Arrested Development: I’m Still in Denial That It’s Off the Air
Anyone who knows me is aware that I’m completely obsessed with Arrested Development. And though it’s been off the air for four years (can you believe it’s been that long?!), I’m still missing the witty writing and great acting. There have been a few shows since that have similarities (good writing=Modern Family, impeccable timing=30 Rock), but none have captured the true brilliance of AD.
So why did I love it so much? Aside from pitch-perfect writing and insanely good timing, the cast was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Every last character was perfection. The casting of this show was just so good — each actor/actress played their character with enough charm and brash to make them simultaneously lovable and loathsome. I’m always having debates with other AD lovers about who the best character is — and it’s simply an impossible task! They are all too good.
Here’s what I love about each:
Michael Bluth
First of all, Jason Bateman is gorgeous. I think he’s one of the best looking guys in Hollywood. I love his cute smile but I also like him because he’s so sneaky witty and funny. Also, so much of his character revolved around RE-acting to his cast mates and he was great playing off others. Michael Bluth was the “normal” one to a family of crazy people. And watching him play off all their craziness was great.
Gob Bluth
Will Arnett is great–and I think his character got some of the best writing on the show. Gob was an idiot who didn’t care about anyone–and that lent itself to some great situational comedy. I truly believe this is one of the greatest characters on TV ever. Example of Gob dialogue:
Marta: Te Quiero.
Gob: English, please.
Marta: I love you.
Gob: Great, now I’m late.
Buster Bluth
“I guess we’re just gonna blow through naptime, huh?” Hysterical! Buster is another great character–a 30-something guy that still lives at home with his mom and loves his daily naps. High point? When his hand was eaten by a seal named Lucille.
George Michael Bluth
The discovery of Michael Cera! No one else could have played this role as well as Michael Cera did. His teen confusion and angst was so believable! And his timing… it’s impressive someone his age did comedy that well. He’s very, very talented. And funny. And endearing. And cute.
Lindsay Funke
My favorite Lindsay moment is when she visits her dad in jail wearing a t-shirt with SLUT emblazoned on the front. I love her complete narcissism and lack of desire to do ANY work. Portia de Rossi was awesome in this role. And I’m totally obsessed with her hair.
Tobias Funke
“I blue myself.” Need I say more?
George Bluth
George Bluth’s facial expressions were priceless. And his one liners (“Daddy Horny”) were even better. Jeffrey Tambor was the perfect choice for this character – witty, respectable, and lovable.
Lucille Bluth
I hadn’t seen Jessica Walters in anything before and was BLOWN AWAY by how amazing she is. Her acting and timing is phenomenal. I could watch her play this character for years and never get bored. Her love of cocktails and driving cars is so funny and her constant ranking of her own children always makes me laugh.
Maeby Bluth
This character probably got the least amount of air time, but she did a lot with what she had… her stint as a movie studio executive (at age 15 no less!) was well executed and written. “Marry me!”
I think Alia Shawkat is so beautiful. I was happy to see her in “Whip It” as Ellen Page’s best friend, and I hear that she’s the bassist in “The Runaways,” about Joan Jett.
And I love all the characters, too. You nailed what’s lovable about each of them.