# Arrested Developlent - Season 2 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 15, 2004, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-developlent-season-2/274871 "2004-11-15T16:02:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Slacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@Slacker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slacker)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-developlent-season-2/274871/1 "2004-11-15T16:02:14Z")
I thought episode 1 last week was pretty funny, but last night’s episode was just HILARIOUS. I rolled the whole time. A few gems: Tobias continues to “blue” himself. Notice that he apparently forgot to wash behind his ears, as there are still smudges of blue there even when he’s clean. You can also see smudges of blue on the walls around the model home from last week’s episode. George Michael’s description of Annie McNoface eating an egg with mayonnaise. Michael’s facial expression was priceless. George Senior on the lam with Kittie in Mexico. Note the tan/sunburn line from his yalmuke (no idea how to spell that). Also, unfortunately George Sr., like his most of his kids, doesn’t know the Spanish word for “brother.” BROTHERO! Poor Buster isn’t debilitated enough to avoid serving in the Army. “They even touched my Charlie Browns!” As Lucille approached, Michael demanded that GOB get rid of the “Seaward” (his boat). Lucille overheard and responded “I’m not going anywhere!” Overall a great episode. I was a little bummed not to see much from Maeby, especially since Annie McNoface was there to make fun of. I love the complicated relationship between the cousins. Maybe Maeby can make George Michael jealous again by going out with Steve Holt (STEVE HOLT!). No Annyong this time either. And I’m getting a little concerned that Buster’s military service might mean an abscence from the show, but overall season two is looking very good so far. Anyone else catch it last night? Anyone just start watching this season? If so, how are you liking it so far? ---
**Author:** ![pokey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ebca7d/32.png) [@pokey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pokey)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-developlent-season-2/274871/2 "2004-11-15T16:13:00Z")
> [@Slacker](#): > > Poor Buster isn’t debilitated enough to avoid serving in the Army. “They even touched my Charlie Browns!” What was up with the recruiting office? “my _ppssst psst psst_ is shaped like a (lobster tail)” Gross. I liked it last week when he got in trouble for playing with Lucille’s rape horn and he said “who would rape _you_?” I missed the beginning so I didn’t see any McNoface stuff. ☹ Also “Solid as Iraq” was pretty damn funny. Gob’s face is just hilarious. Something about his eyelashes and his girly mouth and giant forehead. He just makes me laugh so hard. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-developlent-season-2/274871/3 "2004-11-15T16:13:13Z")
I was more disappointed with this episode than I was with last week’s. Buster’s military bit seemed to be lifted straight from _Malcom in the Middle_, GOB’s tricks with the board were overused, the Business Model didn’t deliver nearly as many laughs as they wanted it to, and the Rock/Paper/Scissors joke was equally anti-climatic. Something is lacking so far this season. ---
**Author:** ![Slacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@Slacker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slacker)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-developlent-season-2/274871/4 "2004-11-15T16:18:58Z")
> [@pokey](#): > > What was up with the recruiting office? “my _ppssst psst psst_ is shaped like a (lobster tail)” Gross. “Only without the shell.” :eek: > [@](#): > > I liked it last week when he got in trouble for playing with Lucille’s rape horn and he said “who would rape _you_?” The way he said it was even better. He said it out of the side of his mouth to someone else (Michael maybe): _“Like anyone would want to ‘R’ her.”_ > [@](#): > > Also “Solid as Iraq” was pretty damn funny. Gob’s face is just hilarious. Something about his eyelashes and his girly mouth and giant forehead. He just makes me laugh so hard. Even funnier thanks to the “Mission Accomplished” banner on the new model home. 😃 **Munch** , I didn’t get many laughs from the Business Model either, but I thought the Rock/Paper/Scissors thing was great. After GOB attacked Michael with the ribbon cutting scissors and he defended himself successfully with the big fake rock, the narrator mentioned the whole thing was covered by the (news)paper. Now that’s comedy! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-developlent-season-2/274871/5 "2004-11-15T16:36:10Z")
> [@Slacker](#): > > As Lucille approached, Michael demanded that GOB get rid of the “Seaward” (his boat). Lucille overheard and responded “I’m not going anywhere!” Omigod, I didn’t get that joke till just now! I do hope they detox Liza and bring her back, she was terrific last year . . . ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-developlent-season-2/274871/6 "2004-11-15T16:46:23Z")
