Arrested Development is a sitcom TV Show which was first shown in November, 2003.  The series has received six Emmy Awards, one Golden Globe, has an ardent fan base and has enjoyed its place in Time Magazines 100 Greatest Shows of all Times. 

The main characters of the show are as follows:-

The central character of the show is Michael Bluth who does all he can to keep his dysfunctional family members together in spite of their selfish and manipulative natures.

George Michael is the son who is half decent but feels he always has to live up to his father’s expectations and he reluctantly goes along with the plans, even though he does not usually agree with them.

George is Michael’s father and the real head of the family. He displays a dictatorial and manipulative character when he goes to great lengths to control the whole clan. 

Lucille is George’s wife and Michael’s mother and is hypercritical of each and every member of her family, along with being more or less permanently drunk.  She shows a particularly controlling attitude towards her youngest son, Byron who is known in the show as Buster and as a result of this the boy is socially incompetent and suffers panic attacks.

Gob is Michael’s older brother and his name which is an acronym for George Oscar Bluth is pronounced Job as in the Biblical figure.  Of course, the name is mispronounced by most characters in the show.  He is a magician of little acclaim and his business and personal projects rarely succeed. Gob is used by his father to help challenge Michael’s control of the family business.  
Lindsay is Michael’s twin sister, another family member who is materialistic, flamboyant and demanding.  She attaches herself to social causes, but her support never lasts for long.
Tobias is Lindsay’s husband, a discredited psychiatrist and aspiring actor whose behavior regularly shows signs of homosexuality.
Maeby is the daughter of Lindsay and Tobias and along with cheating with her homework and skipping school she has been known to steal money from the family business. Typical of many teens, her whole life revolves around going against her parents wishes.
The theme of Arrested Development is based on Michael Bluth, who appears to be the only normal family member.  When his father is sent to prison Michael takes over the running of the family real estate business and constantly picks up the pieces by attempting to educate his family how to live life without the use of a bottomless money pit.
The show is presented a little like a documentary, cutting away rather abruptly from scenes enhancing the story with material such as security camera footage, for example.  Flashbacks and film archives also play their part in the production.  Subtle humor, wordplay and details of the plot are thrown at the viewer at a rapid pace.
The popularly viewed episode entitled My Mother the Car sees Michael lose his short term memory which Lucille uses to her advantage whilst George Michael and Maeby try to watch an R rated movie about two cousins having an affair.  
The producers of the show were sued by the band Arrested Development back in November 2003.  This was amusingly referred to in the episode The Sword of the Destiny when a magician referred to the fact that he will have to change the title of his new home video as a band already has the rights to the name, Use Your Illusion.

Copyright 2008 Mandy-Jane Clarke

Copyright 2008 Mandy-Jane Clarke

http://www.yourfavoritetvshows.com is a blog dedicated to your favorite tv shows and television series including interesting facts and reviews on the
Arrested Development TV Show

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