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Arrested Development season 4

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Arrested Development
Season 4
Promotional poster
No. of episodes15
Release
Original networkNetflix
Original releaseMay 26, 2013 (2013-05-26)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 3
Next →
Season 5
List of episodes

The fourth season of the television comedy series Arrested Development premiered on Netflix on May 26, 2013 and consists of 15 episodes.[1][2] This season serves as a revival to the series after it was canceled by Fox in 2006.

The show's storyline centers on the Bluth family, a formerly wealthy, habitually dysfunctional family, and the show incorporates hand-held camera work, narration, archival photos, and historical footage.

Each episode of the season occurs over approximately the same stretch of time, but focuses on a different character. Information on events depicted in a given episode is often partial and filled in by later episodes.[3]

Production

Six years after the series was canceled by Fox, filming for a revived fourth season began on August 7, 2012. The season consists of 15 new episodes, all debuting at the same time on Netflix on May 26, 2013, in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Latin America, and the Nordics.[4] Several actors who had recurring roles in the original series returned to reprise their roles, including Henry Winkler as Barry Zuckerkorn, Mae Whitman as Ann Veal, Ben Stiller as Tony Wonder, Scott Baio as Bob Loblaw, Judy Greer as Kitty Sanchez, and Liza Minnelli as Lucille Austero, while new characters are played by John Slattery, Terry Crews and Isla Fisher.[5][6][7][8] The plot of the season focuses on the fictional production of a film based on the Bluth family scandal and what the characters have been doing since 2006.[9] There were plans to have George Clooney make a cameo appearance for a joke centered on Mitt Romney but it never came together.[10]

The show format is different compared to previous seasons: each of the fifteen episodes focuses on one individual character—with every episode happening at the same time within the show's universe—showing the character's activities since the conclusion of the third season.[11] According to Jason Bateman, "If I'm driving down the street in my episode and Gob's going down the sidewalk on his Segway, you could stop my episode, go into his episode, and follow him and see where he's going".[12] Michael Cera joined the writing crew for season 4, the first cast member to do so.[13] Netflix CEO Reed Hastings and creator Mitchell Hurwitz previously stated that season four would be the final season of the show, and that the revival serves as a "one-off" and "act one of a movie". But, a Netflix spokesperson later went on to say, "We're hopeful there will be more seasons" and "...by no means is this the end of it. We're definitely planning to do more with them."[14]

In October 2014, Hurwitz said that a re-edit of season 4 was being done to tell the story in chronological order.[15] Ron Howard recorded new voice-over material for the recut.[16]

Cast

Main article: List of Arrested Development cast members
See also: List of Arrested Development characters

Main

Returning guest cast

2

New guest cast

2

Marketing and promotion

Entertainment Weekly cover featuring the reunion of the entire cast.

In October 2012, Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos premiered footage from the fourth season for the attendees of TheWrap's annual conference TheGrill. The clip featured Buster Bluth (Tony Hale) helping his mother Lucille Bluth (Jessica Walter) smoke a cigarette, because the ankle-bracelet monitor she's wearing under house arrest prevents her from leaving her hotel room.[24] Following that, a set photo was released showing the Bluth company stair car, now having the Austero-Bluth Company logo referencing to Liza Minnelli's character, Lucille Austero, having more stake in the company.[25] Set photos showing Tony Hale as Buster Bluth saluting at someone's funeral were released online.[26] The first promotional images of the entire cast together were released in the October 12, 2012, issue of Entertainment Weekly magazine. These included a cover picture, along with two pictures of the entire cast in restoration-era outfits.[27] The first official teaser poster for the new season was released on April 4, 2013, on the show's Facebook page, along with the announcement that the 15-episode season would premiere on Netflix on May 26, 2013.[28] Netflix released the first trailer for the fourth season online on May 12, 2013.[29]

