Boner Kawanger 0 Report post Posted February 18, 2005 Sigh... A Low-Rated Series Struggle for a Future By LYNN ELBER, AP LOS ANGELES (AP) - "Arrested Development" star Jason Bateman and the sitcom's creator, Mitchell Hurwitz, were assessing the cuddle quotient in a show that viewers may soon lose the chance to embrace. "There are a surprising number of hugs in the show. We just make jokes about how they (the characters) never hug," said Hurwitz. "So even when Michael's mother hugs him, he says, `What are you doing? Why are you squeezing me with your body?"' Bateman, who stars as Michael in the acerbic Fox comedy about the dysfunctional Bluth family, offers a solution: "You've got the Pax network if you want a good hug." But he and the rest of the "Arrested Development" clan might be in need of comfort: Fox is halting production after 18 episodes, shy of the usual 22, bringing the season - and maybe the series - to a premature end April 17. "American Dad" takes its 8:30 p.m. EST Sunday slot starting May 1. The animated comedy about a CIA agent and his family scored in a post-Super Bowl preview and Fox awarded it the premium real estate after "The Simpsons." With the football extravaganza as launching pad, "American Dad" drew 15 million viewers. For its sophomore season to date, "Arrested Development" is averaging 6 million weekly viewers, down from last season's average audience of 6.2 million. The lack of interest persists despite rave reviews and awards: a Golden Globe for Bateman in January and a best-comedy series Emmy last year. It's not the only program suffering a gap between quality and ratings. "Jack & Bobby" (9 p.m. EST Wednesdays), the WB's drama about the formative years of a future U.S. president, can't stoke viewer interest despite a critically acclaimed first season. Although a relatively new network like WB doesn't demand "American Idol"-size ratings, the 2.7 million average weekly audience for "Jack & Bobby" is scant compared to the nearly 6 million watching WB's most-watched series, "7th Heaven." Worthy shows have come and gone many times before, but the irony is acute for the latest endangered pair. "Arrested Development," which is ferociously clever and daringly breaks the laugh-track, multicamera sitcom mold, arrived as the genre cried out for rejuvenation. With the passing of "Friends," "Sex and the City" and (at the end of this season) "Everybody Loves Raymond," observers have lamented the mostly uninspired retreads that are left. "Arrested Development" wasn't entirely startling - "Seinfeld" reveled in the crassness of its characters; "Curb Your Enthusiasm" saw its cynicism and raised it. But the Fox show was asking a sitcom family to be received as something other than inherently warm and loving, and derived its dry humor from the characters' odd, morally suspect behavior. That audiences would take awhile to adapt was understandable, Bateman said. "If anybody says this show is not accessible, which I think is not really accurate or fair or deserved, perhaps that's what they're talking about," the actor said. "It's around the side door for laughter. You have to watch two episodes to understand what our joke is. Then, if you're in that gear, it delivers nonstop." Adds Hurwitz: "I think people understand dealing with adult parents and adult siblings, and that's at the core of every show." I cut out unimportant stuff about Jack and Bobby here He expects "Jack & Bobby" to go the full season with 22 episodes and have a fighting chance to build its audience. With the truncated run for "Arrested Development," it seems unlikely that Fox (which gets points for bringing it back after the first low-rated season) will find a reason to renew it when the 2006-05 schedule is announced in May. Veteran actress Jessica Walter, who stars as the cold-fish Bluth mother, Lucille, is dismayed by the show's peril. "I think it's awful that art or creative entertainment is made for some formula of Nielsen ratings, and I don't buy into that," she said. "I'd rather be on something good watched by 1 million people than something awful watched by 20 million." Berlanti strikes a more philosophical note. He and his writers are working "to tell the best stories we know how to tell and hope that some point down the line people look back on the series, whether it goes for five years or just one year, and want to buy the box (DVD) set." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hank Kingsley 0 Report post Posted February 18, 2005 I was watching the episodes with Carl Weathers today. Those are choice. "Oh Lucielle...guess who's coming to dinner?" That had me laughing for a solid minute. And Tobias trying to get into the mindset of Frightened Inmate #2. Warden: "What I'm calling you...is a television actor." *dramatic music* Tobias: "...ouch." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted February 18, 2005 that's not as good as Tobias: Are you calling me a coward? *dramatic music* Warden: There's only one man I've ever called a coward. And that was Brian Doyle-Murray. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest bort Report post Posted February 18, 2005 Damm I like both arrested development and Jack and Bobby, if they both get cancelled that would suck Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest El Satanico Report post Posted February 18, 2005 I wonder how many people that whine about there being nothing good on TV saw this show? I wouldn't be at all surprised if a large number was the answer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest El Satanico Report post Posted February 18, 2005 hi Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted March 6, 2005 Two new episodes tonight. Bump. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hank Kingsley 0 Report post Posted March 6, 2005 YES. