Is Arrested Development a Classic?

[@gustavvasa8011]

Gob is probably one of the best casting ever done in television

[@talonhammer]

casting anyone else for Gob would have been a huge mistake!

[@gustavvasa8011]

@@talonhammer fantastic reference

[@perrywinklefartsniffer6630]

🐓👏👏

[@johnjacobsen1915]

Bees?

[@gustavvasa8011]

@@johnjacobsen1915 BEADS????

[@simonjames1604]

i think what was great about lucilles reaction to gene parmagian was her character was never impressed with anything/ anyone in her family said or did but she was always delighted by the most simple of disguises and appearances by martin mull, you could see the disbelief on other bluth family members faces when she exhbited such happiness in front of them almost as if they were saying " all the things i try and do and THIS is the person you approve of?"

[@liv5015]

Gene? Oh it's just some idiot with balloons ... AAAAHHHHHH GEEEENEEEEE!! I KNEW IT

[@laurathepoet]

I laugh at this every time, no matter how many times I've seen it. I could watch it over and over again. She was a master of comedic timing.

[@ignorant1126]

One of my favourite examples of this is during the court case in the finale. Gene has already revealed himself, he's clearly in the room. The prosecutor starts talking to him but is facing the judge. The judge tells him off and Gene says, 'I'm Gene Parmagian', and the camera pans over the court for a moment. In the background there's Lucille standing up and jumping around giddily, as if she forgot he was there at all. Hilarious and adorable

[@peepo2560]

He always gets us

[@jamescarr1265]

RIP Gene

[@Uulfinn]

The taboos and controversies of the first 3 seasons are part of what made them great. George Michael's incest subplot is so unique and bizarre, it makes the show feel different from anything else.

[@chrislawuk]

Yes.. very French…

[@satyre_1]

@@chrislawuk I like the way they think

[@henneburymarc]

Hmm, strange thing to think differentiated the show

[@LieseFury]

@@henneburymarc before Game of Thrones, no tv show would even dare to allude to incest. bizarre as it may be, the incest plotline was very unique to Arrested Development.

[@exomake_mehorololo]

How does something ridiculous and uncomfortable make a show great?... Is there nothing else going for it? Odd thing to say

[@danieljarvis3433]

Drew Gooden made a video about arrested development, and he said that AD was almost “made to be binged” because of the recurring jokes and the pace of the show. It was so ahead of its time

[@trequor]

Yeah that's exactly why it failed on TV. They frequently have punchlines appear multiple episodes BEFORE the joke is actually set up. It's made to be watched all at once and then rewatched again for more laughs that were impossible without the full context

[@aduckofsomesort]

@@trequor well it was more that you needed to be viewing it more than just one random episode every so often. At the time serialization just didn’t really matter to people.

[@TOBAPNW_]

Which I suppose explains why fans bought the DVDs

[@lisalove991]

Ugh, I love Drew Gooden he makes the best videos, they’re almost, binge worthy 😂

[@Geidi174]

👎​@@lisalove991

[@T1J]

i didnt realize how many successful careers were launched by this show

[@JoseBird]

Yeah, even the few cast members with successful careers got a huge boost.

[@miinyoo]

I disagree. None of the people involved have had amazing careers. They're struggling just like everyone else who has some talent but lacks the fortitude to be exceptional all the time.

[@Mia.S13]

@@miinyoo Jason Bateman is doing well since arrested development S5, he was just in Ozark which was a great show

[@Insanepie]

I did

[@Hexadecimal]

@@kaydgaming And let's not forget people behind the Camera. Before the Russo Brothers were directing avengers movies they directed about 15 episodes of AD

[@DNorbs7]

Jason Bateman has had kind of a crazy career arc. He was a child star in the 80s (Hogan Family, Teen Wolf, etc.) sort of disappeared in the 90s, then made Arrested Development in 2003, which was the first time (at least that I remember) that he really showed off his comedy chops. I remember the first time I heard about AD, & thought, "Jason Bateman plays the lead? And it's a comedy show?" 🤔 After Arrested Development, however, it seemed like everyone realized how funny he was, and he ended up in what seemed like EVERY SINGLE big budget comedy movie from 2004 to about 2015. He then became a very successful dramatic actor/director as well. Def one of the best child actor success stories and someone I always enjoy seeing regardless of the role he's playing. Great video as always, Jose.

[@elijahfordsidioticvarietys8770]

I like him because he looks exactly like my dad.

[@Xondar11223344]

He's really great at the deadpan humour. There's a long list of serious, dramatic actors playing excellent straight men. Leslie Nielsen comes to mind.

[@matthiasnagorski8411]

@@Xondar11223344 he is phenomenal at playing realistic characters. Part of that is the writing, but he is just great at pulling off the normal dude in a crazy situation. Part of that is that deadpan, blank delivery.

[@ChasingLamely]

Fun thing to realise is that Jason Bateman's career parallels Ron Howard's in some ways, and reflects it in others. Both child stars who disappeared for a decade before coming back playing against type (Howard went from comedy to drama), then went into directing and producing. It'd be interesting to see them combine their experiences a decade from now.

[@TetraDax]

@@Xondar11223344 I don't really think you can describe Leslie Nielsen as a straight man. He was very good at delivering ludicrous lines with a straight face, but most of his comedic roles were pretty silly people. A straight man is more of a serious person being thrust into a ridiculous situation, Leslie Nielsens characters often enough *made* the situation ridiculous.

[@josemaria8177]

Ron Howard Voice: "And José remembered that If at first you don't succeed at uploading a video you could try again and again"

[@oBuLLzEyEo1013]

José is the best...

