'Development' arrested
US sitcom pulled from shedules
The future of US sitcom Arrested Development is looking bleak after the Fox network pulled it from its schedules.
The show has won critical acclaim and awards, including the Emmy for best comedy, but has struggled to find viewers, with ratings languishing around the 4.2 million mark.
Now Fox has pulled the show from the November ‘sweeps’ – the ratings battleground when viewing figures are used to set advertising rates.
The network has also cut the length of the third series from 22 to 13 episodes.
A spokesman said no decision had been made on the long-term future of the show – which airs on BBC Two in Britain – and it would be back on US screens in December. In the meantime, it will be replaced by repeats of the drama Prison Break.
A Fox spokesman said: ‘There was a very loyal and passionate audience that unfortunately never did grow.’
Published: 13 Nov 2005