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boner Kawanger 0 Report post Posted March 6, 2005 Marta's last name is Estrella, which is Spanish for actress. Just been wanting to point that out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted March 6, 2005 Estrella is actress? Wow. Brilliant. Are you hermano? Como? Oh, I'll put you in a como, all right. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treble 0 Report post Posted March 6, 2005 Barry's going to be in both episodes, so that's going to be awesome. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted March 6, 2005 He's very good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Thrashist Report post Posted March 7, 2005 I am so fucking excited for it. Two episodes in a row. It's a tad bittersweet though, because at the end of tonight, there's a good chance that there will only be six episodes left of the greatest television show of all-time. Oh well. I'm still pumped. Hope these two are better than the two eps with JLD last season, which, while still good, were probably the low points overall. ALL YOU NEILSENITES BETTER WATCH TONIGHT!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted March 7, 2005 first classic line: "There's a dish called the Skip's Scramble. It contains every item on the menu. Don't order the Skip's Scramble." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
{''({o..o})''} 0 Report post Posted March 7, 2005 Yeah, no sound rules. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted March 7, 2005 Guess it's official: Oscar is Buster's dad Hm maybe not Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
razazteca 0 Report post Posted March 7, 2005 Excellent choice of guest stars in this week's episode. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DMann2003 0 Report post Posted March 7, 2005 In a way, if this show gets canclled, it might be a mixed blessing... I'd hate to watch a show with this humor and writing eventually lose its luster and become bland. But I still don't want it cancelled, come on Fox, I'm sure the DVD sales warrent keeping it around. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gary Floyd 0 Report post Posted March 7, 2005 That was great, especially Buster and Job. Also, Jerry Minor's small roll, and Julia Louise Dryfuss was great. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treble 0 Report post Posted March 7, 2005 The 2nd one was a bit better, but they were both really good. I especially liked the silence after the cops said they didn't ever want to know which one of them was the actual father. And the breasts wrapped up as a baby. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boner Kawanger 0 Report post Posted March 7, 2005 GOB struggling to scoot around in a giant chair was such a perfect character moment. Lucille praying and going nuts was funny. I think I liked the first episode more than the second, though. How many other TV shows did they mention tonight? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FileCabinet Report post Posted March 7, 2005 I really liked all the little twists in the pregnancy storyline. Funny visual as Tobias enters Maggie's house through the doggie door and Lindsay opens the door before he gets through. I cracked up when Lucille got pissed at the doctor. There's also Michael almost getting his son shot and Buster going crazy about his accident and much more...I can't wait until this season's on DVD. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted March 8, 2005 GOB: But who remembers that? Narrator: I do. Also this is like the first time I've seen Lucille and Tobias directly interact, I think. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Placebo Effect 0 Report post Posted March 8, 2005 "Dad already prepaid for Lindsay and Tobias' divorce." That was one of my favorite lines from the episode. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boner Kawanger 0 Report post Posted March 8, 2005 GOB: But who remembers that? Narrator: I do. Also this is like the first time I've seen Lucille and Tobias directly interact, I think. I like when the Narrator interacts with the story. And I'm not sure, but either you're right or they had one scene together in the hospital last season. I forgot to mention... OUT-"I need you to spin something for me."..."MURDER." Five Minutes Ago-"Come on!" IN-"I'm hunting for a seal with the taste for mammal blood." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted March 8, 2005 another good GOB/Narrator exchange: GOB: I didn't get much sleep though. I had sex last night. Narrator: But he really didn't. GOB: Yes I did. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob_barron 0 Report post Posted March 8, 2005 Following ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and CBS' Cold Case at 8 p.m. were the second hour of NBC's expanded Dateline (8.0/12), Fox's The Simpsons (6.3/ 9) and Arrested Development (4.4/ 6), and the WB's aforementioned The Starlet (1.4/ 2). Overall, the two-hour edition of Dateline averaged a 7.3/11 from 7-9 p.m. From 9-11 p.m., and following Oprah Winfrey Presents: Their Eyes Were Watching God on ABC, were repeat episodes of CBS' CSI: Miami (7.8/11) and CSI: NY (7.0/11), and repeats of NBC's Law & Order: Criminal Intent (7.3/11) and Crossing Jordan (5.9/ 9). On Fox, a second episode of Arrested Development sunk to a 3.8/ 5 at 9 p.m., followed by a repeat of The Simpsons at a 3.4/ 5 at 9:30 p.m. As much as I agree with the critics about Arrested Development, ratings unfortunately are not catching on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boner Kawanger 0 Report post Posted March 8, 2005 I just don't get the ratings drop. It was a two-parter, damnit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treble 0 Report post Posted March 8, 2005 They could put it on after American Idol at this point and I don't think it would make any difference. Why don't people watch this fucking show? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boner Kawanger 0 Report post Posted March 8, 2005 People are stupid. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
