That Arrested Development lived to see a second season is something of a miracle. Despite critical raves and pleas from viewers, the series languished in the ratings and seemed poised for cancellation. One must now forgive Fox almost anything (except, of course, The Swan) for not bailing on this idiosyncratic and unconventional sitcom that went on to earn the well-deserved Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series. Shot in mockumentary style, Arrested Development chronicles the fall of the wealthy Bluth family, whose patriarch (Jeffrey Tambor, finally landing a post-The Larry Sanders Show role worthy of him) is imprisoned for Enron-like accounting practices. In his breakout role, Jason Bateman stars as Michael, the good son, who is compelled to hold his outrageously dysfunctional family together; no easy task. His mother (Jessica Walter) is a manipulative monster who makes Marie on Everybody Loves Raymond look like June Cleaver. His womanizing older brother (Will Arnett) is a struggling magician. His younger brother (Tony Hale) is a man/child under his mother's thumb. His sister (Portia de Rossi) is a self-absorbed princess with a husband (David Cross) who has given up his medical license to become a hilariously untalented actor. Meanwhile, Michael's own impressionable teenage son, George-Michael (Michael Cera) is nursing a crush on his rebellious cousin (Alia Shawkat). Guiding viewers through the Bluths' trials, schemes, and machinations is the reassuring voice of Ron Howard as the Narrator (who only steps out of character once, following a derogatory reference to "Opie"). Arrested Development is that precious rarity in primetime: a show that looks and sounds like no other (with brilliant use of jump cuts), and it greatly benefits from repeat viewings, the better to catch the dry wit, each wicked putdown, or bits of background business. The embarrassment of riches extends to the guest stars, including Liza Minnelli as mother Bluth's social rival, a marvelous Julia Louis-Dreyfus as an ethics-challenged prosecuting attorney, and Carl Weathers (winner of the Good Sport award) portraying himself as a skinflint to rival Jack Benny. It's hard to imagine how Arrested Development can sustain this level of brilliance, but this first season catapults the show into the top ranks of the must-see TV pantheon. DVD extras include audio commentaries on three episodes, deleted/extended scenes, and "making-of" featurettes. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. (D. Liebenson)
Arrested Development: Season One
Fox, 3 discs, 512 min., not rated, DVD: $39.98 February 7, 2005
Arrested Development: Season One
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