Moving to Showtime or ABC next season?

[Pavan]

Variety is reporting that Showtime and ABC are in talks to pick-up the show with all-new episodes for next season, if Fox is completely done with it.

[vashti1999]

That'll be good if it ends up on ABC. I think it would get more recognition there than FOX or Showtime.

[Pavan]

I think Showtime is the heavy favorite right now, but I agree it should go to a broadcast net or a basic cable channel, as most people probably wouldn't get Showtime. ABC could turn a night of one camera sitcoms next fall, if everything turns out OK...Emily's Reasons Why Not, Jake in Progress, Arrested Development and Sons & Daughters would be interesting.

[vashti1999]

I can see why Showtime would want it, it seems like they want a higher profile for their series to compete with the popularity of HBO's original shows. But like you suggest with the one camera sitcoms, ABC would be a good fit.

[Scoobiedoo30]

I also think Showtime will be a Heavy Favorite to air Arrest Delopement
Next Season.

[Redd Foxx]

It would be better for most people, if it was on ABC, but that is obvious I guess.

[theshark8777]

I don't care who picks it up, I just hope someone does. If that means I have to fork out 10 a month for Showtime, so be it!

Although Fox has stunted Arrested Development's development, the show's obituary might have to wait: Both Showtime and ABC have expressed interest at heading into the wild Bluth yonder.

The two networks are in preliminary talks to pick up the critically acclaimed yet consistently low-rated show after it ends its run on Fox early next year, per trade reports.

All three networks have refused to comment on the talks, except to say that no formal negotiations have taken place.

And for good reason: Fox has yet to officially cancel the show.

Though the network recently cut the series' season order from 22 to 13, no official axing has taken place, making it difficult for producer 20th Century Fox Television to engage in any closed-door deal-making.

Besides, there are other potential hiccups to the Emmy-winner's would-be network jump.

The
Jason Bateman-led series comes with a hefty $1.6 million price tag per half-hour. According to Daily Variety, the high cost mean the studio's in the hole $400,000 per episode produced, which is part of the reason why the season's episodes were so drastically cut.

That, and the fact that the show averages just 4 million viewers per week, despite recent efforts to boost the ratings with the stunt castings of
Scott Baio,
Charlize Theron and most recently,
Justine Bateman.

But 4 million viewers is nearly twice the amount that a bona fide cable hit draws, a key should the series jump to Showtime and keep its audience intact. But Showtime would likely try to find a way to rein in the per-episode cost.

To help offset the cost, 20th Century Fox TV may push for any bidders to pick up at least 22 episodes. The studio needs just 36 more to reach 88 total--the magic number required to sell into syndication. (Of course, a lucrative syndication deal is not guaranteed.) There's also speculation 20th Century Fox TV might be willing to share home-entertainment revenues as an enticement--Development is a strong performer on DVD.

News of networks putting out feelers for Arrested Development comes just two weeks after executive producer Brian Grazer told CNN he was working to make sure this season wouldn't be the series' last.

"I can't tell you anything other than I'm hoping it works out in the way that we want it to," Grazer said. "But I'm optimistic."

The cast, meanwhile, has mixed feelings about a possible network jump.

"Obviously, we would all do it 'til we're dead," Jason Bateman told E! Online last week. "But you don't want to be the last guy at the bar.

"I think we're getting out just in time," he continued. "We may have screwed it up if we stayed any longer."

Barring any last-minute reprieves, Arrested Development's season--and series--finale is expected to air on Fox in late January or early February.

[Cactus Jack]

I hope its ABC that gets it, I have Showtime, but not in my room

[80sTrivia]

This is great news... I've always been a big fan of the show's quirky, off-beat humor and it really deserves to find a home on another network!

[robyrob]

either place would be better for the show, but both would mean changes - i think that this show could definately live a good long life if it were handled better.

I just ran across David Cross's thoughts on the matter of ratings, executives and who's at fault:

"I got an idea—why don't you ****ing fire your complete marketing team, and get a new one that knows how to market a show that won five mother****ing Emmys, Golden Globes, SAG awards, WTA awards, Producer's Guild awards, critics top 10 list. You know, if you can't market that kind of show and get better ratings then maybe the problem doesn't lie here [with the show]. Maybe it lies with marketing. Goodnight."

http://media.putfile.com/David-Cross-Rant

[theshark8777]

Originally Posted by robyrob

either place would be better for the show, but both would mean changes - i think that this show could definately live a good long life if it were handled better.

I just ran across David Cross's thoughts on the matter of ratings, executives and who's at fault:

"I got an idea—why don't you ****ing fire your complete marketing team, and get a new one that knows how to market a show that won five mother****ing Emmys, Golden Globes, SAG awards, WTA awards, Producer's Guild awards, critics top 10 list. You know, if you can't market that kind of show and get better ratings then maybe the problem doesn't lie here [with the show]. Maybe it lies with marketing. Goodnight."

http://media.putfile.com/David-Cross-Rant

I agree with David Cross. I have been saying this all along. The show was harldy ever promoted in the first season or two, then they did a dismal attempt later on.

[big bertha]

I just finished watching Crumbs on ABC and I couldn't help but think that it should be paired with Arrested Development. That would be a great lineup eh?