Arrested Development : From The Beginning

[headroll]

Just finished G4's replays of Arrested Development (Watched "Development Arrested" last night).

The show seems to be starting again (TiVo recorded "Pilot" recently), so this is a good time for anyone interested to get involved from the 'repeated' beginning.

What a shame this show had to end, it was most definitely one of the funnest shows out there.

-Roll

[Havana Brown]

I noticed this too. I was just catching up with the ending and then the pilot was listed. I liked the pilot and how they introduced us to the characters.

I only caught on to this show toward the end when Charlize Theron was on it. It was funny to watch the reruns and knowing the outcome and seeing how well it was done. :up:

[mportuesi]

I caught some of AD in third season as it aired on Fox. I was mostly lost because I didn't know the characters and the back story, plus the show is extremely fast paced.

I have the DVDs for the first two seasons, and the third is on order, but I haven't dipped into them yet. I assume if I start from the beginning, this show will be much easier to enjoy? I bought the DVDs based mostly on the raves the show has been getting.

[headroll]

I caught some of AD in third season as it aired on Fox. I was mostly lost because I didn't know the characters and the back story, plus the show is extremely fast paced.

I have the DVDs for the first two seasons, and the third is on order, but I haven't dipped into them yet. I assume if I start from the beginning, this show will be much easier to enjoy? I bought the DVDs based mostly on the raves the show has been getting.


I did season 1 on DVD. I had a hard time not watching all the episodes in one sitting as I was always excited to see what would happen next.

-Roll

[DevdogAZ]

I caught some of AD in third season as it aired on Fox. I was mostly lost because I didn't know the characters and the back story, plus the show is extremely fast paced.

I have the DVDs for the first two seasons, and the third is on order, but I haven't dipped into them yet. I assume if I start from the beginning, this show will be much easier to enjoy? I bought the DVDs based mostly on the raves the show has been getting.
Yes, once you start watching from the beginning, most of the inside jokes will make much more sense and you'll really enjoy the progession of the characters and the story.

And if you really want to enjoy the eps, come find the old episode threads from each of the eps after watching them. You'll undoubtedly read stuff in the threads that you didn't catch in the eps, and you'll just get a good laugh all over again reading all the funny lines repeated.

[sushikitten]

I started to read the old threads in the archive, but I got overwhelmed!! That said, we have about 5 more eps to watch (backlogged on tivo). Then I hope I get Seasons 1-3 for Christmas!!

Our favorite joke?

JUICE!

[smak]

I could probably watch it indefinately. I watched it at least twice each the first time around, watched the DVD sets, and then watched it this run on GSN.

Maybe i'll take this next run off, and then watch the one after that.

Best comedy ever.

-smak-

[Tivortex]

This is my "Official Thank You" to the people here who made me aware of this series. I missed it completely when it was on the air. Thanks to you folks I rented all 3 seasons and ended up hitting the pause button many many times to laugh long and hard at the jokes. I really think it may be the most consistantly funny TV program I've ever seen.

Thanks TCF A.D. fans!

[LoadStar]

This is my "Official Thanks but No Thanks" to the people here who made me aware of this series. I watched it occasionally when it was on the air. I started watching it from the beginning on HDnet... and confirmed that it was the least funny show I had ever seen.

Thanks but no thanks, TCF A.D. fans!
:D

Anyway, seriously, AD must be for a very specific taste in humor... because for me, I didn't laugh once at any of the episodes I saw. Didn't even smile. It just wasn't funny at all for me... wasn't smart, wasn't witty... I got it all, but the whole show, much as many of the fans of the series that I've heard from, just struck me as having this self-important legend-in-our-own-minds tone... as if they believed every positive thing said about the series, and if you didn't like the series, well, "you just didn't GET it" (said with a snooty self-important tone). Well, I got it, I just didn't LIKE it.

[JETarpon]

Not our fault you have no taste. :D

[BrettStah]

Wow, you're the first person I know who has actually watched 'Arrested Development' who didn't love it, LoadStar. How many chances did you give it? I guess there's no way that a show can satisfy everyone though, so it's not surprising after all.

