Dear Arrested Development, Please Hurry the F*** Up.

Dear Arrested Development,

I've been obsessed with you since 2003. Many would say that's borderline pathological, but I say it's just good taste. For the most part my friends agree with me, so either we're all in some sort of weird symbiotic relationship (not out of the question), or my obsession is just good commonsense (let's go with that, shall we?).

When I found out that an Arrested Development movie might be happening I was as excited as the next fan. I was also as patient as the next fan, which is to say--not at all. When your creator Ron Howard repeatedly assured us that a movie was happening and nothing happened I began to lose faith with the rest of America.

But then in November of 2011 something magical happened. Netflix officially announced that Arrested Development was coming back. Nope, not back on our TVs, but back to our eyes in a way that was (to be frank) even better: a 13 episode order that would be released all at once directly on Netflix instant.

To recap your own history for you (because seriously its been so long it's doubtful even you remember), there will be a six year gap between the last time you aired on TV (2006) and your release date on Netflix (2013).

But don't worry. We'll be watching.

May 26th, 2013 please hurry the f*** up.

-A Fan

'Arrested Development': The Top 5 Episodes

In honor of this joyous day, aka the day that filming on 'Arrested Development' Season Four begins, let's look back at some of the most hilarious 'Arrested Development' episodes of all time. I know I often offer you mild suggestions about what to watch and why, but with 'Arrested Development' I can adamently say that if you don't find it funny we will never be friends. There, I've said it.

Now that that's out of the way, here are my picks for the funniest episodes ever.

'Arrested Development' is coming back! New season announced.

Is 'Arrested Development' really coming back? Yes!

At a recent reunion of the cast and crew of the short-lived 'Arrested Development', which took place at the New Yorker Event today, producers announced a plan to film a shortened new season.

The fourth season of 'Arrested Development' will tentatively film next summer, and will only be a few episodes. It is five years since the third season of 'Arrested Development' ended due to low ratings. Since then the show has garnered tons of critical acclaim and a huge cult following.

Talk of an 'Arrested Development' movie has been around since the show was canceled, and creator Mitchell Hurwitz admits that the cast is still hoping to film a movie in the future. However, he felt that a movie would have to jump too far into the future of the Bluth family too quickly, and that a short television mini-series would be able to bridge the gap.

Anything that gives us more 'Arrested Development' is good in my book. The more the better!

Portia de Rossi's return to TV

Portia de Rossi is returning to television.

Just when I was wondering (while I sat on my couch re-watching 'Arrested Development' episodes) whether de Rossi had decided to 'retire' from acting, I got the news that she may be returning to our televisions as early as next Fall.

De Rossi's wife, Ellen Degeneres, is producing her newest show. The as yet unnamed show focuses on the escapades of two sisters (one played by de Rossi). The show recently went through a bidding war, and the lucky winner was NBC.

Amber Tamblyn & David Cross--Fake Wedding Guest List

Fake Wedding Guest List Game!
Fictional and Real People Invited to Tamblyn & Cross' Wedding

After my prior post about Amber Tamblyn and David Cross' engagement, I realized that an engagement traditionally (hopefully) leads to a wedding. After glancing at the title of an Entertainment Weekly article ('Tobias Funke to wed Amber Tamblyn: Who should join the wedding party?') I decided to play the wedding guest list game.

Because I'm (obviously) inventing this game, here are the rules I followed:

you can invite fictional or real people...
color code to indicate if they are on the bride or groom's side:
If you have any suggestions for people I've missed, feel free to add them in the comments

