There are plenty of comedies that have aired on television and accumulated significant followings, but Arrested Development is a rare example of a series that actually helped comedy evolve on television. Arrested Development’s approach and structure when it first aired on FOX in 2003 was a major deviation from the norm when single-camera comedies were still more of an anomaly in favor of three-camera sitcoms.
The layered comedy, absurdist ideas, and serialized storytelling all elevate Arrested Development to a higher level of quality, but the show’s sublime casting is another major factor in why the comedy works. It’s no coincidence that everyone from the show’s main cast has gone on to become major stars. However, that doesn’t mean that the performances in Arrested Development are flawless.
10 Nailed It: Martin Short’s Uncle Jack Is One Of The Series’ Broadest And Best Characters
Arrested Development’s brand of comedy typically skews towards more cerebral and high-minded gags, but this only makes the series’ more exaggerated spectacles make a bigger impression. Martin Short is a legendary comedic talent and it was a big deal when he guest-starred during Arrested Development’s second season as a “member” of the Bluth family who suffers from a myriad of health ailments. It’s a bewildering change of pace for the show and it’s hard to get over Jack’s constant requests to be “swooped” by his large aide, Dragon.
9 Fell Short: Charlize Theron’s Rita Is Dragged Down With A Messy Storyline
Charlize Theron is an incredible Academy Award-winning actress who’s gone on to really find a niche in recent years as an aggressive lead in action films. Season three of Arrested Development tried to pull out all of the stops to avoid cancellation and noteworthy guest stars became a priority for FOX. This results in a lengthy arc in the third season where Charlize Theron plays Rita, one of Michael’s romantic interests who has an unexpected secret. Theron gives her all in the role and the setbacks with Rita have more to do with the character’s writing and the episodes’ pacing.
8 Nailed It: Michael Cera Comes Into His Own As A Performer As George Michael
Arrested Development’s Bluth family is full of exceptional actors who seamlessly disappear into their roles, but during the early episodes, it’s George Michael who reveals himself to be the show’s secret weapon. The diminutive, nervous nature that Michael Cera taps into with George Michael is the perfect counterpoint to the rest of the Bluth family.
Cera’s timing is second to none and every single one of his lines is a triumph. So many people equate Michael Cera to his Arrested Development alter ego and he’s had several other roles that lean into this energy.
7 Fell Short: Ben Stiller’s Tony Wonder Slowly Devolves Into Parody
Arrested Development utilizes a number of entertaining guest stars, but Ben Stiller’s Tony Wonder turns into one of the biggest and even feels like an unofficial cast member in the show’s fourth and fifth seasons. Ben Stiller brings a manic, unpredictable energy that works for the heightened magician, Tony Wonder, but the series turns to the character too often and he becomes a parody. The friendship between Tony and GOB is a bright spot for these two characters, but diminishing returns strip Tony Wonder of the appeal that he had with his original appearances.
6 Nailed It: Mae Whitman’s Work As Ann Veal Is A Master Class In Minimalism
Arrested Development has no shortage of running jokes, but Ann Veal is practically a living example of one. Mae Whitman plays Ann, George Michael’s on-and-off bland, unforgettable girlfriend. There’s not a lot to Ann, but that’s what makes everything that Whitman does deceptively complex. Whitman disappears into Ann so well that it’s almost hard to recognize her in the role when her work in other productions is seen. She’s so charismatic and full of life that the subdued work she does with Ann becomes even more impressive.
5 Fell Short: Seth Rogen’s George Bluth Lacks Nuance
Season four of Arrested Development remains a cautionary example to be careful what you wish for. A number of scheduling conflicts leave season four in a fragmented structure that makes some creative decisions to work around the obstacles. One strategy is to cast Seth Rogen and Kristen Wiig as George and Lucille Bluth via flashback.
Wiig is phenomenal here and she really captures the mannerisms of Jessica Walter. However, this only highlights how little of an impact Rogen makes as George. It’s a limited performance that becomes more about Rogen’s star power than his ability.
4 Nailed It: Will Arnett’s Brash Work As GOB Has Made Him An Arrogant Mainstay
Will Arnett’s reputation at the start of Arrested Development wasn’t nearly at the level of many of his co-stars, but he’s gone on to receive a remarkable career--both as an actor and voice actor--because his performance as GOB Bluth is such magic. Arnett benefits from how GOB is such an unrepentant, egotistical individual that’s the most entertaining type of idiot. Arnett beautifully fluctuates between unflappable confidence and flailing desperation as GOB. Arnett makes GOB work on his own, but he also improves whatever character he’s around because of GOB’s eccentric nature. The magic acts don’t hurt either.
3 Fell Short: Terry Crews Doesn’t Make Herbert Love Feel Different From Any Of His Other Work
Seasons four and five of Arrested Development bring in lots of comedic talent that have made waves since the series’ initial cancellation. This leads to many fun guest stars like Maria Bamford and Isla Fisher, but there are others that feel less natural. Terry Crews plays Herbert Love, a politician that becomes fascinated with Lindsay Bluth. The issue here is that Crews basically gives his typical Terry Crews performance, which is fun but isn’t anything new. Crews’ energy doesn’t mix with Arrested Development’s world as well as they anticipated. It’s one of the more awkward developments in the Netflix seasons.
2 Nailed It: Jessica Walter Makes Lucille Bluth One Of TV’s Best Matriarchs
The entire Bluth family is sufficiently messed up, each of them with their own myriad of compulsions and problems, but a lot of this behavior is because of Lucille Bluth’s disaffected parenting techniques over the years. There are so many affluent socialite parodies that have been done before, but Jessica Walter makes sure that Lucille comes across with a biting intensity. Lucille’s insults are dangerously funny, but also frighteningly harsh. It’s a difficult line to tow, but Walter never makes it feel challenging with Lucille. Walter’s work is always excellent, but Lucille Bluth is a highlight of her illustrious career.
1 Fell Short: Murphy Brown Fünke Is A Disaster Than Not Even Kyle Mooney Can Save
Kyle Mooney is an expert at uncomfortable comedy and his stranger non-sequitur pieces often result in some of the most entertaining material on Saturday Night Live. Mooney seems like a natural fit for Arrested Development’s style of comedy, but his character seems to have gone through so many production changes that it’s left as a confusing mess. Mooney plays Murphy Brown Fünke, someone who Tobias takes under his wing and basically becomes a gag about replicating Tobias’ style. None of this comes together and Murphy Brown dominates more of season five than necessary.