are…come on. Let’s go with retards. OK? Let’s do it.

:lol :lol

Arrested Development isn't even close to being in the Top 15 shows on network TV.

Is there any reason why you have to keep trolling the thread? I don't think any of the AD fans have been derailing your Spider Man / Raimi spankfest threads, so revenge is not an option....

 

[Luscious LeftFoot]

Not surprising given the ratings, but the least Fox could do is try to find a different timeslot for it instead of burying it in the sunday lineup.

 

[Archaix]

It's almost like you're intentionally trying to piss people off.

Yes, almost. If only it were a poster who had a history of trying to do such things, then maybe we could write off his comments.


If only.

 

[Cerebral Palsy]

wtf

 

[Kon Tiki]

No worries. They only have to change the name to : American Development in America, then they will be back on top.

 

[Litigation Manuel]

They're in a completely new place, but you probably haven't watched a single new episode. Not many sitcoms try a fish-out-of-water approach and this style of humor fits LeBlanc very well. And again, it transfers that quality of humor that made Friends so great and popular.

I don't know why you people are all upset. Arrested Development isn't even close to being in the Top 15 shows on network TV.

Too bad "Joey"'s ratings have done nothing but go down since the first episode.

 

[Mifune]

an email from Fox...

Dear Arrested Development Fans:

Thank you for your e-mail and your passionate support of Arrested
Development. While the show has finished production for its second
season, contrary to the rumors you may have heard or read on the
internet, it is NOT cancelled.

We at FOX love Arrested Development and we look forward to having the
Bluth family back on FOX in the future - hopefully for many years. You
can help make the show a bigger success by getting as many people as
possible to start watching the show this Sunday and every Sunday at 8:30
p.m. ET/PT.

Sincerely,

Fox Broadcasting Company


From TV Guide.com

"Thursday, February 10, 2005
Arrested Development

DEVELOPMENT ISSUES: Rumors are swirling that Fox has cut short Arrested Development's season, trimming its episode order from 20 to 18. Not so, says a source close to the show. "Nothing's definite," maintains the insider. "There's two more weeks before [the network] has to make a final decision [on how many episodes it wants]. In either case, it's not canceled."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There is still hope. Plus Gail Berman is a big fan of the show. Can't have a more important person on your side than her.

 

[MIMIC]

an email from Fox...

Dear Arrested Development Fans:

Thank you for your e-mail and your passionate support of Arrested
Development. While the show has finished production for its second
season, contrary to the rumors you may have heard or read on the
internet, it is NOT cancelled.

We at FOX love Arrested Development and we look forward to having the
Bluth family back on FOX in the future - hopefully for many years. You
can help make the show a bigger success by getting as many people as
possible to start watching the show this Sunday and every Sunday at 8:30
p.m. ET/PT.

Translation: "Ratings equal staying power, bitch!" :lol

 

[WedgeX]

Well, that's more optimistic than most(including myself) had hoped.

 

[Drozmight]

Stop the launch sequence!

 

[Justin85]

I just can't see Fox cancelling a reigning Emmy-winner. I always think the worst of Fox, but they may want to keep AD just for the awards recognition.

If not, however, the show's not dead. After Sports Night was cancelled, HBO offered to pick it up but Aaron Sorkin declined instead to focus on West Wing. That could happen again with another network.

 

[rastex]

If people really want to help out this show, the best thing they can do that will have DIRECT consequence is to buy the Season 1 DVD. This is what brought Family Guy back and what will keep AD around if enough people buy it. Downloading it isn't enough, just spend that $40 and buy it. I'm gonna order one right now.

BUY IT YOU FOOLS!

 

[Chipopo]

If people really want to help out this show, the best thing they can do that will have DIRECT consequence is to buy the Season 1 DVD. This is what brought Family Guy back and what will keep AD around if enough people buy it. Downloading it isn't enough, just spend that $40 and buy it. I'm gonna order one right now.

BUY IT YOU FOOLS!

Right on.

 

[Matt]

If not, however, the show's not dead. After Sports Night was cancelled, HBO offered to pick it up but Aaron Sorkin declined instead to focus on West Wing. That could happen again with another network.

It was Showtime, not HBO (I think), but yea, that did happen.

Dammit...I still miss Sports Night.

 

[Soybean]

God damn it! I love this show! And I was just talking about it with a friend!

 

[ManaByte]

Yes, if you want to see the show continue definitely support it by buying the DVDs. Fox uses the DVD sales to help pay for the series production (this started with 24), and if you cheap out and download the show instead of buying it you are just helping in whatever fate it has. The strong DVD sales of Family Guy is the reason why Fox is bringing it back.

