So Friday was it, if you want to be really negative about it - the end of Arrested Development, at least as we know it. If it comes back, it'll be on another network - ABC or Showtime, the latter being the most likely - and possibly under budget restrictions that may force some significant changes (from a well-founded rumor discussed at unofficial fan-site The OP's message boards.) It's very safe to assume that Fox will finally actually cancel the show now that the ratings are in - the 2.0/3 the first hour achieved is absolutely dismal - even worse than usual - especially against the many, many hours-long snooze-fest that is the Olympics opening ceremonies. Even friggin' Friday Night Smackdown beat Arrested Development. Who knew the show's viewers were pussies and wrestling fans?
But I'm not going to be completely negative here - Showtime is almost definitely interested in AD, and the decision rests in creator Mitch Hurwitz's hands at this point. But even if he decides to end it now - and given the three years of misery he's had to endure to make this show, would you blame him? - the show went out on a very high note with four of the best episodes of the entire stunted third season.
I'm satisfied with the ending - the important loose ends were tied even while leaving some other ones unresolved, and a few possibilities for a continuation were hinted at. So at the moment, I'll choose to simply look at it like Buster's fake coma: the show's "in what we call a light to no coma. In layman’s term, it might be considered a very heavy nap." Sleep well, Arrested Development.
Read more crap like this at Known Johnson.
Edited: [GH]
Article comments
1 - NOT Al Barger
[Entire comment deleted]
2 - Scott
If it's truly gone for good, I will miss it. If it's picked up by Showtime, I'm subscribing to it the next day.
3 - Tom
Scott: I'm guessing Showtime is VERY aware of how many potential new subscribers are thinking the same thing. Count me among them!
Al: I'm really not sure what you're alluding to. Care to clue me in?
4 - NOT Al Barger
[Entire comment deleted]
5 - Chris Beaumont
I love AD, I miss AD, hopefully someone will pick it up and it continues on its course. But please do not crack on Olympics opening ceremonies and wrestling fans.
6 - Tom
Chris: I think I already did crack on them. I stand by it - it was a joke, afterall.
7 - Tom
Um, Al . . . "Poe"? Is this a part of a bigger joke of which I am unaware? Totally lost here. Please, a real clue, Al.
8 - geddy
What is your take on the hint of a movie Tom?
9 - Scott
I think the movie idea was a bit of a red herring, only used to get Arrested Development fans talking that there might be a movie. But I don't see a movie happening in this case.
It may have also been a sort-of slap at Fox and their handling of the show Firefly, which of course spawned the Serenity movie.
Or maybe it was Ron Howard saying that AD could have been a successful movie but, as we all know, wasn't an overly successful TV show.
10 - char
honestly, the first episode of AD i had seen was the season finale and i loved every second of it. I went out and bought season one and i finished it in less than a day. If it doesn't come back for a season four I may as well kill myself. It's just THAT DAMN GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!
11 - Watcher
WTF? I didn't even know it was on because I'm used to it being shown on Mondays.
If they actually wanted people to watch, then it might help not pull this kind of bait and switch crap on the show's fans.
12 - Joe
I love AD and cannot come to grips with the idea that Michael and George Michael in Cabo is the end all be all of AD. I seriously cannot afford Showtime, even though I expect the price to go down if they get AD. I am crossing my fingers that ABC will get it, because they have too many bad shows. According to Jim is one, except that Jim utters a few good lines once in a while and keeps you watching, and Kimberly Williams is too good looking to not be on network primetime. So everybody, please, keep your finger crossed that ABC will pick it up, and I can watch my favorite show. I really want it to continue so we can see how George Sr. uses his freedom, what he does with Bob Loblaw, Stan Sitwell, and Hello (An-nyong), and if Michael will stop calling Ann Veal egg now that George Michael likes Maeby, who is not his cousin.