[@MK-gv1wd]

Lucille Bluth is one of the best characters ever. I STILL quote her. Arrested Development was a great show even in the weaker last seasons. I truly miss it.

[@redwillow79schippers94]

100% agree. Some days, I just want to be her

[@tbrown5836]

“I don’t care for jobe”

[@90sNostalgiaNerd]

Here's $10. Go see a "Star Wars."

[@Camo1177]

‘Good for her’ is a recurring point in my vocabulary, though it is usually in reference to someone being queer when I didn’t know they were.

[@liampye256]

malory archer also!

[@Alkeeros]

Man, this makes me miss Jessica Walters even more. She was such a talent on this show, a stand out among many strong performances. Thank you for the rundown, Jose!

[@quantumblurrr]

Walter* Lol

[@erikcribley5271]

I remember everyone being excited for season 4, mildly disappointed by it, and not noticing or caring that season 5 even happened

[@felman87]

No joke, my friend mentioned Season 5 and my only response was "There was a 5th season?"

[@larsg.2492]

@@felman87 Nearly the same thing happened to me. Just that it was the wiki page and not a friend. 😅

[@GiubileiFernando]

That was my experience as a fan since season 1. Season 4 didn't leave me wanting more.

[@JoshuaJacobs83]

I had no idea they did a season 5 lol

[@RariettyC]

I remember watching seasons 1-3 for the first time during all the hype leading up to s4, loving them, and then feeling stressed when the initial reactions for s4 came out saying that it felt too experimental and over-complicated. I told myself I'd wait to watch the season until I was in the mood for something that'd require a lot of attention and memory to properly appreciate...and now it's nearly a decade later and I've still never watched it.

[@guybatchelor4646]

The limited appearances of Anyang and Marta showing how little the show cares about characters outside the bluth family in the same way the bluth family themselves do is a really interesting point, never saw it like that but i really like that point

[@mytimetravellingdog]

I'd say Anyang is as much a parody of sitcom plots. And the one episode thing that gets totally ignored then forgot. And bringing him back is the punchline to that gag.

[@trequor]

​@@mytimetravellingdog Yeah this is definitely the case in hindsight. He gets "fridged" right when the joke is wearing thin, then suddenly brought back much later to parody "he was evil the whole time!" and "secret backstory" tropes as the ultimate punchline to his character'a joke

[@Hiiiiiiiiieeee]

Jessica Walter always seemed like such a nice, funny person.

[@damunzy]

I love her on Archer

[@marocat4749]

I lover her as archers mom, an yes she is great and funny

[@Xondar11223344]

"I love all my children equally." *earlier that day* "I don't care for Gob."

[@G_FRE]

@@Xondar11223344 "I don't care for Sterling" 🤣

[@arcanefury3666]

Honestly, every time she did that whole, "Ahhhhhhhh, Gene" bit i smile.

[@Rocky2418]

For me personally, the original 3 seasons were funnier to me than any other sitcom I've watched. Just so amazingly funny. I cared far less for 4 and 5, but they certainly had their high points. No better example than the following dialogue from the first episode of season 5 between George Michael and Maeby. Few things have made me laugh harder: Maeby: "I mean, what did Gangie always say? 'Forget, but never forgive.'" George Michael: "You think she meant to say it that way?" Maeby: "Yeah." George Michael: "Do you think 'A friend in need is no friend indeed' was also on purpose? Or what about 'They should take all the rapists and all the murderers and put them all together on an island...'" Maeby: "'...and all the murderers can be raped, and all the rapists can be murdered...'" Both together: "'...until you only have either two rapists left or you're down to...'" [Maeby:] "'...one murderer...'" [Geroge Michael:] "'...one raped murderer...'" [Both:] "'...but who cares about him?'" Maeby: "Oh, was it 'one raped murderer'?" George Michael: "I've heard her say it both ways. I mean, in all likelihood, the guy would be raped." --- What blows me away the most is that fact that they were both able to get through all that with a straight face. And then George Michael, with basically no pause, continues right on with the serious matter they'd been talking about with no change in tone - as if that long and ridiculous thing they just said was an actual "saying" and perfectly normal. I laughed so, so hard. And as a nice finishing touch, later in that episode (or subsequent episode?) we're dropped into a scene, and Lucille is just finishing up saying something to someone. All we hear is the end of it: "...but who cares about him?" Loved that.

[@trequor]

I consider it on the level of Seinfeld, though distinct in execution

[@trequor]

@@sunny-gt7qw At least 3 or 4 times as clever, but lacked the longevity. Im taking in totality. Seinfeld is 3 times as long, so puts them about even for laughs

[@yeahyikers]

i absolutely love this dialogue exchange and think about it all the time. so fucking funny. i wish the rest of season five was on this level but hey at least we got some good bits

[@saint_silver]

the Jessica Walters recording is heartbreaking

[@Xondar11223344]

How did the dudes in that room not notice they were talking over her and not letting her speak? Good on Alia Shawkat though. She's a good Anne. I mean "egg."

[@thepants1450]

It was like hearing my grandma cry

[@staceyann1180]

I've loved Jessica Walter since she voiced the mom in Dinosaurs!

[@kyraxo21]

@@Xondar11223344 I don’t believe they didn’t notice, they just cared more abt protecting Jeffrey than her

[@Xondar11223344]

@@kyraxo21 I think you're right.

[@Yukinoomoni]

I think Gene is so delightful because of Jessica's way of reacting to Martin Mull, which is pure joy and delight. She deserved so much better. After listening to the way everyone just betrays her in that interview, it would not shock me if they tried to make a show again without her. They didn't seem to care too much about her as they did saving face...

