Arrested Development is the funniest show on TV!

Arrested Development, is, IMHO, one of the best shows currently on TV. It stars a huge variety of well-known and welcome faces such as my newest crush, Jason Bateman (The Hogans), Portia de Rossi (Ally McBeal), David Cross (check out his hilarious comedy CD-- "Shut up you F***ing Baby!"), Jeffrey Tambor (The Ropers), and more. The ensemble cast has a fabulous chemistry, and the variety of plot lines and Seinfeldian coincidences gives this show a wide appeal.

Perhaps the biggest name associated with the show is producer Ron Howard, who also narrates the episodes. We've come to expect quality from anything Howard is involved with, and this is no exception. Eschewing common sitcom conventions, Arrested Development is filmed with only two cameras in a semi-documentary style without the annoyance of a mindless laugh-track. The episodes feature a subtle hilarity, full of irony and surprises. The premise of the show is that a family of misfits and oddballs is left to fend for themselves after their patriarch is sent to prison for shady business practices. The one normal member of the family, Michael (Bateman) finds himself sucked back into the family dynamic as he attempts to run the family business and instill his relatives with a sense of responsibility and normalcy. However, the influence tends to run in the opposite direction, as Michael finds himself and his son in a variety of frustrating and entertaining situations. The characters in this show are so unique, and they aren't vague stereotypes--you really feel like you understand the idiosyncracies of each family member.

I was thrilled when this set was released, because my busy schedule last year prevented me from watching many of the episodes. I've caught a few reruns over the summer, and they always left me with that frantic feeling of "I've gotta see more!!!" Luckily the DVD set provides me with all 22 episodes from the first season, as well as the unaired extended pilot. Three episodes have audio commentaries. All three commentaries have the show's creator and Jason Bateman. The extended pilot also has the directors, and the other two episodes have pretty much the entire cast. I haven't listened to the commentaries yet, but I have high hopes!

I thought about just renting the discs, but Blockbuster didn't have Disc One in stock, and I just couldn't wait! Besides, I really like to try and support the shows that I love (I also buy the Simpsons, Family Guy, and Sex and the City DVD's). I went over to Costco, and they had the three-disc set for $25.29, which is a pretty good deal.

The outside packaging of the DVD set is appealing. THe cover prominently features the adorable Jason Bateman, with his eccentric family hovering, upside down, above his head.

The inside packaging is less elaborate, with no bells or whistles. The discs are packaged separately in thin, clear DVD cases. These are generic cases with a slip-sleeve opening for the artwork insert. The insert for each case features sparse decoration, with a photo of three of the characters behind bars, the name of the show, "Season One--Disc X" and "Episodes xx-xx." The rest of the front cover of each disc is white. The back provides a listing of the episodes included, along with the original air date, and a brief description of the plot. There are thumbnail photos for three of the episodes. The back cover of each individual case also includes the standard DVD information (language, length, aspect ratio, etc.) and a list of the special features found on that disc (e.g., audio commentary on one episode per disc, and deleted scenes).

Inside each individual DVD case, there is nothing but the blank opposite side of the outside insert. The discs themselves feature photos of the same three actors from the cover artwork.

So, the packaging is not elaborate or thrilling, but is functional and not without appeal.

The other special features on the discs are:

"Breaking Ground: Behind the Scenes of Arrested Development" Featurette" -- I watched this 20+ minute special that details the synthesis of the show through interviews with Howard, the actors, and the creator of the show. It's really interesting, and provides some great insights into the making of the show and the genesis of the characters.

Original Songs by David Schwartz

The Museum of Television and Radio Cast Panel Discussion

Ron Howard's inside look at Arrested Development

"Arrested Development: The making of a Future Classic" TV Land Featurette

"TV Land Awards: The Future Classic Award" Featurette

Promo Spot

The deleted scenes on each disc are grouped together by episode, so by clicking on the name of the episode you get to see several deleted scenes from that one episode.

I was laughing out loud before I had gotten past the menu of the first DVD. The little snippets of the show that play during the menu sequence are perfect windows into the hilarity of the show. Example: Michael and his son, George Michael, are lying on the ground in sleeping bags, and Michael asks his son, "What have we always said is the most important thing?" George Michael thinks a second, and then answers, "Breakfast." Oh, the misinterpretation! Michael was talking about family!

Jason Bateman describes the show as "The Royal Tennenbaums shot like COPS," TV Guide calls it "Brilliant and Boisterously Funny," and a writer for the Calgary Sun suggests "Arrested Development is so good, so smart, so laugh-out-loud-funny, it's probably being cancelled as you read this," as a promo line.

If you're tired of mind-numbingly stupid TV sitcoms, and are looking for the networks' answer to Curb Your Enthusiasm, I think that Arrested Development will satisfy! It's a great, great show. Oh, and if you know Jason Bateman, could you give him my email address? :)

I will update this review once I have the chance to check out more of the special features.