If you’re an “Arrested Development” fan, you’re probably going bananas as Fox begins airing Monday what could be the last episodes of the quirky cult-favorite.
Despite its darling status among TV critics, the show has struggled with ratings and Fox recently decreased its order for Season 3 episodes. Speculation has been buzzing that the comedy, which pulls in about 4.3 million viewers weekly, will soon be canceled.
But “Arrested Development” could find new life–both on TV and an even smaller screen.
First off, Brian Grazer, one of the show’s executive producers, told CNN Headline News’ “Showbiz Tonight” that he’s hopeful the Emmy-winning comedy will be picked up soon by another network.
“I’m optimistic,” Grazer said last week. Showtime is widely rumored as the network that might pick up the show.
The sitcom’s other avenue of redemption could be the iPod and other gadgets. As TV shows become available on iPods and cell phones, some industry experts are saying that shows that have struggled to stay on the air–like “Arrested Development”–could still be money-makers for the networks in alternative broadcast formats.
Steve Safran, an executive producer at New England Cable News and managing editor of the group blog LostRemote.com, which obsessively tracks new-media developments affecting TV, wrote in a recent blog entry that cancellation could be “the best possible thing that could have happened to ‘Arrested Development.’ “
“No longer shackled by the whim of a fickle network, ‘A.D.’ can take advantage of all the technologies now available for video delivery and make more money,” Safran wrote, listing video on demand, DVD sales and online delivery as just a few options.
Networks are already exploring uncharted territory. On-demand airings of “Law & Order: SVU” are available via satellite. You can get “Lost” downloads on iTunes. You can use your TiVo to put TV episodes on your iPod or gaming device. “The Daily Show” is available on your cell phone. You can stream everything from “Veronica Mars” to “Supernatural” to “Welcome Back, Kotter” onto your computer screen–for free.
Safran doesn’t think Fox will necessarily go this route with “Arrested Development.”
“The fact is, most networks are only starting to figure out how to make money off low-rated but much-loved shows such as “Arrested Development,” he wrote. “It’s going to have to come from the bottom up. Some guerrilla show will get a following online, then the networks will get it.”
It would be a cool development if a show such as “Arrested Development,” which “failed” on the air (while making tons of dough on DVD), could keep going on the Internet, via on-demand, via cell phones, etc. But wouldn’t it be even cooler if the next “Arrested Development” started out in one of those arenas?
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Tune in
Those of you who tune in to “Arrested Development” at 7 p.m. Monday will be treated to another example of the show’s great use of guest stars as Charlize Theron’s daffy Rita (above) and Michael Bluth (Jason Bateman, above) get set for their wedding while their families try to break them up.
Guest relations
Cameos and guest spots running several episodes hasn’t helped “Arrested Development gain a wider audience, but it has made for some great TV moments. Here are a few of them.
[ jimmy greenfield, redeye ]Carl Weathers
Tobias (David Cross) wants to break into acting, so he hires the “Rocky” actor to help him out. Turns out Weathers is the cheapest man alive and is obsessed with getting free meals. He teaches Tobias tricks of the trade, including how to take home half-eaten bones with meat on them. “You take this home, throw it in a pot, add some broth, a potato,” he says. “Baby, you’ve got a stew going.”
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
The “Seinfeld” star played Maggie Lizer, who at first lied about being blind just to garner sympathy with juries. Then she claimed to be pregnant, wearing a prosthetic stomach to convince everyone. None of this stopped Michael (Jason Bateman) from being incredible attracted to her.
Scott Baio
After dumping Henry Winkler’s Barry Zuckerkorn as the family lawyer, the Bluths brought in Scott Baio. In case you haven’t made the connection, they replaced Fonzie with Chachi. While Baio’s performance wasn’t memorable, his character’s name was. Bob Loblaw. Say it fast three times.
Bob Einstein
Einstein, who created “Super Dave Osborne,” plays a man hired to be the video surrogate for George Bluth Sr. (Jeffrey Tambor). He wears a video camera on his head and relays audio from George so the on-the-run Bluth patriarch can communicate with the rest of the family.
Charlize Theron
Turns out Theron’s Rita isn’t a British spy who has fallen for Michael after all. Michael wants to marry her but doesn’t know much about her. Most importantly, he’s failed to notice that she’s mentally challenged.
Others who have done guest turns during “Arrested Development’s” three seasons include:
– Richard Simmons
– Liza Minnelli
– Bob Odenkirk
– Henry Winkler
– Heather Graham
– James Lipton
– Amy Poehler
– Martin Mull
– Ben Stiller (right)
– Andy Richter
– Jeff Garlin
– Martin Short
– Christine Taylor
– Zach Braff
– Dave Thomas
– Jamie Kennedy
– Frankie Muniz
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