Showtime To Pick Up Arrested Development?

Mr. Kennedy

The New York Post's Page Six gossip column reports that cable network Showtime has picked up 26 episodes of the canceled cult sitcom Arrested Development. The show was axed by Fox after three seasons of Emmy-winning hilarity due to perennially low ratings. Neither network had anything to say officially.

In January, Showtime president Peter Greenblat told reporters at the Television Critics Association press tour that his network was seriously considering picking up the show.

"I always thought it was probably a better fit on a cable network than on a broadcast network," Greenblatt said. "And you know, in fact, I think it really does fit in with a lot of the things that we're doing."

The deal was contingent upon the involvement of show creator Mitchell Hurwitz--at the time, he was having reservations about continuing with the show after three years of stressful dealings with Fox.

"I think he's the genius behind it, and he hasn't yet come to that decision to continue the show," Greenblatt said of Hurwitz.

Arrested Development averaged around 4 million viewers a week in its third and final season, paltry by broadcast TV standards but huge for a cable network like Showtime. In contrast, Weeds, a popular Showtimes series, averages less than 500,000 viewers a week. Even king of the cable hill HBO commands only a few million viewers per week for its non-Sopranos shows--the Mafia-inspired drama, which returns March 16, garners 10 million to 11 million viewers a week.
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I hoped they have picked it up, I loved the show and though it could have done better if Fox had handled it better.

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Miakal

I'd really love to see this show come back.

Would Showtime be able to produce the same level of show though? Would all the stars really want to move to cable? That would be my big question.

It seems somewhat unlikely that every single person would sign on to do more on Showtime. I think they would have more freedom, if not nearly absolute freedom, over there. But like I said, I'm not sure everyone would be happy being on cable. Even if they were, it seems like it might be shocking that everyone would still be game.

Could the show survive if one of the main characters decided not to come along?

Shining Wizard

Next to the Office, Arrested Development has been my favorite show on television since its inception but I'm actually kind of conflicted on it being picked up by Showtime. First of all I don't get Showtime, and am unwilling to shell out the extra cash to add it to my cable package. More importantly even though Fox basically burned off all the remaining Arrested episodes against the opening ceromonies of the Olympics the show still had some of the best episodes of its entire run. So good in fact that there really is no place left to go character wise that wouldn't seem like a retread of the first season.

The season(series?) finale in particular was the greatest ending to any show ever and cemented Franklin's status as being the funniest muppet in the history of film or television(move over Sweedish Chef). Seriously, I don't see how they could ever hope to top it so why even try, let the show go out on a fantastic note leaving us wanting more.

Miakal

Yeah, I don't have Showtime either. I would probably just try and pick up the DVDs though. I would think DVD sales would still be strong for them.

I have hardly seen any episodes of this season. Hopefully I'll get a chance to this summer.

Mr. Kennedy

I am reluctent to pick up Showtime as well since I would only do it for AD and i'm not sure if it would be worth it.

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