Customer Reviews

Arrested Development: Season One

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The world of half-hour televised comedy needed a good shot in the arm. It came in the form of the Bluth family. If you have grown weary of the idiosyncratic behaviour of the run of the mill sitcom families as seen on Raymond, King of Queens, Yes Dear, 8 Simple Rules, My Wife and Kids and so on then Arrested Development will feel like a fresh pallete of family disfunction.

I am a fan of the single-camera comedy productions but Arrested leans more to the witty and circumstantial comedy that was seen on the innnovator of single-camera comedy, The Larry Sanders Show. Curb Your Enthusiasm is getting a good run for its money as the events unfolding for the Bluth Family saga provide some of the most original and comedic writing this year -- on any show.

The key...characterization. There is no single character that demands the spotlight as they all possess foibles that avail them ample recognition. GOB, the entertainer; always aware that the camera is on him and so he feels obligated to become his own dramatic sequence, culling inspiration from dated and hackneyed dramatic devices. He may easily be the funniest of the "normal" characters on the show. Then there's Buster; sheer commitment to timidity is all I can say about this actor. Buster's panic attacks and faux bravados serve as great physical comedy to GOB's verbal comedy. George Sr., the source of the disfunction is well-played by Emmy-nominated Geoffrey Tambor as his vices and complacency know no bounds. And Michael, the straight-man to everyone else is underrated as it is through his eyes do we see the absurdity that is the Bluth family.

Now the stories, great episodes include Pilot, Bringing Up Buster, Let 'Em Eat Cake, and well the other 19 episodes that I won't mention here because this series is just that a series. It does not rely on stand-alone episodes and one-off humour. This is an intelligent show for the educated viewer and this DVD is definitely worth a purchase as we may be looking at the heir the Gary Schandling throne.

There's been a lot of hand-wringing about the situation comedy's fall from grace. Well, it's a bit early to write the obituary for the sit-com. Arrested Development is here and it is the funniest sit-coms in recent years. Most comedies are entirely predictable: you can see the jokes coming a mile away. Arrested Development is one of the few shows on TV that can genuinely surprise you. People do the unexpected. And it's hilarious. The show is built around the most colourful array of characters on any show on TV and they are perfectly cast. I thinkt he reason the show did not do better is that it gets funnier the mroe you watch it. Because the episodes build on each other and the characters' actions are funnier the more you get to know them, it definitely rewards loyal viewers more than the channel surfer. That makes DVD the perfect format for watching this show. If you missed it in its first run, buy it now. You won't be sorry.

There's not a ton to add that others haven't already written, but this show truly is a gem. It was supposed to have been cancelled after season one but winning the Emmy for best new comedy series probably gave it a bit of a reprive. I believe it was supposed to have been cancelled after season two, but luckily again, Fox renewed it. I'm not sure what they're commitment to the show is, but hopefully they'll keep it around. I believe DVD sales have been good, so maybe they won't screw up and and cancel it only to have to put it back on the air like Family Guy (another outstanding show).

The only potential drawback to Arrested Development would be that you have to pay attention. The jokes and set-ups come fairly quickly and if you're not watching, you'll miss them.

This is, however, the best original sitcom to come around for a LONG time, and it easily one of the best, PERIOD.

it's all been said before but... Arrested Development is indeed the best thing that ever was on TV. Bring it back!

There's not a ton to add that others haven't already written, but this show truly is a gem. It was supposed to have been cancelled after season one but winning the Emmy for best new comedy series probably gave it a bit of a reprive. I believe it was supposed to have been cancelled after season two, but luckily again, Fox renewed it. I'm not sure what they're commitment to the show is, but hopefully they'll keep it around. I believe DVD sales have been good, so maybe they won't screw up and and cancel it only to have to put it back on the air like Family Guy (another outstanding show).

The only potential drawback to Arrested Development would be that you have to pay attention. The jokes and set-ups come fairly quickly and if you're not watching, you'll miss them.

This is, however, the best original sitcom to come around for a LONG time, and it easily one of the best.

This is the best TV show I have seen in years. The cast is excellent and they work very well together. I was sick and tired of all of the reality shows that have been on recently and had to find something else before I went crazy. This show has me laughing every episode. This show has many subtle jokes so if you just don't "get it", then don't purchase the DVD. I'm sure everyone who watches this DVD will love it. I can't wait until October for season 2.

I don't really watch TV anymore. Between American Idol, reality shows, and bland, new, unoriginal sitcoms, television just doesn't have much to offer anymore. The Simpsons was really what used to hold it together, and now that the writers have completely given up on the show, so have I. Seinfeld reruns are nice, but something new was needed to revive this glowing box that once dominated my childhood.
Arrested Development is exactly the boost that television (and the genre of sitcoms in particular) needed. How good is it? Well, I've watched the entire season about 4 times over since I bought it 5 months ago. It's original, it's unpredictable, and best of all, it's funny!
As opposed to most shows on TV, where you can start watching at any point and you probably haven't missed much, Arrested Development has a story that is constantly evolving. If you miss one episode, you could possibly be lost in the next one. Even minor events can have repercussions that last the length of the season.
The characters are lovable and hilarious. Tobias and GOB are my favorite and everyone seems perfectly cast.
Just like any show, it has the occasional episode that isn't quite as good as the others, but I can't hold that against it. It raises the bar on what television should be in so many ways, that a couple of dragging episodes that help further the story can't hold it back. The second season is released in October and I have no doubt that I will pick it up the moment I have the cash.
Watch a couple episodes on TV, and although you may have no idea what's going on in the story, you should be able to get a general feel for if this is a show you want to get into. If you find yourself laughing, then pick up the first season and fill yourself in on what's going on. You shouldn't be disappointed.

You get so much more from this series by watching it on DVD. It is fantastic, and unbelievably funny.

Season 1 of this excellent is totally worth any price on DVD. It's hilarious and creative from the pilot right down to "Let Them Eat Cake", the season 1 finale. The entire cast is spot on in their roles, the writing is hilarious, and I'm just thrilled that this show is coming back for season 3!

In an era where good tv shows abound, it is harder and harder to find shows where you can't guess everything that is going to happen before it does. Well stop looking, this show is the answer. In addition to being very funny, this show always finds a way to go somewhere new. In addition to a great cast, the mood of the show is enthralling. Even the simplistic music gets to you. You just want to know what they'll think of next. It quickly becomes that addictive dvd you can't stop watching. I strongly recommend this box set. To think Fox wants to take this show off the air... Fans of Arrested Development, unite!!