In March 2013, series executive producer and narrator Ron Howard stated that "We're still hoping to build to a movie and in a lot of ways, getting the Bluth family on people's radar, in a kind of contemporary way, so we can move forward with it as a movie". He stated that the film had not yet been green-lit, saying, "It's not a happening thing, but it's something that is being discussed".[30] The same month, Hurwitz stated that he was "confident that we will succeed at [making the film]", saying "there is a bigger story out there that does exist" for the film.[31]

Episodes

See also: List of Arrested Development episodes
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleFeatured
character		Directed byWritten byOriginal release dateProd.
code
541"Flight of the Phoenix"MichaelMitchell Hurwitz & Troy MillerMitchell HurwitzMay 26, 2013 (2013-05-26)4AJD01
552"Borderline Personalities"George, Sr.Mitchell Hurwitz & Troy MillerJim Vallely & Richard RosenstockMay 26, 2013 (2013-05-26)4AJD03
563"Indian Takers"LindsayMitchell Hurwitz & Troy MillerCaroline Williams & Dean LoreyMay 26, 2013 (2013-05-26)4AJD05
574"The B. Team"MichaelTroy Miller & Mitchell HurwitzMitchell Hurwitz & Jim VallelyMay 26, 2013 (2013-05-26)4AJD02
585"A New Start"TobiasMitchell Hurwitz & Troy MillerDean Lorey & Jim VallelyMay 26, 2013 (2013-05-26)4AJD07
596"Double Crossers"George, Sr.Troy Miller & Mitchell HurwitzDean Lorey & Richard RosenstockMay 26, 2013 (2013-05-26)4AJD04
607"Colony Collapse"GobMitchell Hurwitz & Troy MillerMitchell Hurwitz & Jim VallelyMay 26, 2013 (2013-05-26)4AJD08
618"Red Hairing"LindsayTroy Miller & Mitchell HurwitzCaroline Williams & Richard RosenstockMay 26, 2013 (2013-05-26)4AJD06
629"Smashed"TobiasMitchell Hurwitz & Troy MillerDean Lorey & Richard RosenstockMay 26, 2013 (2013-05-26)4AJD15
6310"Queen B."LucilleTroy Miller & Mitchell HurwitzRichard Rosenstock & Dean LoreyMay 26, 2013 (2013-05-26)4AJD10
6411"A New Attitude"GobMitchell Hurwitz & Troy MillerMitchell Hurwitz & Jim VallelyMay 26, 2013 (2013-05-26)4AJD14
6512"Señoritis"MaebyMitchell Hurwitz & Troy MillerJim Brandon & Brian SingletonMay 26, 2013 (2013-05-26)4AJD09
6613"It Gets Better"George-MichaelTroy Miller & Mitchell HurwitzDean Lorey & Richard RosenstockMay 26, 2013 (2013-05-26)4AJD12
6714"Off the Hook"BusterMitchell Hurwitz & Troy MillerJim Vallely & Mitchell HurwitzMay 26, 2013 (2013-05-26)4AJD11
6815"Blockheads"George-MichaelMitchell Hurwitz & Troy MillerMitchell Hurwitz & Jim VallelyMay 26, 2013 (2013-05-26)4AJD13

Reception

Critical response

Early reviews of the fourth season were generally positive. On the review aggregator website, Metacritic, the fourth season has a score of 72 out of 100, based on 21 reviews, indicating "Generally favorable reviews".[32] Mike Hale, writing for The New York Times after watching the first eight episodes, said that "Along the way there are doses of self-referential and metafictional humor that have made the show a cult item—enough for fans to compile lists, but not enough to re-enliven the episodes or distract from the story's dullness".[3] Robert Lloyd, writing for the Los Angeles Times, praised the series, suggesting that it improves after several episodes.[33] The A.V. Club's Todd VanDerWerff graded the season overall with a 'B', writing that "It is, in places, masterful. It is also, in other places, at once weirdly pleased with itself and too ready to hold the audience's hand where that hand needn't be held", and that "The scope of the whole project is hard to deny for its ambition and audacity."[34] David M. Cook of WhatCulture! gave the new season a positive review calling it "The Triumphant Return Of The Bluths". He said "it was great to see the Bluths return in such fine form" and that he "found a lot of the season to be funnier than anything that had come before it".[35] Gem Wheeler of Den of Geek argued that the fourth season was "Arrested Development's best yet", and "the Bluths officially rule the pop culture landscape. Long may they reign."[36]

