Arrested Development

{{Short description|American television sitcom}}

{{about|the television show|the medical term|Arrested development|other uses|Arrested development (disambiguation)|}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}

{{Infobox television

| image = Arrested Development.svg

| image_size = 250

| image_alt = The words "Arrested Development" in red and black lettering

| genre = {{Plainlist|

  • Sitcom
  • Absurdist humor{{Cite web |last=Leston |first=Ryan |title=The Black Comedy That Inspired The Russo Brothers' Arrested Development Run |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/929373/the-black-comedy-that-inspired-the-russo-brothers-arrested-development-run/ |website=/Film |date=July 17, 2022 |access-date=January 29, 2023 |archive-date=January 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129074736/https://www.slashfilm.com/929373/the-black-comedy-that-inspired-the-russo-brothers-arrested-development-run/ |url-status=live }}
  • Black comedy{{Cite web |last=Leston |first=Ryan |title=The Black Comedy That Inspired The Russo Brothers' Arrested Development Run |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/929373/the-black-comedy-that-inspired-the-russo-brothers-arrested-development-run/ |website=/Film |date=July 17, 2022 |access-date=May 22, 2024 |archive-date=January 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129074736/https://www.slashfilm.com/929373/the-black-comedy-that-inspired-the-russo-brothers-arrested-development-run/ |url-status=live }}
  • Comedy verite{{cite web |last1=Madison |first1=David |title=Comedy Vérité: Arrested Development and the Docusoap Form |url=http://www.forbes5.pitt.edu/article/comedy-v-rit |website=University of Pittsburgh |access-date=January 31, 2025}}
  • Cringe comedy{{Cite web |last1=Moore |first1=Harry |title=The 10 Best Cringe Comedy Series |url=https://collider.com/best-cringe-comedy-tv-show/ |website=Collider |date=January 3, 2023 |access-date=May 20, 2025 }}

}}

| camera = Single-camera

| runtime = {{Plainlist|

  • 22 minutes (seasons 1–3)
  • 23–48 minutes (seasons 4–5)

}}

| creator = Mitchell Hurwitz

| showrunner = Mitchell Hurwitz

| executive_producer = {{Plainlist|

}}

| producer = {{Plainlist|

}}

| starring = {{Plainlist|

}}

| music = David Schwartz

| narrated = Ron Howard

| country = United States

| language = English

| company = {{Plainlist|

}}

| network = Fox

| network2 = Netflix

| first_aired = {{Start date|2003|11|2}}

| last_aired = {{End date|2006|2|10}}

| first_aired2 = {{Start date|2013|5|26}}

| last_aired2 = {{End date|2019|3|15}}

| num_seasons = 5

| num_episodes = 84

| list_episodes = List of Arrested Development episodes

}}

Arrested Development is an American satirical television sitcom created by Mitchell Hurwitz. It follows the Bluths, a formerly wealthy, dysfunctional family and is presented in a serialized format, incorporating handheld camera work, voice-over narration, archival photos and historical footage, and maintains numerous running gags and catchphrases. Ron Howard served as both an executive producer and the omniscient narrator and, in later seasons, appears in the show as a fictionalized version of himself. Set in Newport Beach, California, the series was filmed primarily in Culver City and Marina del Rey.{{cite web |url=http://blogs.ocweekly.com/stickaforkinit/2013/05/bluth_banana_stand_tour.php |title=Sign the Petition to Bring Bluth's Original Frozen Banana Stand "Home:" Update |website=OC Weekly |first=Matt |last=Coker |date=May 15, 2013 |access-date=June 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907074547/http://blogs.ocweekly.com/stickaforkinit/2013/05/bluth_banana_stand_tour.php |archive-date=September 7, 2014 |url-status=dead }}

Arrested Development received critical acclaim. It won six Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award, and attracted a cult following.{{cite web |url=http://www.tv.com/news/three-times-the-arrested-development-5534/ |title=Three times the Arrested Development |last=Mahan |first=Colin |publisher=TV.com |date=March 26, 2007 |access-date=July 29, 2007 |archive-date=April 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421161717/http://www.tv.com/news/three-times-the-arrested-development-5534/ |url-status=live }} It has been widely regarded as one of the greatest TV shows of all time.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-lists/best-tv-shows-of-all-time-1234598313/arrested-development-7-1234598967/ |title=The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time |magazine=Rolling Stone |first=Alan |last=Sepinwall |date=September 26, 2022 |access-date=November 1, 2022 |archive-date=November 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101052814/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-lists/best-tv-shows-of-all-time-1234598313/arrested-development-7-1234598967 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://entertainment.time.com/2007/09/06/the-100-best-tv-shows-of-all-time/slide/arrested-development-2/#arrested-development-2|title=All-Time 100 TV Shows|last=Poniewozik|first=James|date=September 6, 2007|magazine=Time |access-date=March 4, 2020 |author-link=James Poniewozik|archive-date=October 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010150120/http://entertainment.time.com/2007/09/06/the-100-best-tv-shows-of-all-time/slide/arrested-development-2/#arrested-development-2|url-status=dead}}{{cite magazine |title=The New Classics: TV |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2007/06/18/new-classics-tv |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=February 5, 2012 |date=June 18, 2007 |archive-date=July 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716041112/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20207339%2C00.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-tv-shows/14 |title=IGN's Top 100 TV Shows of All Time |publisher=IGN |date=August 24, 2011 |access-date=June 8, 2012 |archive-date=January 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170122164958/http://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-tv-shows/14 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.wga.org/writers-room/101-best-lists/101-best-written-tv-series/list|title=101 Best Written TV Series|website=Writers Guild of America West|date=June 2, 2013|access-date=May 13, 2023|archive-date=April 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200429170702/https://www.wga.org/writers-room/101-best-lists/101-best-written-tv-series/list|url-status=live}} It influenced later single-camera comedy series such as 30 Rock and Community.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2011/oct/04/arrested-development-defining-sitcom |title=Arrested Development: the defining sitcom of our times |last=Donaghy |first=James |website=The Guardian |date=October 4, 2011 |access-date=January 23, 2015 |archive-date=April 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421135743/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2011/oct/04/arrested-development-defining-sitcom |url-status=live }}

Despite the positive critical response, Arrested Development received low ratings and viewership on Fox, who canceled the series in 2006. In 2011, Netflix licensed new episodes and distributed them on its streaming service.{{Cite magazine |url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/11/18/arrested-development-netflix/ |title='Arrested Development' officially back! Revived series coming to Netflix |last=Hibberd |first=James |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=November 18, 2011 |access-date=February 29, 2012 |archive-date=February 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212122125/http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/11/18/arrested-development-netflix/ |url-status=live }} These episodes were released in May 2013.{{cite news |last=Itzkoff |first=Dave |title=New 'Arrested Development' Season Coming to Netflix on May 26 |url=http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/04/new-arrested-development-season-coming-to-netflix-on-may-26/ |access-date=April 4, 2013 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=April 4, 2013 |archive-date=April 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130407024033/http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/04/new-arrested-development-season-coming-to-netflix-on-may-26/ |url-status=live }} Netflix commissioned a fifth season of Arrested Development, the first half of which premiered in May 2018, and the second half in March 2019.{{cite news |last=Birnbaum |first=Debra |title=Jeffrey Tambor to Appear in Arrested Development Season 5 |url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/jeffrey-tambor-arrested-development-season-5-netflix-1202798529/ |access-date=May 5, 2018 |work=Variety |date=May 4, 2018 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001333/https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/jeffrey-tambor-arrested-development-season-5-netflix-1202798529/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://tvline.com/2017/05/17/arrested-development-renewed-season-5-at-netflix-premiere-2018/ |title=Arrested Development Officially Renewed for Season 5 at Netflix |first=Michael |last=Ausiello |author-link=Michael Ausiello |website=TVLine |access-date=May 17, 2017 |date=May 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001342/https://tvline.com/2017/05/17/arrested-development-renewed-season-5-at-netflix-premiere-2018/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/tv/2018/5/7/17326992/arrested-development-season-5-release-date-trailer-netflix |title=Netflix's first Arrested Development season 5 trailer is all callbacks |first=Allegra |last=Frank |date=May 7, 2018 |access-date=May 7, 2018 |website=Polygon |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001308/https://www.polygon.com/tv/2018/5/7/17326992/arrested-development-season-5-release-date-trailer-netflix |url-status=live }} The show was due to be removed from Netflix in March 2023 but will remain on the service after a deal was reached over the streaming rights.{{cite web |last1=Adalian |first1=Josef |title=Arrested Development Is Staying on Netflix After All |url=https://www.vulture.com/2023/03/arrested-development-netflix-streaming.html |website=Vulture |publisher=Vox Media |access-date=May 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207121141/https://www.vulture.com/2023/03/arrested-development-netflix-streaming.html |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |date=March 24, 2023 |url-status=live}}

Production

= Conception =

Discussion that led to the creation of the series began in the summer of 2002. Ron Howard had the original idea to create a comedy series in the style of handheld cameras and reality television, but with an elaborate, highly comical script resulting from repeated rewritings and rehearsals. Howard met with David Nevins, the president of Imagine Television, Katie O'Connell, a senior vice president, and two writers, including Mitchell Hurwitz. In light of recent corporate accounting scandals, such as Enron and Adelphia, Hurwitz suggested a story about a "riches to rags" family. Howard and Imagine were interested in using this idea, and signed Hurwitz to write the show. The idea was pitched and sold in Q3 2002. There was a bidding war for the show between Fox and NBC, with the show ultimately selling to Fox as a put pilot with a six-figure penalty.{{cite book |last=Lotz |first=Amanda |title=The Television Will Be Revolutionized |year=2007 |publisher=NYU Press |isbn=978-0-8147-5232-6 |page=[https://archive.org/details/televisionwillbe0000lotz/page/231 231] |url=https://archive.org/details/televisionwillbe0000lotz|url-access=registration }}