1. Gob (because who doesn't want a non-alliance approved magician at their wedding?)
2. Will Arnett (because who doesn't want Will Arnett at their wedding?)
3. Amy Poehler (bonus! to inviting Will Arnett)
4. Tina Fey (oh, I don't know, I figure she just goes where Amy Poehler goes)
5. Jeff Richmond (I suppose he goes where Tina Fey goes, and maybe he can help out with the wedding music or something)
6. Dr. House (but only if he's on plenty of Vicodin, cause otherwise I think he'd be even more likely to ruin things)
7. Hugh Laurie (bonus! fun foreign accent)
8. Jesse Spencer (bonus! fun foreign accent)
9. Olivia Wilde (because she just seems like she'd have a good time)
10. Dr. Cuddy (always handy to have a doctor on call at a wedding, Lisa Edelstein is out though)
11. Dr. Cameron (what if Cuddy is too drunk or something?)
12. Michael Cera (George Michael is too young to have a good time at a wedding, but Cera can hook up with a bridesmaid)
13. Maeby Funke (anyone who can pretend to find a rabbit foot in a frozen banana can have a good time at wedding, they're mutually exclusive)
14. Lucille Bluth (someone needs to contribute good quality alcohol)
15. Portia de Rossi (she seems nice, and funny, plus she comes with Ellen)
16. Ellen Degeneres (bonus! to inviting Portia de Rossi)
17. Lindsay Funke (cause you need someone to inappropriately hit on all the groomsmen)
18. Ron Howard (I don't know, isn't it traditional to have an announcer at these things?)
19. Jason Ritter (what can we say...he's a Ritter!)
20. Alexis Bledel (because of the Sisterhood)
21. Blake Lively (ditto)
22. America Ferrera (ditto)

David Cross & Amber Tamblyn are Engaged!

Amber Tamblyn and David Cross Announce Engagement!

Does anyone else remember when news of Amber Tamblyn and David Cross' relationship first hit the blogosphere? It was wayyy back in 2009, and Tamblyn was 25 to Cross' 44. And there was just a little bit of an eww factor. Don't get me wrong, I really appreciate them both as actors, and find them incredibly talented. I still remember Tamblyn fondly from her 'Joan of Arcadia' days, and her recent role on 'House' was well done. And since I am one of the hugest 'Arrested Development' fans on the planet, I obviously appreciate Cross' extreme talent. I suppose an age gap of 19 years really isn't that huge (Ellen and Portia are 15 years apart, and no one said anything about that). I think the real issue is that Tamblyn looks sooo young, while Cross looks, well...sooo old.
But she's now 28, and he's now 47, and somehow that age gap seems a little more reasonable (until you realize that she's not even thirty and he's almost fifty! But I digress). They are officially engaged. In fact, they've apparently been engaged for weeks, but (smartly I think!) wanted to enjoy the engagement in private for a while before letting the whole world know. And considering they've been dating for three years it seems like they are a successful couple who will hopefully have a successful marriage. Really, congratulations are in order. And I mean that!

It's Summer...What Are You Going to Watch?

What You Should Be Watching This Summer:

Now that summer's fully upon us (official June 21st!) what are you planning on watching while your favorite shows are on hiatus? Find some of my recommendations for live TV viewing and Netflix browsing below:



Mondays

1) Rizzoli & Isles. Premieres July 11th. Mondays 10/9 c on TNT.

Harmon (from 'Desperate Housewives') as a homicide detective. Alexander (from 'Dawson's Creek' and 'NCIS') as a medical examiner. They solve cases. They're best friends. There's homoerotic tension if you want to look for it.

2) Weeds. Premieres June 27th. Mondays 10/9 c on Showtime.
Marie-Louise Parker. Marijuana dealer. Mother to three. If you're going to watch this you have to play catch up first.

Tuesdays

2) Covert Affairs. Tuesdays 10/9 C on USA.

CIA. Hot female spy. Sexy James Bond lite. Enough said.

Wednesdays

3) Toddlers & Tiaras. Wednesday 10/9 c on TLC.

Ridiculous pageant moms and their children. Watch them 'train'. Watch them 'compete'. Watch the horror of child beauty pageants while sitting on the edge of your seat.