[@Z50nemesis]

You're being too dramatic , consideringhow lovely jessica was i can believe she didnt communicate how badly the event affected het

[@Yukinoomoni]

@@Z50nemesis Yikes.

[@WlatPziupp]

@@Z50nemesis What an insane thing to say

[@Z50nemesis]

@@WlatPziupp its really not considering thats literally what happened

[@cynicaltheastrocreep4504]

No, they didn't appreciate her enough. It seems she was very undervalued and they didn't listen to her voice until they were called out on it. If I ever saw someone yelled at like that, much like someone whom was likely sweet and warm to me- a key part of the show- be yelled at like that would piss me off so bad even if I cared about the perpetrator. Being close to someone doesn't excuse your excuse of their shitty behavior.

[@crispycol4904]

Jessica Walter was such a lovely person and an icon in her roles. She will be remembered fondly and her passing is felt. Watching the new season of Archer, you just feel that she is missing, but they gave her an amazing send-off together with her late husband

[@andiepants]

Agreed 1000%! That scene on Archer always brings tears to my eyes. Such a lovely way to say goodbye to them. The show is so different without Mallory

[@Bwahahahablast]

Man props to Alia for standing up for Jessica in a room full of men trying to brush over the issue. Even in 2023 it can be hard to do that even if the men aren’t as well known/powerful. And I’m proud of Jessica for trying to stand up for herself and how she felt, it would be very painful to be treated like that by someone and have them be able to get away with it because of their gender and the weight his name carries.

[@minixtvbox]

Snowflake got the show killed because she was butthurt

[@jonmann4980]

The fact you believe it’s because of gender is crazy

[@nilsdula7693]

@@jonmann4980 The fact you believe it's not is crazier.

[@lukephelan5179]

​@@nilsdula7693 Ellen DeGeneres has entered the chat.

[@potatothegreat8464]

Alia Shawkat is a real one. She was one of the very first celebs to sign that artists4ceasefire petition.

[@MaraJadeSkky]

I love how Lucille only shows true joy when Gene Parmesan surprises her with his "disguises".😂

[@melaniesheldon8013]

❤😂😂me too!!!

[@adityavimal4145]

Although she does say in the end ( courtroom scene ) that she faked it all this while

[@Noway022]

I find a lot of the show Community in Arrested Developpement. Both were innovative takes on the sitcom format, successful but never quite over the edge, tossed through different platforms while trying to avoid cancelation... though one of them *is* getting its movie after all

[@marocat4749]

Only iff its a abed footage related premise

[@Sugarman96]

Both were just too clever for network TV, be it the reliance on running gags that take multiple episodes to pay off and reward rewatches of Arrested Development, or the over the top weirdness and meta jokes of Community, it's not hard to see why they struggled to catch on.

[@K37-h1z]

Both are shows that almost require binge watching. What upsets me most is that neither ended well

[@freeinghumanitynow]

Really smart comedy speaks to a small minority of folks. "Arrested Development," "Community," "Veep," "30 Rock," and "Parks and Rec" are all absolutely brilliant but none were ever huge ratings draws. I figure that they will gain followings in this streaming age.

[@christophergreen6595]

Both big hits with the online crowd but low ratings on cable.

[@carlawatches8361]

Amazing video that does a great service to the incomporable Jessica Walter. I also really enjoyed this refreshing analysis on AD not as a show that struggled to find success despite its cult status, but as an example of the messy ways revivals and reboots can complicate the legacy of a beloved work of art. Great job Jose, you really blued yourself with this one!

[@JoseBird]

This is another version of the video that fixes an audio issue. Again, very sorry for this mix-up.

[@habb420]

this technically counts as daily uploads

[@zachryder3150]

@@habb420 Whatever it takes.

[@Acideye48]

Third time's the charm

[@TheoAndHisPedals]

I swear I didn’t notice an audio issue on either of the two previous versions. Great video again though. Thanks!

[@edgara3213]

How dare you sir, I can’t believe you. Just kidding bud thanks for all the good work!

[@GeorgeCarlinsToothbrush]

This video is going to mature so well. Jessica Walters is a legend. And Michael Cera in 30-40 years time will be comsidered one of the greats. Already in his 2nd wave with Twin Peaks and Barbie.... cant wait to see what he does next

[@Marwu21]

It's definitly among the best written comedies I've ever seen. It will remain a classic in my book

[@seo9923]

I didn't know about the situation of Jessica Walter being yelled at and it was heartbreaking. :( The recording of her being emotional but trying to be forgiving absolutely made me feel so sad...

[@SeanBn]

just a clarification on the use of the term retarded in the show. At the time of the show 'mental retardation' was the official medical term for what has been known as 'intellectual disability' since 2010. So for the time the season was airing they were using the correct medical term but as time went on the term was dropped and it's use in the show became an unfortunate aspect of it being from the time it came out. Remember sometimes a piece of media can be fair for its time but time will always move forward while the media remains static. Always take into account when something came out. Edit: Also the whole thing was a jab at the Fox executives who demanded a special guest star for the third season so they got a big name actress and had her play a 'special' character.

[@carybeweary7209]

See,I didn't even know that about it being the official medical term Thanks for clarifying

[@urieldaboamorte]

While this is true, at the time, the r-word had already been heavily used as a slur (they had to change the official term for a reason, which happened just very, very shortly after season 3, not decades later) and was likely incorporated into the show for edgy comedic effect-the joke being that a documentary narrator was using a bad word. The writers (and the viewers who also had zero contact with disabled people) didn't really know about its weight, hopefully; again, to them, it was just an edgy, bad word.

[@seraphimconcordant]

@@urieldaboamorte What exactly is it's weight? Some kids got bullied being called retard too much? Oh boo hoo. The world will twist right back around and all the special snowflakes will be reeling, I swear.

