A dark, dark day has arrived. It’s one that loyal fans of Fox’s Arrested Development have been dreading two years now. The axe has dropped, the final curtain has closed and the fat lady is singing on the stage where the Bluth family once ran amok. It leads us to this stream of thought:
Fox TV: Can’t live with ’em, Can’t legally grind them into pepperoni logs.
Arrested Development has been officially cancelled as of Friday the 11th of November, the day after they cut their order of new episodes this season from 22 episodes to 13. The cancellation is due to poor viewership – a sorry 4.2 million average this season.
Here’s the big thing regarding Arrested Development‘s (DVDs) cancellation: Fox
cut it tons of slack because the critics loved it so much, and
rightfully so, as it is the best show in the history of television of
all time ever. But would-be viewers never caught on. Fox gave it a
second season in the hopes that they would, and then they gave it a
third season, but it was all for nothing.
That’s not to say there are no fans, there are, and by the loads. DVD
sales are strong. Not only that, but at a recent trip to the Vegoose
music festival on Halloween weekend in Las Vegas, there were several Arrested Development
costumes.
And it’s won awards, oh have it ever won awards – here’s an excerpt
of some of Arrested Development’s Emmy haul: Best: Comedy Series, Directing for a Comedy
Series, Writing for a Comedy Series, Casting for a Comedy Series, (hang
on a sec, writers cramp…ok, we’re good) and Single-Camera
Picture Editing for a Comedy Series. Yeah, and that’s a partial list.
Being so highly regarded is good
news. It’s rumoured that Showtime is mulling over the idea of picking
up Fox’s slack. That is something, however, that we cannot count on.
So the quality is there, as is the acclaim. As such, couldn’t it be said that the show’s current failure to really catch on is due to an
incredible lack of promotion on the part of Fox? We watch the
channel more than most socially depraved, and the only time we’d ever
see commercials for Arrested Development would be right before it aired. That’s nowhere near
sufficient enough time for the previously unaware to change their
plans.
That said, it is through tear filled eyes and a gross runny nose that we
make the following statement regarding a course of action: We’re not sure if we can legally advise any other loyalists to get a nice green
banana, and write BLUTH, or ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT on it, and we’re not
sure we can lawfully tell anyone to place the said banana into a package
of some sort, and address it to:
Rupert Murdoch
C/O FOX Broadcasting Co.
P.O. Box 900
Beverly Hills, CA 90213
But if a few hundred, or thousand Arrested Development fans take it upon themselves,
imagine what their office dumpster would look like. Should the aforementioned ever take place, a strong un-arrest Arrested Development
message would surely be felt.
So rise up ye citizens of the world! Make that difference! Let’s get that show on the road!
Sign an online petition for the reinstatement of Arrested Development.
Read more:
Fox drops Development sitcom – BBC
[story by Shawn Lindseth]
Naomi Olsen says
Please don’t cancel AD, it is the only reason to turn on the television!
madeofsquares says
ah crud! i’m feeling kind of hungry now you mention it. might pop down the shops for a banana. and an airmail envelope..!
Ryan Walker says
I just read the article and after clearing the tears from laughing I feel it necessary to express my gratitude for the phrase, “…it is the best show in the history of television of all time ever.” I just can’t say anything more that the above phrase doesn’t already express
Justin Smith says
Huge blow to TV today. One of the best shows on has been killed. I just hope it can come back somehow. Please bring AD back!
Christopher says
Um, last time I checked, Arrested Development was a TV show, not the cure for cancer, get a life. Turn off the idiot box, spend some time with your kids, try having a date with someone other than your AIM buddy from Canada. Put down the Taco Bell. Take a walk, meet your neighbor.
We’re getting fatter and dumber by the minute as a nation folks, and TV isn’t helping. Get a clue.
Christopher in Cincinnati
myuff says
Christopher, Christopher.
I hardly watch any TV, have no kids, have plenty of relatively successfull dates with genuine people that I can touch, I’ve never had a taco bell, I walk all the time, I have a good relationship with my neighbour.
But will I ever get to see a man dressed as a nanny singing ‘Always read the label! Always read the label! In the most delightful Way!’? No. And that makes me sad.
Peter says
This news shocked me, as I don’t regularly watch anything on TV except Arrested Development. C’mon, Seinfeld took two years and change for it to take off with the audience – give AD more time! For the grandaddy of all Save AD websites, somebody set this up: http://www.myspace.com/arresteddevelopment, and here’s my bit to save the Bluths: http://sightspeed.blogspot.com/2005/11/save-arrested-development.html
Emily says
i agree! i used to go to school (last year) with the girl who plays maebe, before she transfered. i used to call her “spiffy famous person”… *tear*… she thought i was nuts, of course. but she didn’t SAY so. that’s sad. now where does one get a green banana?
