#38 Arrested Development
January 29, 2008 by clander
Eventhough most white people prefer to say that they don’t watch television, one thing they agree on is that Arrested Development was the best show on TV. They love it so much!
The love it for a number of reasons. Firstly, since the show was cancelled before it jumped the shark, it’s effectively like a rocker that dies at 27. Also, the show got terrible ratings, meaning that it wasn’t ‘mainstream,’ which makes white people love it unilaterally. Other examples of shows like this are Twin Peaks and The Ben Stiller Show.
They also love it because there are a few references to white popular culture, and if there is one thing that white people love, it’s cultural references that they understand (see Garden State, The Onion, and Juno for examples).
If you are ever a white person’s house, and you see an orange box in their DVD collection, you should say “oh, you have Arrested Development, I love that show!” To which you will be offered a glass of wine, and perhaps an invitation to 80s night.
Also of note: the hip hop group Arrested Development is also loved by white people.
[...] doesn’t hurt that the screenplay was written by somebody named “Diablo” and that Jason Bateman and Michael Cera are in the movie as [...]
I pooped my pants
The two-hour pilot was the highest-rated movie for the 1989-1990 season with a 22 rating and was viewed by 33% of the audience.[14] In its first broadcast as a regular one-hour drama series, Twin Peaks scored ABC’s highest ratings in four years in its 9 pm Thursday time period.[15] The show also reduced NBC’s Cheers’s ratings. Twin Peaks had a 16.2 rating with each point equaling 921,000 homes with TVs.[15] The episode also added new viewers because of what ABC’s senior vice-president of research, Alan Wurtzel, called, “the water cooler syndrome,” in which people talk about the series the next day at work.
Do offices still have water coolers? Mine has a vending machine where I can buy water for $1.25/bottle. Or, I can use the water fountain, which is pretty much the same city water, but without the plastic taste.
love the website but also love Arrested development….how do reconcile the two??
http://www.the-op.com
You wrote: “jumped the shark”.
Only a media dweeb would reference that saying-slash-phenomenon.
Fortunately sharks will also not be bread out of existence… unlike white people and their conservative leaning subset.
Bread out of existence? Really? When you are trying to sound intelligent(conservative leaning subset!), you might want to check your spelling.
Bread - that group was so awesome. That loser Bono has nothing on David Gates.
Bread, white…whitebread. I get it, Bob Blanche!
If bread was out of existence, then white people would have one more thing to complain about. I hope that never happens. Not sure what that has to do with sharks, though.
I am not white…but I think Arrested Development was the best show ever on television followed closely by Twin Peaks and All in the Family…I feel confused…
my confused peoples, you don’t have to actually follow everything written on this site like it’s scripture. it’s ok to disagree. in any case, we all know that WIRE is the best show on television.
I thought that was a ghetto band in the 80’s, not a TV show. TV is evil, a tool of White Oppression. Don’t watch it!
(Whether your blog is “real” , or self-hating, or an attempt at self-mockery, whatever).. Anyway, I’m with anonymous, I loved Twin Peaks, except people actually started calling me that when it came out (for a couple obvious reasons, haha)..
It was not a “ghetto” band. It was not in the 80’s, it was the early 90’s. Stuffwhitepeoplelike: commenting on blogs & “correcting” people when they have no clue as to what they are talking about. This blog is an example of that. Whitey loves it.
The fact that it’s very good and funny can’t be a reason (white) people like it, right?
I’m white and I hated Arrested Development so much, it provoked an immune response in me. Hated it. H-A-T-E-D it. I tried so hard to like it, but the show was so damn twee and self-aware, I had to bail. There is no doubt in my mind why it got low ratings and ended up cancelled. The show suuuuuucked.
Are you kidding me!?!?! This show was God’s gift to entertainment! The wit, foreshadowing, irony and pure creativity will forever be better than any other show. Poop on you, Mister!
“I thought that was a ghetto band in the 80’s, not a TV show. TV is evil, a tool of White Oppression. Don’t watch it!”
Young white people absolutely LOVE to mention the fact that they don’t watch tv. If you mention you do, they’ll mention how they would rather read instead. If you run into the ultimate white person who says that they don’t even own a tv, the best course of action is to find the nearest exit and leave asap.
Sincerely,
The Duke of White People
i’m white and this site is awesome. super hilarious and i’m guilty of most of it!
you should write about how white people love to argue on the internet over nothing…or maybe you already have!
that’s some weak hate.
Nice.. I finally figured out why I love Arrested Development. I’m white!!!
I thought it had to do with Arrested Development being one of the most cleverly written TV shows ever.
But, I guess it’s only cause I’m white.
YAY me.
Great website, terrible post. Everyone knows white people like Flight of the Condors, while only geeks–like this Mexican one–like Arrested.
Arrested development was a witty show with some serious acting talent. But I suspect the reason affluent white people like it is well, it’s about affluent white people… a no brainer there.