> [@Slacker](#): > > **Munch** , I didn’t get many laughs from the Business Model either, but I thought the Rock/Paper/Scissors thing was great. After GOB attacked Michael with the ribbon cutting scissors and he defended himself successfully with the big fake rock, the narrator mentioned the whole thing was covered by the (news)paper. Now that’s comedy! 😃 Okay, with the paper comment, I retract my statement. That’s gold. ---
**Author:** ![pokey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ebca7d/32.png) [@pokey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pokey)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-developlent-season-2/274871/7 "2004-11-15T16:49:40Z")
> [@Slacker](#): > > _“Like anyone would want to ‘R’ her.”_ Yeah!! “R” Buster is sooooo creepy. I love him. ---
**Author:** ![h.sapiens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e0b2c6/32.png) [@h.sapiens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/h.sapiens)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-developlent-season-2/274871/8 "2004-11-15T17:03:18Z")
I also liked the way Tobias used his blue makeup to keep spying on Lindsey. There always happened to be a solid blue object near where she was trying to pick up men. Then, at the end, when he had run out of blue paint and used the diamond-dust cream, there was a glittery poster nearby. ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-developlent-season-2/274871/9 "2004-11-15T17:14:28Z")
I think that this show rewards you for paying close attention to narration and dialogue. The rock/paper/scissors thing set-up and execution was nigh-brilliant, as was the misdirection at the very end with Tobias abandoning the blue paint (since he ran out) and stalking Lindsey wearing George Michael’s diamond cream all over his upper body. The camera pulls back to reveal a blue port-a-potty and just when you think Tobias was blending with that somehow, you suddenly see him move against a glittery white and black sign across the street. i fell out, laughing. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-developlent-season-2/274871/10 "2004-11-15T17:14:42Z")
Note: I only see some of this show since a family member is a regular watcher. This show continues to be a total disappointment. The predictability is 100%. E.g., They’re talking about cutting the ribbon on a model home. “Gee I bet the house will fall apart when the ribbon’s cut.” 15 minutes later, yup, it falls apart. Why do people think such completely unoriginal and repetitive shows are good? Just like “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “The Office,” the emperor has no clothes. Folks, if you see the “joke” coming 5+ minutes ahead of time, it isn’t a joke. ---
**Author:** ![Slacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@Slacker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slacker)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-developlent-season-2/274871/11 "2004-11-15T17:24:07Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > Note: I only see some of this show since a family member is a regular watcher. > > This show continues to be a total disappointment. The predictability is 100%. E.g., Well, it _is_ a sit-com. It aint supposed to be “Twin Peaks.” 😉 And I don’t find it all that predictable. Yeah you could see the house falling down coming a mile away, but I don’t think they made any effort to hide that. In fact, I didn’t see that gag as a joke really, but as part of the story showing GOB continuing to screw up. And in an episode where the jokes are flying too fast to count, I don’t think a predictable joke once in a while is unforgivable. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-developlent-season-2/274871/12 "2004-11-15T17:30:36Z")
The house falling apart wasn’t the joke. I don’t think anybody was laughing out loud when it started to fall apart, we all knew it was coming. I mean, how could it not fall apart when you have Michael, George Michael, Buster, and their uncle (why can’t I remember his name) and an homeless guy building it in two weeks? 1. The rock-paper-scissors thing was the joke. 2. Buster trying to injure himself was the joke. 3. Lucille having sex with the uncle in the house wasn’t the joke, but Buster’s reaction was. I love the little moments that by themselves aren’t really jokes. Like George screaming “Brothero! Brothero!” Not funny by itself. Or last season when Michael sees a picture of Saddam’s house and says something like “That looks very familiar.” ---
**Author:** ![doomraisin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d78d45/32.png) [@doomraisin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doomraisin)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-developlent-season-2/274871/13 "2004-11-15T17:47:33Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > Note: I only see some of this show since a family member is a regular watcher. > > This show continues to be a total disappointment. The predictability is 100%. E.g., > > They’re talking about cutting the ribbon on a model home. “Gee I bet the house will fall apart when the ribbon’s cut.” 15 minutes later, yup, it falls apart. > > Why do people think such completely unoriginal and repetitive shows are good? > > Just like “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “The Office,” the emperor has no clothes. Folks, if you see the “joke” coming 5+ minutes ahead of time, it isn’t a joke. The house facade falling on Buster and missing him because of a window opening is an homage to Buster Keaton’s film [Steamboat Bill Jr.](http://www.touchstone.freeserve.co.uk/keaton/stunt.html) . ---
**Author:** ![Mdm.President](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@Mdm.President](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdm.President)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-developlent-season-2/274871/14 "2004-11-15T17:57:30Z")
Just to be obvious… Lucille thought they were calling her the ‘C-word’, right? ---
