Arrested Development

Some say it’s the best comedy writing in decades. Some say the ensemble cast rivals any that came before. Some say it’s simply the best TV show ever. So why was development arrested on Arrested Development after only 3 seasons? Maybe it was the ever-changing time slot. Maybe its target demographic was too ambiguous. Or maybe it was just too smart for network television.

No matter how you slice it, there’s nothing we can do to bring the show back now. After Arrested Development was canceled in 2006, rumors surfaced that the show would move to Showtime. It seemed like a much more appropriate fit because they would have a lot more freedom on a premium cable network. However, creator Mitch Hurwitz wasn’t too keen on the idea. On the topic of extending the series on Showtime, 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.” He also claimed he was "more worried about letting down the fans in terms of the quality of the show dropping" as opposed to upsetting them by not making any more episodes.

And although I love this show and agree that it might be the best TV show ever made, I agree with Hurwitz. Out of the 53 episodes, there was never one bad one. But it never got any love from its network either. Fox even aired the 2-hour series finale against the opening ceremonies of the 2006 Winter Olympics on February 10, 2006.

There have been a lot of rumors about an Arrested Development movie also. In August, reports surfaced that Hurwitz was “half-done” with the feature film script. However, David Cross (Tobias) shot down these rumors a week later claiming the movie would probably never happen because the cast members had moved on. But I’m sure if there is a script, the gang will re-unite for one final chicken dance.

It’s Fox’s loss. Seinfeld didn’t really pick up steam until the fourth season. It should have given Arrested Development one more shot at glory. But they canceled it. Canceled?! You’re gonna say that to the show that won 6 Emmies in 3 seasons? C’mon!