[Tivortex]

This is my "Official Thanks but No Thanks" to the people here who made me aware of this series. I watched it occasionally when it was on the air. I started watching it from the beginning on HDnet... and confirmed that it was the least funny show I had ever seen.

Huh. And you seem like such a level headed person in every other way. Maybe your funny bone grew in upside down ? :confused:

[jerobi]

Wow, you're the first person I know who has actually watched 'Arrested Development' who didn't love it, LoadStar. How many chances did you give it? I guess there's no way that a show can satisfy everyone though, so it's not surprising after all.

Not trying to put anyone down, but the one person I know who shared that "it's not funny" opinion also is a big fan of Friends.

Two entirely different types of comedy.

[LoadStar]

Well, my idea of funny is more along the lines of House... most sitcoms aren't funny to me either (although they're more funny than I found AD). About the only sitcom I actually like is Scrubs.

As for how many chances I gave it - I think I made it from the beginning to episode 10, which is when I finally bailed. I've popped in ocassionally since.

[DougF]

...I got it all, but the whole show, much as many of the fans of the series that I've heard from, just struck me as having this self-important legend-in-our-own-minds tone... as if they believed every positive thing said about the series, and if you didn't like the series, well, "you just didn't GET it" (said with a snooty self-important tone). Well, I got it, I just didn't LIKE it.

Funny. That's exactly how I see Studio 60 and its fans. Except, S60 fans seem to be much worse.

[BrettStah]

Well, my idea of funny is more along the lines of House... most sitcoms aren't funny to me either (although they're more funny than I found AD). About the only sitcom I actually like is Scrubs.

As for how many chances I gave it - I think I made it from the beginning to episode 10, which is when I finally bailed. I've popped in ocassionally since.
So, you must have watched the episode where Gob announces that he can escape from prison, right? In that episode, when he's stabbed in the side, and taken to a hospital, and (upon waking up and realizing that he's not in prison anymore), says weakly, "Ta da!"
Not even a chuckle then?

I'm not a big fan of sitcoms either... 'Arrested Development', 'The Office', and not much else any time recently.

[bidger]

I started to read the old threads in the archive, but I got overwhelmed!!
Hey, it's always been a popular show here. If ever a network sitcom was tailor-made for DVR, "Arrested Development" is it!

For those of you with HD, HDNet is screening a marathon of the entire S1 of AD on Thanksgiving.

I really do have TiVo to thank for my discovering the show. Before the Pilot aired, I saw a Green Thumb record icon on one of the promos for AD and since I'd heard good things, I said WTH and hit the Green Thumb. One of the best decisions I ever made.

[bidger]

I'm not a big fan of sitcoms either... 'Arrested Development', 'The Office', and not much else any time recently.
Ditto.

[wprager]

Not trying to put anyone down, but the one person I know who shared that "it's not funny" opinion also is a big fan of Friends.

Two entirely different types of comedy.

I loved Friends (with some exceptions, of course) and I loved AD. I don't think it's always possible to predict stuff like this. The person's current situation in life may affect how they view the characters, regardless of the type or level of humour in the writing. I could get past the very unlikeab le (impossible to like, really) characters in this show -- of course, they were not only exxagerated parodies, the show also made fun of them. Other people I know could not; they eventually enjoyed the show to a smaller degree, but just could not jump in with both feet, like I did.

Anyhow, back to the current. I got S1 as a Christmas present, S2 for Father's Day and S3 for my birthday (in October). As we've been catching up on BSG (just started watching this year) I haven't looked at S3 until last week. I must say that I was not a fan of the whole Mr. F (MRF) story line when I saw it first. I must admit though, on re-watching it, I was quite impressed with the number of "clues" thrown in throughout (and I'm only on episode 2, the first of the 5-episode arc).

All of this simply goes to show that AD *has to* be wacthed (and re-watched) sequentially and in its entirety to get the full effect. Most people (not most TCF posters, just most people) simply want to be entertained (or distracted) one hour or one half hour at a time, with no committment required in order to get the full benefits. AD is like a marriage, while most people are still in the dating phase.