4) Damages. Wednesdays 10/9 c on DIRECTV.
Reality TV not really your thing? Watch Glen Close as a manipulative lawyer, and Rose Byne as her equally devious, slightly more genuine, younger counterpart.

Netflix It Anytime

5) Better Off Ted. Netflix.
If you missed this when it was on the air catch up with it right away. Crazy R&D firm. Portia de Rossi as an insensitive yet hilarious boss. Science nerds, children, and love interests.

6) Arrested Development. Netflix.
I know, I'm really pushing de Rossi's work. But this is pure genius. Watch it at least 3 times to get all the hidden subtext. Zany family, criminal charges, Michael Cera, and the most ridiculous plot you've ever seen. Plus, it has four characters all named some combination of George/Michael. How can you not love it?

7) Wonderfalls. DVD.
Recent Brown graduate works retail. Inanimate animals talk to her. They help her solve people's problems. Add a hot bartender/potential boyfriend and a hilarious closeted lesbian sister and you've got a must-watch.

8) Bones. Netflix.
Rewatch seasons 1-4 (all available on Netflix) and then somehow get your hands on season 5 and 6. Rewatch before November premiere date of season 7. Find the subtext. Reevaluate the writers...maybe they're not all crazy?

9) Law and Order: SVU. Netflix.
Crime, Benson, Stabler. It's all there. With 248 episodes you can really keep summer boredom at bay.

10) Parks and Recreation. Netflix.
Amy Poehler. Ridiculous local government. Rashida Jones. Oh, and did I mention Amy Poehler?

11) 30 Rock. Netflix.
Tina Fey. Alec Baldwin. Behind the scenes of an SNL-like show. Plus Jane Krakowski. Oh, and did I mention Tina Fey?

12) Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the series). Netflix.
Because it's a cultural milestone. With a spunky ex-cheerleader and her quirky friends. Oh and said ex-cheerleader kills demons. Plus, early (note: hot) David Boreanaz.

new series this fall. get excited. maybe.

New Pilots Coming This Fall hopefully to a t.v. near you:
aka Keeping Actors' Family Members in the Network Television Tree

no. not this kind of pilot.

Look's like Amy Poehler's husband, Will Arnett (of "Arrested Development" fame) is keeping it in the family. Emily Spivey, the writer of his wife's hit t.v. show ("Parks and Recreation") is the writer of his new show, "Alpha Mom". Oh, look, it also might be on NBC. Maybe it will even be on the same night as "Parks and Rec". Actually, that wouldn't be so bad. I've been missing Will Arnett ever since Gob was kicked off the air. Still, is this going to be yet another excuse for delaying the "Arrested Development" movie? Greeaaat.





Other networks appear to believe in this whole 'support the family' thing too. Zooey Deschanel (the only reason why "Failure to Launch" was funny) is starring in a new pilot. The show is called "The New Girl" and is about an elementary teacher who's unlucky in love, and lives with three guys. My only concern is that it's written by Liz Meriwether, who also wrote "No Strings Attached". Which, frankly, was a terrible waste of time. Still, I have hopes for the show. And, oh. Look. It's on the same network as big sis Emily Deschanel's hit show, "Bones".




All right, this has nothing to do with family relations, but I'm still going to mention it. CBS might be airing "The Ringer", about a woman who's on the run and decides to borrow her twin sister's identity. Okay, I'll admit it sounds a bit like a Lifetime movie plot (actually, I think I saw that Lifetime movie). But, and here's where it gets good, Sarah Michelle Gellar is starring in it. Honestly, after the disappointment of "The Wonderful Maladys" (which I have to say, I think had a much better premise), I'd just like to see her on the air again.




Here's an article about some more potential series. Any other exciting ones you've heard about?

They have accents?

Wait, What Accents?

There are a shocking number of foreign actors and actresses who appear on American television using American accents.


Often we know who these people are, but occasionally it's shocking.


