Will Showtime Save Arrested Development? Is a Carnivale Movie in the Works at HBO?
MediaVillage hears that HBO is seriously considering developing a movie or miniseries that would tie up the loose ends from the final episode of Carnivale.
Bye bye, Bluths?
Fox on Friday will run the final four episodes of the acclaimed comedy Arrested Development back to back from 8-10 p.m. ET. It appears to be the end -- and a downbeat end, at that -- for one
of the most original broadcast comedies in years, its last original episodes unceremoniously burned off on a Friday night during a highly competitive sweeps period and opposite the opening ceremonies of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games on NBC.
Is this any way to treat a series that counts among its many honors the Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series (2004)
and two Television Critics Association Awards (2004, 2005) for Outstanding Achievement in Comedy?
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As with Showtime's Dead Like Me and other low-rated series with energetic cult followings, Development isn't
disappearing without significant viewer outcry. Critics are complaining, message boards are buzzing and online petitions in support of the show are filling up. Rumors have been building in recent weeks that the show might live on either on ABC or Showtime, providing a glimmer of hope for the obsessed.
Meanwhile, another seemingly doomed series with a similarly expressive following may in fact be headed back to television. MediaVillage has heard that HBO is seriously considering developing a two hour
movie or a four-hour miniseries that would tie up the tantalizing loose ends from the final episode of its supernatural dust-bowl drama Carnivale. (The series ended in an abrupt manner that infuriated its loyal viewers, leaving them to wonder if Ben the healer could survive his violent confrontation with the evil Brother Justin, and if the newly possessed Sofie would succeed in
bringing Justin back to life.) The new production would be telecast sometime in 2007. Further, if that movie or mini does well, MediaVillage has been told the pay cable giant might even consider resurrecting the franchise as an ongoing series in 2008.
The return of either or both of these shows is far from certain, though Development would seem to
have a shot. Last month at the Winter Television Critics Association tour in Pasadena, executives from ABC and Showtime praised the series and declared their interest in it, albeit with cautiously curbed enthusiasm.
Cast of Arrested Development
"We would certainly have interest if there was ever a possibility," ABC Entertainment president Steve McPherson told reporters, adding, "I don't really foresee that happening. I think it's a long shot." On the up
side, McPherson said, "I believe that I can market that show really well and I think we have some spots [on our] schedule that make sense for us."
"I always thought [Development] was probably a better fit on a cable network than on a broadcast network," Showtime Entertainment president Robert Greenblatt told TCA members. "I think it really does fit in
with a lot of the things we're doing. If only a small fraction of [its] loyal audience on Fox came to Showtime it would be one of our highest rated shows. We are, in fact, talking to Twentieth Television about bringing it to Showtime."
Cast of Carnivale
"We have to figure out the right deal between the two companies, which is complicated and takes longer than you'd ever
imagine," he continued. "At the same time, I think the show is only worth continuing if [creator and executive producer] Mitch Hurwitz was at the helm running it. He hasn't yet come to that decision to continue the show. If all the stars align, nothing would make us happier than to have it."
Indeed, if those stars align, nothing would make for a better hour of television comedy than for Showtime to pair Development
with Weeds, the acclaimed series featuring a consistently outstanding performance by Mary-Louise Parker as a conflicted pot-dealing widow and mother of two.
Though its actual ending may seem rather harsh, Fox has stood by Arrested Development for three seasons despite ratings that were alarmingly low by broadcast standards. Credit for its second
season renewal goes to the nation's television critics, many of whom have been absolutely rabid in their support for this show, and viewers who were manic in their efforts to ensure that Development survive. (Visitors to the Web site www.saveoutbluths.com were especially influential.) That it continued on for a third season was somewhat miraculous, though Fox has seemingly been determined to kill it off once and for all since last September, when it paired the show with the lame
freshman comedy Kitchen Confidential in the 8-9 p.m. time period on Monday night. Fox has since that time bounced the show around its schedule in a manner so haphazard even the most devout Development fans had trouble finding it.
In tomorrow night's finale, the Bluths participate in a mock trial presided over by actor Judge Reinhold (get it?) to prepare for George Sr.'s day in court; Michael learns he may have a long-lost sister (portrayed
by series' star Jason Bateman's real life sister, Justine Bateman); Gob heads for Iraq to present his Christian magic act on the USO tour and ends up incarcerated; Michael and Buster fly to Iraq to spring Gob from prison; and Lucille throws a yacht party that brings the family together (and, as anyone who
recalls the hilarious family yacht party in the series premiere will realize, brings the show full circle -- in similarly comic fashion).
Farewell, everyone. Here's hoping we see you on Showtime.
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