Arrested Development: Season 1 (2003)
Okay, after two lackluster movies of the week the last two weeks, I decided to really change it up this week. Think about it for a second, who in their right mind would want to watch Equilibrium? I don't think Christian Bale has even seen the whole movie. Therefore, I shouldn't have subjected anyone to that. I'm sorry guys; I won't let that happen again. Now on to my pick, one that I am fully qualified to recommend.
In 2003 America made a huge mistake. Nearly everyone in the world overlooked Arrested Development, the best series of the 00s decade, and possibly the best show ever. Poor ratings killed the show and the only reason we got the three seasons that we did was because of the critics' universal approval of the show. Luckily for the world, the super power that is Netflix has brought back all of the talent back together for another 15 episode season four that will be released on Sunday, May 26, 2013. In honor of the forthcoming season four, I want to give everyone here at Shawgoes the chance to revisit this amazing TV show before May 26. From the writing, to the acting, to the story, to the narration, to the amazing continuity of the jokes, Arrested Development never fails to deliver.
I'll be honest, I've seen every episode at least 10 times so nothing is off limits if you want to discuss the show. Favorite characters, episodes, quotes, etc are all good talking points.
I've been rewatching the first season this week and I haven't come away disappointed. The episode "Pier Pressure" (s. 1 ep:10) has always been my personal favorite but "Storming the Castle", "Staff Infection", "Best Man for the Gob", and "Whistler's Mother" are all almost as good. Anyone else have a favorite?
ReplyDeleteThis is a little bit off track, but May 2013 will go down as one of the greatest pop culture months of the 2010s decade. This week alone we've got a new Vampire Weekend album (it's amazing), the conclusion of "The Office", Comedy Bang! Bang!: Farts and Procreation 3 (podcast), and "Star Trek Into Darkness." That is unreal. And to think, next week is going to be even more impressive with Fast 6, Hangover III, and Arrested Development Season 4 all being released. It's safe to say it's been a good month.
And I almost forgot! We met the mother on this week's How I Met Your Mother. Unbelievable stuff is going on.
DeleteWhat an excellent television program! The detailed jokes and the way humorous material is constructed in 'Arrested Development' is remarkable to say the least. Take the first episode for example. The way that Tobias ends up on the protest boat and how it is presented is brilliant.
ReplyDeleteI think the universal frustration about this show being canceled says a lot about its value. My question is, do we like this show so much because it left us wanting more? Regardless of the fourth season being good or bad, will negatively effect its cult classic status?
What month it has been and is going to continue to be. These types of months do not come around often so U think it could very well be the biggest pop culture month of this decade. 'The Office' finale reminded me of the finales for both 'Seinfield' and 'Friends', not the episode its self but how big the show had become and how it became a major part of the culture. What would pop culture be like if every month was this way?
In my eyes, Tobias can do anything and it'd be funny. David Cross' career will be defined by his work as Tobias even though he is great comedian and talented improv actor (see Mr. Show). Regarding the joke continuity, check out this page and have your mind blown: Arrested Development Jokes. This is epic and I wish I had thought of it. I'm sure many of these will tie well into season 4 among countless new ones.
ReplyDeleteAs far as my liking the show, I was a fan from Season 1 on and remember watching the final four televised episodes on a Friday night with my dad in the winter of 2006. When the show was initially cancelled, there was a lot of talk that Showtime, or some other cable channel possibly, would pick it up for a fourth season. I honestly checked the web daily for the next six months for any word I could find on if AD would get picked up. Three amazing seasons just weren't enough but I had to move on. Five years later, in fall 2011, word came from on high that AD was coming back and now in 2013 I'm finally getting what I, and so many others, wished for seven years ago.
In my opinion, nothing could negatively affect the classic status of Arrested Development. The way that the inside jokes between fans of the show have permeated into the mainstream American culture shows the depth and staying power of the first run of the series. The quality of the pending fourth season and wherever it goes in the future, can in no affect my love of the series and many others will be in this same boat. The show could be terrible and I'll still be happy just to spend a few more hours in the AD world with the amazing characters that Mitch Hurwitz created.
If every month were like May 2013 I'd get nothing done! Luckily, the pop culture machine cannot sustain this type of pace indefinitely, therefore everything will be okay. For the record, I enjoyed the finale of The Office quite a bit. It may have came a couple of years too late, most fans call the exit of Micheal Scott the true end of the series, but it was always nice to be able to turn on the TV on Thursday night and catch up with my favorite paper salesmen from Scranton, PA.