Over the next few months, Hurwitz developed the characters and plot for the series. The script of the pilot episode was submitted in January 2003 and filmed in March 2003. It was submitted in late April to Fox and was added to the network's fall schedule that May.{{cite web |url=http://the-op.com/view/article.php?sect=2900&a=37 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604010723/http://the-op.com/view/article.php?sect=2900&a=37 |archive-date=June 4, 2011 |title=Interview: Katie O'Connell |publisher=Balboa Observer-Picayune |date=November 24, 2005 |url-status=usurped |access-date=June 15, 2012}}

= Casting =

{{Main|List of Arrested Development cast members}}

Alia Shawkat was the first cast in the series. Michael Cera, Tony Hale, and Jessica Walter were cast from video tapes and flown in to audition for Fox. Jason Bateman and Portia de Rossi both read and auditioned for the network and were immediately chosen. The character of Gob was the most challenging to cast. When Will Arnett auditioned, he played the character "like a guy who thought of himself as the chosen son, even though it was obvious to everyone else that he was the least favorite"; he was chosen immediately for his portrayal. The characters of Tobias and George Sr. were originally going to have minor roles, but David Cross and Jeffrey Tambor's portrayals mixed well with the rest of the characters, and they were given more significant parts. Howard provided the narration for the initial pilot, and his narrating meshed so well with the tone of the program that the decision was made to keep his voice.{{cite video |url=http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/ron-howard |title=Ron Howard Interview |publisher=Archive of American Television |time=12:56 |access-date=June 15, 2012 |archive-date=May 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512165550/http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/ron-howard |url-status=live }} Howard aided in the casting of "Lucille 2"; the producers told him that their dream actress for the role was Liza Minnelli but that they assumed no one of her stature would take the part.{{cite video |url=http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/ron-howard |title=Ron Howard Interview |publisher=Archive of American Television |time=14:31 |access-date=June 15, 2012 |archive-date=May 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512165550/http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/ron-howard |url-status=live }} She agreed when Ron Howard asked her himself, because they were old friends; she had been his babysitter when she was a teenager.(2004-08-20). "Friends in high places", London Evening Standard, p. 13.

= Filming techniques =

Arrested Development uses several elements that were rare at the time for American live-action sitcoms. It was shot on location and in HD video (at 24 frames per second) with multiple cameras, parodying tactics often employed in documentary film and reality television, straying from the "fixed-set, studio audience, laugh track" style long dominant in comedy production.{{cite book |last=Lotz |first=Amanda D. |title=The Television Will Be Revolutionized |year=2007 |publisher=NYU Press |pages=[https://archive.org/details/televisionwillbe0000lotz/page/232 232]–33 |url=https://archive.org/details/televisionwillbe0000lotz |url-access=registration |isbn=978-0-8147-5232-6}} The show makes heavy use of cutaway gags, supplementing the narrative with visual punchlines like security camera footage, Bluth family photos, website screenshots, archive films, and flashbacks. An omniscient third-person narrator (producer Ron Howard) ties together the multiple plot threads running through each episode, while humorously undercutting and commenting on the characters.{{cite book |last=Mittell |first=Jason |title="Previously On: Prime Time Serials and the Mechanics of Memory", Intermediality and Storytelling |year=2010 |publisher=Walter de Gruyter |page=86 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lYUYCe-4neMC&pg=PA86 |isbn=978-3-11-023773-3}} Arrested Development developed self-referentiality through use of in-jokes that evolved over multiple episodes, which rewarded longtime viewership (and in turn may have discouraged new viewers and contributed to the show's ratings difficulties).

Because of scheduling conflicts,{{Cite news |last=Heritage |first=Stuart |date=March 15, 2019 |title='A lumbering zombie': Arrested Development bows out on a low |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/mar/15/arrested-development-bows-out-on-a-low-lumbering-zombie-netflix |access-date=March 26, 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web |last=Northrup |first=Ryan |date=February 8, 2022 |title=Will Arnett Reflects On Arrested Development Season 4 & 5 Fan Backlash |url=https://screenrant.com/arrested-development-season-4-5-backlash-will-arnett/ |access-date=March 26, 2024 |website=Screen Rant |language=en |archive-date=December 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212184715/http://screenrant.com/arrested-development-season-4-5-backlash-will-arnett/ |url-status=live }} the fourth season used a different format with longer episodes focusing on one character.{{Cite magazine |last=Franich |first=Darren |date=May 7, 2018 |title=The 'Arrested Development' remix is impressive, but pointless: EW review |url=https://ew.com/tv/2018/05/07/arrested-development-season-4-remix-review/ |access-date=March 26, 2024 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |language=en |archive-date=March 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326175826/https://ew.com/tv/2018/05/07/arrested-development-season-4-remix-review/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Matar |first=Joe |date=May 7, 2018 |title=Arrested Development Season 4 Remix Review: Fateful Consequences |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/arrested-development-season-4-remix-review-fateful-consequences/ |access-date=March 26, 2024 |website=Den of Geek |language=en-US |archive-date=March 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326175826/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/arrested-development-season-4-remix-review-fateful-consequences/ |url-status=live }} The season was later re-edited to be more in line with the format of the other seasons.{{Cite web |last=Petski |first=Denise |date=May 1, 2018 |title='Arrested Development' Season 4 Is Getting A Remix |url=https://deadline.com/2018/05/arrested-development-season-4-remix-release-mitch-hurwitz-1202380474/ |access-date=March 26, 2024 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=March 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326175826/https://deadline.com/2018/05/arrested-development-season-4-remix-release-mitch-hurwitz-1202380474/ |url-status=live }}

= Cancellation and revival =

File:The Cast of Arrested Development does the Chicken Dance.jpg

During the series' third season in 2006, despite months-long rumors of Arrested Development having been picked up by the cable television network Showtime,{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2006/scene/markets-festivals/hurwitz-takes-a-hike-1117940467/ |title=Hurwitz takes a hike |last=Adalian |first=Josef |work=Variety |date=March 26, 2007 |access-date=July 29, 2007 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001312/https://variety.com/2006/scene/markets-festivals/hurwitz-takes-a-hike-1117940467/ |url-status=live }} creator Hurwitz declined to move the show to another network.{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/R-I-P-Arrested-Development-critics-fave-2500890.php |work=San Francisco Chronicle |title=R.I.P., Arrested Development |access-date=March 28, 2006 |first=Tim |last=Goodman |date=March 27, 2006 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001431/https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/R-I-P-Arrested-Development-critics-fave-2500890.php |url-status=live }} Hurwitz said, "I had taken it as far as I felt I could as a series. I told the story I wanted to tell, and we were getting to a point where I think a lot of the actors were ready to move on."{{cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2006/03/31/why-daddy-let-arrested-development-die |title='Development' Hell |last=Snierson |first=Dan |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=March 30, 2006 |access-date=October 26, 2007 |archive-date=September 13, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070913102701/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1178690,00.html |url-status=live }} He said that he was "more worried about letting down the fans in terms of the quality of the show dropping" than he was about disappointing fans by not giving them more episodes. He also said, "If there's a way to continue this in a form that's not weekly episodic series television, I'd be up for it".

After the series cancellation, Fox Entertainment Group sold the initial 53-episode run for syndication. In a first for its kind, the syndication involved a three-year deal with Microsoft's nascent internet video streaming service MSN Video (now Bing Video) before the series would go on to cable channel G4.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/arrested-development-in-internet-syndication-deal-1.584189 |title=Arrested Development in internet syndication deal |website=CBC.ca |date=July 27, 2006 |access-date=January 15, 2023 |archive-date=January 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115033346/https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/arrested-development-in-internet-syndication-deal-1.584189 |url-status=live }}

On October 2, 2011, the cast of Arrested Development reunited for a panel at The New Yorker Festival in New York.{{cite magazine |url=https://video.newyorker.com/watch/arrested-development-a-bluth-reunion |title="Arrested Development": A Bluth Reunion |magazine=The New Yorker |date=May 1, 2013 |access-date=May 30, 2018 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001355/https://www.newyorker.com/video/watch/arrested-development-a-bluth-reunion |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna44597451 |title='Arrested Development' cast will reunite for festival |publisher=TODAY.com |first=Kimberly |last=Potts |date=September 20, 2011 |access-date=September 26, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926214742/http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/44597451/ns/today-entertainment/t/arrested-development-cast-will-reunite-festival/ |archive-date=September 26, 2011 |url-status=live }} At the panel, Hurwitz declared his intention of producing a truncated fourth season as a lead-in to a film adaptation.{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/10/03/a-new-season-of-arrested-development |title=A New Season of Arrested Development?! |last=Goldman |first=Eric |publisher=IGN |date=October 2, 2011 |access-date=October 2, 2011 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001452/https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/10/03/a-new-season-of-arrested-development |url-status=live }}

