Damn it. That was my first reaction to reading the news that Arrested Development was being canceled. What were they thinking? What could possibly have been going through their tiny little minds when this decision was made? It is just another reason to give up on network television, in particular, the Fox network. Why does Fox have such a hard time keeping good shows on the air? This isn't the first time Fox has screwed up a show, anyone remember Serenity, Titus, Futurama, Lone Gunmen, Tru Calling, or Wonderfalls? It is becoming a pattern with them.
I guess we should be thankful that we got as much as we did. Granted, the show never pulled in extraordinary ratings, but it has it's fans as much as any show does. The show is well received by critics and fans alike. It needed better promotion and advertising.
Man, I am so upset. I watch a lot of TV, a lot more than a lot of people, and definitely more than I should, but there are some shows that I look forward to every week, without fail. One of those shows I was so dedicated to is Arrested Development.
The current crop of sitcoms is less than endearing, that is why a show as innovative and clever as Arrested Development should cultivated. The show needs time to find its audience, to gain a rhythm. Not every show can be an instant hit like, say, Desperate Housewives. I always stop and think about a show like Seinfeld at moments like these. I generally consider Seinfeld to be one of the greatest sitcoms of all time. Stop for a second and think about the chances that it would have had if it had begun its run this year. Do you think it would have lasted? I don't think so. It really didn't start taking off until a few seasons in. I know I didn't discover it until around season 4.
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Article comments
1 - Matt Paprocki
Why is it Fox's fault? The ratings sucked. They're not going to lose a prime time slot if it has no audience.
2 - Alethinos
First of all - screw anyone who thinks like a typical network exec! That IS the problem with television these days... Had we had shows such as M*A*S*H today they would have been canceled after six episodes...
HOWEVER, Chris, are you saying you've heard that FOX has AGAIN cancelled the show? Becuase it was JUST brought back from last year's grave...
One of the more brilliant shows in ages and people don't watch... Well, it is fast paced, with rapid fire wit and literary references and you're asking a FOX audience to try and keep up...
It needs to go to HBO.
Alethinos
3 - Sterfish
The FOX network is sort of like a Catch-22. They greenlight shows no other (broadcast) network would (every show mentioned in the article), but a lack of promotion and poor scheduling dooms them almost from the start. I'm definitely mad that AD has been cancelled, but I watched every single episode I could precisely because I knew it would be. Here's hoping that either the show moves to another network (maybe FX, Comedy Central, Showtime, or HBO?) or that the people involved bounce back with another great show.
4 - deekay
I'm sad at the news, too, but I think the cancellation would have happened long ago on another network. It's been promoted, applauded, awarded, filled with big-name guest stars. I think its demise has more to do with fewer fans embracing it than it deserves than the network not getting behind it. You can't force people to like a show - it's quirky and complex, and not everyone likes that in a sitcom.
5 - Alethinos
Good points - both Sterfish and Deekay...
Alethinos
6 - Matt Paprocki
they would have been canceled after six episodes
And Fox could have done that. They dealt with, what, two seasons of awful ratings? It had more than enough opportunity.
7 - Scott
Let me echo Chris here, Damn it. That's all I have to say. The funniest and also the best show on TV right down the toilet. And yet pure trash like "The War at Home" is allowed to live? Come on now, Fox.
8 - Tyler Newton
Firefly/Serenity freaks were pissed with how FOX treated Firefly, and I as a freak of legal dramas was pissed at how FOX treated "The Jury," but come on! Fox DID EVERYTHING THEY COULD TO GET PEOPLE TO WATCH AD. THEY CHANGED NIGHTS, they advertised like crazy (with a campaign that basically said "Why are you not watching AD?"), everyone knew it was critically acclaimed, but people still don't like it.
Get over it. I too was one of those who didn't think it was all that great. It's okay, but nothing special (special would be CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM)
Not surprised that FOX finally cancelled a show that nobody watches (and that I think is nothing special)
If it is so great, it will find another home. If it's not, it will die the death it deserves (yes, shows that NOBODY watches should die)...
9 - Karen McGill
How has FOX supported this show? It keeps taking it out of its time slot to show other things, it hasn't been on for two weeks! This is not supporting a show this is kicking it when its down.