Arrested Development is the kind of sitcom that gives you hope for television. A mockumentary-style exploration of the beleaguered Bluth family, it's one of those idiosyncratic shows that doesn't rely on a laugh track or a studio audience; it's shot more like a TV drama, albeit with an omniscient narrator (executive producer Ron Howard) overseeing the proceedings. Barely holding the Bluths together is son Michael (Jason Bateman), the only normal guy in a family that's chock full of nuts. Hardworking and sensible, Michael's certain he's going to be given control of his family's Enron-style corporation upon the retirement of his father (Jeffrey Tambor). The fact that he's passed over instead for his mother (Jessica Walter) is only a blip when compared to his father's immediate arrest for dubious accounting practices, and the resulting freeze on the family's previously limitless wealth. Bereft of money, and even less family love, the Bluths have to band together in their moment of need--not easy when everyone's looking out for number 1. In addition to his scabrous parents, Michael has to contend with his lothario older brother (Will Arnett), his basically useless younger brother (Tony Hale), his greedy twin sister (Portia DeRossi), and her sexually ambiguous husband (David Cross). Michael's only comrade in sanity is his son George Michael (Michael Cera), but then again, the teenage boy harbours a secret crush on his cousin (Alia Shawkat). A peerless ensemble led by the brilliant Bateman (who knew he could be this good?), all the actors are pitch-perfect in their roles, delivering the dryly funny, sometimes absurdist dialogue with the speed and flair of classic farce. The unusual tone of Arrested Development takes a bit of getting used to--it's far different from anything you'll see on TV--but once you buy in to the Bluths' innumerable dysfunctions, you'll be laughing your head off for hours. --Mark Englehart

Just goes to show how idiosyncratic humor preferences can be. I watched the first episode and kept waiting for something that could be called humorous to happen. Thought maybe they had a poor start and gave episode 2 a try. I shut it off after 10 minutes. Nothing even remotely funny in my opinion. Makes all the rave reviews even more baffling. To me, it's pretty obvious that the show sucks. Go figure! Anyway, I'd recommend that you try and get a taste somewhere online, a trailer or something, before spending money on it.

Dear Amazon Customer, if this is the first time you have heard of this show and you are wondering whether or not this will float your boat, I can assure you now that there is a 99% chance that it will.

The creator of this show had, as his goal, a will to create the best tv show ever scripted. He brought together the most talented writers in the industry and set out to create what will always be remembered as a criminally cancelled show. There is no doubt that in his goal, he succeeded.

There are layers and layers of comedic genius throughout this show, something that was wasted on unfortunately a large enough portion of the American viewing public.

My brother recommended this to me, after hearing me claim that nothing would ever be better than Seinfeld. Though it pains me to say it, this leaves Seinfeld in the dust.

I will tell you nothing about the show, as it has already been detailed in the great synopsis by Amazon, but do yourself a favour and buy it and watch it and watch it and watch it: it just gets funnier as you notice each and every detail, linked joke, and piece of word play.

Enjoy!

This show is funny end of, any reviewer who has given it less than 5 stars either has no sense of humour or a personal problem with the person that reccomended it to them. There certainly is a plot and plenty of character evolution, but like all classic comedy the relevance of this is secondary to making us laugh. We do not need ponder to the depths of character interaction in a sitcom, it doesn't have to be entirely believable, it just has to be funny.

I stumbled upon this sitcom purely by accident as I walked into the room my brother was watching it in and it is without a doubt one of the best (if not the best) sitcom I have ever had the privilege of watching. The writing is clever, quick and incredibly witty. The characters themselves make this a family driven sitcom unlike any other. Each intertwine brilliantly with each other and their little quirks and moments of insanity work and gel together like the ingredients of a fine wine. Each episode brings its own brand of comedic hilarity and its intelligent writing will leave the viewer feeling joy and satisfaction. Stylistically it's very different to usual American sitcoms but all I say to that is please don't let that impinge your judgement. This is a smart, witty, intelligent and hilarious comedy that will appeal to everyone.

Watch it once and like it, feel a bit confused and maybe don't feel the comedy. Take a few weeks and watch it again abd you will be watching the greatest comedy in the world. Every character has depth and some of the greatest one liners in sit com history. Jeffry Tambor and David Cross shine through but there is not a weak performance. You need to listen carefully and watch carefully but it is brilliant. Don't give up cos you'll like it more and more.