Finally finished Arrested Development

[Starfleet Engineer]

After hearing from various sources about how good the show Arrested Development was, I got it through Netflix and finished it this past weekend (it was about 2 and a half seasons). My conclusion was that it had about five laugh out loud moments and was otherwise pretty average. The characters were entertaining, but I thought it tried too hard sometimes. The laugh out loud moments mostly came from one of the brothers, Buster. The best show moment was in the last episode when they revealed the bit about Ann and Gob (pronounced like Job, yeah, the one from the Bible).

The overall story is about a wealthy family who loses most of their money because the father was put in prison for corrupt business practices, but, while they did stick to that theme (later he's put under house arrest), it seemed to mostly be about the individual gags and bits by the characters in each episode. While that's not uncommon, it seemed like a lot of the same thing over and over with the family's over-the-top characters. Maybe that's one of the drawbacks of watching this kind of show on DVD where you can watch several episodes in one sitting.

I can't say I would recommend it. Maybe my expectations were too high. At times it was quite enjoyable. I liked most of the characters, but, as a show, it didn't live up to the hype as one of the all time greats.

Ah, well. Back to B5 season 3.

Edit: The best part of the experience was listening to the cast do the commentaries together.

 

[bigdaddy]

I bought season 2 for $10 a Target, never opened it. I have watched three episodes of the show, the first three. I recently finished watching the last three episodes of Doctor Who series 4, DW hs more laugh out loud moments than AD.

And because we both don't think the show is God on TV, there will be countless people going "well then you just aren't smart enough to get it".

 

[Jax]

"well then you just aren't smart enough to get it".

Always remember you said it, not us

 

[Mr Light]

Well it's not for everyone, but I think it's probably the funniest thing that's ever been on TV. There's so many levels going on; the sight gags, the background sign gags, the filthy double-entendres, the foreshadowing, the call backs, the running gags, etc, etc.

So you didn't laugh at "Tobias Funke: Analrapist"?

 

[DonIago]

Well, I for one will make sure this review is posted to the Bob Loblaw Law Blog. Remember, you get no blah blah blah with Bob Loblaw.

Also you have to appreciate Henry Winkler once again being replaced with Scott Baio.

 

[Geck]

I had seen it a few times over the last several years, but have become obsessed in about the past month and agree with Mr Light that it's one of the funniest shows ever. The way everything relates to everything else is brilliant, it's so tightly and carefully plotted and cohesive.

Any show that can make Liza Minnelli cool deserves praise.

 

[doubleohfive]

The show was definitely a product of its time, but still remains timeless. Its one of my top three favorite sitcoms (if not TV series) of all time.

 

[Starfleet Engineer]

So you didn't laugh at "Tobias Funke: Analrapist"?

I had been spoiled on that by someone here in a previous thread while watching early on.

I did like the "Bob Loblaw" and "Bob Loblaw's Law Blog" gag. There were a lot of funny gags and things to watch for. They just weren't laugh-out-loud funny. A few things were, like Gob and Ann on the boat and the whole "holy trinity" bit. Gob and Buster were my favorite characters. I really liked the mother too. I also liked that Ron Howard got the last word with his appearance.

 

[Derishton]

I've just finished watching all three seasons in about two weeks, having only seen a few episodes here and there. I thought it was very funny, and as someone said above, admirably tight in its plotting and continuity. They even managed to wring quite a few funny moments out of being rushed to their conclusion when they were cancelled.

 

[theenglish]

I never really got a chance to see this show when it was on. Saw a couple of episodes here and there and I enjoyed them, but it has kind of been spoiled for me by all the raving fans who talk about it endlessly and spoil all the jokes.

Maybe I will check it out a few years down the road.

 

[The Evil Dead]

I watched the entire series a couple of years ago, I did really enjoy it but have found that I have absolutely no interest in revisiting the show.

 

[Super Grover]

I never really got a chance to see this show when it was on. Saw a couple of episodes here and there and I enjoyed them, but it has kind of been spoiled for me by all the raving fans who talk about it endlessly and spoil all the jokes.

Maybe I will check it out a few years down the road.

I had the same problem.