I could write about how black people love Moisha … That’s about how interesting it is to point out the obvious.
three words… best show ever
I am white. and I loved Arrested Development, the tv show. What situation comedy could be more absurd? Answer? No other! It was sublime. SUBLIME I SAY!
I thought this blog post was about the hip-hop group Arrested Development at first. lol They love that group! I went to a FREE (something black people love!), outdoors(!) Arrested Development concert in San Francisco in the early 00’s. 98% white people.
and another thing is, where’s the “goth” stuff here and LOTR? that stuff is like totally White. Oh, and Ren faires and SCA.
Whilst reading these ‘White People’ blogs I found myself nodding at my monitor like a little plastic dog saying ‘yes’ repeatedly. When I saw Arrested Development at #38 I’ve very nearly had puppies.
It feels wonderful to be finally confirmed as ‘White’ it’s a truely liberating experience.
stuffblackpeoplelike - eating watermelon! hahaha!!!
stuffarabpeoplelike - pumping oil! hahaha!!!
stuffblackpeoplelike - gang warfare! hahaha!!!
stuffmexicanpeoplelike - eating beans! hahaha!!!
stuffchinesepeoplelike - shooting heroin! hahaha!!!
stuffblackpeoplelike - welfare! hahaha!!!
stuffjewishpeoplelike - keeping money! hahaha!!!
stuffmexicanpeoplelike - wearing sombreros! hahaha!!!
stuffchinesepeoplelike - eating rice! hahaha!!!
stuffarabpeoplelike - kissing goats! hahaha!!!
stuffmexicanpeoplelike - wearing sombreros! hahaha!!!
stuffblackpeoplelike - sniffing glue! hahaha!!!
aren’t i funny and clever!!!
don’t you dare call me a racist!!!
Thank you anonymous person for calling this stupid website out for what it is - racist! Doesn’t matter if it’s written by a white person, doesn’t matter if some white people find it amusing. Racism is racism.
Sincerely,
A white girl born and raised in the Bronx who loves Arrested Development and 80’s night (gee, I’m so lame and white…hardy har har), hates Sarah Silverman and Vegans, and REALLY hates self depricating white schmucks.
you are forgetting that 70’s show!
i rented it once to see what the hub-bub wuz all about.
i could not stop puking.
and anybody that would go for something called ’80s night’ should be rounded up and dealt with like Kerrvorcian had in mind.
I’m sorry. im liberal as the next guy but there are limits.
its for there own good.
I’m white and I’ve never seen this show. Maybe the white blogger who runs this blog has.
if there’s one thing white people love more than denouncing television, it is doing so publicly, on their myspace pages.
also, it is important to note that while the average young white person’s day is far too full of important activities to watch television, there is usually plently of available time to post a myspace bulletin whenever they do something. or, in extreme cases, think something.
What do you mean they didn’t jump the shark? There is an episode featuring Henry Winkler actually jumping a shark. This is an homage of epic proportions. Even the Malachi Crunch thinks that was a stroke of genius writing by Mitch Hurwitz & co.
I agree with just about 100% of everything listed on this site. Another one to add is “The Office.” White People LOVE “The Office.” I myself am white and when I make the huge mistake of admitting that I’m not that into the show, a circle forms around me, ready to crucify me. “What? How could you not like it? Dude, it’s the best show on TV.”
And speaking of, the use of the word “Dude” is also something that should be up here.
Funny, most white people I know hate the show because it’s “too confusing”.
I still think Arrested is one of the best TV shows to have graced the earth because of the writing style. Unfortunately it got canned for shit like Family Guy, the OC or that shortlived crappy one which I can’t remember the name to (have you wrote about those yet?)
[...] so [...]
Never seen it.
Did anyone catch how lame # 20’s post was?
He listed wearing sombrero’s twice.
He’s canceled.
that show was crap
I am white and that is pretty much the best show ever made. Dammit!! Why do all the 27 year old rockers leave me so heartbroken?? I mourn thee..
[...] lot of the items are spot on for me. Yes, I love Wes Anderson movies, Snowboarding, Arrested Development, Indie Music, and Bicycles. I don’t know whether to be embarrassed or proud about of having [...]
[...] #38 Arrested Development [...]
i just got a link to this site and was horrified to find out just how white i was…when i saw sarah silverman on here i thought…oh fuck, i really, really love her. then arrested development…i really, really, really love that show. dammit.
Why is it that whenever something white is brought up, the go-to group is black people to find something about them? Find another group.
Yeah we’re so rubbish lol.
Im not trying to come off as arrogant, but intelligence is required to appreciate the show. Arrested development is brilliant. Perfect casting, flawlessly written, and the storyline transitions better than any show I have ever watched. The running jokes through out the show’s duration are incredible, the pop culture references that tie in are absurdly hilarious. The witty one liners and the awkwardness of the humor make it hard to appreciate for most people. Basically, the show is too clever for most people in this country to enjoy. There is no laugh track telling you when you are supposed to laugh. Its not a show you could appreciate if you caught it half way through the season either. Each season is basically a movie. Seinfeld, The Simpsons, Curb You Enthusiasm (insert your favorite comedy) , cant even begin to compare to Arrested Development. The only show I consider to be on the same level is The Office.