Six years after the series had been canceled by Fox, filming for a fourth season began on August 7, 2012.{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/07/arrested-development-jason-bateman-photo_n_1752807.html |title='Arrested Development': Jason Bateman Tweets First Photo From Filming |work=The Huffington Post |date=August 7, 2012 |access-date=August 7, 2012 |first=Chris |last=Harnick |archive-date=August 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811142138/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/07/arrested-development-jason-bateman-photo_n_1752807.html |url-status=live }} Fifteen episodes of the show's revival season were released simultaneously on Netflix on May 26, 2013. Although it received generally favorable reviews,{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/arrested-development/season-4/ |title=Arrested Development: Season 4 |website=Metacritic |access-date=July 21, 2024 }} it was far less well-received than prior seasons, leading Netflix to re-edit the season in 2018. Netflix confirmed on May 17, 2017,{{cite web |last=Sandberg |first=Bryn Elise |date=May 17, 2017 |title='Arrested Development' Officially Renewed for Season 5 at Netflix |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/arrested-development-officially-renewed-season-5-at-netflix-1004529 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517173227/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/arrested-development-officially-renewed-season-5-at-netflix-1004529 |archive-date=May 17, 2017 |accessdate=May 17, 2017 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}} that a fifth season was expected to be released on its service in 2018, with filming taking place from August 2017 to November 2017.{{cite web |last=Elavsky |first=Cindy |date=August 20, 2017 |title=Celebrity Extra |url=http://naples.floridaweekly.com/news/2017-08-10/Arts_%28and%29_Entertainment_News/Good_news_about_Good_Behavior.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824012828/http://naples.floridaweekly.com/news/2017-08-10/Arts_%28and%29_Entertainment_News/Good_news_about_Good_Behavior.html |archive-date=August 24, 2017 |accessdate=August 23, 2017 |publisher=King Features}}{{cite web |last=Roberts |first=Katie |date=November 16, 2017 |title=Alia Shawkat Says 'Arrested Development' Season 5 Is Done, Will Still Feature the Border Wall |url=https://www.moviefone.com/2017/11/16/alia-shawkat-arrested-development-season-5-done-border-wall/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219090348/https://www.moviefone.com/2017/11/16/alia-shawkat-arrested-development-season-5-done-border-wall/ |archive-date=February 19, 2018 |accessdate=February 18, 2018 |website=Moviefone}} Arrested Development was set to be removed from Netflix on March 15, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Staff |date=February 13, 2023 |title=Netflix Removing 'Arrested Development' |url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/netflix-removing-arrested-development-original-seasons-1235521721/ |access-date=March 26, 2024 |website=Variety Australia |language=en-AU |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629115210/https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/netflix-removing-arrested-development-original-seasons-1235521721/ |url-status=live }} However, after a last-minute deal, Netflix retained the streaming rights.{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=J. Clara |date=March 24, 2023 |title='Arrested Development': Netflix Gains Exclusive Streaming Rights to All Seasons |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/arrested-development-netflix-streaming-rights-1235360608/ |access-date=March 26, 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=March 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326175826/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/arrested-development-netflix-streaming-rights-1235360608/ |url-status=live }}

Characters

= Main characters =

{{Main|List of Arrested Development characters}}

File:Arrested Development cast promo photo.jpg.|From left to right: Gob, George Sr., Lindsay, Tobias, Michael, Lucille, George Michael, Maeby, and Buster]]

The plot of Arrested Development revolves around the members of the Bluth family, a formerly wealthy family who continue to lead extravagant lifestyles despite their changed circumstances.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,535755,00.html |title=Arrested Development Review |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |first=Carina |last=Chocano |date=November 7, 2003 |access-date=June 15, 2012 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001436/https://ew.com/article/2003/11/07/arrested-development-3/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2007/09/28/17-most-awkward-moments-tv-history |title=Awkward TV Nation |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=February 22, 2008 |date=September 28, 2007 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001346/https://ew.com/article/2007/09/28/17-most-awkward-moments-tv-history/ |url-status=live }} At the center of the show is Michael Bluth (Jason Bateman), the show's straight man, who strives to do the right thing and keep his family together, despite their materialism, selfishness, and manipulative natures. Michael is a widowed single father.{{cite web |url=http://tv.msn.com/tv/series/arrested-development/ |title=Arrested Development |publisher=MSN TV |access-date=June 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609010730/http://tv.msn.com/tv/series/arrested-development/ |archive-date=June 9, 2012 |url-status=dead }} His teenage son, George Michael (Michael Cera), has the same qualities of decency but feels a constant pressure to live up to his father's expectations and is often reluctant to follow his father's plans. He battles with a crush he has on cousin Mae "Maeby" Fünke (Alia Shawkat), which developed from a kiss she gave him as part of a prank.

Michael's father, George Bluth Sr. (Jeffrey Tambor), is the patriarch of the family and a corrupt real estate developer who is arrested in the first episode. George goes to considerable lengths to manipulate and control his family in spite of his imprisonment, and makes numerous efforts to evade justice.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1008472,00.html |title=Arrested Development Review |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |first=Gillian |last=Flynn |date=December 20, 2004 |access-date=June 15, 2012 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001320/https://ew.com/article/2004/12/20/arrested-development-4/ |url-status=dead }} His wife, and Michael's mother, Lucille (Jessica Walter), is ruthlessly manipulative, materialistic, and hypercritical of every member of her family, and constantly drinks alcohol. Her grip is tightest on her youngest son, Byron "Buster" Bluth (Tony Hale), who is overeducated on various random subjects but lacks emotional intelligence or common sense. Buster is also a mother's boy who has dependency issues and is prone to panic attacks.

Michael's older brother is George Oscar Bluth II (Will Arnett), known by the acronym Gob, which is pronounced in the series like the Biblical figure Job ({{IPAc-en|dʒ|oʊ|b}}). An unsuccessful professional magician whose business and personal schemes usually fail or become tiresome and are quickly abandoned, Gob is competitive with Michael and bullies Buster. Michael's twin sister, Lindsay (Portia de Rossi), is spoiled and materialistic, continually seeking to be the center of attention and espousing various social causes for the sake of vanity.{{cite web |last=Murray |first=Noel |date=June 1, 2011 |title=Extended Pilot/Top Banana |url=https://www.avclub.com/arrested-development-extended-pilot-top-banana-1798168461 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001413/https://tv.avclub.com/arrested-development-extended-pilot-top-banana-1798168461 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |access-date=June 17, 2012 |website=The A.V. Club}} In the finale, it is revealed that she and Lucille are sisters.{{Cite web |last=Owen |first=Aled |date=September 19, 2023 |title='Arrested Development' Bluth Family Tree Explained |url=https://collider.com/arrested-development-bluth-family-tree/ |access-date=March 26, 2024 |website=Collider |language=en |archive-date=September 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928235620/https://collider.com/arrested-development-bluth-family-tree/ |url-status=live }} She is married to Tobias Fünke (David Cross), a discredited psychiatrist-turned-aspiring actor. Tobias is a self-diagnosed "never-nude" (a disorder comparable to gymnophobia), whose language and behavior have heavily homosexual overtones to which he seems oblivious and which are the center of much tongue-in-cheek comedy throughout the series.{{cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/arrested-development-my-mother-the-car-in-god-we-tr-1798168654 |title=My Mother The Car/In God We Trust |website=The A.V. Club |first=Noel |last=Murray |date=June 22, 2011 |access-date=June 17, 2012 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001314/https://tv.avclub.com/arrested-development-my-mother-the-car-in-god-we-tr-1798168654 |url-status=live }} Their daughter, Maeby, is a rebellious teen with an opportunistic streak, who seeks to defy her parents for the sake of attention, and otherwise pursues boys and power, and furthers her complicated relationship with George Michael.

= Recurring cast =

File:HenryWinklerAug08.jpg portrays incompetent lawyer Barry Zuckerkorn.]]

Numerous other characters appear in recurring roles.{{cite web |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/arrested-development/cast/100042 |title=Arrested Development: Cast & Details |website=TV Guide |access-date=August 1, 2012 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001445/https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/arrested-development/cast/100042/ |url-status=live }}

