Arrested Development, a cult-status TV show, started on FOX TV, ran from 2003-2006, and after years of fans' grumbling and begging, they have again renewed production after a five-year hiatus.
It was mostly filmed in Culver City, yet notable “Newport Beach” icons were part of the show, including the famous Balboa Island Frozen Banana stand, where one of the characters worked.
Starring well-known stars, like Justin Bateman, Portia de Rossi (partner of Ellen DeGeneres), Will Arnett and Jessica Walter, the show follows the fictional “Bluth” family, some of the most unscrupulous, unlovable, dysfunctional personalities ever before seen on television. Oh, and by the way, hilarious at the same time. Having an ensemble cast of serious significance (and commanding decent salaries) ALL coming back to a “small” show likes this, speaks volumes about their serious love for the show and it’s place in TV history.
Led by Daddy George Bluth, Sr., played by Jeffrey Tambor, the real estate developer family business founder (shocker!), the show includes drug use, crimes that put dad in prison, alcoholics galore, narcissistic and outright stupid family members, and even cousins in love with each other. Does this sound like something you’d want to see?
Developed by Ron Howard, the show was poorly watched, yet highly acclaimed and even with an onslaught of fans petitioning it to remain in the air, their efforts were futile.
Until now! Time Magazine called it in 2007 “one of the greatest TV shows of all-time,” and other critics shared that that praise. It was also noteworthy as having a great guest cast playing very insulting and sometimes self-depreciating roles, including Charlize Theron and Liza Minnelli.
After leaving the air there was talk of it being picked up by cable and even a movie, and yet, an unlikely fan came to the rescue: Netflix. Ten episodes will be filmed and aired in 2013—all in one day—and this untested gamble by Netflix, shows how creative every business must be to remain significant in today’s world. The 10-episode arc will be a transition from where the show left off in 2006 and the highly anticipated Arrested Development movie.
Nothing is available yet as to their local shooting schedule, but keep your eyes out in town and if you see what appears to be a lame, embarrassing family doing crazy things—just hope that it is they.