I thought i was a full fledged sister before i signed on to this site, but the truth is, I am not. I LOVE all these things that white people like. I LOVE THEM WITH A PASSION.
White people, i am a light skinned chick with a love for starbucks, A.D, indie, juno and recycling… please draft me into your culture!
Fats…as long as you have filled out all the “white” forms in triplicate and signed by the arrows and purchased a lifetime membership to your local art museum etc; welcome to the white world!
White people love their long, complicated, useless forms.
P.S. I often bring my own plastic bags when I go shopping so as to reuse them. Then when they no longer are acceptable to hold merchandise, I recycle them.
It’s good to be white - enjoy the ride!
Ha! Me not so white. That show sucked.
The reason some white people like Arrested Development is probably the same reason some non-white people like it: it’s hysterical and clever and generally amazingly well-written. The common denominator between fans of the show is not race, but rather intelligence and appreciation of edgy, fast-paced jokes. It’s probably not for everybody, which is why it got cancelled. It IS the best show ever, which is why we love it.
OMG - I love this show and, not-surprisingly, it was cancelled. Too intelligent for most people, I think. I like the fact that they didn’t try to dumb it down or pander to the lowest common dedominator. There was no token “black” character etc… It was just funny, which I think cuts through any race issues.
I’ve seen all the episodes many times and still laugh when I watch them. Brilliant!
My dad is full Mexican and loves this show! It’s not just a white thing but I will say I have ultra white friends who just “gush” over it!
White people tend to like programs and movies about dysfunctional families in general. For example: “Six Feet Under” and “Garden State”
Also Wes Anderson movies
well i’m Asian and I adored this series. all three seasons of it.
how does it make sense that any large group of people collectively like a show that got canceled for lack of popularity?
I think Arrested Development is a great show!
However, you made a mistake in the entry. That should have been “If you are ever IN a white person’s house…” instead of “If you are ever a white person’s house…” You missed a preposition!
Hahahaha I LOVE arrested development. I don’t fit the mold for most of the other stuff white people like (okay jr sushi snob), but I have to admit I am white and proud of my taste for AR.
The show just wouldn’t be the same with a random brotha running around the set trying to inject some “street cred” haha!
you guys are uneal
stop taking everything so seriously..plus if you’re gonna attack a SATIRICAL website ANONYMOUSLY you automatically fail
good job making a racist post!
racism == humor, when you’re a lackwit.
Fuck all NIGGERS!
stuff WHITE people like
FUCK YOU NIGGERS
niggers suck
SORRY, but i can only say that seeing this made me UPSET. as one of only a few thousand REAL arrested development fans in this world (i have seen every episode more times than i can count, and can quote it like a preacher quotes a bible, and most importantly, i am a member of THE-OP.COM the arrested development fan forum, the only forum we really have)
anyway, it upsets me to see this, because if white people actually DID like this show, it would be on the air for more seasons, the likes of a show like “24″ which white people are scared to admit they love.
it bothers me to see this, because its actually loved by about 10% of white people, if that… and true fans just get upset knowing that the white people who claim to like the show, dont even understand half of its jokes, but say they love it because they are told that its “Smart”
The Onion, while certainly pretty white, has the noted advantage over this blog that it’s funny properly punctuated.
Er, funny and properly punctuated.
Plus, it’s not one of those shows that “the wrong white people” like, like Two and a Half Men or Family Guy.
Of all the supposed AD fans, no one pointed out to #4 that “jumped the shark” was a joke in AD. The shark-jumping was done by no less than Henry Winkler, the original shark-jumper.
The phrase is entirely appropriate.
Racism is bad. Except when it is against the white man. Then it is hilarious!
Also:
“If you are ever a white person’s house[...]”
Learn fucking grammar.
White people REALLY like beginning sentences with “Firstly,”. Firstly?!?! My God.
AD was cancelled because not enough white people watched it.
No search results for Curb your Enthusiasm or Larry David on this site. (i think comments dont get searched). I know its not current to 2008, yet a post on that shiite would be awe inspiring. Check out CYE “Ruckus with the ladies” bit from the season on that video clips website.
[...] Michael Cera’s revolutionary performance as George Michael Bluth in the WP show Arrested Development will live with us forever. We disdain his meek Juno identity and prefer the strong, masculine George Michael who hooks up with cousins and loves Quicken. [...]
[...] have a crush on jemaine clement. psss - i also have a prius, a sigg, an iphone, buy organic, LOVE arrested development, have worked in NGOs and in developing countries, and sometimes (not always) feel bad for poor [...]
Its fine to make fun of white ppl… i can laugh at myself and the whiter guy next to me (better yet the white guy who cant accept he’s white). but “minorities” need to be able to laugh at themselves too… either way you can call it “racist humor” and some can get all up-itt