[Havana Brown]

So, you must have watched the episode where Gob announces that he can escape from prison, right? In that episode, when he's stabbed in the side, and taken to a hospital, and (upon waking up and realizing that he's not in prison anymore), says weakly, "Ta da!"
Not even a chuckle then?

I'm not a big fan of sitcoms either... 'Arrested Development', 'The Office', and not much else any time recently.


Or how 'bout when his real sister, Justine Bateman guest starred?

[headroll]

Or how 'bout when his real sister, Justine Bateman guest starred?


You keep forgetting to say "away" ...

-Roll

[BrettStah]

Watch 'Arrested Development' online for free...

http://arresteddevelopment.msn.com/

[Mabes]

This is my "Official Thanks but No Thanks" to the people here who made me aware of this series. I watched it occasionally when it was on the air. I started watching it from the beginning on HDnet... and confirmed that it was the least funny show I had ever seen.

Thanks but no thanks, TCF A.D. fans!
:D

Anyway, seriously, AD must be for a very specific taste in humor... because for me, I didn't laugh once at any of the episodes I saw. Didn't even smile. It just wasn't funny at all for me... wasn't smart, wasn't witty... I got it all, but the whole show, much as many of the fans of the series that I've heard from, just struck me as having this self-important legend-in-our-own-minds tone... as if they believed every positive thing said about the series, and if you didn't like the series, well, "you just didn't GET it" (said with a snooty self-important tone). Well, I got it, I just didn't LIKE it.

I have a feeling I'm going to be in your camp. HDNet has the entire first season in a marathon starting tomorrow at 9am. I tried to watch this show, I think it was the 2nd season, watched 4-5 episodes and never really got into it. It wasn't bad but far from "the greatest sitcom ever". I'm sure I missed some of the jokes not seeing it from the beginning but that can't explain it all. But on the other hand I came into it with such high expectations it probably couldn't have lived up to it. Will give it another try.

BTW, was the original shot in widescreen? I'm wondering if it's going to be framed that way.

[Zevida]

I loved, loved, loved the first season. I thought it was brilliant and hilarious.

Season 2 was the same jokes, but a little bit wackier. I wasn't quite as enthralled.

Season 3 was the same jokes for the third time, even wackier, and past my over-the-top limit.

So definitely go back and watch the first season and give that one a shot!

[bidger]

BTW, was the original shot in widescreen? I'm wondering if it's going to be framed that way.
If it was 4:3 that would be how HDNet presented it. HDNet isn't TNT-HD. But, yes, AD was always shot in WS.

[Jesda]

It took me three tries, but once I figured out what the heck was going on, I realize what an amazing comedy it was.

[Mabes]

Well I'm halfway through the first season, don't know if I'll finish it. Taking up a lot of space and I've only got 20 hours for HD. Again, much like the first time, I don't really get it. I mean I get the jokes, don't get why it's such a phenomonon for some. But as a friend who loves it says, there's no accouting for taste.

I know one reason I don't like it, and that's a lot of the narration. Every tiny detail is narrated. For example, in the surprise party for the mother, she goes to the back room of the restaurant and opens the door and says "Surprise!" but the room is empty. And the narration tells us, "Nobdy showed up." Well, thanks for filling me in.

Other than that, not putting the show down. It's amusing at times and David Cross is funny in anything. I wish the show was centered around his character.

[jlb]

http://www.bluthfamily.com/dimages/pictures/michael-finds-tobias-in-the-midst-of-rehearsal-for-his-blue-man-group-audition_468x312.jpg

[sushikitten]

Just got the S3 set on Black Friday...now I hope I get the first two for Christmas!! :) Hubby and I have decided this is our favorite show ever, although it's a close race with Firefly.

[wouldworker]

Anyway, seriously, AD must be for a very specific taste in humor... because for me, I didn't laugh once at any of the episodes I saw. Didn't even smile. It just wasn't funny at all for me... wasn't smart, wasn't witty... I got it all, but the whole show, much as many of the fans of the series that I've heard from, just struck me as having this self-important legend-in-our-own-minds tone... as if they believed every positive thing said about the series, and if you didn't like the series, well, "you just didn't GET it" (said with a snooty self-important tone). Well, I got it, I just didn't LIKE it.Much of AD's humor relied on sexual situations, double entendre, and sexual innuendo. I'm guessing that you don't like (or possibly, even get) that sort of humor.

