Recently, I've been spending my spare time digging into what on Netflix's instant streaming service (now available for $209.97 a month), with Psych and Chuck coming off as fair highlights.
Truly, though, my best discovery is Arrested Development.
Due to information gathering online, I've learned that Arrested Development first started airing back in my younger years in the early 2000's, eventually growing a small but dedicated fanbase throughout it's three seasons. However, no matter how hard it tried, word of the show's brilliance didn't get out there and it closed off at the end of a season five-nine episodes shorter than its brothers. And that was the end of it, the final episode ending with a "on the epilouge" rather than the customary "on the next episode." No other network picked up the series, and plans for a movie fell through.
Until 2013, that is. Netflix, FOX, and Imagine made a deal to put together a reunion season that brought back the main cast. Each episode focused on a select character, allowing the busy stars to work on other projects simultaneously, and fifteen new half-hours or so began again with the story of the Bluth family.
And though not by much, Arrested Development's fanbase slowly widened, eventually long enough for ideas for another season or a movie to develop once again. And, thanks to the recent announcement of Season 5, it's perfect timing to release myself an Arrested Development top ten list. And what else could it be for, than the top quotes & gags from the show that packs over a hundred jokes into a 22-37 minute episode.
Enjoy guys.
It's Arrested Development.
10. "I don't know what I expected."
Prime character: Michael Bluth
Why?: Michael, though being the center in most of the advertisements and snapshots for Arrested Development, is, I think, probably the only character in the ensemble that couldn't quite maintain many laughs on his own. Michael's deadpan and mortified reactions to his awful family are what truly make him, and, simple as this one is, it's a perfect quote for the man that had to keep the Bluth family together.
9. "Illusions. A trick is something a whore does for money...[looks at children]...or candy."
Prime character: G.O.B. Bluth
Why?: This line, coming from the very first episode of the series ["Pilot"], really shows how genius it was from the start, a trait which, miraculously, it has failed to lose so far. Not to mention it's part of our introduction to G.O.B., my favorite character from the show.
8. George-Michael's hopeless crush on Maeby
Best example: George-Michael's living with Maeby montage ["Top Banana"]
Prime character(s): George-Michael Bluth, Maeby Funke
Why?: George-Michael, though he didn't have many things to offer, was great with what he did have. Whether it was Maeby being clueless to his blatant crush, or Michael taking his confessons some other way, it was a great way to add depth and humor to an otherwise mostly straight character.
7. Ann Veal ("Her?")
Prime character(s): Ann Veal
Why?: Ann Veal is, hands-down, one of the show's best side characters, with everyone always wondering what the [beep] George-Michael sees in her, or getting too deep into her religious affairs with her family. I'm glad her storyline with G.O.B. gave her a bigger role during the later seasons.
6. And please refrain from discussing or engaging in any sort of inter-office [bleep]ing, or [bleep]ing, or finger-[bleep], or [bleep]sting or [bleep]ing, or even [bleep], even though so many people in this office are begging for it. And if anybody does anything with my sister Lindsay, I'll take off my pants, I'll shave my [bleep], and I'll personally [really long bleep]."
Prime character: Gob Bluth
Why?: From a hilariously dirty episode early in the second season of the show ["Afternoon Delight"], the sheer length of this warning speech from G.O.B., the worst boss in the history of the company, which is really saying something, made me break down in laughter. I must've rewatched it five or six times.
5. Franklin Delano Bluth
Prime character: Franklin Delano Bluth/G.O.B. Bluth
Why?: Introduced late in Season 2 ["Meet the Veals"], Franklin Delano Bluth never failed to bring something hilarious that Whitey wasn't ready to hear. Whether he was a prime suspect in a kidnapping affair, or singing about his many children he's never met, died white or not, I'd always let this little racy puppet into my club.
4. The family's impressions of chickens ("Cockaw-cockaw-cockaw!")
Prime character(s): G.O.B. Bluth, Lindsay Funke, George Bluth, Lucille Bluth
Variation: "Has anyone here actually ever seen a chicken?" (Michael Bluth)
Why?: Something each member of the family has to offer: a unique chicken dance, usually utilized to make fun of a poor, annoyed Michael. Their sheer difference from what a chicken sounds like, and ignorance towards this factoid, is always great.
3. "The Sound of Silence"
Prime character(s): G.O.B. Bluth, Tony Wonder
Why?: Perfectly utilized in the fourth season, this always manages to play when G.O.B. (or once, Tony Wonder) realizes how truly alone he is. Will Arnett's blank yet sorrowful expression he always puts on when the track begins just adds to the wonder.
2. "I've made a huge mistake."
Prime character: G.O.B. Bluth
Why?: Occassionally used by characters throughout the show, but usually G.O.B., the joke gets funnier the more times it's used. Everytime one of the Bluth family screws up, you just find yourself waiting for it.
Honorable Mentions:
1. "Steve Holt!" (Steve Holt)
2. The literal doctor (The literal doctor)
3. "No touching!" (George Bluth Sr., jail guard)
4. "And that's why you always leave a note!" (J. Walter Weatherman)
5. "This is a [insert high number of $] suit! Come on!" (G.O.B. Bluth)
1. Almost everything Tobias says being suggestive or awkward ("I'm afraid I just blue myself.")
Prime character: Tobias Funke
Why?: Whether he's wondering where the [BEEP] his hard-boiled eggs are, or proclaiming himself a proud "analrapist," Tobias Funke's genius misstatements are always a joy to hear, whether he understands them or not. Honestly, it's not surprising our never nude eventually ended up on "To Catch a Predator," and then, well, jail.
Whew, there we are. See you guys again, soon. If anyone wants more Arrested Development, make sure to comment down below and let me now.
Thanks.
That was Arrested Development.
Previous Top Ten: "Top Ten Best: Marvel Cinematic Universe Entries (& Top Anticipated)"
Coming Soon: "Top Ten Best: Reasons I'm Excited for Arkham Knight"
No comments:
Post a Comment