[@Scarfgirl]

@@carybeweary7209 because it isn't true. By turn of the century/millenium the term we were using was developmentally disabled. R word was already considered a slur by the time this aired, although admittedly only people in developmental health fields were actively avoiding it for the most part.

[@Tucker-rv6vu]

The truth is funny is funny. The vast majority of people to this day do not have an issue with this word being used in a comedic context. There's no warning on Netflix and the word is left uncensored. You can whine and virtue signal all day, perhaps you're even correct it's very insensitive. But the point still stands. People laugh their ass off to things like South Park, Super Bad, Tropic Thunder to this day. And many beg for comedy like that to come back. It's not punching down. And you can't police what is funny.

[@_l3rN]

Huh I always read the "mister manager" thing as him not wanting George Michael to say mister manager specifically because it's infantilizing. An adult just says manager, mister manager sounds like something a child would call a manager.

[@zembryoz]

No, he says "just manager" because he literally finds his own son uncool. As the show ultimately proves Michael is just as shitty, shallow and vapid as his siblings. He just seems more together because he masks it whereas they really don't or can't.

[@Seabreeze843]

I also saw it was him being difficult and micromanaging

[@crestren5996]

The Jessica Walter interview broke my heart. She will be dearly missed and fondly remembered

[@K37-h1z]

I love Lucilles reaction to gene Parmigian! One of my favorite running jokes in the show

[@joshllorens4514]

David Cross was truly genius in this show

[@MarioJaker]

I think there’s a lot to like about seasons 4 and 5, but the first three seasons are basically a flawless and cohesive whole. That we got to see more of these characters in any capacity will always be a bonus IMO

[@josephl5128]

I’ve always loathed the way Tambor says “absolutely” when Walter mentions needing to let go of how hurt she was at being yelled at. He doesn’t say sorry, or commend her, or even say “Thank you”. He just says “absolutely”, like he’s not the guy she’s currently crying about. I hated it then, I hate it now. And fuck the other cast members (other than Shawkat, because of course all the other men rally behind Tambor) for their complicity. I never watched Season 5 because this interview soured me on AD. This is a really great video which I’ll finish In just a moment, but man, I forgot just how pissed off the NYT made me.

[@vdubthefoxx6808]

THANK YOU!! I’ve been trying to put into words just how much HEARING Jessica struggle through tears to try to forgive this AH of a man whilst being talked over and gaslit by her male costars resonated with me. I’m glad Alicia said something, stood up for her, but I wish the others considered Her feelings as much, if not more than his.

[@marcellusfitzgerald-2627]

Also the focus in the apologies to say ‘well since Jessica didn’t share with us how Jeffrey’s unprofessional behaviour affected her, we kinda thought we wouldn’t actually have to address it but then it became a huge thing.’. Hurwits and Bateman were still sidestepping the issue as they profess their undying support of #womensrights. It shouldn’t have been Jessica’s responsibility to come out onto a talk show to force the show to put out a boiler plate ‘we don’t support abuse’ statement. What an indignity for Jessica. And for hurwits to say with his whole chest that he would support Jeffrey, despite not knowing (and even acknowledging this fact) the scope and depth of how creepy his behaviour was, thrusting himself on women who didn’t want it and making disgusting sexual comments at work. Tambor did an interview where all he says is a bunch of lip service, doesn’t outright acknowledge that these women telling the truth, just he ‘crossed some blurred lines’ what a creepy thing to say!

[@daanthedoctor]

growing up as an abuse survivor I've had to come to terms with the fact that, sadly, most people really do not give a shit about abuse survivors... it's fucking disgusting but sadly I've just stopped expecting anything from most people, even though it should be basic decency. and emotional abuse especially seems to be seen as something everyone expects you to just get over because it's "not that bad" and "you're just too sensitive", and other bullshit like that. I've been through every kind of abuse and there are times when I would've preferred to be beaten than hear the awful things I've been told that tore me apart from the inside and made me hate myself.

[@somanypetals]

1:01 > realise how similar José’s voice actually is to Ron Howard’s 4:03 > realise I might actually be too high for this right now

[@Redhaux]

Wat?

[@wvu05]

"We're brothers, Mom, and we kinda like each other." "I'm your older brother. I'll never be impressed by you." As an older brother, this show gets it.

[@geckopecko]

REAL! gob has some core older sibling traits that I think all of us older siblings can see ourselves in, even those who are functional adults with more stable lives unlike him (I'm not one of those, though)

[@qitiandaw2890]

I loved the original cut of season 4. I liked about it was how they played off Michael Cera and Jesse Eisenberg’s resemblance to each other for Fake Block

[@krankarvolund7771]

Yeah when I watched the video I was like "the boy reminds me of someone, but who?" then "Oh, the guy of Social Network!" and only when I searched for the cast I ralized my mistake XD

[@RealLukeWilson]

I actually really liked Season 4 a lot in its original format and thought it lost some of its charm with the remix (though most of my friends disagree with me). The “remix” also removed one of my absolute favorite jokes from the entire series, where Ron Howard the narrator calls Ron Howard the character a jerk.

[@introusas]

A lot of the mysteries from season 4 aren’t even mysteries in the re-cut. They’re just narrative & they give you the information right off the bat. I was sooooo annoyed when I watched that for the first time, like wtf is this?

[@RealLukeWilson]

@@introusas Yeah, I know! Especially how some of those mysteries were enhanced by a tongue-in-cheek nod to the fact that creative editing had to be done for a lot of character interactions. The earliest chronological event (the aftermath of the boatjacking) was made so much funnier each time we saw it from a different perspective, precisely because we knew the scene *had* to be cut like that even without the compounding gags.