Brian Lowry of Variety gave the season a negative review, writing, "Ultimately, this 'Arrested' revival plays a bit like a reunion special, where the individual cast members come out and take their curtain calls. After the warmth of seeing them reunited (or semi-reunited, given how rarely more than one or two are featured in a scene together), there's a sort of awkwardness to it, as if nobody really has much to say. We're meant to bask in the nostalgia, while the particulars are of relatively little consequence."[37] Nathan Rabin of The Wall Street Journal similarly wrote, "Arrested Development has lost a step or two in its long stint on the sidelines. The pacing is notably slower than during its original run and the show lacks the breathtaking density that characterized its glorious past. At its worst, the new/old Arrested Development is reduced to doing a shaky imitation of itself: the characters and themes are there but the beats are slightly off, as is the tone".[38] David Pierce of The Verge also gave it a mixed review, writing "Season four is kind of a confused mess, but then so is the Bluth family — and both somehow work despite all the chaos. From the way it was shot to the way it was released, the show was an experiment — covering a few events many ways, showing us the world through every character's eyes. It's very clearly just set-up in the larger sense, building toward something bigger for Arrested Development. But the question is, what's next?" He also commented positively, saying, "Season four is absolutely worthy of the Arrested Development name, though you'll have to slog through three episodes before it becomes so".[39]

Accolades

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Arrested Development

The fourth season earned the series three Primetime Emmy Award nominations for the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Jason Bateman, Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series, and Outstanding Music Composition for a Series.[40] For the 20th Screen Actors Guild Awards, the cast was nominated for Best Comedy Ensemble and Jason Bateman was nominated for Best Comedy Actor.[41] Bateman also received a nomination for Best Comedy Actor for the 71st Golden Globe Awards.[42]

Future

Film

Show creator Mitchell Hurwitz said that the fourth season will serve as the precursor to a future full-length Arrested Development film. Rumors of a film circulated after the possibility was suggested in the final episode of the third season, "Development Arrested".[43] In 2008, it was reported that production of Arrested Development: The Movie would begin after the completion of the fourth season, with a script to be written by Hurwitz.[44][45] In 2008, Ron Howard was slated to direct the film, though it is not clear whether he still is.[45][46] Reportedly, all original members of the main cast are expected to reprise their original roles.[47] In August 2013, Hurwitz commented "I'm working on the movie right now" and his plan is to do another season after the film is completed.[48]

Fifth season

In 2013, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings said that he would be interested in producing another season of Arrested Development: "If the talent were willing to do more, and interested in that, I'm sure we would be willing".[49] Producer Brian Grazer said that "We are in conversations with them to do another [season]".[50] The last episode of season 4 features a customary "On the next episode" clip; this differs from the original run's concluding clip, which was titled "On the epilogue".

Home media releases

The fourth season was released on DVD in region 1 on December 16, 2014 (2014-12-16),[51] in region 2 on June 9, 2014 (2014-06-09),[52] and in region 4 on August 27, 2014 (2014-08-27).[53]