Melissa says
Actually Christopher, if you’ve ever watched Arrested Development you’d know that it’s actually a very cerebral show behind a guise of a silly show. Most people who watch and don’t appreciate it most likely are not mentally deft enough to catch their clever wit. And unlike you, some of us prefer to stay connected with the world.
aman says
Hey justin! Shut the hell up!!
Larry says
yeah!
Ryan says
um don’t cancell this show i like it.
Christopher's dad says
Christopher – Your mom & I happen to love Arrested Development, as it’s a welcome relief from the average rubbish on television these days.
P.S. Rememberthe next time you walk in our room and your mom’s sucking the pillow – I’m just fixing her back.
jenni says
hey i can’t believe they’re canceling it. :( i am a very loyal fan. that just stinks. and christopher in cincinnati, i wish i could send you a could of bananas too. ass. do you not know what things like enjoyment, loyalty, and entertainment are? do you watch tv? watching a show you enjoy is just like hanging out with a good friend. you like the company, and they’re a perfect compliment to you. maybe they even make you feel a bit better about yourself. i’m not saying tv is better than life, but don’t hold it against a guy if he really loves a tv show. i mean jesus.
>.>
cubby says
shawn, i have to admit, you’re an idiot. but arrested development is the best show ever. in fact, my tumor did go away after watching season 2 on dvd
moonspider says
it was a fukin stupid show !
just what i expect from an ”OPIE”
Alonzo says
Moonspider’s suckin pillow
Diego says
Shawn,
Brilliant article. I wish aI could say the same for your diction, but that’s just splitting hairs… I have to agree with Cubby; you are an idiot, but a wylie one at that, and arested is the best comedy show of its time. Bluth Power!
Your loving,
Diego
Dustin says
Do everything possibly send bananas, write strongly worded letters, wear t-shirts, give x-mas DVDs, dress up like characters, and buy dvds from amazon right now, 32$ for both seasons, you can’t beat it!!!
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?link_code=ur2&tag=thangodimanut-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&path=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002PYS7Y?v=glance%26n=130%26n=507846%26s=dvd%26v=glance
Christopher says
Having read the posts that came after my first (vulgar, riddled with grammatical and spelling errors), I can say only one thing: I rest my case.
To the one or two persons who did use proper grammar and didn’t insinuate a sexual relationship with my mother, yes, I have heard AD was one of the better shows on TV, but that’s like saying someone was one of the nicer serial killers you knew. Good, cerebral shows stand ZERO chance on any network but HBO or Showtime because the advertising $$$ is being chased by 500 other channels of drivel like “Queer Eye” “Survivor” “American Idol” Etc. Follow my advice: if you absolutely must watch television (after you have spent time with your kids, made love to someone who doesn’t have a screen name, and read something without pictures), watch “The Wire” on HBO. That’s the smartest show ever made, and the only one you really need…
James says
I can’t really be bothered to get into this argument, but one thing strikes me as a bit weird…
Christopher, are you seriously comparing rating a tv show with giving approval to a serial killer? Are you nuts?
It made me laugh when you then went on to name a show that you liked. So which is the nicest serial killer in your opinion?
Oh, and I find you generalisations about people who watch TV to be ridiculous. People who generalise like that lack breadth of understanding.
Christopher says
James,
You “can’t really be bothered to get into this arguement” but, by posting, you just did…
So I’m not the only one who could be accused of being contradictory. As for being called out about telling people to get a life about lamenting the passing of AD, the harm of the boob tube in our society etc, and then professing a preference for one, count ’em, one, HBO show: As their ads so accurately say, they’re not TV, they’re HBO… they have the only programming worth watching, and it can be done while working around the more important things in your life I mentioned in earlier posts. Don’t bother mentioning TIVO, still a fringe product…The vast majority of people watching crap TV programs watch during their scheduled times, and way damn too much of it.
Also to return to the theme of my original post: the lamentations over AD’s passing are proof of our society’s unhealthy pre-occupation with TV, to the exclusion of other things we should be doing. Cancel The Wire tomorrow, you won’t see me sending posts to a website to save it or whine about it…
Christopher says
P.S.
Looking forward to more posts about my Mom, grammatical and spelling errors, and something from the guy who questioned my loyalty to TV…
Still haven’t figured that one out…
Christopher in Cincinnati
kabuki says
This pretty much seals it- I’m not watching network tv anymore.
Anything that’s actually good enough to watch will be canceled.
I’ll just stick to cable. HBO, Showtime, FX, Sci-Fi, USA, Cartoon Network, Comedy Central, all of those channels and more have quality shows that won’t be canceled before their time (Carnivale notwithstanding, I sort of understand why that had to go)
Oscar says
How could they do it? All Oscars should stand up and take action. Oscar Bluth may be a dope, but he’s OUR dope, and we love him…along with the rest of the Bluth clan.
