# We knew Arrested Development couldn't hang on forever **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 11, 2005, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-knew-arrested-development-couldnt-hang-on-forever/330592 "2005-11-11T17:17:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Susie\_Derkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@Susie\_Derkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susie_Derkins)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2005, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-knew-arrested-development-couldnt-hang-on-forever/330592/41 "2005-11-12T03:32:28Z")
> [@](#): > > Maeby: Do you guys know where I could get one of those gold necklaces with the ‘t’ on it? > > Michael: That’s a cross. > > Maeby: Across from where? One of my favorites. _sniff_ ---
**Author:** ![jasonh300](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/46a35a/32.png) [@jasonh300](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasonh300)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2005, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-knew-arrested-development-couldnt-hang-on-forever/330592/42 "2005-11-12T03:46:12Z")
> [@Tracy Lord](#): > > …but it’s still something of a shock to see it go. > > [Link: Yahoo News](http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051111/tv_nm/shows_dc) > > You know it’s coming, but at the same time, it’s hung on for so long without being cancelled – it was the Magic Show that was brilliant and nobody watched but got renewed by the skin of its teeth because FOX suddenly grew a soul and Jason Bateman kept winning awards! It was the Un-Cancellable Show! Until, you know, now. > > _sigh_ > > Sometimes I want to slap the Average American Viewer across the face. It’s no shock to me. FOX has done this over and over again with good shows over the past 10 years. They come out with something good, they air the first season, then they run a few reruns, and then they air movies for 6 weeks. Then baseball for 12 weeks. Then they bring on Season 2 on a different night. And by that time the viewers from the first season have either forgotten about the show or find it impossible to catch it on the new night. OR they just don’t hear that the show is back on and never get to see it. The ratings plummet and that’s the end of the show. It’s disgusting that FOX is the only network left that can come out with a decent show but after 10 or 15 years of being a major network, they still don’t understand that the way to keep the ratings high is to keep the show on the same night, run reruns after the new shows run out, and then produce new shows on some sort of consistent basis. It’s been a very long time since CBS, aBC or NBC came out with anything new that wasn’t total crap. FOX should come up with a new strategy or throw in the towel. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2005, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-knew-arrested-development-couldnt-hang-on-forever/330592/43 "2005-11-12T03:53:26Z")
Oh, please. Fox has no taste at all. They infanticided _Life on a Stick_ & _Wonderfalls_ in favor of reruns & clip shows. The fact that _AD_ lasted this long is probably a) due to big names like Ron Howard being involved–I think Fox probably just figured out he only does voice-overs on the show–& b) a sort of left-handed honor, like it was ugly & evil enough for the demon fish-man under Fox HQ that torpedoes anything harmlessly cute & likeable. I’m sorry. That was uncalled-for. Maybe I need to talk to an analrapist. ---
**Author:** ![Wolfian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7ea924/32.png) [@Wolfian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolfian)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2005, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-knew-arrested-development-couldnt-hang-on-forever/330592/44 "2005-11-12T04:04:28Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > analrapist : Gasp! : ---
**Author:** ![Squee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@Squee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squee)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2005, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-knew-arrested-development-couldnt-hang-on-forever/330592/45 "2005-11-12T04:11:38Z")
What do you expect? You bring Chachi on a show and you expect success?! = ) Just joking, it is my favorite show, and if it does indeed go away, I will be very sad. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2005, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-knew-arrested-development-couldnt-hang-on-forever/330592/46 "2005-11-12T04:12:36Z")
The “problem” with _Arrested Development_ is that you had to pay attention. Most sitcoms you can watch one episode, not watch the show again for three years, then watch another episode - and everything is the same. And it’s EZ viewing - the laugh track tells you when a character said something “funny”, the music and sound cues tell you what you’re supposed to be feeling, and most of the “jokes” are just repeated catchphrases. The characters and stories are all as simple and unambiguous as possible, so there’s no possibility of confusion or interpretation. It’s great entertainment for people with short attention spans. Other shows require you to actually use your brain. The characters and the stories are subtle and complex. You have to watch and listen and, worse of all, think in order to understand what’s going on. The effort is admittedly greater but so is the reward. ---
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2005, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-knew-arrested-development-couldnt-hang-on-forever/330592/47 "2005-11-12T06:39:45Z")
They cancel AD while still leaving The Simpsons and Malcolm in the Middle on the air? Ugh. Fox execs have no taste or brains. ---
**Author:** ![Operation\_Ripper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/34f0e0/32.png) [@Operation\_Ripper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Operation_Ripper)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2005, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-knew-arrested-development-couldnt-hang-on-forever/330592/48 "2005-11-12T06:51:17Z")
Goddamn Fox, Goddamn Them, Goddamn Them To Hell For Cancelling The Best Show On Tv. ---