[@hazelsingh3887]

@@introusas And even some of the jokes are lost or choppy. There’s a great video that discusses these issues with the recut.

[@youmgsandwiche]

I felt exactly the same. Season 4 was divisive, and it's understandable why, but I loved it for how excellent it was on its own terms. The re-cut just ruined what it had going for it in trying (and failing) to align it better with the past seasons. It was just a bad idea all around imo, just stand by the damn season's strengths.

[@RealLukeWilson]

@@youmgsandwiche What I felt the most disappointed by with the demand for the recut is that people sort of forgot that the original run of the show was canceled because of how divisive and experimental it was. It grew a huge cult following after the fact as "TV caught up with it," but when season 4 pushed boundaries and expectations again, fans once again criticized it for the same reasons.

[@gingerpotato959]

José this is the third time you’ve shown Arrested Development to the class

[@Sam-no1sl]

Incredible retrospective, my only disappointment in this video is that you didn't mention the prolific build up to the "pop pop in the attic" joke lol

[@introusas]

The mere fact that you call it that tells me you’re not ready…

[@carybeweary7209]

Good Grief is my favorite episode It's just so funny and builds up so much It feels like 3 episodes in one with all the lifting it does

[@PatchGuilf]

It's so hard to pick a favourite character from this show... They all have such amazing lines, scenes and traits that they all deliver continuously over the three gold standard seasons

[@afroditeflawz2059]

no. its tobias. tobias is the best one. then Maeby. Then Lucille.

[@carybeweary7209]

I always cared for GOB

[@ginao6810]

Thank you for including that clip Jessica Walters. Hearing her voice is so much more powerful than reading her words alone. God, the shit she must have put up with while the rest of the men watched along

[@WrongedSports]

Mrs Featherbottom is my favorite random "character" on this amazing show

[@Vancouver_1986]

Mr finger bottom.

[@Xondar11223344]

Great video, really in-depth. I still see people quote Arrested Development all the time, and I think seasons 4 and 5 actually bring a lot to the table. I think it's a classic and will remain so for a long time.

[@MichaelTurner856]

Me to

[@djengefrett]

i’ve watched every one of your retrospectives even though i haven’t seen most of the shows. i would absolutely love to see your take on bojack horseman. it’s such a wonderful and heavily packed show and there’s so much to say about it!

[@AD-ov5rt]

I think it has to actually end to make it to that classic status. It constantly being in this holding pattern of "Well, it's gonna get a movie, it's gonna get another series" etc etc, doesn't allow it to stand as a complete work. It is, however, highly influential and I think it would be safe to call it iconic. It's really emblematic of the 00s. We'll see where it stands a decade from now when Y2K nostalgia cedes to 2010s nostalgia.

[@AD-ov5rt]

​@indigo_garble59 People consider *seasons* of the Simpsons classic, not the entire series. In fact, the fact that it's still running actively hurts it in that regard because it's current incarnation will be debated about until the thing eventually ends.

[@robertschepis3685]

I love the show. But I wonder if a lack of audience familiarity with some of the references could hurt it’s status long term. The Henry Winkler and Scott Baio jokes work based on a prior knowledge of Happy Days. The Matlock jokes are funny because Ron Howard was on the Andy Griffith show. The Iraq references are 20 years old at this point. This doesn’t diminish the quality, but could make it harder for a new generation to get into it.

[@geckopecko]

as a 21 y/o non american person who LOVES this show, I gotta admit that I didn't get some of those meta references to the actors' previous roles; they definitely are kinda dated and too american centered to me because I wasn't even familiar with their existence haha. However, I don't feel like it has soured out my experience with AD, there are still plenty of jokes that I've enjoyed on my first watch and some others that I found in my rewatches! So that's my input as a younger person into it: definitely some jokes missed but there are SO many jokes that the series doesn't lose its comedic strength!! 😁😁😁

[@mynameisreallycool1]

I don't think so. My sister, who wasn't even alive when the first three seasons came out and is now 14, loves this show.

[@shai2121]

(commenting before watching) Season 4 is underrated imo, it has some classic bits comparable to the original show, I do think the characterizations and events in it make more sense than audiences thought they did (particularly if you view the characters as dynamic rather than crystallized personalities who have to always stay exactly the same) and i personally think the original cut is funnier and flows better than the remixed version that goes in chronological order. season 5 is a no from me though lol

[@Aogami20]

would I call this show a classic that will still be good in 10 or 20 years ... ? I don't know the answer to that, but what I can say is that I've seen it multiple times and it always made me laugh out loud, and that watching this video made me want to go back and watch it again.

[@Xondar11223344]

I was laughing at jokes in this video and my wife told me I was being too loud!

[@lelandunruh7896]

I first saw this show when I was a 25-year-old single man. I most recently watched it as a 39-year-old family man. It is still really fun, and I suspect I'll feel the same when I'm 54.

[@tsurah5408]

I only watched arrested development because it was in the time slot before scrubs, and it was easier for me to set the video recording when I left for work and watch it the next day. I got stuck waiting for my housemate to finish watching arrested development the next day because he’d decided to watch the line up I’d taped. I’m so grateful he did, I’ve watched the first 3 seasons so many times.

[@00Clank]

Only now am I realizing that Arrested Development is the sitcom prototype of Succession.

[@TheDeekins]

Thank you, for both the time you invested in this, and in your repeated re-uploads to address minor sound issues -- I love your work, and this one is among your best!

[@marvellousm]

Wow, I had honestly completely forgotten they made a fifth season. Oops. Fantastic video as always!

[@NextToToddliness]

Nearly blue myself when I first saw this. [Thought I'd comment for the algorithms.]