  • Jeffrey Tambor as Oscar Bluth, George Sr.'s identical twin brother, a lethargic ex-hippie seeking the affection of Lucille.{{cite news |last=Poniewozik |first=James |title=Television: The Great Wit Hope |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,995514,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312152843/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,995514,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 12, 2007 |access-date=October 21, 2012 |date=November 1, 2004 |magazine=Time}}
  • Henry Winkler as Barry Zuckerkorn, the family's lawyer, an incompetent sexual deviant who often hinders the family's legal battles rather than helping them. He is eventually replaced by Bob Loblaw (Scott Baio). (The actor's son Max Winkler portrays Barry in flashbacks)
  • Liza Minnelli as Lucille Austero, AKA "Lucille 2", Lucille's "best friend and chief social rival" as well as a sometimes-love-interest of Buster and Gob.{{cite web |url=http://www.ibtimes.com/arrested-development-5-characters-we-cant-wait-watch-again-320919 |title=Arrested Development: 5 Characters We Can't Wait to Watch Again |last=Talty |first=John |website=International Business Times |date=October 3, 2011 |access-date=October 21, 2012 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001352/https://www.ibtimes.com/arrested-development-5-characters-we-cant-wait-watch-again-320919 |url-status=live }} The character was killed off in the fifth season.{{Cite magazine |last=Romano |first=Nick |date=March 2, 2018 |title=Ron Howard is 'back at the mic' narrating 'Arrested Development' season 5 |url=https://ew.com/tv/2018/03/02/arrested-development-season-5-ron-howard-narration/ |access-date=March 26, 2024 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |language=en |archive-date=March 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326175827/https://ew.com/tv/2018/03/02/arrested-development-season-5-ron-howard-narration/ |url-status=live }}
  • Justin Grant Wade as Steve Holt, a high school super-senior and football star at the high school George Michael and Maeby attend, and later discovered to be Gob's son.{{cite web |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/304287/arrested-development-fans-save-steve-holt |title=Arrested Development Fans: Save Steve Holt |last=Grossberg |first=Josh |publisher=E! |date=March 27, 2012 |access-date=August 1, 2012 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001436/https://www.eonline.com/news/304287/arrested-development-fans-save-steve-holt |url-status=live }}
  • Carl Weathers as a fictional parody of himself, Tobias' frugal acting coach.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20585795_21144694,00.html#21144694 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114075931/http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0%2C%2C20585795_21144694%2C00.html |archive-date=November 14, 2012 |title=Perfect Casting: 30 Stars on Screen as Themselves |author1=Busis, Hillary |author2=Ward, Kate |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=April 13, 2012 |access-date=August 1, 2012 |url-status=dead }}
  • John Beard as a fictional version of himself, a news anchor reporting on the characters' antics.{{cite web |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/arrested-development-john-beard-1066288/ |title=Meet Arrested Development's Unlikely Star: Newscaster John Beard |first=Michael |last=Schneider |website=TV Guide |date=June 5, 2013 |access-date=June 7, 2018 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001317/https://www.tvguide.com/news/arrested-development-john-beard-1066288/ |url-status=live }}
  • Mae Whitman as Ann Veal, George-Michael's stern Christian girlfriend, often forgotten or disparaged by Michael. (Ann was first played by Alessandra Torresani.)
  • Patricia Velasquez as Marta Estrella, Gob's girlfriend who eventually reciprocates Michael's infatuation with her and ends up causing conflict between the two brothers. (Marta was first played by Leonor Varela){{cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/the-darrin-effect-20-jarring-cases-of-recast-roles-1798214427 |title=The Darrin Effect: 20 jarring cases of recast roles |website=The A.V. Club |date=July 14, 2008 |access-date=August 1, 2012 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001325/https://www.avclub.com/the-darrin-effect-20-jarring-cases-of-recast-roles-1798214427 |url-status=live }}
  • Steve Ryan as J. Walter Weatherman, a former employee of George Sr. who appears in flashbacks, in which he helps teach lessons to George Sr's children, by participating in staged accidents where he would "lose" his (prosthetic) arm.
  • Charlize Theron as Rita Leeds, an intellectually disabled British woman whom Michael becomes infatuated with, not recognizing her disability.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1158373,00.html |title=Best of Bluth |author=Snierson, Dan |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=February 10, 2006 |access-date=August 1, 2012 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001325/https://ew.com/article/2006/02/10/best-arrested-development/ |url-status=dead }}
  • Judy Greer as Kitty Sanchez, George Sr's manipulative assistant, lover, and partner-in-crime.{{cite web |url=http://crushable.com/entertainment/judy-greer-birthday-kitty-sanchez-arrested-development-say-goodbye-to-these-929/ |title=Judy Greer's Best Moments As Kitty Sanchez on Arrested Development |author=Zutter, Natalie |publisher=Crushable |date=July 20, 2012 |access-date=August 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920012700/http://crushable.com/entertainment/judy-greer-birthday-kitty-sanchez-arrested-development-say-goodbye-to-these-929/ |archive-date=September 20, 2012 |url-status=dead }}
  • Ed Begley, Jr. as Stan Sitwell, the owner of Sitwell Enterprises, a rival company to the Bluth Company.{{cite web |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=iIlIAAAAIBAJ&pg=3526,535264 |title=Time May Be Running out for 'Arrested Development' |author=Owen, Rob |website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=February 11, 2005 |access-date=August 1, 2012 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001358/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=iIlIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=FXEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3526%2C535264 |url-status=live }}
  • Christine Taylor as Sally Sitwell, Stan Sitwell's daughter and a long-standing love interest for Michael.{{cite web |url=https://www.mcall.com/2013/05/25/actress-christine-taylor-loved-getting-arrested-again/ |title=Actress Christine Taylor loved getting 'Arrested' again |website=The Morning Call |first=Amy |last=Longsdorf |date=May 25, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2014 |archive-date=September 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913061942/http://articles.mcall.com/2013-05-25/entertainment/mc-christine-taylor-arrested-development-20130525_1_episodes-zoolander-michael-cera |url-status=live }}
  • Justin Lee as Annyong, the adopted Korean son of Lucille and George Sr.{{cite web |url=http://www.hyphenmagazine.com/blog/archive/2012/05/actor-justin-lee-and-one-warm-night |author=Yue, Victoria |title=Actor Justin Lee and 'One Warm Night' |website=Hyphen |date=May 9, 2012 |access-date=August 1, 2012 |archive-date=July 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120718100611/http://www.hyphenmagazine.com/blog/archive/2012/05/actor-justin-lee-and-one-warm-night |url-status=live }}
  • Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Maggie Lizer, an attorney and compulsive liar who has a recurring relationship with Michael.{{cite news |last=Idato |first=Michael |title=Arrested Development |url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/tv-reviews/arrested-development/2006/02/08/1139074268513.html |access-date=October 6, 2012 |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=February 9, 2006 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001412/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/arrested-development-20060209-gdmxhz.html |url-status=live }}
  • Rob Corddry as Moses Taylor, the star of the fictional TV show Wrench! and a noted gun rights activist.{{cite web |url=http://flavorwire.com/392982/20-arrested-development-supporting-characters-wed-like-to-see-again/view-all |title=20 Peripheral 'Arrested Development' Characters We'd Like to See in Season 4 |first=Jason |last=Bailey |work=Flavorwire |date=May 22, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2014 |archive-date=September 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913032228/http://flavorwire.com/392982/20-arrested-development-supporting-characters-wed-like-to-see-again/view-all |url-status=live }}
  • Ben Stiller as Tony Wonder, a magician and Gob's chief rival, well known for baking himself into a loaf of bread to feed the troops.{{cite magazine |url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/02/26/arrested-development-ben-stiller/ |title=Ben Stiller to guest on 'Arrested Development' – Exclusive |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |first=Dan |last=Snierson |date=February 26, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001329/https://ew.com/article/2013/02/26/arrested-development-ben-stiller/ |url-status=live }}
  • Amy Poehler as Gob's unnamed and frequently forgotten wife, who married Gob as the final in a long line of escalating dares.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/lists/arrested-development-the-funniest-running-jokes-20130523/gobs-dare-marriage-19691231 |title='Arrested Development': The Funniest Running Jokes |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=May 23, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2014 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001351/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-lists/arrested-development-the-funniest-running-jokes-48542/gobs-dare-marriage-43111/ |url-status=live }}
  • Jane Lynch as Cindi Lightballoon, a government mole who tries to gather incriminating information from an incarcerated George Sr. but ends up falling in love with him instead.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20433079_20860693,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221025847/http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0%2C%2C20433079_20860693%2C00.html |archive-date=December 21, 2014 |title=Jane Lynch: 10 Cool Characters |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |first=Margaret |last=Lyons |date=October 8, 2010 |access-date=September 13, 2014 |url-status=dead }}
  • Ron Howard as a fictionalized version of himself, a movie producer who offers to adapt the Bluths’ lives into a movie.{{Cite magazine |last=Barrett |first=Annie |date=May 25, 2013 |title=New 'Arrested Development': EW's huge, tiny Season 4 recap |url=https://ew.com/article/2013/05/25/new-arrested-development-episodes-recap/ |access-date=March 26, 2024 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |language=en}}
  • Isla Fisher as Rebel Alley, Ron Howard's fictional daughter and love interest of both Michael and George Michael.{{Cite web |date=May 29, 2018 |title=The Celebrity Cameos In 'Arrested Development' Season 5 Part 1 Include New Faces, Returning Favorites & A Famous Hollywood Family |url=https://www.bustle.com/p/the-celebrity-cameos-in-arrested-development-season-5-part-1-include-new-faces-returning-favorites-a-famous-hollywood-family-9214059 |access-date=March 26, 2024 |website=Bustle |language=en |archive-date=March 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326175827/https://www.bustle.com/p/the-celebrity-cameos-in-arrested-development-season-5-part-1-include-new-faces-returning-favorites-a-famous-hollywood-family-9214059 |url-status=live }}

Episodes

{{Main|List of Arrested Development episodes}}

{{:List of Arrested Development episodes}}

= Season 1 (2003–04) =

{{Main|Arrested Development season 1}}

George Bluth Sr., patriarch of the wealthy Bluth family, is the founder and former CEO of the successful Bluth Company which markets and builds mini-mansions among many other activities. His son Michael serves as manager of the company, and, after being passed over for a promotion, decides to leave both the company and his family. Just as he makes this decision, however, George Sr. is arrested by the Securities and Exchange Commission for defrauding investors and gross spending of the company's money for "personal expenses". His wife Lucille becomes CEO, and immediately names as the new president her extremely sheltered youngest son Buster, who proves ill-equipped, as his only experience with business is a class he took concerning 18th century agrarian business. Furious at being passed over again, Michael secures another job with a rival company and plans on leaving his family behind for good. Realizing that they need Michael, the family asks him to come back and run the company, which Michael scoffs at until he sees how much the family means to his teenaged son George Michael. To keep the family together, Michael asks his self-centered twin sister Lindsay, her husband Tobias and their daughter Maeby to live together in the Bluth model home with him and George Michael.{{cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/arrested-development-extended-pilot-top-banana-1798168461 |title=Extended Pilot/Top Banana |website=The A.V. Club |last=Murray |first=Noel |date=June 1, 2011 |access-date=July 29, 2012 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001329/https://tv.avclub.com/arrested-development-extended-pilot-top-banana-1798168461 |url-status=live }}