References

  1. ^ Itzkoff, Dave (April 4, 2013). "New 'Arrested Development' Season Coming to Netflix on May 26". The New York Times. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
  2. ^ Poniewozik, James (May 20, 2013). "It's Not TV. It's Arrested Development". TIME. 181 (19): 38. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
  3. ^ a b Hale, Mike (May 26, 2013). "A Family Streamed Back to Life". The New York Times. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
  4. ^ "Netflix to Launch New Season of "Arrested Development" on May 26" (Press release). Netflix. April 4, 2013. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
  5. ^ Harnick, Chris (August 31, 2012). "'Arrested Development': Scott Baio Joins Season 4". The Huffington Post. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
  6. ^ Keck, William (September 8, 2012). "Keck's Exclusives: Liza Minnelli Gets Arrested!". TV Guide. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
  7. ^ a b Weingus, Leigh (September 11, 2012). "'Arrested Development': Mae Whitman 'Definitely' Making Appearance". The Huffington Post. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
  8. ^ a b c d Laing, Greg (September 14, 2012). "'Arrested Development': Isla Fisher, Terry Crews for season four". Digital Spy. Retrieved October 4, 2012.
  9. ^ Richenthal, Matt (March 26, 2013). "Arrested Development Season 4 to Center on Bluth Family Movie". TV Fanatic. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  10. ^ Snierson, Dan (June 5, 2013). "'Arrested Development': Mitchell Hurwitz on the movie – and the Romney joke you never saw". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  11. ^ Levin, Gary (January 9, 2013). "On Netflix, 'Arrested Development' blazes new trails". USA Today. Retrieved January 9, 2013.
  12. ^ Harnick, Chris (March 21, 2013). "'Arrested Development' Cast Made Some Sacrifices To Make Season 4 Happen". The Huffington Post. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
  13. ^ Radish, Christina (January 10, 2013). "Mitch Hurwitz Talks ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT Season 4, Bringing Michael Cera Into the Writers' Room, and Status of the Movie". Collider. Retrieved January 11, 2013.
  14. ^ O'Neal, Sean (February 26, 2013). "Netflix isn't doing more Arrested Development, but that doesn't mean you should stop hoping Netflix does more Arrested Development". The A.V. Club. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  15. ^ Dornbush, Jonathon (October 30, 2014). "'Arrested Development' creator: A new, chronological version of season 4 is on its way". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 1, 2014.
  16. ^ Dean, Rob (January 15, 2015). "Ron Howard recording new narration for recut of Arrested Development season four". The A.V. Club. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  17. ^ "Q&A: John Beard on L.A. News, and His Return to "Arrested Development"". Franklin Avenue. March 25, 2013. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Kurp, Josh (May 26, 2014). "Here's (Nearly) Every Single 'Arrested Development' Season 4 Guest Star". Uproxx. Retrieved January 24, 2014.
  19. ^ a b c d e Moaba, Alex (February 8, 2013). "'Arrested Development': James Lipton Joins Season 4 Cast". The Huffington Post. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  20. ^ Harnick, Chris (March 9, 2012). "'Arrested Development': Gene Parmesan Returning To Delight Lucille Bluth On Netflix". The Huffington Post. Retrieved March 13, 2013.
  21. ^ Snierson, Dan (February 26, 2013). "Ben Stiller to guest on 'Arrested Development' – EXCLUSIVE". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  22. ^ Fitzpatrick, Kevin (May 13, 2013). "'Arrested Development' Season 4 Spoilers: Alan Tudyk's Pastor Veal Returns!". ScreenCrush. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  23. ^ "Bluth Binge! EW's giant recap of Netflix's 15 new 'Arrested Development' episodes". Entertainment Weekly. May 25, 2013. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  24. ^ Kenneally, Tim (October 2, 2012). "'Arrested Development' Season 4 Footage Premieres at TheGrill". TheWrap. Retrieved October 15, 2012.
  25. ^ Zutter, Natalie (October 12, 2012). "New Arrested Development Set Photo Reveals A Spoiler About Where The Bluths Are Now". Crushable. Retrieved October 15, 2012.