[DougF]

... David Cross is funny in anything. I wish the show was centered around his character.

He may be showing up as Tobias on "Scrubs" for a guest spot this season. I don't have the link handy, but I think I read about it here.

[Mabes]

Much of AD's humor relied on sexual situations, double entendre, and sexual innuendo. I'm guessing that you don't like (or possibly, even get) that sort of humor.


At least you didn't say it in a snooty way. I know you weren't responding to me, but I certainly do get (and usually like) sexual innuendo. Like the cousins thing, admittedly not a very subtle one on the show. But I get it, it's just not funny to me. And what's her name showing up in prison and not getting leered at. Not funny, especially when the narration told me that no one paid attention.

Re Gob saying, wait it's a spoiler so I can't go into details, maybe I smirked. Re a certain guest star, I get the whole self referential aspect of some of the show, like mentioning Burger King as a sponser (read this somewhere else, don't think it happened in the first season). That's kinda cool, but again to me it's not that funny. Family Guy does that sort of thing sometimes and in that case it is funny.

I'm thinking now that the big reason I don't love it is that all the characters are so stooopid. And that makes them annoying to me, not funny. Now why I think Homer Simpson is hilarious I'm not sure, maybe because he is stooopid but also loveable. In the end I think it comes down to the fact that I simply don't want to spend my time with these characters. It's the same reason I don't like Raging Bull. Beautifully shot and acted film, but the guy is a complete jerk with no redeeming characteristics. Why do I want to spend over 2 hours with him?

Re Tobius, I remember in the past seeing him as a backup for Blue Man Group, does that happen in the first year? I would definitely like to see that.

[Bob_Newhart]

I think some people would like AD more if it took place in outer space aboard a starship. :)

I think it is a very funny show. There just aren't enough quality sitcoms around for my taste. :(

[Bardman]

Too many one-liners in this series to remember, particularly since a single conversation could have multiple one-liners being rapid fired in succession.

"I guess I blue myself for nothing"
"No Touching!!!"
"More Touching!!"
"He's a flamer"
"You're gonna get Hop-ons"
"I'm Oscar / I'm No Scar"
"I've made a huge mistake"

My personal favorite was how they tied jokes/situations/story arcs together across episodes and possibly even seasons:
Buster saying "I never thought I'd miss a hand so much" about his hand chair a good 8 episodes before meeting a certain Seal (no not Luceille, the one with the bow tie)

and the attention to details like:
- Blue paint (handprints, etc) appearing around the house when Tobias was "working" with the Blue Man Group. (notice picture earlier in this thread)
- the newscaster's hair/suits/etc would match the timeframe being referenced during flashbacks

Loadstar, IMO, part of what makes the show so funny is that yes, the characters are all snooty, but they are still a bunch of boobs and I enjoyed the heck out of watching the snots make boobs of themselves.

[smak]

Well I'm halfway through the first season, don't know if I'll finish it. Taking up a lot of space and I've only got 20 hours for HD. Again, much like the first time, I don't really get it. I mean I get the jokes, don't get why it's such a phenomonon for some. But as a friend who loves it says, there's no accouting for taste.

I know one reason I don't like it, and that's a lot of the narration. Every tiny detail is narrated. For example, in the surprise party for the mother, she goes to the back room of the restaurant and opens the door and says "Surprise!" but the room is empty. And the narration tells us, "Nobdy showed up." Well, thanks for filling me in.

Other than that, not putting the show down. It's amusing at times and David Cross is funny in anything. I wish the show was centered around his character.

I think you're just missing everything about it. The narration is one of the thing that makes the show genius.

-smak-

[Magnolia88]

I agree. The narration is one of my favorite things about AD.

I especially loved the episode when the Narrator criticized the narrator of Scandalmakers, the show within the show. And when the Narrator got all upset about somebody callling somebody else "Opie." Heh.

The wordplay is something else that sets the show apart. There are so many jokes about words being misused and misinterpreted, with puns and double entendres. It is a very specific type of humor, very different from the broader jokes and punchlines on most sitcoms.

