Arrested Development... is it good?

[ImpulsE69]

Never saw it when it was on, but with all the recent hype started watching it. I'm through the first 2 seasons, and really, it's OK at best. Not nearly as funny as people make it out to be, and I'm a fan of pretty much everyone on the show.

 

[Poulsonator]

One of the funniest shows of all-time, IMO, and endlessy rewatchable. I loved the 4th season, and am watching through it again. Love it.

 

[swanysto]

I loved the first 3 seasons, but so far the fourth season is a bit disappointing. There isn't enough Gob so far. And whoever made the point that there isn't enough dialogue between the family is exactly right. It is like all the people from the show were busy at different times, so they based the episode on which characters they could get at that time, and filled in a bunch of stars who had a bit of free time like Isla Fischer and John Kresinski.

 

[Theb]

It's one of my all time favorite shows.

 

[Ayrahvon]

What's the show actually like?

Is it quirky deadpan funny like Big Bang Theory? (the show's not funny to me, but asking about the style).

Or is it tame funny like Seinfield?

Or is it raunchy like Family Guy?

None of these. It's filmed mostly mockumentary style and is fueled by very quick quips and layered jokes that extend throughout the series. They'll often extend jokes through several episodes, giving you a punch line two episodes after the initial joke appeared.

I would say the best comedic moments are relatively deadpan reactions to absurd situations, which by no means resembles the Big Bang Theory. This is not build like the run of the mill sitcom from the 90s.

Really though, best way to find out if you like it is to start from the beginning! The episodes are very short, you'll quickly find out if you like it or not. It really hits it stride in the second season, but if you don't like the first don't bother.

 

[JTsyo]

The style and type of comedy is great. One of my favorite series. I agree with everyone saying, "see it in order".

 

[soulcougher73]

Maeby: Do you guys know where I can get one of those gold necklaces with a “T” on it?

Michael: That’s a cross.

Maeby: Across from where?

One of my favs. Lol

 

[Lifted]

Never watched it, but with all the hype I decide to take a peek on Netflix. I watched the 3rd episode of the new season as people here said the first 2 were slow.

Well, I didn't laugh once and it was putting me to sleep. I think I made it half way through. It felt more like a drama, but there was not much drama either, unless you count a father giving too much of a shit about his teenage son performing in a school play "drama".

Was this just a bad episode? Which episode should I watch that would convince me the show is funny and worth another shot?

 

[darkswordsman17]

I loved the first 3 seasons, but so far the fourth season is a bit disappointing. There isn't enough Gob so far. And whoever made the point that there isn't enough dialogue between the family is exactly right. It is like all the people from the show were busy at different times, so they based the episode on which characters they could get at that time, and filled in a bunch of stars who had a bit of free time like Isla Fischer and John Kresinski.

They actually came out and said that's what happened and tried to kinda lessen people's expectations that it would be like the original series. That was a huge mistake and if they have to continue that they either need much much much better storylines or else should just scrap it because it really loses what made the original enjoyable. Now there's too many moments where they're just forcing the same joke caricature of the character down your throat.

Yeah a lot of the cameos were just not good. Really didn't think much of the Seth Rogen Kristen Wiig parts and Isla Fischer was there almost as much as any one of the main characters. The whole season was just a scattershot of things that came off as just the best they could do to tie things together, and I don't think any of them were very well done.

Never watched it, but with all the hype I decide to take a peek on Netflix. I watched the 3rd episode of the new season as people here said the first 2 were slow.

Well, I didn't laugh once and it was putting me to sleep. I think I made it half way through. It felt more like a drama, but there was not much drama either, unless you count a father giving too much of a shit about his teenage son performing in a school play "drama".

Was this just a bad episode? Which episode should I watch that would convince me the show is funny and worth another shot?

Don't even bother with season 4. Its just plain not funny unless you're familiar with the characters and even then it doesn't compare to seasons 1 and 2 especially.

You hit a point that I also felt, even the tone of season 4 is different, it has this weird incongruity to it that just makes you not laugh. It never has the zany fun feel of the original.

 

[bbhaag]

You either get the shows comedic appeal or you don't. That's the only way to put it. Watch a few episodes and see if it appeals to you. Chances are it won't and that's why it was cancelled by FOX.

Personally I found it one of the funniest shows I have ever seen, but YMMV.

 

[Theb]

Was this just a bad episode? Which episode should I watch that would convince me the show is funny and worth another shot?

Watch the first two episodes of season 1.

 

[Theb]

 

[AmdEmAll]

Never watched it, but with all the hype I decide to take a peek on Netflix. I watched the 3rd episode of the new season as people here said the first 2 were slow.

Well, I didn't laugh once and it was putting me to sleep. I think I made it half way through. It felt more like a drama, but there was not much drama either, unless you count a father giving too much of a shit about his teenage son performing in a school play "drama".

Was this just a bad episode? Which episode should I watch that would convince me the show is funny and worth another shot?

Why the hell would you pick one episode out of season 4 to start a show.. start at the first episode of season 1.

 

[Ninjahedge]

Little bits you have to be aware of.

Example: Tobias auditioning for the Blue Man Group.

Now, aside from him still wearing glasses and having a mustache, and not being quiet, there is one subtle thing that appears for several episodes AFTER the whole shtick.

Blue marks on the wall.

Recurring subtle references like that is what made the show wall-to-wall funny.

 

[HendrixFan]

Why the hell would you pick one episode out of season 4 to start a show.. start at the first episode of season 1.

Sounds like he shouldn't even bother with it.

 

[Broheim]

the feral jesus joke in the new season made me laugh.