'Arrested' writers mock their plight

Writers on doomed American sitcom Arrested Development have been chronicling the show’s demise in its own scripts

Executives at the Fox network have slashed the number of episodes in the current third season from 22 to 13 in the face of poor audience figures – and the show is widely expected to be cancelled after that.

The episode broadcast on Monday blatantly parodied the bleak situation.

‘The Bluths were desperate,’ said narrator Ron Howard, referring to the dysfunctional family at the heart of the show. ‘The press had them all but finished."

Michael Bluth, played by Jason Bateman, then announced: ‘If we want a chance of keeping this family going past the next few weeks, we're going to have to pull out all the stops.’

‘Our backs are against the wall and it's really come to begging,’ he added at another point; which the narrator immediately followed with: ‘Please tell your friends about this show’ - a phrase repeated several times over the duration of the show.

Writers used all sorts of tricks to ensure the episode grabbed the attention, including pretending to be made in 3D, featuring brief cameos from celebrities Andy Richter, Ben Stiller and Zach Braff, and parodying the US trend for having live versions of shows.

They also made reference to rumours that the show may move from the major network to cable channels HBO or Showtime.

Jeffrey Tambor's George Bluth Sr said at one point: ‘I don't think the Home Builders Organization is going to support us,’

‘Yeah, the HBO is not going to want us,’ Michael replies. ‘What are we going to do?’

‘I think it's show time,’ George then says, before suggesting they rope in some celebrities to help their cause. ‘I don’t wanna just round up a bunch of famous people who have nothing to do with our family as some sort of cheap stunt,’ Michael replies - before the show does exactly that.

And at other points he makes reference to the network's beliefs about why the show isn't more popular. ‘Is this family becoming sympathetic and relatable? That’s what people want,’ he says. And later: ‘Maybe we’re not that likeable...’

The award-winning show has not been able to find ratings to match its critical acclaim, attracting an average of just five million viewers in prime time. In Britain, the show has aired on BBC Two.

Published: 4 Jan 2006