[@ruthustruthus]

This channel is definitely reaching classic status, imo. RIP Jessica Walter ❤

[@gorimbaud]

Honestly, I really liked the original cut of S4. It really tried something, even if it didn't fully pull it off. The recut felt underwhelming by comparison, and I did find myself missing some of the cut jokes. Never did finish S5, though. That New York Times interview really killed whatever enthusiasm I had left, and I said I'd get to it eventually, but just...never have. The idea that they could even try making more without Jessica Walter just makes me feel very tired, so I sure hope they don't.

[@juankiblog]

I tend to think that most of the people who seemed to dislike S4 didn't actually saw it. No more than 3-4 episodes at least. And I get it, it's totally fair, you shouldn't keep watching something if you're not enjoying it. When I saw it for the first time I was really disappointed, but it felt unexpectedly rewarding when the plotlines began to intertwine. By the time I finished the second Gob episode my jaw was on the floor. I admired the ambition (both structurally and tonally), I laughed hysterically with every twist and I honestly believe it might be the most rewatchable season of all. Just as Hurwitz said: The Godfather Part II of Arrested Development. On the other hand, Season 5 was flawed. Not the irredeemable piece of garbage that some people pretend it was, but definitely the worst of the bunch. There's not even a competition. HAVING SAID THAT... it also got better as it went. The last eight episodes were pretty reminiscent to S3 and I found myself enjoying them quite a lot. And more importantly: It also gave me some kind of closure, because the finale truly felt like an ending.

[@alessiacamillafama710]

Jessica Walter's comedic timing is unprecedented

[@gabriellafunk2682]

I love this show. So happy you chose to cover it

[@empatheticrambo4890]

I said it on the previous upload - this show is one I’ve totally ignored over the years while I’ve been busy with other shows etc. but everyone I know who watches it absolutely loves it!!

[@OldManJenkins69]

It's a fun watch 🤸🏾‍♂️

[@WildSableye]

It broke my heart to hear Alia Shawkat being the only one to stick up for Jessica Walters. I definitely don't think it's a coincidence that it took the only other woman in that interview to say anything. And it only makes Jason Bateman's apology seem that much more pigheaded. Like, your way of making amends is to clarify you decry abuse "from any gender"? This was not from any gender! This was another example of a woman being abused by a man, and the man getting away with it, as more men talk over her to try and protect said man. Acknowledging the misogyny inherent in this dynamic is the least he could've done, considering he was culpable in it.

[@stuartvice916]

Dudes don’t live in offended land. Well real ones don’t. This was during y’all time. Me too. You weren’t shit if you hadn’t been harassed so let’s take down every man in the world. Nobody deserves to be treated bad but shake it off and accept the apology. I’m a man and people don’t apologize to me.

[@StoutShako]

​@@stuartvice916 💀💀💀

[@Tucker-rv6vu]

​@@StoutShakoHe's right though. Jessica Walters was incredible on the show and an incredible person by all accounts. She didn't deserved to be yelled at. But for Christ's sake she got YELLED at, at work. Something 99% of us have been through. It wasn't SH, SA, or something way beyond the pale. People are tired of the whining, Weinstein, Cosby, and Spacey all got out of jail. You know why? Bc this movement went so far it was sloppy in even trying to really punish the truly most awful of offenders out there. The bloodlust caused sloppiness and a pendulum swing so violently that we ended up at the unbelievably stupid statement "believe all women."? Seriously? Not consider the evidence. Not listen to all women. Believe every woman because she is a woman? People are tired of shit like this, and society is course correcting appropriately.

[@andrewdorie4010]

I always thought the joke was that “mister manager” sounds nerdy-and even childish. Don’t see it as Michael attempting to arrest his kid’s development.

[@SuperNintendawg]

But Michael calls him that first.

[@therevoltingslob2564]

As someone who grew up in Southern California the hermano thing is particularly ridiculous cause Spanish is everywhere, school flyers have Spanish translations on the other side, nutritional labels have both English and Spanish, subtitles and commercials in Spanish are far from uncommon I can remember Spanish classes as far back as flash cards in kindergarten It’s nuts that Michael, supposedly the smart one in a family of lifelong Californians, has somehow never heard the word hermano before

[@geckopecko]

he's smart for a bluth but at the end of the day he's still a bluth...

[@direktive4]

Larry the Surrogate was hilarious despite the limited use of the character

[@carybeweary7209]

Superdave crushed that Such a good role

[@Helga-fe5xl]

He was a pro

[@ignorant1126]

The casting of this show has always interested me. They were mostly all unknown when this cult-classic, underperforming show debuted. But when they left, they were all massive successes. Will Arnett's voice can be heard in countless shows, Michael Cera became Scott Pilgram, David Cross is still getting consistent roles, and that's just to name a few. I found that many of these actors, despite having little experience on screen, worked incredibly to bring the show to life. Tony Hale in particular played Buster brilliantly. With every scene he was in, he put the character into every movement. He talked with his hands and made extreme expressions and somehow manages to walk in a way that screams 'sheltered mumma's boy'. His physical acting was so brilliant that I'm amazed this was his first real role.

[@dmitryboardman9762]

In a show of funny actors, Jessica Walter and Alia Shawkat really stood out. Walter deserves all of the adoration she gained from the role of Lucille. Still, everyone knew exactly how to play their characters and the depth of in-jokes and blink-and-you'll-miss-it gags in the series make it legendary for its comedy. As a piece of commentary and writing, it strikes me as very dated and depressing. The real world gives us enough horrible people who can't change, so seeing the show progressively make its characters more realistically unsympathetic makes the show feel more cynical and dark after the third season in a way that doesn't feel satisfying. And the show was the 2000s in some of its blind spots, like the unironically transphobic plot line featured in "Sad Sack", the gay jokes around Tobias, and some of the racial humor not hitting the best target. It's a hell of a clever, funny show and its cast was superb, but it beat itself down artistically by trying to revive itself and it has dated flaws.