Throughout the first season, different characters struggle to change their identities. Buster works to escape from his mother's control by bonding with brothers Michael and Gob as well as with love interest Lucille Austero, Lucille Bluth's neighbor and chief social rival.{{cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/arrested-development-visiting-ours-charity-drive-1798168592 |title=Visiting Ours/Charity Drive |website=The A.V. Club |last=Murray |first=Noel |date=June 15, 2011 |access-date=July 29, 2012 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001400/https://tv.avclub.com/arrested-development-visiting-ours-charity-drive-1798168592 |url-status=live }} George Michael nurses a forbidden crush on his cousin Maeby, while continually trying to meet his father's expectations. Lindsay's husband Tobias searches for work as an actor, with the aid of Carl Weathers.{{cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/arrested-development-public-relations-marta-complex-1798168819 |title=Public Relations/Marta Complex |website=The A.V. Club |last=Murray |first=Noel |date=July 6, 2011 |access-date=July 29, 2012 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001451/https://tv.avclub.com/arrested-development-public-relations-marta-complex-1798168819 |url-status=live }} Michael falls in love with his screw-up older brother Gob's neglected girlfriend Marta, and is torn between being with her and putting "family first". After seeing Michael physically fight with Gob, Marta realizes that they do not share the same family values and she leaves them both.{{cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/articles/beef-consommeshock-and-aww,59124/ |title=Beef Consommé/Shock and Aww |website=The A.V. Club |last=Murray |first=Noel |date=July 20, 2011 |access-date=July 29, 2012 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001342/https://tv.avclub.com/arrested-development-beef-consomme-shock-and-aww-1798168971 |url-status=dead }} To spite Buster, Lucille adopts a Korean son whom she calls "Annyong" after she mistakes the Korean word for "hello" as his name. Through an escalating series of dares, Gob marries a woman he just met, played by Will Arnett's then real-life wife Amy Poehler, but cannot get an annulment because he refuses to admit that he did not consummate the marriage.{{cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/articles/best-man-for-the-gobwhistlers-mother,60533/ |title=Best Man for the Gob/Whistler's Mother |website=The A.V. Club |last=Murray |first=Noel |date=August 17, 2011 |access-date=July 29, 2012 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001338/https://tv.avclub.com/arrested-development-best-man-for-the-gob-whistler-1798169299 |url-status=dead }} Kitty, George Sr.'s former assistant and mistress, tries to blackmail the company. She is caught in the Bluth family yacht's explosion, as used in one of Gob's magic acts, but survives with a cooler full of damning evidence labeled "H Maddas".{{cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/arrested-development-staff-infection-missing-kitty-1798169059 |title=Staff Infection/Missing Kitty |website=The A.V. Club |last=Murray |first=Noel |date=July 27, 2011 |access-date=July 29, 2012 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001406/https://tv.avclub.com/arrested-development-staff-infection-missing-kitty-1798169059 |url-status=live }} After previous failed attempts, and a brief religious stint in Judaism, George Sr. finally escapes from prison by faking a heart attack. It is also revealed that George Sr. committed "light treason" by using the company to build mini-palaces for Saddam Hussein in Iraq.{{cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/articles/not-without-my-daughterlet-em-eat-cake,60740/ |title=Not Without My Daughter/Let 'Em Eat Cake |website=The A.V. Club |last=Murray |first=Noel |date=August 24, 2011 |access-date=July 29, 2012 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001422/https://tv.avclub.com/arrested-development-not-without-my-daughter-let-e-1798169367 |url-status=dead }}

= Season 2 (2004–05) =

{{Main|Arrested Development season 2}}

Because of his father's latest prison break deception (a faked heart attack), Michael decides to leave his family and move to Phoenix, Arizona with George Michael but discovers that he cannot leave the state due to the Bluth Company being under investigation and him having to go to jail as a replacement for his father. Lucille appoints Gob the new Bluth Company president, but since Gob proves utterly incompetent, the position's real duties revert to Michael. During the rest of the season Gob serves as figurehead president; Michael is still under scrutiny for George Sr.'s illegal activity.{{cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/arrested-development-the-one-where-michael-leaves-t-1798173078 |title=The One Where Michael Leaves/The One Where They Build a House |website=The A.V. Club |last=Murray |first=Noel |date=June 6, 2012 |access-date=July 29, 2012 |archive-date=November 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105155631/http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-one-where-michael-leavesthe-one-where-they-bui,75790/ |url-status=live }}

George Sr. is not, in fact, gone. After faking his death in Mexico by paying off the cops, George Sr. returns to the family model home, where George Michael discovers him hiding in the attic.{{cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/arrested-development-amigos-good-grief-1798173176 |title=¡Amigos!/Good Grief |website=The A.V. Club |last=Murray |first=Noel |date=June 13, 2012 |access-date=July 29, 2012 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001401/https://tv.avclub.com/arrested-development-amigos-good-grief-1798173176 |url-status=live }} To protect his son from legal implications, Michael hides George Sr. in Gob's prop Aztec Tomb, orchestrates a diversion, and tells the family that George Sr. has escaped once more. Throughout the rest of the season, Michael sneaks George Sr. provisions, and George Sr. keeps tabs on the Bluth family through the ventilation system. George Sr. also faces an onslaught from the outside world; the press begins looking for him in Iraq, fumigators surround the house while he's still in the attic, and Kitty returns to steal a sample of his semen to make her own Bluth baby.

Buster meanwhile joins the army, but escapes serving in Iraq when his hand is bitten off by a loose seal (a play on "Lucille") Gob had mistakenly trained to develop a taste for mammal flesh. Buster is refitted with a sharp hook, which he copes with poorly and often brandishes dangerously in social situations.{{cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/arrested-development-out-on-a-limb-hand-to-god-1798173612 |title=Out on a Limb/Hand to God |website=The A.V. Club |last=Murray |first=Noel |date=July 25, 2012 |access-date=July 29, 2012 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001410/https://tv.avclub.com/arrested-development-out-on-a-limb-hand-to-god-1798173612 |url-status=live }} During Buster's long psychological recovery, he bonds with George Sr.'s stoner twin brother Oscar, who moves in with Lucille in an attempt to rekindle a past love affair. Uncle Oscar slowly reveals himself as Buster's presumptive biological father. Eventually, George Sr. takes revenge on the adulterous Oscar and Lucille by kidnapping Oscar, knocking him unconscious, exchanging appearances with him, and sending him to prison in his place.{{cite episode |title=Righteous Brothers |season=2 |number=18 |airdate=April 17, 2005 |series=Arrested Development |network=Fox}}

Lindsay and Tobias continue their disastrous open relationship. Lindsay tries—but fails—to secure a lover, while Tobias paints himself blue each night in a futile attempt to join the Blue Man Group.{{cite episode |title=Afternoon Delight |season=2 |number=6 |airdate=December 19, 2004 |series=Arrested Development |network=Fox}} When Lindsay kicks him out of the house, Tobias disguises himself as a singing British nanny named "Mrs. Featherbottom" (an idea he gets from the film Mrs. Doubtfire) so he can watch over his daughter Maeby. The family sees right through this incompetent disguise, but they humor Tobias since—in the guise of Mrs. Featherbottom—he does their chores.{{cite episode |title=The Immaculate Election |season=2 |number=14 |airdate=March 20, 2005 |series=Arrested Development |network=Fox}}

George Michael begins dating a deeply religious girl, Ann Veal, who encourages him to smash pop music CDs and to run for student body president against perennial favorite Steve Holt. Michael dislikes her and tries to disrupt the kids' relationship, most notably by breaking up Ann and George Michael's pre-engagement.{{cite episode |title=Meet the Veals |season=2 |number=15 |airdate=April 3, 2005 |series=Arrested Development |network=Fox}} Meanwhile, Maeby cons her way into an after school job as a film studio executive. When Maeby's studio remakes "Les Cousins Dangereux", George Michael abandons Ann to pursue his crush on Maeby. Maeby herself realises she has feelings for George Michael in light of his relationship, and the two kiss while the living room of the model home collapses.

= Season 3 (2005–06) =

{{Main|Arrested Development season 3}}

Michael again searches for his runaway father, George Sr. Gob receives an invitation to a father/son reunion outing, and believes it to be George Sr. trying to contact him. In reality, the invitation was meant to reunite Gob with Steve Holt, son of Eve Holt, a girl Gob slept with in high school. Meanwhile, George Michael and Maeby deal with their previous kiss by avoiding each other.{{cite episode |title=The Cabin Show |season=3 |number=1 |airdate=September 19, 2005 |series=Arrested Development |network=Fox}}

In an attempt to remain in disguise, George Sr. joins the Blue Man Group. Michael discovers this and arranges to have his father placed under house arrest.{{cite episode |title=For British Eyes Only |season=3 |number=2 |airdate=September 26, 2005 |series=Arrested Development |network=Fox}} George Sr. claims that he was set up by an underground British group. Michael goes to Wee Britain, a fictional British-themed city district, to investigate, and in the process meets a new love interest, Rita Leeds (Charlize Theron). Michael and the audience are led to believe that Rita is a mole for the underground British group, working for a man named "Mr. F".{{cite episode |title=Mr. F |season=3 |number=5 |airdate=November 7, 2005 |series=Arrested Development |network=Fox}} However, love-struck Michael proposes to her, and the couple run off to wed. Finally, it is revealed that Rita is actually an "MRF", or "mentally retarded female". Despite Rita's "condition", the family pushes him to go forward with the marriage because Rita is wealthy and they want her money. Michael is not persuaded and gently ends the relationship just as he and Rita are about to walk down the aisle.{{cite episode |title=The Ocean Walker |season=3 |number=6 |airdate=December 5, 2005 |series=Arrested Development |network=Fox}} Meanwhile, Tobias and Lindsay seek legal help from Bob Loblaw (Scott Baio) concerning their troubled marriage.