 

[Lemurnator]

Fox Execubot Rolls Dice: MORE REALITY SHOWS

 

[Justin85]

"While the show has finished production for its second season, contrary to the rumors you may have heard or read on the internet, it is NOT cancelled," Fox Entertainment Chief Gail Berman says in an e-mail to fans. "We at FOX love Arrested Development and we look forward to having the Bluth family back on FOX in the future - hopefully for many years."

Source here

 

[J2 Cool]

I've attempted watching arrested development, 5-10 minutes at a time and I can't get into the characters or jokes or anything. So I'm giving it this next Sunday, or I'll dl an episode that's supposed to be really good if you guys have any recommendations. But I just can't see myself liking this show :-/

 

[Guzim]

Tobias: Oh, give me the suit. Give me the suit.

George Michael: I’m actually wearing it right now, but I can’t tell you why.

Tobias: You’re wearing it right now?

George Michael: I have to wear it all the time. You... you’d never understand.

Tobias: Oh, please, I’ll never un...? I’ll never understand? That you can never be nude? I understand more than you’ll... never know.

 

[Dan]

I'm surprised that letter from Gail Berman was put up on Arrested Development's main site.

If production on the second season has stopped, one would assume they reached the finale so that no fewer episodes were actually shot... right?

Also, there's a very recent and comprehensive interview with creator Michael Hurwitz at The Onion AV Club.

Also, apparently Zach Braff did a short bit for Arrested Development just this last Monday.

 

[ocelittle]

Tobias: Oh, give me the suit. Give me the suit.

George Michael: I’m actually wearing it right now, but I can’t tell you why.

Tobias: You’re wearing it right now?

George Michael: I have to wear it all the time. You... you’d never understand.

Tobias: Oh, please, I’ll never un...? I’ll never understand? That you can never be nude? I understand more than you’ll... never know.

That was almost TOO funny....!
:lol

 

[Mike Works]

I've attempted watching arrested development, 5-10 minutes at a time and I can't get into the characters or jokes or anything. So I'm giving it this next Sunday, or I'll dl an episode that's supposed to be really good if you guys have any recommendations. But I just can't see myself liking this show :-/

Download the first one, as you'll appreciate a lot of the humor much more once you understand the characters.

 

[Musashi Wins!]

They're in a completely new place, but you probably haven't watched a single new episode. Not many sitcoms try a fish-out-of-water approach and this style of humor fits LeBlanc very well. And again, it transfers that quality of humor that made Friends so great and popular.

I don't know why you people are all upset. Arrested Development isn't even close to being in the Top 15 shows on network TV.

I feel like I'm missing an OT joke here and walking right into it...you can't be this big a mouthpiece for all forms of mass market trash, can you?

 

[WedgeX]

From Dan's link:

O: Arrested Development has been a critical darling, and it's sold well on DVD. But it's been something of a ratings problem. Do you have any theory on why it doesn't attract more viewers?

MH: No. We're doing okay. It always seems that the ratings haven't matched the press that we got. But just for a regular show, we're doing fine. It's a different kind of show. We really aspired to do something that wasn't on TV. And when you do that, you quickly discover there's no lead-in, because your show's not on TV. The shows that do well typically have good lead-ins that are well-suited to the same audience. The Simpsons is definitely better for us as a lead-in than Malcolm In The Middle was. But it's still a slightly younger audience than I think the show does well with. Our hope is that we just stay alive long enough that people discover it, and word of mouth develops, and that kind of thing. We're just putting everything we can into it. So I really have no theories why it's not working better. But on the other hand, it's working as well as anything I've ever done. So it's all new to me.

 

[rastex]

Also, there's a very recent and comprehensive interview with creator Michael Hurwitz at The Onion AV Club.

Everybody should read this. What a great read. Hell, the interview itself was extremely funny and very enlightening about the entire show and makes it that much funnier. Great stuff, thanks for the link.

 

[IAmtheFMan]

I'm glad AD is safe... for now.

BTW this quote from theonion link is awesome:

[Carl Weathers is] back this year. He hasn't been on yet, but he's got a part in a biopic about the Bluth family, and he's playing the role of Ice, the bounty hunter, who we established earlier in the season. So he's playing the part of someone that we saw two episodes earlier.

:lol
I love this show.

 

[Flynn]

You
can help make the show a bigger success by getting as many people as
possible to start watching the show this Sunday and every Sunday at 8:30
p.m. ET/PT.

This is a key point, because if Fox pulls Futurama on this show it WON'T be on every Sunday. At its lowest point Futurama aired one Sunday out of four. And, of course, when Arrested Development's audience begins to dwindle because of this impossible, passive/aggresive shedule the Fox execs will say, "see nobody watches that show anyway."