"There's Always Money In The Banana Stand"

At the end of this month, the funniest t.v. show that I have ever seen returns to our screens via the online streaming service that is Netflix. This was a show that only lasted for three seasons before it was cancelled due to low ratings. When it was on the air nobody watched it. I know I didn't (I was just ten when it started!). DVDs might be a dying medium for watching movies and t.v. shows, but it was thanks to them that  Arrested Development began to gain a following, and I am so glad that it did. I cannot wait to see the return of the weirdest, most dysfunctional, yet strangely close family that has been on t.v. since Seventh Heaven.

This is the "story of a wealthy family who lost everything, and the son who had no choice but to keep them all together". Michael Bluth (Jason Bateman) is that son, and the main protagonist of the series. He basically plays the role of the 'straight man'; the one who the audience can identify with, and who sees his family for what they are - batshit crazy. He's is to Arrested Development what Father Ted was to Father Ted. He is trying to keep the family's company from going bust, but he isn't helped by their constant interfering and general idiocy. He is a widower and has one son who is named George Michael, played by Michael Cera. This was where Cera crafted his awkward teenager persona and he hasn't looked back since.

I, . . um, ...

George Bluth (Jeffrey Tambor) is Michael's father who, in the beginning of the series, was sent to prison for his less-than-legal dealings with the family company. His wife is Lucille Bluth (Jessica Walter) is a cold-hearted snob with a very unhealthy relationship with youngest son, Buster (Tony Hale) - a man-child with a strange obsession with his mother. Michael's sister Lindsay (Portia de Rossi) is almost as shallow as her husband Tobias (David Cross) is secretly gay. Their daughter Maeby (Alia Shawkat) is an independent girl who is the object of her cousin George Michael's affections (At least it's not as bad as the Lannisters). GOB (Will Arnett) is Michael's older brother. He is an arrogant buffoon who enjoys performing magic tricks illusions (COME ON!).

That's pretty much the set up of the show, but it doesn't reflect how truly hilarious these characters are, and how ridiculous their interactions can be. Mitch Hurowitz is the show's creator, and I think he has done something truly extraordinary. He made a show that is funny every episode, but can still have slow burning and running jokes pop up all of the time. It's the type of show that you should watch more than once to try and catch all of the subtleties. There are too many running jokes to mention, but a few of my favourites include GOB's puppet friend Franklin, the fact that none of Michael's family knows what a rooster actually sounds like, and the fact that Tobias is a never-nude (a rare disorder where he can never be fully naked). Check out the top ten in this video:


Arrested Development was unbelievably funny and incredibly irreverent. It was the best comedy show that I have ever seen, and I hope it continues to be with the new Netflix episodes that are on their way. As it is now, however, Arrested Development is The Shit.