With the family's retainer used up because of Lindsay's and Tobias's advances, Bob Loblaw chooses to no longer represent the Bluth family. Attorney Jan Eagleman offers to represent the family, on the condition that they participate in a mock trial in a new reality courtroom show called "Mock Trial with J. Reinhold". Musical accompaniment for the show's theme song and perceived jokes from testifying witnesses is provided by "William Hung And His Hung Jury". Michael uses an illegal threat from prosecutor Wayne Jarvis to have the mock case "dismissed". Gob and Franklin briefly appear in another courtroom show presided over by Bud Cort. Meanwhile, Maeby and George Michael perform a mock wedding for Alzheimer's patients that is accidentally conducted by a real priest; the two become legally married.{{cite episode |title=Fakin' It |season=3 |number=10 |airdate=February 10, 2006 |series=Arrested Development |network=Fox}}

The family members are afraid to testify at the mock trial and at the real deposition; Buster fakes a coma, Lindsay and Lucille fake entering rehab, and Gob flees the country to perform in a USO Tour in Iraq. The deceptions are all uncovered by the prosecution, and in Iraq Gob is arrested for inadvertently inciting an anti-US riot. Buster and Michael travel to Iraq to rescue Gob, and while there, uncover evidence that the mini-palaces George Sr. built in Iraq were actually ordered and paid for by the CIA for wiretapping purposes. After this discovery, the US government drops all of the charges against George Sr. In the general confusion, everyone except George Michael forgets Maeby's sixteenth birthday.{{cite episode |title=Exit Strategy |season=3 |number=12 |series=Arrested Development |airdate=February 10, 2006 |network=Fox}}

To celebrate their victory in Iraq, the Bluths throw a shareholders' party on the {{RMS|Queen Mary}}. During preparation for the party, it is revealed that Lindsay was adopted, meaning that George Michael and Maeby are not blood relatives. At the party, the Bluth's other adopted child, Annyong, reappears. He reveals that he is there to avenge the Bluth family's theft of his grandfather's frozen banana idea and the cause of his subsequent deportation, an event orchestrated many years earlier by Lucille Bluth. Annyong has turned over evidence implicating Lucille in the Bluth Company's accounting scandals. Before the police arrive, Michael and George Michael flee on Gob's yacht, The C-Word, and depart to Cabo with half a million dollars in cashier's checks, finally leaving the family to fend for themselves. However, it is revealed in the epilogue that George Sr. is also on the yacht, having lured his brother Oscar into taking his place once again. Also in the epilogue, Maeby tries to sell the television rights to the story of the Bluth family to Ron Howard, who tells her that he sees it as a movie rather than a series.{{cite episode |title=Development Arrested |season=3 |number=13 |airdate=February 10, 2006 |series=Arrested Development |network=Fox}}

= Season 4 (2013) =

{{Main|Arrested Development season 4}}

Filming for a fourth season to be released on Netflix began on August 7, 2012, more than six years after the series had been canceled by Fox. The season consists of 15 new episodes, all debuting at the same time on Netflix on May 26, 2013, in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Latin America, and the Nordic countries.{{cite press release |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2013/04/04/netflix-to-launch-new-season-of-arrested-development-on-may-26-83302/20130404netflix01/ |title=Netflix to Launch New Season of 'Arrested Development' on May 26 |publisher=Netflix |date=April 4, 2013 |access-date=April 5, 2013 |archive-date=June 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130615221614/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2013/04/04/netflix-to-launch-new-season-of-arrested-development-on-may-26-83302/20130404netflix01/ |url-status=live }} Several actors who had recurring roles in the original series returned to reprise their roles, including Carl Weathers as himself, Henry Winkler as Barry Zuckerkorn, Ben Stiller as Tony Wonder, Mae Whitman as Ann Veal, Scott Baio as Bob Loblaw, Judy Greer as Kitty Sanchez, and Liza Minnelli as Lucille Austero; while new characters are played by Debra Mooney, John Slattery, Tommy Tune, Terry Crews, Isla Fisher and John Krasinski.{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/31/arrested-development-scott-baio-season-4_n_1847644.html |title='Arrested Development': Scott Baio Joins Season 4 |work=The Huffington Post |first=Chris |last=Harnick |date=August 31, 2012 |access-date=September 9, 2012 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001441/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/arrested-development-scott-baio-season-4_n_1847644 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.tvguide.com/News/Liza-Minnelli-Arrested-Development-1052798.aspx |title=Keck's Exclusives: Liza Minnelli Gets Arrested! |website=TV Guide |first=William |last=Keck |date=September 8, 2012 |access-date=September 9, 2012 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001410/https://www.tvguide.com/news/liza-minnelli-arrested-development-1052798/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/11/arrested-development-mae-whitman_n_1873340.html |title='Arrested Development': Mae Whitman 'Definitely' Making Appearance |work=The Huffington Post |first=Leigh |last=Weingus |date=September 11, 2012 |access-date=September 16, 2012 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001344/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/arrested-development-mae-whitman_n_1873340 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a406122/arrested-development-isla-fisher-terry-crews-for-season-four.html |title='Arrested Development': Isla Fisher, Terry Crews for season four |website=Digital Spy |first=Greg |last=Laing |date=September 14, 2012 |access-date=October 4, 2012 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001352/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a406122/arrested-development-isla-fisher-terry-crews-for-season-four/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=O'Neal |first=Sean |title=Yep, Ben Stiller is also returning to Arrested Development |url=https://www.avclub.com/yep-ben-stiller-is-also-returning-to-arrested-developm-1798236576 |access-date=February 27, 2013 |work=The A.V. Club |date=February 27, 2013 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001434/https://news.avclub.com/yep-ben-stiller-is-also-returning-to-arrested-developm-1798236576 |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/04/29/arrested-development-john-krasinski/ |title='Office' star John Krasinski to appear on 'Arrested Development' – Exclusive |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |first=Sneirson |last=Dan |date=April 29, 2013 |access-date=April 29, 2020 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001346/https://ew.com/article/2013/04/29/arrested-development-john-krasinski/ |url-status=live }} Kristen Wiig and Seth Rogen appear as Lucille and George Sr., respectively, in flashbacks.

All episodes of the season occur over approximately the same stretch of time, but each focuses on a different character. Information on events depicted in a given episode is often partial and filled in during a later episode.{{cite news |title=A Family Streamed Back to Life |work=The New York Times |last=Hale |first=Mike |date=May 26, 2013 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/27/arts/television/arrested-development-on-netflixcom.html |access-date=May 27, 2013 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001427/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/27/arts/television/arrested-development-on-netflixcom.html |url-status=live }}

Creator Mitch Hurwitz created a recut of season four called Arrested Development Season 4 Remix: Fateful Consequences, in which the season's story is presented in chronological order. The recut consists of 22 episodes and was released May 3, 2018, on Netflix.{{Cite web |url=https://www.thewrap.com/arrested-development-season-4-remix-fateful-consequences-premieres-netflix/ |title=Arrested Development' Season 4 Remix Lands on Netflix the Day Before Cinco de Cuatro |last=Maas |first=Jennifer |date=May 3, 2018 |website=TheWrap |access-date=May 3, 2018 |archive-date=May 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504015255/https://www.thewrap.com/arrested-development-season-4-remix-fateful-consequences-premieres-netflix/ |url-status=live }}

= Season 5 (2018–19) =

{{Main|Arrested Development season 5}}

The fifth season revolves around the mystery of who killed Lucille Austero with the lead suspect being Buster.

Netflix confirmed on May 17, 2017, that a fifth season featuring the full cast had been ordered.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/arrested-development-officially-renewed-season-5-at-netflix-1004529 |title='Arrested Development' Officially Renewed for Season 5 at Netflix |first=Bryn Elise |last=Sandberg |date=May 17, 2017 |access-date=May 17, 2017 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=May 17, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517173227/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/arrested-development-officially-renewed-season-5-at-netflix-1004529 |url-status=live }} The fifth season includes 16 episodes; the first eight were released on May 29, 2018, and the remaining eight episodes premiered on March 15, 2019.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/07/arts/television/arrested-development-will-return-may-29.html |title='Arrested Development' Will Return May 29 |first=Jeremy |last=Egner |date=May 7, 2018 |access-date=May 7, 2018 |website=The New York Times |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001343/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/07/arts/television/arrested-development-will-return-may-29.html |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/tv/2018/05/16/arrested-development-season-5-split/ |title=Arrested Development season 5 will be split in half |first=Dan |last=Snierson |date=May 16, 2018 |access-date=May 16, 2018 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-date=May 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516222551/http://ew.com/tv/2018/05/16/arrested-development-season-5-split/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Ryan |date=February 19, 2019 |title=Arrested Development Season 5B Premiere Date Set at Netflix |url=https://tvline.com/2019/02/19/arrested-development-season-5b-premiere-date-2019-netflix/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190219212537/https://tvline.com/2019/02/19/arrested-development-season-5b-premiere-date-2019-netflix/ |archive-date=February 19, 2019 |access-date=February 19, 2019 |website=TVLine}}

