And now, the story of a wealthy family who lost everything and the one son who had no choice but to keep them all together.

It's Arrested Development!


I was wondering where to post my ideas and discussions about Season 1, which I just caught on DVD and seeing as how this forum doesn't have a Season 1 thread for Arrested Development (to my knowledge) I thought I'd just go ahead and post one!


So for months I have been toying with the idea to rent or buy Arrested Development Season 1 and to catch up on the show that so many people are just dying over! I finally decided to rent it on Monday and I could not have done it at a more timely, well, time. It just so happens that they are airing the second season, 4 episodes at a time Fridays on FOX starting this Friday, so I'll be able to jump in faster than the second season's dvd release.

Now, about the show...
It certainly was about what I ws expecting and mostly not. I know it doesn't make sense but does much of the show? After the first two episodes I was a bit amused but didn't really think there was something truly special there. After I finished the first disc, I was kind of addicted and just jept watching. I can now definitely see why the show gets such low ratings... it's really not for everyone. It's just too wacky and zany for a mainstream audience.

I don't find it to be the best comedy or something truly groundbreaking but rather in a league of its own. Contrary to almost every sitcom on network TV today, Arrested Development's comedy comes from what they do and not really from what they say. I never found myself laughing out hysterically, though I chuckled alot. I don't know if many of you find it gut-bustingly funny, but I don't; I find it more kind of an amusing comedy; just sitting back and watching this odd, disfunctional family.

Maybe I'm just not used to it yet, but it still feels odd because it doesn't feel like an actual show you would normally watch. It's just so outlandish for network TV and that's also why it doesn't work with the ratinsg and also why it has such a deep and loyal fanbase. I guess you could consider me a fan now. I am interested in it and will catch Season 2 on Fox and may start watching Season 3. However, I don't know how I'd handle only a half hour a week. For some reason, I just don't feel like I get alot from each individual episode and probably a big reason why I got hooked was because I watched it often for 2-3 hours straight!

I guess my reaction to the show is a mixed back of compliments and semi-criticisms, but on the whole, if anyone got lost, I do think it's a kooky albeit intriguing, interesting, and good show! I love some of the characters and don't care too much for a few, but I think all the actors do really well in portraying their characters. Towards the end of the season Jason Bateman started sounding and talking almost exactly like Eric McCormack from Will and Grace. I do like the mother quite alot, although I thought she was another actress (from the little I had seen in ads and tv spots). One character that was just kind of too weird and annoying in the begining started to grow on me soon after: Buster. He's quite hillarious. As an ensemble they're all quite good.

To date, my favorite part and probably the one I laughed most at, during and after (don't know why though) was when Buster behind her mother's back says that she "gets off from withholding from others." Lucille, hearing about this statement, next time sees Buster and holds out a candy bar and then says, "No, I'm witholding it from you. Look at me getting off!" I still find it funny.

Anyway... that's what I thought of it. I haven't become a die hard fan, but you have most probably gained another viewer!


So, what were some of the fans' thoughts on the first season and how does season 2 compare??
And I forgot, did AD win anything at last year's Emmy's??

Glad you got to see it.

You seem pretty underwhelmed, though, which I guess is understandable, considering I penned it as the "FUNNIEST FRIKKIN' SHOW EVER." :wink:

No one was really as high up on the show when I started watching it (except Libs and maybe a couple others), so I didn't really have that. But once I realized how great it was (I think the writing is brilliant) and saw its placing in the ratings every week, I couldn't help but latch onto it. The first episode I saw was the one with Julia Louis-Dreyfus, which was a treat, considering I think that's probably one of the best written episodes of the show thus far. (Her walking 'blindly' through the house with the baseball bat and Tobias sneaking around makes me smile just thinking about it .)

Season two is great, but I thought season one was a little better.

It's worth the watch.

:gasp!:



Best comedy, sir!

(And casting, direction, editing, and writing. Not too shabby.)

I thought the second season was even better. By the end of it (Righteous Brothers), the show has fully morphed into an almost perfect comic machine, firing on all cylinders.

You're in for a treat, my friend, when you see the "Gene Parmesean" episode.

I found it was better when you watch the episodes a second time. I was completely underwhelmed when I watched the first two episodes, so I ended up not watching. When EVERYONE started loving it (even my mom, who rarely ventures out of regular laugh-track sitcoms when it comes to comedy), I decided to watch but it was almost over. So, when I heard the DVD was coming out, I decided to go for it. I've loved it ever since, and I have watched quite a few episodes multiple times. It's that damn good!

I'm watching the marathon on FOX now for season 2. It turns out, it's gonna give the entire second season over 5 consecutive fridays.


One thing I was thinking while watching the DVD's was in fact true when watching it on TV. This show, whether it actually is or nor, seems WAAAAY TOO SHORT per episode!


Later that night...

I enjoyed it. Maybe Season 1 might have been better but nwo that I'm used to it, I'm laughing more out loud and chuckling a great deal more with the first 4 from Season 2!