The very cult TV comedy, Arrested Development, had its original run on the Fox network back in the early Aughts, developing a fervent fanbase who, after the third season demise of the show, continued to write bytes of fan fiction, create in-jokey Tumblr sites, and generally wait patiently for an oft-discussed movie version that would wrap up the lives of the Bluth and Fünke families. Of course, that never reached any amount of fruition, and frustrated fans were left to wonder, what-if and what-could-have-been.
Then Netflix discovered (based on data developed from their ginormous subscriber database of viewing habits) that folks really dug the show both on DVD and, better yet, via Instant Watch, where all three seasons are available. This led to Netflix and show creator, Mitchell Hurwitz, agreeing to produce a 15-episode run to be shown in typical Netflix fashion (meaning: all at once for your marathon viewing pleasure). Not only that, but once the ball got rolling, it was decided to film an extra episode that would bridge the gap to… wait for it– a movie.
Netflix announced this week that all episodes for the fourth season of Arrested Development in HD will air on Sunday, May 26, 2013 at midnight (over Memorial Day weekend, needless to say). With nearly all the main and guest cast reprising their roles, including the voice of actor/director Ron Howard the season promises fun times. But note, fans… this will be the final season, or as the producers mention, “a one -off” that precedes a big movie wrap-up… that’s that, end of story (well, except for the fanfic).
