Arrested Development

Sitcom Arrested Development aired on the Fox Network from 2003-2006. The show followed the exploits of the wealthy but maladjusted Bluth Family after patriarch George Bluth Sr. (played by Jeffrey Tambor) is arrested and sent to jail. The show was executive-produced by Ron Howard, who also provided narration.

Fast Facts:

1. Cable channels G4 and HDNet will air re-runs until 2009
2. Won Six Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe
3. Created by Mitchell Hurwitz
4. May be turned into a feature film
5. On the air for 3 seasons
6. Named one of Time Magazine's 100 Greatest Shows of All Time

Cast

The show starred Jason Bateman as Michael Bluth, George's son who must take control of the Bluth Company, Will Arnett as his brother Gob, Tony Hale as his other brother, Buster, and Portia De Rossi as their sister Lindsay. Other series regulars included Michael Cera, Alia Shawkat, Jessica Walter and David Cross.

In addition to the main cast, a number of well-known comedians and comic actors appeared in small roles, including Ben Stiller, Dave Attel, Amy Poehler, Ed Begley Jr., Bob Einstein (better known as Super Dave Osbourne), Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Martin Mull.

Recurring Jokes and Motifs

Part of the concept behind the series was the use of running gags and ongoing jokes that would cross over into multiple episodes. Each episode of the series ended with an epilogue, purportedly featuring scenes from "the next Arrested Development, that would often introduce or play on these running jokes. In a send-up of dramatic television conventions, sometimes major plot developments were introduced in these brief segments.

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