For instance, did you know that Kevin McKidd (who plays Owen on "Grey's Anatomy") is Scottish? Well, I had no idea...until I saw him being interviewed for the "Greys" musical episode.



Marianne Jean-Baptiste, who played Vivian Johnson on "Without a Trace" for 8 seasons, is also British. I discovered that (with a great deal of shock) when I watched the special features on the series DVD.







Oh, and lets not forget "House". Hugh Laurie is also a Brit. But they're not the only ones invading.

"Without a Trace" barely qualifies as an American television show. Poppy Montgomery and Anthony LaPaglia, the shows other two leads, are both Australian. But you wouldn't know it.






"Fringe", currently airing on Fox, has an Australian lead (Anna Torv), and so does "The Mentalist" (Simon Baker).





And, Portia de Rossi, who I've previously mentioned for her roles on "Ally McBeal", "Arrested Development", and "Nip/Tuck", is yet another Australian.







Here are the following shows that have foreign actors playing American leads different television stations:
1) "Fringe" and "House" on Fox
2) "The Mentalist" on CBS
3) "Grey's Anatomy" on ABC
So, that's the two out of the Big Three plus the 'newcomer' network!

I guess I really can't complain about an Australian/British invasion on "our" television. After all, I have British citizenship too, and I'm not planning on moving out of the U.S. anytime soon.

Check out this fun story about foreigners playing Americans that was first heard on NPR in 2008.

Arrested Development did it first...

(Left) Cera & de Rossi sing on "Arrested Development"
(Right) Mays & Michele sing on "Glee"

Dear Glee,
Yes, "Afternoon Delight" is a surprisingly sexual song. You know who made this joke first? "Arrested Development". Back in 2004 (28th episode). Seven Years ago. Just thought you'd like to know...

Shawkat & Bateman sing on "Arrested Development"

Here's the hilarious clip from "Arrested Development".

As 'E! Online' states, "During last week's show, Emma performed "Afternoon Delight" with members of her abstinence club. But when substitute sex ed teacher Holly Holliday tells her that that the song is actually about having sex, a flustered Emma explains she thought it was about enjoying a piece of pie".

Glee, this whole thing would have been a lot funnier if you'd done it first...

Read more from E!:
http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/marc_malkin/b230858_glees_jayma_mays_really_didnt_know.html#ixzz1GsOhiM7X

p.s. Another fun connection: "Glee" was created by Ryan Murphy who also created..."Nip/Tuck".

why didn't you watch it? see what you did? now it's off the air...

"Arrested Development"
aka: why didn't you watch it? see what you did? now it's off the air...

"Arrested Development" is one of the smartest shows of all time, and if these guys ever get their documentary released I will definitely watch it. Let me just point out that it would be a GENIUS move on their part to release it right around the time that the "Arrested Development" movie comes out. You know, if that ever happens.

Now, let me just point out another lovely connection: In Season 2 of "Arrested Development" (which began in 2003) they mention "Nip/Tuck" ('Hand to God').

George Michael: "And Anne's off with her religious group trying to get 'Nip/Tuck' taken off the air"
Michael: "They don't like 'Nip/Tuck'?"
George Michael: "Well, they don't like anything..."

And who was in "Nip/Tuck" in 2007 as a guest actor (come on, you know this, I've mentioned it before...)? One of the leading actors in "Arrested Development", Portia de Rossi. She discusses her first ever role as a lesbian HERE.

Portia de Rossi & Joely Richardson

is it just me, or do they look a little too similar?

Phyllis Smith
Please note: this image is perfectly related to the next post's discussion/rant about "Toddlers & Tiaras"

Phyllis Smith is now very well-known for "The Office". But her first ever part was actually on "Arrested Development". She didn't even have any lines, but she did get to sit in on a Bluth board meeting. And that's something.

all of these images were found on a basic Google search using the keywords "Arrested Development cast", "de Rossi Nip/Tuck" & "Phyllis Smith". I do not own copyright for any of these images.