**Author:** ![h.sapiens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e0b2c6/32.png) [@h.sapiens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/h.sapiens)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-developlent-season-2/274871/15 "2004-11-15T17:58:16Z")
The main reason I knew the house was going to fall on Buster was that they showed it in the previews and ads, over and over again. The rest of the episode was funny enough to more than make up for this one slightly lame, telegraphed bit. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-developlent-season-2/274871/16 "2004-11-15T18:01:57Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > Folks, if you see the “joke” coming 5+ minutes ahead of time, it isn’t a joke. As stated, the house falling isn’t the joke. In any show (well any not following the Twin Peaks mode) you can see stuff coming. The joke isn’t that stuff you can predict, but what they do with it. The falling of the house leading to the culmination of the rock-paper-scissors joke (for once, rock paid off for Michael! LOL!) is one example. Btw, liked the episode. The part where the news said Lucille was give mouth to mouth to a homeless person was great :D. And the ‘Solid as a Rock’ was just great, with the coup de grace being the ‘Mission Accomplished’ banner! LOL! ---
**Author:** ![h.sapiens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e0b2c6/32.png) [@h.sapiens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/h.sapiens)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-developlent-season-2/274871/17 "2004-11-15T18:04:32Z")
> [@Mdm. President](#): > > Just to be obvious… > Lucille thought they were calling her the ‘C-word’, right? And what’s funnier, she took it right in stride, that her two sons were calling her that. ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-developlent-season-2/274871/18 "2004-11-15T18:23:59Z")
“She calls it a mayon_egg_.” \>snort\< I recorded it and watched that part at least a dozen times with my husband last night. Sadly, Portia di Rossi seems to have lost weight since last season. I remember she had a problem with anorexia a while back. I hope she’s OK. She’s so beautiful and plays her part just right – the show just wouldn’t be right without her. ---
**Author:** ![Airblairxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Airblairxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airblairxxx)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-developlent-season-2/274871/19 "2004-11-15T19:02:15Z")
The funniest bit, to me, has only been mentioned in this thread obliquely. Three words: **Blue Man Group.** Of course, it’s more hilarious if you’ve seen them live, as the wife and I did last month when we stayed at the Luxor in Vegas for our anniversary. Oh, wait, just remembered something else that hasn’t been mentioned: **Thomas Jane**. (Who is an [actual movie star,](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005048/) he played the title role in this year’s _The Punisher_\*. Yes, it’s safe to say Ron Howard has some juice in Hollywood.) And for **ftg, Munch,** and others who don’t care for the show: its brilliance lies in its high jokes-per-minute ratio, and it probably requires repeated viewing. There are gags mentioned in this thread that I didn’t pick up on when I saw it last night, and I’m fully aware of all the “callbacks” that refer to the first season. (“Callback”: a running gag referred to repeatedly.) Also, it is probably the only sitcom to offer a satire of American life, circa early 21st century. Witness the “Mission Accomplished” banner on the house, the Army being so desperate for manpower they’ll take Buster ( **Slacker** , I understand this will be a theme this season), the overarching theme of a CEO busted for using his company’s funds as a personal checkbook, etc. There’s many levels of brilliance going on here, and I urge you to PVR it if you can; you will be rewarded. (Plus, it could use all the viewers it can get.) ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-developlent-season-2/274871/20 "2004-11-15T19:06:09Z")
> [@Airblairxxx](#): > > And for **ftg, Munch,** and others who don’t care for the show: its brilliance lies in its high jokes-per-minute ratio, and it probably requires repeated viewing. There are gags mentioned in this thread that I didn’t pick up on when I saw it last night, and I’m fully aware of all the “callbacks” that refer to the first season. (“Callback”: a running gag referred to repeatedly.) You misunderstand me. I watched the entire season last year, and am a huge fan of the show. I thought it was some of the best writing on television in years. I just happen to think the two episodes this season have sucked complete ass. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-developlent-season-2/274871.md?page=2)