“It’s the best show you’re not watching.”
How many times have you heard that and actually made a mental note to watch the TV show in question? Chances are, you never have.
“Arrested Development” is the best show you’re not watching.
How do I know you’re not watching it? I consulted the trusty, all-inclusive encyclopedia of college students’ interests, a.k.a. Facebook, and found a mere 45 members in the “Arrested Development” group. Given that there are at least 5,000 MSU students on Facebook, I am assured that this underappreciated show deserves more praise.
I was introduced to “Arrested Development” this summer by some friends who swore by its genius. I was skeptical. Another trite Fox sitcom, I thought, immediately writing it off in the same category as “Stacked” and “The Bernie Mac Show.” You know, really stellar comedies. Plus “Arrested Development” had received subpar ratings in its first two seasons, nearly being cancelled on more than one occasion.
I failed to remember, though, that many times the overlooked TV shows and movies are the best ones because most popular shows are those that are universally likable, i.e. generic.
The show is superb on every level and incredibly well-crafted. Every actor is so well-suited to his or her part that it’s difficult to tell if the character was written with the actor in mind or the actor was cast with the character in mind. Either way, the writing and casting are flawless. The dialogue is witty and cerebral. The comedy is subdued in many ways, but at times blatant and absurd. It’s visually and intellectually stimulating.
For those of you unfamiliar with the premise, the show centers around Michael Bluth, the only sane member of the hilariously dysfunctional Bluth family, who is forced to stay home and run the family’s real estate business after his father, George Sr., is sent to prison for any number of counts-fraud, treason, making housing deals with Saddam Hussein, etc. The selfless Michael at the same time is trying to do right by his son, George Michael, an over-achiever who runs the family’s frozen banana stand. Michael’s mother, Lucille, is a deliciously callous alcoholic. Michael’s older brother, Gob, is struggling to make it as a magician, and his youngest brother, Buster, is a neurotic mama’s boy. Michael’s twin sister, Lindsey, is a lazy fashionista married to Tobias, a psychologist-turned-actor. They have a rebellious daughter named Maeby, pronounced “maybe.”
It may sound complex, but it’s not, even considering new characters and guest stars who constantly weave in and out of the ongoing plot. None of the cast stands out from the rest as being the star. The relationships within the members of the strange family are perfectly believable, considering how bizarre they are.
Narrated by Ron Howard, the show is shot like a documentary, and the choppy cinematography adds to the trippy realism of the situations in which the characters find themselves. Flashbacks and foreshadowing are utilized subtly and skillfully.
Small details and personality quirks make the characters unique, endearing and far from generic sitcom characters. Gob drives a Segway with his name written on the front. Buster is prone to panic attacks. Tobias is a “never-nude,” which means exactly what it sounds-he wears denim cut-offs under everything and can never be nude.
I fell in love immediately, and after seeing a few episodes rushed out to buy the first season of “Arrested Development” on DVD. I proceeded to force everyone I knew to watch it: friends, boyfriend and parents. Everyone loved it, and everyone is hooked.
In a rare case of credit being given where credit is due, “Arrested Development” has been nominated for 11 Emmys (Sunday night on CBS). The show boasts nominees in the “Best Comedy Series” and “Best Actor in a Comedy” categories, as well as “Best Supporting Actor” and “Best Supporting Actress” nominations. Although, to be fair, I think that each actor deserved a nod. And it’s no mistake that not one, but three episodes of “Arrested Development” are nominated in the “Writing for a Comedy Series” category.
“Arrested Development” is a breath of fresh air for the wide world of sitcoms. I’m only kicking myself for not giving it a chance from the beginning.
The third season of the show premieres Monday at 7 p.m. on Fox. Watch it. You won’t be disappointed.