I don't think that people who don't enjoy AD don't "get it" necessarily, but some people just don't appreciate that form of more subtle humor. Although there are a lot of wacky sight gags and stuff also, but it definitely has its own rhythm and takes some getting used to.

[Mabes]

This is interesting to me because I hate most sitcoms. The only one I watch now is The Office, oh and Curb Your Enthusiasm when there are new episodes. I can't remember the last one I liked, I guess it was Seinfeld until it got "wacky" in the last few years and then I hated it. I like subtle humor and wordplay and obscure references. I like the fact that AD has no laugh track (when it first aired did any other network show not have one?). I like the fact that the main set is not a living room. I think the overall intelligence of the writing is better than 90% of all sitcoms ever made.

And yet, for whatever reason, I just don't find it funny. Or at least funny enough, maybe it's just that I don't like the show as much as I expected and wanted to.

[bidger]

I like the fact that AD has no laugh track (when it first aired did any other network show not have one?).
"Malcolm In The Middle" and "Scrubs" come to mind.

[Bob_Newhart]

"Malcolm In The Middle" and "Scrubs" come to mind.
"Wonder Years"

[bidger]

Did "Sledgehammer" have a laugh track? I seem to recall it didn't, but I'm not 100% sure.

[Bob_Newhart]

Did "Sledgehammer" have a laugh track? I seem to recall it didn't, but I'm not 100% sure.
I don't think it did.

That was a pretty funny show i haven't thought of in a while

[trainman]

I like the fact that AD has no laugh track (when it first aired did any other network show not have one?)...

Any other network show? Yes, at the time "AD" premiered, "NBC Nightly News" didn't have a laugh track. :D

[Magnolia88]

I like the fact that the main set is not a living room.

It's not? I consider the living room of the model home to be the "main set," if there is one. They have several sets, but that one is used the most, I would guess.

But your point is taken: AD doesn't exist solely within the confines of one "main set" or even a couple of "main sets." The single-camera technique and the location shooting makes it stand out from most traditional sitcoms, along with the lack of a laugh track and the character-based humor, rather than the usual set-up, punchline.

I love the show, but it definitely took a lot longer to "warm up" to it and get accustomed to the rhythm of the jokes and storytelling style. I don't think I laughed much at all during the first few episodes I saw, but eventually I got to know the characters better and found it hilarious.

[balboa dave]

The first sitcom without a laugh track, as far as I remember, and still one of the best of all time, was Frank's Place (http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/F/htmlF/franksplace/franksplace.htm).

[LoadStar]

I sat tonight and forced myself to watch the two episodes on HDnet tonight to try and put into words what is so utterly and completely NOT FUNNY about the show. Unfortunately, I think it's easier to describe what you find funny than what you DON'T find funny.

I think the closest I think I can come to putting a finger on it: it seems to me that they try too hard... they try much, much too hard to be totally completely wacky, over-the-top, outrageous, ridiculous, you name it... and when it takes everything to that degree, it's no longer funny to me. It's sort of like when someone else's kid does something that they think is funny... then they do it again. And again. Then scream "Look at me! Look at me!" and do it again. It might have been mildly cute the first time, but by the fifth time... it's not cute, it's not funny.

On another note, I think what really, REALLY turns me off are the characters. The only character I like is Jason Bateman's character... the rest of them, the second they come on screen, it's like I want to shove an icepick through my temple to relieve the pain. I'm sure that was the point in some way or another, but I can't sit through a show where I absolutely hate, hate, HATE every character I see. The only thing that would make me enjoy watching that - if some total disaster were to instantly kill each and every character instantly.

So what is funny to me?
- A great example is "House." It doesn't try hard to be funny... they hit you with a bit of brilliant sarcastic genius... then move on. They don't dwell on it, they don't make it some elaborate setup for something else. It feels like the best line that you might think about saying in such a situation, it's just that naturally wry, cynical, sarcastic, you name it. That's funny to me.
- MST3K - very, very funny. Again - it depends heavily on that same sort of cynical sarcastic humor, except this time with more pop-culture references.
- Scrubs. Thank goodness it's been syndicated, or I'd have missed it. I love J.D.'s flights of fantasy - but if the whole show were that, it'd be lame, The fact that it's grounded means it remains funny to me.

