Dec142005
New Home for Arrested Development?
Filed Under Sitcom
Arrested Development seems to be close to finding pay cable salvation, if Fox actually finally decides to cancel the damn thing. Showtime as well as ABC, seem to be very serious about acquiring Arrested. It’s previously been suggested that Showtime would be interested so they could pair it with Weeds, which was just renewed for a second season. ABC is a new name in this (A myspace campaign had targeted NBC along with Showtime). ABC seems to want to expand its drama success into comedy (although I can’t tell which of the upcoming shows they’d imagine would be a good pairing for Arrested Development).
Of course, Fox has not cancelled the show yet, only cut the order for Arrested’s third season to thirteen episodes. With Arrested taking up two spots in the schedule after Kitchen Confidential’s demise along with clips being available via Verizon vCast, the aforementioned myspace campaign actually wonders if Fox is considering renewing the show. Considering how the new video-compatible iPod and iTunes TV store has brought a rash of stories about how shows like Arrested might survive sans networks, I can see Fox actually considering keeping the show. Looking today at the TV Shows section of the iTunes store (which might need a name change soon), half of the top 20 episodes downloaded were of NBC’s The Office - another comedy that doesn’t get the ratings of Lost or Desperate Housewives. Seeing the money NBC is making by taking this leap must make Fox wonder if Arrested could do the same, particularly considering DVD sales of the show for both season 1 and season 2 are consistently strong performers.
My hope is that no matter who has the rights to broadcast the show over TV, they also begin digital distribution of the show. No matter what Arrested’s ratings are, I think internet sales would be the real proof that the show deserves a long life. With The Office and Arrested Development successful TV-on-demand downloads, maybe networks might focus on creating sitcoms for audiences who want funny rather than comfort - you know - “niche” audiences.
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