[@Xondar11223344]

"Marry me!" It's like the cast all naturally fit their characters, like all the characters were written specifically for them.

[@BigPurp9]

Personally I never really found Maeby that funny a character. My funniest always just shifted between Tobias/Lucille/Gob/Buster, I could never pick one

[@MichaelSotoCE]

@@BigPurp9 maeby was hilarious as the old socialite. Fit her so well

[@adinakruijssen3056]

I love rewatching the original S4. For some reason I do find a lot of the "worse"/later seasons of some shows more enjoyable to throw on and rewatch than the "classic" early eps. Like, call me crazy but I enjoy a lot of S8 office, mostly bc I really like Robert California and nellie. For AD S4 I just love the intertwining stories that unfold from a different perspective each ep. It's like video game retreading except you play a different character and get a different experience in the same "sandbox". Lol like Sonic Adventure Battle 2 with the hero and villain stories

[@adinakruijssen3056]

Some of the jokes and plot points that come together as you watch the different characters episodes kinda reminds me of knives out/glass onion even in the fun unfolding and recontextualizing of previous interactions

[@hollandscottthomas]

Same! I get that it's a big ask of like 90% of the viewership to retread the same episodes over and over, but as someone who likes to rewatch stuff it really just kept improving each time. There's SO MANY incredibly subtle background gags, like how Jose showed the same Tobias scene from all the different perspectives. Every episode has a bunch of them.

[@adinakruijssen3056]

@@hollandscottthomas yeah, the recut version butchered the point and comedy of S4. I do like that it exists because I think it's interesting, but I hate how Netflix made it the default, resulting in it being the first (or even only) version many viewers saw. And even if they watch the original version after, it's kinda ruined.

[@shikonaori]

I love that you brought up sonic adventure 2 as a point of comparison lmao, I always loved that kind of narrative structure in stories and that's def one of my earliest exposures to it 😂

[@Cyril29a]

Your introduction is brilliant because it highlights the reality that erosion of art by derivative works, even if they are from the originating artist can not alter the importance of the original work they can only alter the framework in which the original work is viewed as time goes on. Shitting on art doesn't make the past view of it as art invalid it can only alter the future which in itself strengthens the merit if only through the narrow lens of that past assertion.

[@andycic.544]

The first three seasons of arrested development are absolute gold

[@NicoletteMiller-lg1iy]

your channel is so underrated. your scrubs and that 70s show retrospectives are so well done, and i was very excited to see this on my recommended!! well done

[@trinaq]

Thanks for uploading for the third time. The show will always be a classic, but the behind the scenes drama is a little hard to get behind, especially Jessica Walter claiming that Jeffrey Tambor repeatedly verbally abused her on the set, with the majority of the cast taking Tambor's side.

[@dna6]

You're overstating things a bit here. Walter said it was one instance, and that it was awful and that he was a total piece of shit during it, but also that she forgave him and that she would absolutely work with him again without hesitation. Bateman and others were in the wrong to try and smoothe it over the way they did in that interview, but it seemed more like an attempt to diffuse a controversy than outright contradict Walter (even if the latter is what it ended up being), and all involved apologized pretty sincerely for their tone deaf responses very shortly after. Tambor's behavior should not be tolerated (not that it ultimately matters because him being a sex pest ended his career anyway) but we also shouldn't distort reality

[@DeaDiabola]

@@dna6 Smoothing over something like abuse is exactly why these sorts of things continue rampantly and utterly unchecked. Especially to women, poc and queer creators.

[@dna6]

@Sludge Judy's Splatterhaus So are you intentionally misrepresenting my statement, or just having trouble understanding it? Like I said before, the intent was clearly not to defend Tambor's behavior, but explain the circumstances and (most importantly to them in the moment) quickly redirect the conversation to avoid the interview becoming the giant controversy that it did. Did Bateman, Cross, etc. fuck up and handle the situation very, very poorly? Absolutely. Were they trying to "smooth over abuse"? No

[@longliverocknroll5]

@@dna6 they’re pretty clearly just expanding upon what you said…

[@DeaDiabola]

@@dna6 What the rock 'n roll person said, lol. I was not contradicting you, merely pointing out that them downplaying a repeat offender's behavior is how abuse is hushed up and systematically perpetuated, with an air of disappointment for the male actors who lept to his defense despite him being KNOWN for being an absolute asshole.

[@RerememBerering]

Good job Jose, I’m still loving the married with children retrospective. Frazier; a show I never watched, was a great one too. The Fresh Prince one you did is a classic as well. Thanks for the work you put into your vid’s man.

[@hollow7994]

if you want a show with a (somewhat) similar situation to this show, id definetely recommend doing a video on community!

[@elijahfordsidioticvarietys8770]

Community video would fucking blow my mind.

[@Johny_Truant]

The answer is a resounding yes, Arrested Development is absolutely a classic.

[@toddwilliams8128]

such wonderful chemistry with the cast, they capture the individual dysfunctions as well as the dysfunctions between each other. Ron Howard's narration put it over the top. EdiT: at 39:05, the last sentence of that paragraph makes me think the author truly appreciates the joke

[@LON009]

The only detail I remember from the fourth season was Kristen Wiig excellent performance as a younger Lucille Bluth.

[@angelical.3384]

Great video! Despite their last two season, Arrested Development will always be cemented on my mind as one of the best written sitcoms I've ever watched (with it's faults and all). Thank you for bringing all of this information into one video, it was incredibly interesting!