Reception

= Television ratings =

The show, while critically acclaimed, did not gain a sizable audience. According to the Nielsen ratings system, the show's first season was the 120th most popular show among households and the 88th among viewers aged 18 to 49, averaging 6.2 million viewers.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/01/arts/television-can-this-man-save-the-sitcom.html |title=Television; Can This Man Save the Sitcom? |work=The New York Times |first=Ari |last=Posner |date=August 1, 2004 |access-date=December 15, 2011 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001353/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/01/arts/television-can-this-man-save-the-sitcom.html |url-status=live }}

U.S. ratings in the second season averaged about six million viewers, while the third season averaged about four million viewers.{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Die-hard-Arrested-Development-fans-already-2595181.php |title=Die-hard Arrested Development fans already feeling sting of loss |access-date=November 23, 2005 |work=The San Francisco Chronicle |first=Tim |last=Goodman |date=November 14, 2005 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001419/https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Die-hard-Arrested-Development-fans-already-2595181.php |url-status=live }} Fox announced that it would halt the production of the second season at eighteen episodes—four episodes short of the planned season.{{cite web |url=https://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/arrested-development-2005 |title=Arrested Development PopMatters Television Review |website=PopMatters |date=May 2, 2005 |access-date=July 16, 2010 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001427/https://www.popmatters.com/arrested-development-2005-2496237188.html |url-status=live }}

For the third season, Fox positioned the show on Mondays at 8:00 p.m. ET.{{cite press release |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2005/07/11/fox-announces-fall-premiere-dates-for-the-2005-2006-season-18692/20050711fox01/ |title=FOX Announces Fall Premiere Dates for the 2005–2006 Season |publisher=Fox |date=July 11, 2005 |access-date=June 15, 2012}} Ratings dropped further than previous seasons.{{cite magazine |url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2005/11/11/rip_arrested_de/ |title=R.I.P. 'Arrested Development' |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |first=Michael |last=Slezak |date=November 11, 2005 |access-date=June 15, 2012 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001418/https://ew.com/article/2005/11/11/rip_arrested_de/ |url-status=live }} On November 9, 2005, Fox announced that the show would not be airing in November sweeps, and that they had cut the episode order for the third season from 22 to 13. Fox ended up showing the last four episodes in a two-hour timeslot—directly opposite the opening ceremonies of the 2006 Winter Olympics.{{cite news |url=http://blog.seattlepi.com/tv/2006/01/13/this-just-in-arrested-development-season-series-finale-scheduled-against-olympics-opening-ceremony/ |title=This just in: 'Arrested Development' season (series?) finale scheduled...against Olympics opening ceremony |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |first=Melanie |last=McFarland |date=January 13, 2006 |access-date=June 15, 2012 |archive-date=July 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714170728/http://blog.seattlepi.com/tv/2006/01/13/this-just-in-arrested-development-season-series-finale-scheduled-against-olympics-opening-ceremony/ |url-status=live }} The series finale episode received 3.43 million viewers.{{cite web |publisher=ABC Medianet |date=February 14, 2006 |url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=021406_04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150311231306/http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=021406_04 |archive-date=March 11, 2015 |title=Weekly Program Rankings |access-date=August 31, 2012}}

= Critical response =

== Original run ==

Throughout its original run, Arrested Development received critical acclaim. It is widely regarded as one of the defining shows of the 2000s and has been praised by many critics as one of the greatest comedies of all time.{{cite web |url=http://www.aoltv.com/2009/12/07/feature-page-20-11/ |title=Best TV Shows of the 2000s (20–11) |publisher=AOL TV |first=Kim |last=Potts |date=December 7, 2009 |access-date=August 4, 2011 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001414/http://www.aoltv.com/2009/12/07/feature-page-20-11/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.empireonline.com/50greatesttv/default.asp?tv=18 |title=The 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time |website=Empire |access-date=August 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014114047/http://www.empireonline.com/50greatesttv/default.asp?tv=18 |archive-date=October 14, 2013}} In 2007, the show was listed as one of Time magazine's "100 Best TV Shows of All-Time".

Tim Stack of Entertainment Weekly praised the series, saying "Is it beating a dead horse to once again state that this underappreciated gem is the best sitcom on TV? Too bad. Arrested Development is the best sitcom on TV!"{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Movies/10/12/ew.dvd.sisterhood/index.html?_s=PM:SHOWBIZ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924053714/http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Movies/10/12/ew.dvd.sisterhood/index.html?_s=PM%3ASHOWBIZ |archive-date=September 24, 2014 |title=EW DVD review: 'Sisterhood' charming, uplifting |date=October 12, 2005 |access-date=November 21, 2005 |publisher=CNN |url-status=dead }}

David Bianculli from the New York Daily News stated "If you're not watching this series on Fox, the least you can do is buy it on DVD. You'll love it, and it's such a dense show (in the best sense of the word) that it rewards repeated viewing. Like Scrubs and the British version of The Office, it is the sort of show that truly deserves to be seen uninterrupted, several episodes at a time, for maximum enjoyment. The laughs-per-minute quotient here is insanely high, making it great value as a home library purchase."{{cite news |url=http://articles.nydailynews.com/2005-11-07/entertainment/18306930_1_complete-second-season-disks-complete-series |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120730151616/http://articles.nydailynews.com/2005-11-07/entertainment/18306930_1_complete-second-season-disks-complete-series |archive-date=July 30, 2012 |work=Daily News |location=New York |first=David |last=Bianculli |title=Box sets that make great gifts |date=November 7, 2005 |access-date=November 21, 2005}}

Alison Powell of The Guardian said "As Hollywood agents worry about the demise of the town's lowing cash cow, the multi-camera, staged sitcom, here to save the day is Arrested Development, a farce of such blazing wit and originality, that it must surely usher in a new era in comedy."{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2005/mar/12/comedy.television |title=A family affair |work=The Guardian |access-date=November 24, 2005 |date=March 12, 2005 |first=Alison |last=Powell |location=London |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001439/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2005/mar/12/comedy.television |url-status=live }}

Gillian Flynn of Entertainment Weekly named Arrested Development the best television show of 2005 and said in her review that "As oddball as Arrested is, it's also humane. A flawless cast—from Will Arnett's breathy, bombastic Gob to Jessica Walter's boozy Lucille—grounds it, aided by Ron Howard's affable narration. The center of sensibility is good son Michael (Jason Bateman) and his even better son, George Michael (Michael Cera). Bateman and Cera give the best reacts around—the former all weary exasperation, the latter adorably bunny-stunned. Together, they're the sweetest, awkwardest straight men on the smartest, most shockingly funny series on TV ... which is likely canceled, despite six Emmy wins. It's a perversion not even the Bluths deserve."{{cite magazine |title=2005's best (and worst) TV |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |issue=856–857 |date=December 30, 2005 |author=Flynn, Gillian}} In 2012, Entertainment Weekly listed the show at No. 2 in the "25 Best Cult TV Shows from the Past 25 Years", praising its "fast, delirious, interlocking jokes that don't pander to the masses; winky gags (e.g. fake preview scenes for the following week's episode); and a cast of absurd characters"."25 Best Cult TV Shows from the Past 25 Years". Entertainment Weekly. August 3, 2012, p. 37. In 2013, the Writers Guild of America ranked it No. 16 on their list of the 101 Best Written TV Series.

== Revival ==

The 2018–2019 revival of the show was met with critical disappointment.{{Cite web |last=James |first=Emily St |date=May 29, 2018 |title=Arrested Development season 5 tries to go back to the way things were, with mixed results |url=https://www.vox.com/culture/2018/5/29/17402856/arrested-development-season-5-review-netflix |access-date=March 26, 2024 |website=Vox |language=en |archive-date=March 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326200100/https://www.vox.com/culture/2018/5/29/17402856/arrested-development-season-5-review-netflix |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Philip |first=Tom |date=March 14, 2019 |title=Review: 'Arrested Development' Meets Its Fitting (Probable) End |url=https://www.gq.com/story/review-arrested-development-final-season |access-date=March 26, 2024 |website=GQ |language=en-US |archive-date=March 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326200101/https://www.gq.com/story/review-arrested-development-final-season |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |last=Darren |first=Franich |date=March 15, 2019 |title='Arrested Development' season 5, part 2 review: The show must not go on |url=https://ew.com/tv-reviews/2019/03/15/arrested-development-review-season-5-part-2/ |access-date=March 26, 2024 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |language=en |archive-date=March 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326175827/https://ew.com/tv-reviews/2019/03/15/arrested-development-review-season-5-part-2/ |url-status=live }}

= Accolades =

{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Arrested Development}}

In 2004, the first season received seven Emmy Award nominations with five wins. It won for Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series, Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series, Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series and Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series, for the pilot episode written by Mitchell Hurwitz and directed by brothers Anthony and Joe Russo. Jeffrey Tambor was nominated that year for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.{{cite web |url=http://www.emmys.com/shows/arrested-development |title=Arrested Development |publisher=Emmys.com |access-date=June 15, 2012 |archive-date=February 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130210041822/http://www.emmys.com/shows/arrested-development |url-status=live }}

In 2005, the second season received eleven Emmy nominations in seven categories with one win. Notable nominations included Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (Jason Bateman), Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (Jeffrey Tambor), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (Jessica Walter) as well as three nominations for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series, in which it won for "Righteous Brothers", written by Mitchell Hurwitz and Jim Vallely.

In 2006, the third season received four Emmy nominations, for Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (Will Arnett), Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series and Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for the series finale "Development Arrested".