Tim says
I wish I had the ability to pull all sponsorship from all FOX programming. That’d learn ’em!
Samuel says
Click on my name and go read my review “Something’s broken here” about this crappy show and it might help educate you children why this rubbish was cancelled.
Todd says
I just wanted to bring up Seinfeld again and point out- look what Seinfeld did before it became successful. It had to move from NBC to Fox. AD just needs to move from Fox to some other place where it can continue to grow hopefully in the way Seinfeld did.
Al says
Christopher in Cincinnati.
I hate you. You sound like an ugly person. Seriously, mind your own business. If you don’t even like Arrested development, and all TV for that matter (except the wire), then why “waste your time” writing about it? When you could obviously take a walk or set a Taco Bell on fire.
If you think that AD is such a lame show or whatever you think, then stop wrecking it for the rest of us. I love AD. It is my all time favorite show, and I sure as hell won’t let your idiotic opinion stand in the way of that.
If anyone else wants Christopher to stop writing about something he apparently doesn’t care about, which he kind of does I guess if he takes the time to write about it, then please, let me know.
Al, from a place that is normal and watches good TV, not stuff on fricking HBO channel.
James says
Well said Al.
And if I may add my own humble and somewhat less eloquently put comment to yours…
FUCK OFF CHRISTOPHER!
Thank you.
Dr Raoul Bluth says
CHRISTOPHER,
EAT SHIT AND DIE YOU FUCKING HAWK!!!!
jack says
That Christopher guy really is an idiot.
I don’t have an unhealthy addiction to TV, as I only watch 3 shows. I’m in great shape and would kick Christopher’s Linus if I were in Cincinnati. Oh well.
Thomas says
Christopher in Cincinnati is a sad person who goes to web sites to piss people off who don’t care about him or his kids. That is so much better than watching tv Chris. You are so cool. Christopher in Cincinnati you are the sad one, go away people here don’t care what you think.
Jay Tee says
AD was the Best thing to happen in my life and once again FOX has found a way to totally mess with my life If only we who post could tell everyone we know about AD and get them to watch we could have a chance? I told my boss and he’s hooked i have friends i got hooked i feel like i did the best i can so why do i feel like a failure? I guess I will just settle for the dvd collections for now but fingers crossed they will bring it elsewhere .. so we can enjoy the Bluths again Its not the Final Countdown
Sophia says
I know I’m pretty late in posting this comment, but after googling “AD cancelled” to figure out the truth for once and for all, I stumbled upon this site. And I was horrified at the awful truth: it really is over.
Now you may think I’m being slightly melodramatic, but when I think about how terrible, dime-a-dozen shows like “According to Jim” and “Yes, Dear” are still running strong, I become severely disappointed in people in general. I suppose the witty humour in Arrested Development required too much thought for the majority of the viewers to follow.
I guess they just couldn’t keep up with it.
This disgusts me, especially when I reflect on what television has become.
And now, I go back to re-watching some AD DVDs. Over and over again.
vee says
Rachel Mcadam’s interview got me hooked on A.D. & Not Fox’s lack of advertisement.
I’m glad I was reeled in ’cause this show has the best comedic chemistry I’ve seen since ‘Friends’.
I’ll burst into laughter on every episode. Seinfeld, Will & grace has nothin’ on A.D.
Keep in mind I didn’t start watching this show until the summer of ’06. I barely watch TV now as I just bought all 3 seasons on DVD’s.
If you read articles from each cast member they will mention Fox refused to place billboards, advertisement spots,etc…
Fox, how can you do this to your dedicated A.D. viewers and let us miss out on the last 9 episodes? You get us hooked then drop the show? WTH? My whole family (40+)was begging for more episodes because of my determination to promote the show. What did you expect, word of mouth to catch on….? Geez! Fox, I hope u learn from ur ignorant mistakes and ADVERTISE ur crown and jewels. The OC and Prison Break sux but u’ll advertise those sorry a$$ shows.
The only good thing to come from ur network is A.D, end of story. I’ll never tune into FOX ever again.
If only Showtime (50/50 shot), HBO or Cinemax could of picked them up at the beginning of the 3rd season. Alia & Cast, we
are going to miss the chicken dance dearly, especially from JOBE! KAKAKA! KAKAKA! Tear Tear!
For all u ignorant fools who mock the show or posted negative feeback, try watching the pilot then progress from there (1st season- 1st episode> for the pecimistic viewers with very low I IQ’s)
BTW > Here is a link to A.D. Outtakes > enjoy!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Kan2EQSPJM4
Vee,
West Hempstead, NY