Entertaining Americans

Arrested Development is one of the most intelligent and well written shows to air for quite some time now.


The following are the accolades the show received after it's first season:

"The critically acclaimed series revolves around Michael Bluth (Jason Bateman), the good son who must run the family business and continue to pick up the pieces as he keeps his offbeat family from falling apart. The comedy has featured guest appearances by numerous stars including Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Liza Minnelli, Heather Graham and Ben Stiller. Last year, the show received five Emmy Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series, Writing, Directing, Casting and Editing. Additionally, Jason Bateman won a Golden Globe for Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role - Musical or Comedy Series and the show was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards for Outstanding Musical or Comedy Series. This past season, the cast was nominated for a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series. The show was also named an AFI Program of the Year and received the Critics' Choice Award for Best Comedy, among other accolades."

From the Fox Broadcasting Website

What isn't mentioned is how since nearly the first episodes Fox has tried to cancel the show. 18-35 year olds are not included in the Nielson Ratings profiles, and therefore the entire demographic for the show has been excluded from the executives' at Fox attention. Although this isn't quite true; there have been massive grass-roots campaigns to save the show. After a second critically acclaimed season, winning nearly as many honors as the first, Arrested Development was basically cancelled. Thanks to this campaign and massive Season 1 DVD sales, it was brought back for a 3rd season.

However, without any sign or warning, the show quietly disappeared from the Monday evening lineup, shortly after having been moved from it's more successful and accessible Sunday evening slot, airing with the Simpsons and Family Guy (another acclaimed show Fox canceled but was forced to bring back after one of the single largest letter writing campaigns in the history of broadcasting). Why was the show moved from a time-slot where it was being watched, and with similar programming? What happened to the show?

Also from the Fox Broadcasting Website:

"2. What are some other Mid-Season backup shows not yet scheduled for the 2005/06 Season?

ANSWER:
BACKUP SHOWS (to air sometime in later this season - sometime in 2006):

o THE LOOP [NEW COMEDY]
o FREE RIDE [NEW COMEDY]
o NANNY 911 [2ND SEASON]
o HELL'S KITCHEN [2ND SEASON]
o SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE [2ND SEASON]
o ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT [Remainder of 3RD SEASON]"

If you'll notice,

1.) Arrested Development was cancelled mid-season,

2.) It is last in a long line of quality broadcasting

Meanwhile, Arrested Development was just nominated by The Screen Actors Guild Awards again for best performance by an ensemble in a comedy series.

The point of all of this is that in this country it is not quality that counts, but rather numbers and profit. It reminds me of these absolutely fascinating burial mounds the Native Americans built throughout North America, some even shadowing the great pyramids of Egypt in size and architectural complexity. They used to be all around, but you've never seen one because they were demolished so the shells they were made of could be turned into a shock-absorbing base for our highways and interstates.

I personally would rather watch shows on television that challenge me intelectually as well as they entertain me than say, an episode of say Nanny 911- but Mr. Nielson seems to say differently. Television is generally considered a drain to the intellect-parents warn children to stay away, while using it as a mind-numbing nanny. However, when something against that grain finally airs, it is quickly swept under the rug.

Don't let executives around a conference table spit on your minds. Be vocal about the quality of the programming that you watch, the music you listen to, the health insurance you purchase for your family, or the source and quality of the clothes you buy. This must be the foundation for American business: quality should be the rule, never the unprofitable exception.