The first two seasons of 'Arrested Development,' starring Will Arnett (left) and Jason Bateman, are available on DVD. KNIGHT RIDDER/TRIBUNE Visit the Photo Place

'Arrested' TV show may move to cable

Date published: 2/13/2006

By VIRGINIA ROHAN

THE RECORD (HACKENSACK, N.J.)

What's in a name? Could "Arrested Development" have somehow stunted that show's growth?

There's a psychology to titles, and that one does not trip lightly off the tongue. But that's not enough to explain why a comedy that seemingly offered everything a discerning viewer could ever want--originality, eccentricity, clever inside jokes and pop-culture references, vivid characters, outstanding writing, first-rate acting, even a multipart guest appearance by Charlize Theron--forever found itself in the nether regions of the Nielsen list.

The Bluth clan also had almost all the elements that would ensure a TV family longevity--rave reviews, great pedigree, occasional big promotional pushes, even a great big Emmy as validation. So, why couldn't it find enough of an audience?

Tonight, the Fox network will air four "Arrested Development" episodes that may well be the last hurrah for Mitch Hurwitz' critically acclaimed Bluth-centric comedy. Officially, Fox is calling the two-hour block a "mini-marathon third season finale," but the Bluths are unlikely to be seen ever again on Fox--or network television.

The good news is that last month, ABC and Showtime expressed interest in picking up "Arrested," and Showtime seems especially keen on making a deal.

At the recent television critics press tour, Showtime Entertainment President Robert Greenblatt said his network was in talks with Twentieth Television about bringing "Arrested" to Showtime.

"I've loved it since it first appeared," Greenblatt said. "About a year ago at a [Hollywood Radio and Television Society] luncheon, they asked me if I could take one show from another network, what would it be? My answer was 'Arrested Development.' I always thought it was probably a better fit on a cable network than on a broadcast network."

He's probably right. HBO comedies like "The Larry Sanders Show" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm" couldn't have survived on network TV. Success is measured differently on pay cable.

"If only a small fraction of the loyal audience that's on Fox came to Showtime, it would be one of our highest-rated shows," Greenblatt said, adding, "I think the show is only worth continuing if Mitch Hurwitz was at the helm running it. I think he's the genius behind it. And he hasn't yet come to that decision to continue the show."

Follow us on

Date published: 2/13/2006