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Special Features
- 18 episodes on three discs
- Commentary by series creator Mitchell Hurwitz and actors Will Arnett, Michael Cera, David Cross, Tony Hale, Alia Shawkat, and Jessica Walter on "Good Grief," "Ready Aim Marry Me," and "The Righteous Brothers"
- Deleted/extended scenes
- "Season One in Three Minutes" overview
- Blooper reel
- "The Immaculate Election" campaign videos
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| Arrested Development Season 2 | - Available Formats |
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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The axe of cancellation dangled perilously over Arrested Development during its second season, but the award-winning comedy fought against fate to deliver a hilarious if scattershot 18 episodes (reduced from the original show order of 22), and stayed alive for the beginning of a third season. Most likely, the creators and actors knew the clock was ticking down, so they didn't hesitate to throw their all into these manic, hilarious episodes, which have only the thinnest of plot arcs but an electrifying energy that makes them hard to resist. Some of the story antics were more of the same: good son Michael (Jason Bateman) tries to keep his company afloat, but is often foiled by older brother Gob (Will Arnett); the precarious marriage of Lindsay (Portia de Rossi) and Tobias (David Cross) undergoes a trial separation; and young George-Michael (Michael Cera) fights his attraction to his cousin Maeby (Alia Shawkat). Other show developments, though, were new and stunningly, uproariously bizarre: Buster (Tony Hale) joins the army, but later finds his hand bitten off by a seal (yes, a real seal), and Oscar (Jeffrey Tambor), the hippie brother of jailed George Sr. (also Tambor), rekindles an affair with sister-in-law Lucille (Jessica Walter), which may have resulted in Buster's conception years ago.
Jokes flew fast and furious, as did guest stars--Ben Stiller, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, Christine Taylor, Thomas Jane, Ed Begley Jr., Ione Skye, and Zach Braff among them--making it hard to keep straight who was doing what and why. No matter, as each of the episodes was in and of itself was a perfect gem of comedy, strung together by sharp writing and fantastic performances. In addition to the regular cast, both Liza Minnelli, reprising her role as "Lucille Two," and Martin Short, as an, um, eccentric family friend, deserve special mention, with the episode both appeared in, "Ready, Aim, Marry Me," a frenetic exercise in slapstick farce. Typical examples of the show's offbeat humor were found in "Afternoon Delight," in which various members of the Bluth family discover the true meaning of the '70s ballad, "Meet the Veals," wherein the Bluths encounter the conservative parents of George Michael's girlfriend, and "Motherboy XXX," surrounding an unsettling mother-son traditional dance. The entire cast cohered perfectly through this season, and their give and take provided a perfect balance among the actors, all of whom were even better than the previous year. However, it's Bateman who should be singled out as the show's anchor, mixing dry sarcasm with impeccable comic timing. Despite plummeting ratings, Arrested Development didn't just keep its head above water, it swam with grace and hilarity. --Mark Englehart
Product Description
In this 5 time Emmy®-winning comedy's hilarious second season, Michael Bluth, once again determined to be free of his dysfunctional family, packs up the car and his son George-Michael and heads for Arizona. But he's soon pulled over by the police who tell him that his father, George Sr., has broken out of prison. Due to the company's shady business deal with Iraq, Michael could face prison time, so he returns home to clear his name even as George Sr. secretly flees to Mexico, Tobias decides to be an understudy for the Blue Man Group, and Lucille begins a torrid affair with her husband's twin brother, Oscar. Arrested Development Season 3 will begin airing this fall on FOX.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
238 of 250 people found the following review helpful
By K. Smith
Format:DVD
Normally I hate it when people (including myself) write reviews for DVDs that haven't even come out yet. But I'm so excited for the 2nd season of Arrested Development to come out on DVD that I'm going to write one anyway! (Don't worry, I'll come back and update the review once I actually get the DVD.)
This is, in my opinion, the funniest show on television. My favorite thing about this show is how it is a "comedy for smart people." If you like dumb and "easy" humor, then there is probably still some stuff in here that you'll enjoy... BUT if you like clever/witty humor, you'll LOVE this show. The more you watch it, the more jokes you'll understand and the more funny the jokes will be. There are even jokes foreshadowing other jokes several episodes down the road (e.g. Buster's "I never thought I'd miss a hand so much" when looking at his old hand chair in "Amigos"). There's no way you could ever catch everything on your first viewing, and that's why the DVDs are so great.