**Author:** ![Operation\_Ripper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/34f0e0/32.png) [@Operation\_Ripper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Operation_Ripper)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2005, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-knew-arrested-development-couldnt-hang-on-forever/330592/49 "2005-11-12T06:56:48Z")
[Link](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=344410) ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2005, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-knew-arrested-development-couldnt-hang-on-forever/330592/50 "2005-11-12T07:08:20Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > People can blame me too. I watched the first few and didn’t find myself laughing. I’m not much of a sitcom viewer, though, so it’s unusual that I’m watching two sitcoms this season - Two and a Half Men, which I discovered over the summer, and Out Of Practice. Now those strike me as funny shows. Not as funny as Norm, Andy Richter Controls the Universe or 2 Guys and a Girl, but far funnier than Arrested Developement has ever struck me. Please tell me this was all sarcasm. ---
**Author:** ![Operation\_Ripper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/34f0e0/32.png) [@Operation\_Ripper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Operation_Ripper)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2005, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-knew-arrested-development-couldnt-hang-on-forever/330592/51 "2005-11-12T07:24:31Z")
> [@woodstockbirdybird](#): > > Please tell me this was all sarcasm. If it wasn’t, he’s a goddamn fool and the whole of western civilization might as well collapse. Goddamn fool. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2005, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-knew-arrested-development-couldnt-hang-on-forever/330592/52 "2005-11-12T12:46:53Z")
::: Moderator clears throat for attention ::: **Ripper** , I think you’re either (a) overreacting outrageously or (b) insulting another poster or © both. Please cool it. You can say anything you want about the producers, networks, actors, directors, wossnames, connected with the TV show; but you may not make such comments about fellow posters. We clear? ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2005, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-knew-arrested-development-couldnt-hang-on-forever/330592/53 "2005-11-12T13:28:45Z")
> [@Little Nemo](#): > > Other shows require you to actually use your brain. The characters and the stories are subtle and complex. You have to watch and listen and, worse of all, think in order to understand what’s going on. The effort is admittedly greater but so is the reward. :rolleyes: Yes, of course. Why couldn’t I see it all along? Everyone who didn’t like the story is just too stupid, lazy and unsophisticated to appreciate its subtle genius. Give me a break. ---
**Author:** ![Balduran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cc9497/32.png) [@Balduran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balduran)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2005, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-knew-arrested-development-couldnt-hang-on-forever/330592/54 "2005-11-12T13:38:19Z")
> [@Neurotik](#): > > :rolleyes: > > Yes, of course. Why couldn’t I see it all along? Everyone who didn’t like the story is just too stupid, lazy and unsophisticated to appreciate its subtle genius. Give me a break. Well, obviously you couldn’t see it all along because you are to stupid, lazy and unsophisticated. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2005, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-knew-arrested-development-couldnt-hang-on-forever/330592/55 "2005-11-12T13:49:46Z")
> [@Balduran](#): > > Well, obviously you couldn’t see it all along because you are to stupid, lazy and unsophisticated. 😉 Stupid? Maybe. Lazy? Perhaps. But unsophisticated? Possibly. ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2005, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-knew-arrested-development-couldnt-hang-on-forever/330592/56 "2005-11-12T13:58:16Z")
> [@Little Nemo](#): > > Probably _The Ben Stiller Show_, a sketch comedy series on Fox back in 1992. Fox broadcast twelve episodes and cancelled the series. Then several months later it won an Emmy. But that was an Emmy for writing not Best Comedy. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2005, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-knew-arrested-development-couldnt-hang-on-forever/330592/57 "2005-11-12T14:00:45Z")
> [@jasonh300](#): > > It’s no shock to me. FOX has done this over and over again with good shows over the past 10 years. > > They come out with something good, they air the first season, then they run a few reruns, and then they air movies for 6 weeks. Then baseball for 12 weeks. Then they bring on Season 2 on a different night. And by that time the viewers from the first season have either forgotten about the show or find it impossible to catch it on the new night. OR they just don’t hear that the show is back on and never get to see it. > > The ratings plummet and that’s the end of the show. You’ve hit the nail on the head. My wife and I love the show, but haven’t been able to catch an episode this season. By the time I figured out that it was back on, we’d just missed the first episode. Not only did they put it on a different night, they moved it up an hour to 8:00! I tried to set our new DVR to record it the next week, but couldn’t find it on the program guide, which only extended forward 7 days to the following Sunday. The next Monday my son had Scouts, and I forgot about it. Then baseball started… ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2005, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-knew-arrested-development-couldnt-hang-on-forever/330592/58 "2005-11-12T14:11:02Z")
But does FOX benefit from people who DVR the show? ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2005, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-knew-arrested-development-couldnt-hang-on-forever/330592/59 "2005-11-12T16:06:39Z")
> [@middleman](#): > > But does FOX benefit from people who DVR the show? If \*\*robby \*\* isn’t a Neilsen family then it doesn’t matter either way. I wish we were a Neilsen family, then my opinion might have some clout. But if we were _Dora The Explorer_ would be the number one show on TV. ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2005, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-knew-arrested-development-couldnt-hang-on-forever/330592/60 "2005-11-12T17:48:13Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > But if we were _Dora The Explorer_ would be the number one show on TV. Same in my household. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-knew-arrested-development-couldnt-hang-on-forever/330592.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-knew-arrested-development-couldnt-hang-on-forever/330592.md?page=4)