So, it looks like it's finally going to happen. For the unaware, there has been talk for a long time that the defunct Fox series, Arrested Development, would be made into a feature film. Though since those rumors had been going around since it was clear that Fox planned to cancel the show, way back in 2006, it was hard to know how credible this all was. Then again, I suppose that's Fox's "thing"--canceling awesome shows before their time, only to see them turn into cult classics and movies later (see Serenity/Firefly and our Imaginary Interview with a Fox Executive).
Anyway, while every other major cast member has long been a part of the movie project, Michael Cera was holding out for some unknown reason. It's not like he was up for James Bond or anything. Does the guy ever play anything other than awkward, geeky teenage boys? So why not play an awkward geeky teenager with a better cast and a script that probably involves somewhat fewer semen jokes? Anyway, this week, it was reported that Cera is now on board, and Ron Howard confirmed that they were moving forward with the movie--essentially, they're not giving out details anymore, which (while frustrating) is a good sign.
I have an ongoing argument with Gator6C about where Arrested Development fits among the best TV shows of all time. He claims it's too new to judge yet, which is fair, but I maintain that if we're going purely by writing and acting quality (and not dragging in influence or popularity) that it's a definite top 10. (It's actually top 3 on my personal list, but that's beside the point.)
Anyway in celebration, I give you this cool video I found of a guy doing a tribute to Gob at the 2008 annual Australian Society of Magician's competition. (Apparently, he'd won the last 4 years running and was bored with success.)
Scrubs is coming back to TV tonight--though on ABC rather than NBC. (I believe this is supposed to be the final season.) I know that last season was a little disappointing, but I think that's more because of the weirdness of not knowing whether this was going to be the last season than because of any inherent problem with the show itself. I'll agree that Scrubs isn't as good now as it was several seasons ago, but it's still better than most of the crap that passes for a sitcom these days, so NBC's shenanigans are especially confusing--and it was good to see it get picked up by ABC.
The near cancellation of Scrubs got me thinking about heinous early cancellations in TV land. And while my heart belongs to Firefly, I think I might have to go with Arrested Development as the most completely wrong cancellation in the history of TV. Without a doubt, it was the smartest and funniest sitcom I've ever seen. But I guess it had insufficient bumbling, moronic husbands and bitchy, martinet wives to really succeed on network television.
Other nominees to the Cancelled Too Soon Hall of Fame? Well, off the top of my head, I'd say: Deadwood, Police Squad, News Radio, Freaks & Geeks, Firefly, Arrested Development, Firefly, Arrested Development, and . . . um . . . Firefly. Oh, and did I mention Arrested Development? Seriously, how could Fox cancel the awesomeness that gave us this:
RSS Feed