While the 1st season is incredible, I'd have to say that the 2nd season might be even better. The jokes just keep building (so it's even funnier if you've seen the 1st season). The running storyline of Tobias as an "on call" understudy of the blue man group is great... even at the end of the season (well after that story has ended) you can still see blue smudges on everything in the house. The whole thing about Buster losing his hand is hilarious and contributes greatly to my favorite episode of the season, "Motherboy XXX" (which has one of the funniest endings I've ever seen). I could go on and on: the Veals, Gene Parmesan, Mrs. Featherbottom, GOB's wife, Maeby's job, "Scandalmakers"... it just never stops!
FOX cut back this season's original order of 22 episodes to only 18 (allegedly so they could introduce "American Dad"... but there are even jokes about the cut, like when the Bluth Company's order for homes is cut from 22 to 18). While it's disappointing to think we could have had four more episodes, I'm more than willing to trade those four episodes for a whole 3rd season. This is the funniest show on TV!
This is, in my opinion, the funniest show on television. My favorite thing about this show is how it is a "comedy for smart people." If you like dumb and "easy" humor, then there is probably still some stuff in here that you'll enjoy... BUT if you like clever/witty humor, you'll LOVE this show. The more you watch it, the more jokes you'll understand and the more funny the jokes will be. There are even jokes foreshadowing other jokes several episodes down the road (e.g. Buster's "I never thought I'd miss a hand so much" when looking at his old hand chair in "Amigos"). There's no way you could ever catch everything on your first viewing, and that's why the DVDs are so great.
While the 1st season is incredible, I'd have to say that the 2nd season might be even better. The jokes just keep building (so it's even funnier if you've seen the 1st season). The running storyline of Tobias as an "on call" understudy of the blue man group is great... even at the end of the season (well after that story has ended) you can still see blue smudges on everything in the house. The whole thing about Buster losing his hand is hilarious and contributes greatly to my favorite episode of the season, "Motherboy XXX" (which has one of the funniest endings I've ever seen). I could go on and on: the Veals, Gene Parmesan, Mrs. Featherbottom, GOB's wife, Maeby's job, "Scandalmakers"... it just never stops!
FOX cut back this season's original order of 22 episodes to only 18 (allegedly so they could introduce "American Dad"... but there are even jokes about the cut, like when the Bluth Company's order for homes is cut from 22 to 18). While it's disappointing to think we could have had four more episodes, I'm more than willing to trade those four episodes for a whole 3rd season. This is the funniest show on TV!
27 of 30 people found the following review helpful
By R. M Simms
Format:DVD
Over the past few years there has been much talk about the supposed death of the sitcom on network television. And if those preparing to mourn the genre consider Friends or its ilk to be the standard-bearer, than perhaps they are right.
But maybe, just maybe, with Arrested Development we are seeing the future of the situation comedy... and if that's the case, things are looking up!
Arrested Development isn't your standard "set up a punch line, deliver punch-line, listen to the studio audience roar" show. In fact, rarely is there a set up or punchline, but rather keenly written and expertly delivered dialogue. And rather than the standard "Joey and Phoebe get stuck in an elevator while Rachel and Monica plan Thanksgiving dinner" storylines, Arrested lets each episode unfold in an intricate and intriguing manner with humor that ranges from subtle to sublime.
The basic premise? We're spending time with the Bluth family, who, to borrow a phrase, put the "fun" in dysfunctional. The characters range from maniacal (especially the Emmy-worthy turn by Jessica Walter as matriarch Lucille Bluth) to misguided (perhaps best exemplified by Will Arnett's desperate-for-attention-at-any-cost Gob). These aren't cookie-cutter cardboard characters as you'll find on other comedies. Each is a fascinating character study, with flaws and faults and quirks unlike those seen in other television households.
Best of all - and perhaps the main reason to purchase the DVD - the show is (gasp) laugh-out-loud funny and will be whether this is the first or one-hundred-and-first time you view the episodes.
Comedy, dead? Not as long as the Bluth family are around!
But maybe, just maybe, with Arrested Development we are seeing the future of the situation comedy... and if that's the case, things are looking up!