[balboa dave]

I sat tonight and forced myself to watch the two episodes on HDnet tonight to try and put into words what is so utterly and completely NOT FUNNY about the show. Unfortunately, I think it's easier to describe what you find funny than what you DON'T find funny.

I think the closest I think I can come to putting a finger on it: it seems to me that they try too hard... they try much, much too hard to be totally completely wacky, over-the-top, outrageous, ridiculous, you name it... and when it takes everything to that degree, it's no longer funny to me. It's sort of like when someone else's kid does something that they think is funny... then they do it again. And again. Then scream "Look at me! Look at me!" and do it again. It might have been mildly cute the first time, but by the fifth time... it's not cute, it's not funny.

On another note, I think what really, REALLY turns me off are the characters. The only character I like is Jason Bateman's character... the rest of them, the second they come on screen, it's like I want to shove an icepick through my temple to relieve the pain. I'm sure that was the point in some way or another, but I can't sit through a show where I absolutely hate, hate, HATE every character I see. The only thing that would make me enjoy watching that - if some total disaster were to instantly kill each and every character instantly.

So what is funny to me?
- A great example is "House." It doesn't try hard to be funny... they hit you with a bit of brilliant sarcastic genius... then move on. They don't dwell on it, they don't make it some elaborate setup for something else. It feels like the best line that you might think about saying in such a situation, it's just that naturally wry, cynical, sarcastic, you name it. That's funny to me.
- MST3K - very, very funny. Again - it depends heavily on that same sort of cynical sarcastic humor, except this time with more pop-culture references.
- Scrubs. Thank goodness it's been syndicated, or I'd have missed it. I love J.D.'s flights of fantasy - but if the whole show were that, it'd be lame, The fact that it's grounded means it remains funny to me.Just because you think you can analyze something doesn't mean you understand it. It's the definition of not getting it. For a simpler example, take the Three Stooges. Either you get them, and they're funny, or you don't, and they're not.

[NoThru22]

To summarize Loadstar's thoughts: House is brilliant, AD sucks. Fantastic!

[Bananfish]

Just because you think you can analyze something doesn't mean you understand it. It's the definition of not getting it. For a simpler example, take the Three Stooges. Either you get them, and they're funny, or you don't, and they're not.

That just strikes me as dead wrong. Being able to analyze something *does* mean you understand it. THAT'S the definition of getting it.

Perhaps you're just being a little sloppy with how you use the term "getting it." The way you are using that phrase above suggests to me that you are saying the only way someone could not think AD is funny is that they don't "understand" the humor. That's akin to George Bush telling you you're wrong to want to get American troops out of Iraq because you don't "get" the situation over there, or Nancy Pelosi telling you you're wrong to want to keep troops in Iraq because you don't "get" the situation over there - it's an argument that can't be refuted because it assumes that if the other person understood the situation, the other person would agree with their point of view. (And it tends to be rather infuriating to the person who's accused of not "getting" it - inherently, the argument means "if you were as smart as me, you would 'get' this").

But two people can understand something, but draw different conclusions (especially with something as subjective as humor). As an extreme example to illustrate my point, my 19 month old daughter thinks certain things (like Elmo) are an absolute hoot. And I perfectly well understand why she thinks that - I can predict which things she will think are a hoot, which proves, I think, that I "get" the humor. But that doesn't mean I think they are a hoot too.

LoadStar "gets" the humor in AD - i.e., he understands why it's supposed to be funny. He just doesn't think it's actually funny. C'est la vie.

[Frank_M]

By the way - I just saw that the "Deal of the Day" at Amazon is all three seasons of Arrested Development on DVD for $33.79!

Makes a great holiday present for those people we're still trying to convert!

[jerobi]

It really is a great price. I picked one up just for the audio commentary tracks. I imagine they'll be pretty good.

Seasons 1-3 of Arrested Development for $33.79 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fgoldbox%2Ffd&tag=niftynews-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325)