Arrested Development cut to 13 Episodes

[md655321]

http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/TV/11/11/t...reut/index.html

Quite possibly the greatest television in history (and that is not hyperbole) looks close to extinction as Fox cuts them down to 13 episodes for this season. A show that won Emmy for best comedy, and a show the was nominated 3 times for best writing in a comedy series this year (and won) and Fox doesnt know how to market it. Atleast let it play out a little longer. Remember, Seinfeld and Cheers were both nearly axed many times when they started.

This show is nothing short of phenomenal. It is the wittiest and smartest show on TV, wth incredible characters and plots. If you dont know it, I emplore you to rent season one and two on DVD. You will not be disappointed. It is utterly brilliant. I can not possibly overestimate how good it is.

If Fox does cancel it, I hope another network can pick it up. Maybe FX or HBO or something.

[Rooster_Ties]

[RDK]

It's all about the ratings. Doesn't matter how many awards the show might win, if nobody watches, the networks ain't gonna carry it.

I've sampled the show since I used to work with Mitch Hurwitz and really dig the guy, but it ain't my cuppa.

[RDK]

And to be honest, instead of blaming Fox for (maybe) canceling the show (in the future), one might praise them for sticking with it as long as they have. This show would've been history already on any other network.

(and on a personal note, I hate you for putting me in a position to stick up for Fox )

[Guest Chaney]

Quite possibly the greatest television in history (and that is not hyperbole)...

[BERIGAN]

I wonder if they figure in future dvd sales, or only worry about ad sales now?

RDK???

[RDK]

I wonder if they figure in future dvd sales, or only worry about ad sales now?

RDK???

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Don't know the impact of DVD sales on Fox's end since I don't know if Fox produces/owns the show. The DVD sales likely go back to the producers not the network, which usually just licenses the shows for first run broadcast.

The magic number for syndication, though, is 100 (usually four seasons), and that's where the big $$$ often is.

[JSngry]

Don't know if I'd go "greatest ever", but it is a damn funny show and one of the better things on network right now. It and Curb Your Enthusiasm are the only really happening comedy series going right now that feature live humans.

[Big Al]

Meanwhile, Joey continues to be shown and renewed.....

[Dan Gould]

Meanwhile, Joey continues to be shown and renewed.....  

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I wouldn't look for a second renewal.

Ray, is the 100 episode mark still that critical? Now that there are "new" syndication offerings I've noticed some crappy sitcoms suddenly entering syndication ("Grounded for Life" fer instance) and I'm thinking to myself, this show has been on the air for 4 + seasons??? No way!

So I can only presume that some shows go into syndication prior to that magic number.

Or else my boycot of 99.9% of all network offerings has worked and I really don't know anything that's on anymore, and crap like "Grounded" really has reached 100 episodes.

[catesta]

Don't know if I'd go "greatest ever", but it is a damn funny show and one of the better things on network right now. It and Curb Your Enthusiasm are the only really happening comedy series going right now that feature live humans.

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I've only watched one episode so I never caught on.

On the other hand I never miss Curb Your Enthusiasm.

[jazzbo]

I actually like Grounded for Life (well, being married to an Irish ex-Catholic really helps) and I do think it was on for four seasons at the least.

Arrested Development is pretty good though to be honest it flies a little too often over the top for me and I can't watch too much of it at a sitting. . . .

[JSngry]

On the other hand I never miss Curb Your Enthusiasm.

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Now that's one I'd consider for "greatest ever" status! Do we have a dedicated thread for it here?

[Big Al]

On the other hand I never miss Curb Your Enthusiasm.

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Now that's one I'd consider for "greatest ever" status! Do we have a dedicated thread for it here?

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Yes and yes!!!

Although to be honest, I've never cared for CYE. A little Larry goes a long way with me.

Arrested Development, OTOH, is (besides "Scrubs") my favorite show not on TV right now. Thank God for the DVDs, since Fox keeps moving it around and I never get a chance to watch it.

Edited November 12, 2005 by Big Al

[JSngry]

Forgota about Scrubs. That's a good'un too, what I've caught of it.

[BruceH]

Fox only cares about ratings, which makes it like every other network out there. To be fair, they gave it a helluva lot more chance than Freaks & Geeks got.

[md655321]

But taking it off for a full month and then bringing it back to play a double episode right before the biggest MNF game of the season and wondering why it gets bad numbers isnt very smart.

I understand ratings is important, but with the astounding amount of crap on TV, they need to focus on doing better with their marketing.

Curb is VERY good. I just dont think its a concsistently brilliant as AD. Its definitely right there though. I do like that it firmly established Larry David as the true genius behind Seinfeld.

[jazzbo]

Anyone enjoy "My Name is Earl?" I've been having fun with that one. Karma!

[Quincy]

Anyone enjoy "My Name is Earl?"  I've been having fun with that one.  Karma!

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Yuppers. That's my new show for the year. Looks like Jason Lee had the enviable requirement of "you'll need to gain a little bit of weight for this role."

[7/4]

Anyone enjoy "My Name is Earl?"  I've been having fun with that one.  Karma!

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Yep. I was playin' ketsup tonight. I missed a few.

[DTMX]

Anyone enjoy "My Name is Earl?"  I've been having fun with that one.  Karma!

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I liked how Randy described the county fair: "It's like Disneyland for poor people!"

[jazzbo]

Yes, there are some hilarious lines AND situations on that show!

My favorite episode so far is where he is trying to make good with the woman who he faked being DEAD to get away from. . . .

[RDK]

Man, comic tastes are so fickle. I can't stand Scrubs.

[scottb]

I got my wife Season 1 DVDs for Christmas, she got Seeason 2 as well. We haven't watched the show consistently but have seen bits and pieces.

Last night we sat down and started watching the DVD. That first episode is HILARIOUS!!

I can't wait to work our way through the series.

[md655321]

The 'final' four episodes were last night. Mostly brilliant stuff, with Jason Batemans sister guesting as his possibly fake life sister.

If this world is worth a damn, it will get picked up somewhere. Showtime seems excited about it.

Again, this show is to tv what Bird was to Bebop. It is so insanely good it should be required viewing for all humans. Please rent or buy the season one dvd if you havent seen it yet. You will love it.