# Arrested Development shut down or (gasp!) canceled??? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 10, 2005, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-development-shut-down-or-gasp-canceled/289362 "2005-02-10T05:58:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![BurnMeUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@BurnMeUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BurnMeUp)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2005, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-development-shut-down-or-gasp-canceled/289362/21 "2005-02-10T22:30:37Z")
And this from a network that is about to give us a THIRD season of The Simple Life. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2005, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-development-shut-down-or-gasp-canceled/289362/22 "2005-02-10T22:41:13Z")
Sigh. Add it to the pyre with **The Job** , **Sportsnight** , **Lucky** , **Futurama** , etc. BOO!!! ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2005, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-development-shut-down-or-gasp-canceled/289362/23 "2005-02-10T22:48:25Z")
> [@Dooku](#): > > Sigh. Add it to the pyre with **The Job** , **Sportsnight** , **Lucky** , **Futurama** , etc. BOO!!! Wow, someone else who liked Lucky! And I’ll have to add The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr., Andy Richter Controls the Universe, and Get a Life to your list. Hmmm… all Fox shows! ---
**Author:** ![DadWagonDriver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/edb3f5/32.png) [@DadWagonDriver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DadWagonDriver)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2005, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-development-shut-down-or-gasp-canceled/289362/24 "2005-02-10T22:58:27Z")
I think the promo of the episode with Martin Short helped kill it. I like the show, but I have no intention of watching that episode. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2005, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-development-shut-down-or-gasp-canceled/289362/25 "2005-02-10T23:11:18Z")
> [@Big Bad Voodoo Lou](#): > > Wow, someone else who liked Lucky! And I’ll have to add The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr., Andy Richter Controls the Universe, and Get a Life to your list. Hmmm… all Fox shows! I too really enjoyed Brisco County! I was sorry when they canceled it. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2005, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-development-shut-down-or-gasp-canceled/289362/26 "2005-02-10T23:32:16Z")
Ah, crap. Well, it was only a matter of time, I guess. This is very bad news. By far the best show on TV. Maybe some cable channel can pick it up… I mean couldn’t Fox throw it on FX or something? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Controvert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dec6dc/32.png) [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-development-shut-down-or-gasp-canceled/289362/27 "2005-02-11T16:12:21Z")
Don’t forget _Big Fat Obnoxious Boss_ ---
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-development-shut-down-or-gasp-canceled/289362/28 "2005-02-11T16:32:27Z")
My fellow Americans have no taste. AD has consistently made me laugh. ---
**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:** [February 11, 2005, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-development-shut-down-or-gasp-canceled/289362/29 "2005-02-11T16:34:10Z")
Apparently Fox learned nothing from cancelling “Family Guy”, watching it become insanely popular on DVD, seeing Cartoon Network pick it up in syndication, and hiring Seth McFarlane to create an inferior clone to try and capture the magic again. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-development-shut-down-or-gasp-canceled/289362/30 "2005-02-11T16:42:02Z")
I think one of the problems with this show is that it reequires a fairly high level of intelligence and sophistication from its audience, and Mainstream America is just not bright enough to understand deadpan humor. And, let’s be honest, Fox’s target audience demographic is indistinguishable from the denizens of the baboon cage at the Bronx Zoo. ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-development-shut-down-or-gasp-canceled/289362/31 "2005-02-11T17:48:05Z")
> [@gobear](#): > > I think one of the problems with this show is that it reequires a fairly high level of intelligence and sophistication from its audience, and Mainstream America is just not bright enough to understand deadpan humor. > > And, let’s be honest, Fox’s target audience demographic is indistinguishable from the denizens of the baboon cage at the Bronx Zoo. Perhaps but why then are many of the best (recent) sitcoms appearing on Fox? From Andy Richter to Family Guy to AD Fox seem to have a fairly impressive list of solid comedies. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-development-shut-down-or-gasp-canceled/289362/32 "2005-02-11T17:53:19Z")
> [@Lochdale](#): > > Perhaps but why then are many of the best (recent) sitcoms appearing on Fox? From Andy Richter to Family Guy to AD Fox seem to have a fairly impressive list of solid comedies. It’s strange–they seem receptive to initially giving unconventional ideas a chance, but then run for the hills when these unconventional shows, no matter how good they are, only find a narrow audience. Guess what, FOX–anything unconventional is usually going to end up like that. There are exceptions, but what I think they’re looking for is a magic bullet instead of a reputation for excellence. Schmucks. ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-development-shut-down-or-gasp-canceled/289362/33 "2005-02-11T18:08:32Z")
> [@gobear](#): > > And, let’s be honest, Fox’s target audience demographic is indistinguishable from the denizens of the baboon cage at the Bronx Zoo. That’s libelous to the baboons. ---
**Author:** ![Wearia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/13edae/32.png) [@Wearia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wearia)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-development-shut-down-or-gasp-canceled/289362/34 "2005-02-11T19:18:17Z")
Jason Bateman was on Conan last night and he didn’t mention anything except ideas he had for future shows. ☹ He’s also hosting SNL this week, probably to promote AD. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-development-shut-down-or-gasp-canceled/289362/35 "2005-02-11T20:18:10Z")
> [@ArchiveGuy](#): > > It’s strange–they seem receptive to initially giving unconventional ideas a chance, but then run for the hills when these unconventional shows, no matter how good they are, only find a narrow audience. Guess what, FOX–anything unconventional is usually going to end up like that. There are exceptions, but what I think they’re looking for is a magic bullet instead of a reputation for excellence. Schmucks. I imagine these series cost a lot of money to produce. Especially Arrested Development. Think about the names associated with AD. None of them are superstars, but almost everyone on the show has had a nice bit of success elsewhere. It’s hard to make a lot of cash without a big audience. I agree with what I think **Lochdale** was suggesting. Fox is the one who at the very least gives the types of shows I love a shot at the brass ring. Other than HBO, Fox is the best place for something other than three camera, laugh track, cookie cutter crapola. I tip my hat to Fox for trying to put some good stuff out and I flip the bird at the American people for not demanding something other than _Yes, Dear_. ---
**Author:** ![RancidYakButterTeaParty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/53a042/32.png) [@RancidYakButterTeaParty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RancidYakButterTeaParty)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-development-shut-down-or-gasp-canceled/289362/36 "2005-02-11T22:10:22Z")
> [@Dooku](#): > > Sigh. Add it to the pyre with **The Job** , **Sportsnight** , **Lucky** , **Futurama** , etc. BOO!!! We must be kindred souls, as I loved each of these shows. Let’s not forget the Pretender either…I mean, er… ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-development-shut-down-or-gasp-canceled/289362/37 "2005-02-11T22:48:34Z")
The problem with a lot of these shows is it becomes too public that they are struggling. No one wants starts to watch (or they abandon it) because they don’t want to get attached to a dying show. Once a show gets tagged “struggling” there is a segment of the viewing public (I’ve been there before with Sports Night and Undeclared) that wander off. ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-development-shut-down-or-gasp-canceled/289362/38 "2005-02-11T22:49:37Z")
That should be “no one wants to start watching…” ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-development-shut-down-or-gasp-canceled/289362/39 "2005-02-11T23:26:18Z")
I blame you, **wats**. –Cliffy ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2005, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-development-shut-down-or-gasp-canceled/289362/40 "2005-02-11T23:34:17Z")
I also kidnapped the Lindbergh Baby! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-development-shut-down-or-gasp-canceled/289362.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrested-development-shut-down-or-gasp-canceled/289362.md?page=3)