  26. ^ Maier, Jenni (October 5, 2012). "Hey Brother! These Arrested Development Photos Of Buster Bluth Will Make Your Day". Crushable. Retrieved October 15, 2012.
  27. ^ Snierson, Dan (October 4, 2012). "'Arrested Development': The photo you've been waiting years to see". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 15, 2012.
  28. ^ Weingus, Leigh (April 4, 2013). "'Arrested Development' Gets May 26 Premiere Date For Season 4, New 15 Episode Order". The Huffington Post. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  29. ^ Snierson, Dan (May 13, 2013). "'Arrested Development' season 4 trailer: Too hot to handle! – VIDEO". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  30. ^ Spero, Jesse (March 13, 2013). "Will Arnett & Ron Howard Talk Arrested Development's Season 4, Life After Netflix". Access Hollywood. Retrieved March 13, 2013.
  31. ^ Hibberd, James (March 11, 2013). "'Arrested Development' creator confident of movie deal". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 13, 2013.
  32. ^ "Critic Reviews for Arrested Development Season 4". Metacritic. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
  33. ^ Lloyd, Robert (May 26, 2013). "Review: 'Arrested Development' makes a joyous return". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
  34. ^ VanDerWerff, Todd (May 28, 2013). "The Complete Fourth Season". The A.V. Club. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  35. ^ Cook, David M. (May 30, 2013). "Arrested Development Season 4 Review: The Triumphant Return Of The Bluths". WhatCulture!. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
  36. ^ Wheeler, Gem (June 12, 2013). "Was season 4 Arrested Development's best yet?". Den of Geek. Retrieved June 13, 2013.
  37. ^ Lowry, Brian (May 26, 2013). "Review: "Arrested Development"". Variety. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
  38. ^ Rabin, Nathan (May 26, 2013). "'Arrested Development' Fourth Season Premiere: An Early Assessment". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  39. ^ Pierce, David (May 28, 2013). "'Arrested Development' Season 4 review: 'am I crazy, or is this good?'". The Verge. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
  40. ^ "Arrested Development". Emmys.com. Retrieved July 19, 2013.
  41. ^ Ausiello, Michael (December 11, 2013). "SAG Award Nominations: Breaking Bad, Big Bang, 30 Rock Lead the Pack, Kerry Washington, Mayim Bialik Sneak In; Orange, Mad Men Shut Out". TVLine. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
  42. ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (December 12, 2013). "Golden Globes: House of Cards, The Good Wife, Candelabra and Breaking Bad Lead Noms; Parks & Rec, Brooklyn, Spader and Maslany Score Nods". TVLine. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
  43. ^ Carreau, Isabelle (February 3, 2008). "Arrested Development Movie Rumors". Aol TV. Retrieved April 13, 2008.
  44. ^ Dos Santos, Kristin (February 1, 2008). "Jason Bateman Confirms Arrested Development Movie Talks". E! Online. Retrieved April 13, 2008.
  45. ^ a b Carreau, Isabelle (May 6, 2008). "Arrested Development Movie: Maeby". Radar Online. Retrieved May 6, 2008.
  46. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (November 21, 2008). "'Arrested Development' film gets closer". The Hollywood Reporter (via Reuters). Retrieved July 29, 2012.
  47. ^ Dos Santos, Kristin (February 24, 2009). "Sources: Michael Cera Joins Arrested Development Movie". E! Online — Watch with Kristin. Retrieved February 27, 2009.
  48. ^ Greene, Andy (August 26, 2013). "'Arrested Development' Movie Is Moving Forward". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  49. ^ "Netflix 'Willing' to Make More Episodes of 'Arrested Development'". The Wall Street Journal. May 29, 2013. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
  50. ^ Edwards, Cliff (July 12, 2013). "Netflix in Talks for Another Season of 'Arrested Development'". Bloomberg News. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  51. ^ Lambert, David (November 5, 2014). "Arrested Development – Press Release: 'Season 4' Date, Extras, and Contest-Winning Box Art". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  52. ^ "Arrested Development – Season 4 [DVD]". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  53. ^ "Arrested Development: Season 4 (DVD)". EzyDVD. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
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