Arrested Development - Season One

Rating:

I love funny stuff, and seek it out. Having seen a lot of funny stuff, I honestly think that Arrested Development may be the funniest sitcom out there. This first season sets the bizarre story in motion, introduces us to the wonderfully outrageous characters (and the couple of almost normal ones too), perfects the unusual non-linear storytelling technique--utilizing a funny voice over narration (by Ron Howard!) that makes sense out of what is not explicitly shown--and, most importantly, makes me laugh so hard that sometimes tears come out.

The DVD set also includes extra features that really add to the show, most notably the full length version of the pilot episode. There are also commentaries on some episodes, which will be interesting to people who like commentaries.

Rating:

Arrested Development possesses a cast chemistry that spans from the show's protagonist to the cameos and temporary characters. The humor grows on you - there are many running jokes that build as the characters and their relationships develop - and may just seep its way into your daily repertoire. Jason Bateman plays the perfect fulcrum for the complete out-of-handness of his dysfunctional family as Michael Bluth. You feel yourself rise and fall with his never-ending dilemma between getting his socially awkward family (and the failed company they depend on) back on their feet and making a new life, free of insanity, for he and his son. His relatibilty is tempered by the irony that he was reared and raised by the same people he is trying to save. His supporting cast is a cornucopia of laughs and delightful awkwardness, and no matter how many times the show puts the Bluths on the path to recovery, they are always perfectly capable of ruining the best laid of plans. I highly recommend this series to anyone who can set aside seriousness and propriety for awhile and revel in the hilarious and absurd.

Rating:

I've watched all 3 seasons thrice and arrested development is still much much better than glee, heroes, 30 rock, glee, 2 and a half men, entourage, glee and tons of other shows on TV. From Tobias to Gob to George Michael, every character is impossibly hilarious and well thought out! It's ridiculously beautiful. This show has really made me want to reconsider the man inside me. It's unfortunate that not many people want to try and understand it though. I cannot emphasize how much I love this series! Seriously, the bluth family are one of the better things that have happened to television. The dramedy, hints of incest and hyperbolical satire are good enough reasons to get all three seasons!

Rating:

I have seen a lot of comedy shows. My favorites are It's Always Sunny in Phili, South Park, Community, Ali G and The Office (first 3 seasons only); all great shows. This show, however, Arrested Development, is perfect. Every character owns their role and blends with the others to create comedic bliss. Every nuance is so thoroughly thought through and executed to perfection that it often takes three viewings to appreciate every nuance. The writers never succumb to making the show in anyway romantic or emotional like so many others do (who knows how many great comedies have been ruined because of this). Arrested Development is pure comedy- and all it takes (for me) is a two year break before I can start watching the episodes again.

Rating:

Arrested Development is so good, its hard coming up with TV shows to compare it with. When describing this to some friends I would say its like if Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, A Fish Called Wanda, and The Wonder Years were acted out by the drunk family members you don't like to talk about, while being narrated by Richie Cunningham. Its a great buy and well worth watching over and over again. Plus the commentary is Hollywood at its best!