The Best TV in the Last 10 Years: #4: Arrested Development

FOX

This one sneaked up on me. I watched this show on DVD on the recommendation of a nephew, and I didn't know what to expect. But I found it to be pure joy.

First off, for an Andy Griffith Show fan like me, just having Ron Howard as the narrator had me ready to like this show from the opening frame. But oh, how much better it became.

Justin Bateman plays the level-headed Michael Bluth, who seems to be confused about the family he's been born into. Not unlike the aforementioned Andy Griffith, he finds himself the only sane one in the midst of a slew of lunatics. Michael is called to take over the family business once his father is indicted and ends up in prison over shady business practices. Once Michael begins to dig into the family dealings the more complicated it becomes.

Michael has a son, George-Michael Bluth played by Michael Cera. They live together in the attic of one of the model homes constructed by the father who is now in prison. Michael often visits his father in prison, and dear old dad is played by none other than Jeffrey Tambor. Mom is Lucille Bluth brought to life perfectly in a twisted, money grubbing kind of way by Jessica Walters. Michael's siblings are: brother George "Gob" Bluth and wannabe magician, "Buster" Bluth (Tony Hale) a mama's boy, maturity stunted whatever, and a sister Lindsay Bluth-Funke, another of the spendomaniacs blessed with a company credit card. Lindsay is married to the hilarious David Cross who plays Tobias Funke. Tobias goes from being a "never-nude" ( a person who can't bear to be naked and showers in cut-offs) to being a nudist, to finally joining Blue Man Group, because he thought it was a self-help group for depressed guys.

This show is chuck full of sight-gags, and wonderful writing. But it is the subtle performance of this cast that pulls it off. George-Michael working at the frozen chocolate banana stand with such wonderful confused native makes it work for me.

There are just too many wonderful story lines and goofy happenings about this show to go into. But just know, like all great shows, this is character driven. Not just Hawkeye-Pierce quipping. That is so dull. This is so good.

Arrested Development is this high on my list for a reason. (A little bit because Freaks and Geeks was longer than 10 years ago, but still...) In fact, there was such a buzz about this show, that even though it ended a few years ago, there is talk that there is going to be a new season and even a movie.

This is wonderful, twisted, funny stuff and I have no problem having it this high on my list.