In 2013, the fourth season received three Emmy nominations, for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series (Jason Bateman), Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score) and Outstanding Single-camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series.

Other awards include:

  • The 2004 TV Land Award for "Future Classic", the first recognition the series received. The award presentation is included on the season one DVD release.{{cite video |title=Arrested Development: Season One – TV Land Awards: The Future Classic Award |publisher=20th Century Fox |medium=DVD |date=October 19, 2004}}
  • The 2004 Television Critics Association Awards for Outstanding Comedy and Outstanding New Program, and the 2005 award for Outstanding Achievement in Comedy.{{cite web |url=http://tvcritics.org/2004/07/17/2004-tca-awards-winners/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729030437/http://tvcritics.org/2004/07/17/2004-tca-awards-winners/ |archive-date=July 29, 2012 |title=2004 TCA Awards winners |publisher=Television Critics Association |date=July 17, 2004 |access-date=June 15, 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://tvcritics.org/2005/07/23/2005-tca-awards-winners/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030200015/http://tvcritics.org/2005/07/23/2005-tca-awards-winners/ |archive-date=October 30, 2013 |title=2005 TCA Awards winners |publisher=Television Critics Association |date=July 23, 2005 |access-date=June 15, 2012}}
  • The 2005 Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy for Jason Bateman.{{cite web |url=http://www.wga.org/awards/awardssub.aspx?id=1517 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117005721/http://www.wga.org/awards/awardssub.aspx?id=1517 |archive-date=January 17, 2013 |title=The 62nd Annual Golden Globe Awards (2005) |publisher=GoldenGlobes.com |access-date=October 21, 2012}}
  • The 2004 Writers Guild of America Award for Episodic Comedy, for the episode "Pier Pressure", written by Mitchell Hurwitz and Jim Vallely.{{cite web |url=http://www.wga.org/awards/awardssub.aspx?id=1517 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117005721/http://www.wga.org/awards/awardssub.aspx?id=1517 |archive-date=January 17, 2013 |title=Writers Guild Awards |publisher=Writers Guild of America |access-date=June 15, 2012}}
  • The 2004 Satellite Award for Best Television Series – Comedy or Musical, along with Jeffrey Tambor and Jessica Walter for Best Performance by an Actor and Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series – Comedy or Musical.{{cite web |url=http://www.pressacademy.com/satawards/awards2004.shtml |title=2004 8th Annual SATELLITE™ Awards |publisher=International Press Academy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718092645/http://www.pressacademy.com/satawards/awards2004.shtml |archive-date=July 18, 2011 |access-date=June 17, 2012}} In 2005, Jason Bateman and Portia de Rossi won for Best Actor and Actress in a Series – Comedy or Musical.{{cite web |url=http://www.pressacademy.com/satawards/awards2005a.shtml |title=2005-A* 9th Annual SATELLITE™ Awards – January 2005 |publisher=International Press Academy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718092001/http://www.pressacademy.com/satawards/awards2005a.shtml |archive-date=July 18, 2011 |access-date=June 17, 2012}} Jason Bateman also won the same award the following ceremony.{{cite web |url=http://www.pressacademy.com/satawards/awards2005b.shtml |title=2005-B* 10th Annual SATELLITE™ Awards – December 2005 |publisher=International Press Academy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718092336/http://www.pressacademy.com/satawards/awards2005b.shtml |archive-date=July 18, 2011 |access-date=June 17, 2012}}
  • The 2005 Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) – Supporting Young Actress for Alia Shawkat.{{cite web |url=http://www.youngartistawards.org/noms26.htm |title=26th Annual Young Artist Awards |publisher=Young Artist Awards |access-date=June 17, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716011338/http://youngartistawards.org/noms26.htm |archive-date=July 16, 2015 }}

Controversies

= Lawsuit =

In November 2003, the producers of the show were sued by the hip hop group Arrested Development over the alleged use of their name.{{cite web |url=http://www.minyanville.com/special-features/articles/Arrested-development-arrested-development-lawsuit-david/10/6/2010/id/30376 |title=Name Games: Arrested Development vs. Arrested Development |publisher=Minyanville |first=Matthew |last=Mallon |date=October 6, 2010 |access-date=June 15, 2012 |archive-date=October 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101009132125/http://www.minyanville.com/special-features/articles/Arrested-development-arrested-development-lawsuit-david/10/6/2010/id/30376 |url-status=live }} Rapper Speech from the group said "The use of our name by Fox is not only confusing to the public, but also has the potential to significantly dilute what the 'Arrested Development' name means to our fans". The lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed sum. This incident was alluded to in the episode "Motherboy XXX". The narrator claims the show is "legally required to make a distinction" between the "Motherboy" event happening in the episode and a band called "Motherboy".

=Tambor's misconduct=

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in May 2018, Tambor apologized for actions that led to sexual misconduct accusations against him by co-workers on the TV show Transparent,{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/jeffrey-tambor-says-hes-leaving-transparent-harassment-claims-1059104|date=November 19, 2017|first1=Lesley|last1=Goldberg|first2=Jackie|last2=Strause|title=Jeffrey Tambor Says He's Leaving 'Transparent' Amid Harassment Claims|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=May 25, 2018|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201080832/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/jeffrey-tambor-says-hes-leaving-transparent-harassment-claims-1059104|url-status=live}} and mentioned one "blowup" he had with co-star Jessica Walter during production of Arrested Development.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/lines-got-blurred-jeffrey-tambor-an-up-close-look-at-harassment-claims-transparent-1108939 |title="Lines Got Blurred": Jeffrey Tambor and an Up-Close Look at Harassment Claims on 'Transparent' |first=Seth |last=Abramovitch |date=May 7, 2018 |access-date=May 25, 2018 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001413/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/lines-got-blurred-jeffrey-tambor-an-up-close-look-at-harassment-claims-transparent-1108939 |url-status=live }} Walter was asked about the incident during a cast interview with The New York Times. She became emotional, stating that "in almost 60 years of working, I've never had anybody yell at me like that on a set and it's hard to deal with, but I'm over it now ... [Tambor] never crossed the line on our show, with any, you know, sexual whatever. Verbally, yes, he harassed me, but he did apologize. I have to let it go."{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/23/arts/television/arrested-development-netflix-interview-jeffrey-tambor.html|title='Arrested Development. We Sat Down with the Cast. It Got Raw|last=Deb|first=Sopan|date=May 23, 2018|website=The New York Times|access-date=May 24, 2018|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001457/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/23/arts/television/arrested-development-netflix-interview-jeffrey-tambor.html|url-status=live}}

Bateman stated that "in the entertainment industry it is incredibly common to have people who are, in quotes, 'difficult' ... [acting] is a weird thing, and it is a breeding ground for atypical behavior and certain people have certain processes." Tony Hale said that "we all have bad moments", while David Cross suggested that Tambor's outbursts were a "cumulative effect." The Daily Beast criticized Cross's comment as suggesting that Walter had "asked for it."{{cite web |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/jessica-walter-silenced-by-male-arrested-development-co-stars-over-jeffrey-tambors-harassment |title=Jessica Walter Shamed by Male 'Arrest Development' Co-Stars Over Jeffrey Tambor's 'Harassment' |first=Kevin |last=Fallon |publisher=The Daily Beast |date=May 23, 2018 |access-date=May 24, 2018 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001359/https://www.thedailybeast.com/jessica-walter-silenced-by-male-arrested-development-co-stars-over-jeffrey-tambors-harassment |url-status=live }} Shawkat came to Walter's defense, saying that being difficult "doesn't mean it's acceptable" to treat someone badly. After outlets criticized the men's statements, Hale, Bateman, and Cross issued apologies to Walter.{{cite web |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/scottybryan/arrested-development-new-york-times |title=Jason Bateman Has Apologized for Normalising the Harassment Jessica Walter Got on the Set of 'Arrested Development |first=Scott |last=Bryan |publisher=Buzzfeed |date=May 24, 2018 |access-date=May 24, 2018 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001402/https://www.buzzfeed.com/scottybryan/arrested-development-new-york-times |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://uproxx.com/tv/arrested-development-jessica-walter-david-cross-jeffrey-tambor-jason-bateman-new-york-times/ |title=David Cross Says He'll 'Unequivocally Apologize' To 'Arrested Development' Co-Star Jessica Walter |first=Jason |last=Nawara |publisher=Uproxx |date=May 24, 2018 |access-date=May 24, 2018 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001427/https://uproxx.com/tv/arrested-development-jessica-walter-david-cross-jeffrey-tambor-jason-bateman-new-york-times/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/arrested-developments-tony-hale-apologized-to-jessica-walter/ |title=Arrest Development's Tony Hale Personally Apologized to Jessica Walter |first=Erin |last=Crabtree |website=Us Weekly |date=May 24, 2018 |access-date=May 24, 2018 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001429/https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/arrested-developments-tony-hale-apologized-to-jessica-walter/ |url-status=live }} Netflix cancelled the show's UK press tour. Cera, who was not part of the group interview, stated that "obviously I have to give a lot of consideration to whether I take jobs with anyone and think about how it affects people".{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-44252483 |title=Arrested Development cancels UK visit after tearful interview |publisher=BBC |date=May 25, 2018 |access-date=May 25, 2018 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001443/https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-44252483 |url-status=live }}

Notes

{{notelist}}

References

{{Reflist}}

Further reading

  • Kristin M. Barton (ed.), A State of Arrested Development: Critical Essays on the Innovative Television Comedy. Foreword by Mitchell Hurwitz. Jefferson, NC: McFarland Publishing, 2015.{{ISBN needed}}