[@aarishowton8037]

The only reason Heroes isn’t a classic is because that writer’s strike ended production and I will die on this hill 😤

[@deebzscrub]

I couldn't agree more about Season 4 being frustrating to watch. I've come around on that season quite a bit as, like the rest of the series, it really benefits from multiple watches, but my first time through I was confused and disappointed. I understand the reason for the change in format, opting for the slow burn that all comes together towards the end of the season to complement binge watching, but I don't think it worked out that well. I'd heard there was the re-release if the season in more chronological order as you mentioned, but I haven't watched it myself. Never did watch Season 5 though.

[@JeanPaulBeaubier]

Controversial take, but I feel like a lot of people who hate the last two seasons also misremember how good the first 3 were. Sure, they are solid TV, but I don't think season 4 was that much worse-it has has one of my favorite running gags of the whole show and the switch up with the format felt original and I liked how it retread different perspectives to bring in new plot points (I have never see the remixed version but I hear it's no good). My main complaint with the 5th season was the noticeably bad sound mixing and ADR. It seemed rushed.

[@noemorales8330]

José: I’ve made a huge mistake

[@Salmacis32]

Love this show so much, as much as it stumbles at times. Very good retrospective, I can imagine just how much effort must've went into accounting for all of the intricacies of the show.

[@QuintessentialQs]

You should do Taxi, next! That was a hugely popular sitcom that ran 5 seasons and lauched a dozen or so very successful careers, but for some reason it isn't really talked about or referenced as much as other big 70s/80s sitcoms.

[@89cspell]

The seaward goes! “I’ll leave when I’m ready”

[@thinkinaboutpolitics]

The first three seasons of AD is the best TV comedy ever made. Damn near perfect. But, the last season does leave a sour taste. I still love how the first three actually dealt with the War in Iraq, though. Other shows that took place during the war generally ignored the issue.

[@alexanderford3831]

The Gene Parmesan introduction always puts a huge grin on my face...😁

[@raphaelbell2791]

I didn't watch the original three series when they came out (busy being a small child) but I did watch it all when the 4th season came out. And I liked it a lot. Not without criticism- some of the jokes had aged really poorly or were too offensive to begin with. But I really liked how complicated and interwoven all the stories were. Season 4 in that sense was a step up for me. Of course my primary interest was in Gob's gay storyline which tbh I felt never got enough focus.

[@BAAa-tw7lo]

What jokes did you find offensive?

[@funeraljoint]

One of my childhood shows, such a classic forever and always

[@kenbrandt6100]

First off, great video. Secondly, it's interesting to me that as I saw your recap of season five, I kept debating in my head whether I ever actually WATCHED season five, or not, as not much was ringing any sort of bell. Eventually, I remembered that I had, in fact, watched it. Anyhow, again, great video.

[@A-small-amount-of-peas]

As your covering Jeffrey Tambor I must admit I'd love to see your take on The Larry Sanders Show. Such a groundbreaking show that is virtually unknown to a whole generation

[@VTiDelSol]

Hey Now!

[@kitestar]

Ron Howard: Josè had then realized that the answer was “yes, Arrested Development is a classic”

[@empatheticrambo4890]

I know it’s not really a sitcom, but I’d be curious for your thoughts on Psych

[@maisiemoore4734]

yes!!

[@marocat4749]

I know you know ,..

[@jerryp6001]

You hear about Pluto?

[@empatheticrambo4890]

@@jerryp6001 messed up what they did to Pluto!

[@afterdinnercreations936]

I like to imagine Giancarlo Espisito as a George Bluth type. A man who believes he is the master of his domain; but is as clueless as it gets. "A husband and wife cannot be committed for the same crime" he said with confident stoicism. "That's not how it works" his son reveals. His stoic straight-face ever so slightly slips, "...really"

[@debaser38]

This show came out when I was in the thick of my time in University in Toronto, the perfect DVD to throw on while skipping class, nursing a pub night hangover. I was hyped for the much anticipate fourth season. But right from the jump, it felt entirely off. I didn't even make it through the season, despite having watched the first 3 countless times. I haven't gone back to it since. Unfortunately, it left a "Game of thrones" taste in my mouth. This retrospective was lovely though. Thanks Jose for letting me dip my toes back into nostalgia without getting too wet.

[@alexanderklepp]

Surprised at another upload but still this is a great video on the history of this show.

[@CarolAnnRiv]

Getting isla fisher to play fake Bryce Dallas Howard is one of my favorite jokes of season 4

[@baiwatch1]

I had forgotten almost all of the jokes you clipped from seasons 1-2, but every one made me laugh.

[@TheLazarusOperation]

It's the best example of a show that wouldn't be made nowadays, but would've absolutely murdered every over show if it had come out when streaming started. It's frustrating, but at least we have some goddamn gold to look back on.

[@DanMcLeodNeptuneUK]

Arrested Development is the Velvet Underground of the television industry.

[@surgz_puzlx3355]

Amazing video loved every second of it, Arrested development might be my favourite comedy however not for its jokes and gags but for its uniqueness…

[@afroditeflawz2059]

My love for Gene Parmesan scenes and the doctor who sucked... UNMATCHED.

[@ecdance524]

I really appreciate season 4 on rewatching it. It all connects and is a mad and beautiful creation.

[@orth82]

Arrested Development is one of the best things ever made. Layers of brilliance and years ahead of its time.

[@talonhammer]

Oh, man. This was such a trip down memory lane for me. And then the second half was all new to me, as I don't watch netflix and never saw the revival. It sounds like the original cut of s4 would be right up my alley, though. Mr. Jose, keep up the great work!