Arrested Development isn't your standard "set up a punch line, deliver punch-line, listen to the studio audience roar" show. In fact, rarely is there a set up or punchline, but rather keenly written and expertly delivered dialogue. And rather than the standard "Joey and Phoebe get stuck in an elevator while Rachel and Monica plan Thanksgiving dinner" storylines, Arrested lets each episode unfold in an intricate and intriguing manner with humor that ranges from subtle to sublime.
The basic premise? We're spending time with the Bluth family, who, to borrow a phrase, put the "fun" in dysfunctional. The characters range from maniacal (especially the Emmy-worthy turn by Jessica Walter as matriarch Lucille Bluth) to misguided (perhaps best exemplified by Will Arnett's desperate-for-attention-at-any-cost Gob). These aren't cookie-cutter cardboard characters as you'll find on other comedies. Each is a fascinating character study, with flaws and faults and quirks unlike those seen in other television households.
Best of all - and perhaps the main reason to purchase the DVD - the show is (gasp) laugh-out-loud funny and will be whether this is the first or one-hundred-and-first time you view the episodes.
Comedy, dead? Not as long as the Bluth family are around!
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A second incredible season for the best comedy on TV this century
December 27, 2005
Format:DVD
Warning: Some spoilers below
After a debut season that saw ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT win the Emmy for Best Comedy and just generally demonstrate that it was the most original new American comedy series in years, the show continued with a brilliant second season, more awards and critical acclaim, but still astonishingly few viewers. Fans of the show wonder why everyone isn't watching it. It has one of the most brilliant ensemble casts in memory, vastly higher production values of virtually all other American comedies (most are filmed before live audiences and minimal sets, which means few camera set ups, relatively inexpensive sets, and all around lowered costs), and brilliant writing that is genuinely funny. I don't ever remember laughing at an episode of FRIENDS or EVERYBODY LOVE RAYMOND or countless other American sit coms that elicit smiles at most. ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT is one of the few truly funny shows American TV has produced. Typically, as I write this review the show has had only 13 episodes ordered for the 2005-2006 season and although it has not been officially cancelled, no one imagines that it will be back on FOX for the 2006-2007 season. The hopes of fans of the show have been bolstered of late, however, by the fact that both ABC and Showtime are interested in picking up the show. While there is "many a slip between the cup and the lip," this interest in a rational world seems not merely good news but inevitable. What network wouldn't want to pick up the best comedy on TV? On various boards fans are already lusting at a scenario whereby ABC pick up LOST and puts it on immediately before LOST, thereby creating the finest hour and a half of television of the week.
If the show is not back next year, at least we have these brilliant DVDs. I never fail to be astonished at both the marvelous creativity of the show's writers and the wonderful executive by the production team. Just consider one thing: most comedies are shot on stage and feature two or three cameras situated to capture the performances. The notion of montage is irrelevant for such shows. But ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT can feature a three-minute segment with a montage of 7 or 8 completely different set ups. The time spent on producing a single episode must be extraordinary compared to a show like FRIENDS, where virtually all of the cost of the show is expended on salary, as opposed to ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, where the production costs are as large as the time expended making it. If the show does go away after the painfully truncated Season Three, these DVDs will still be there to remind us of what a high quality production that we lost.
And the cast! I've played a game with my friends who are fans of the show. I've asked them both to name their favorite cast member and the one they think was most expendable. In each cast they found the first task difficult and the second impossible. A couple said they perhaps liked Jason Bateman as Michael Bluth the most, but not especially more than the others. But no one is dispensable. Take away any cast member and the show would be diminished thereby.
One thing I especially like about the show is the way that it continues a trend in television, a trend that a large number of the best shows on TV hold in common. More and more shows are engaging in longer and longer story arcs, so that now the stories can extend over several seasons. In this case, George Bluth, the head of the Bluth clan, has been imprisoned for financial wrongdoing at the Bluth Construction Company. To make matter worse, it appears that he may have committed treason by building inside Iraq during the embargo. At the end of Season One George escaped from jail and in Season Two he is ensconced in the attic of the model home many of the family members live in. This overarching narrative holds the show as a whole together. Along the way we get a host of ongoing jokes, such as Gob's (pronounced like Job, as in the Book of Job in the OT) countless pathetic magic tricks, the icky relationship between Lucille and her son Buster, and George's secretary Kitty flashing her artificially enhanced chest (so that she can appear on the video series "Girls With Low Self-Esteem") with the warning, "This is the last time you'll see these." George-Michael has transferred his romantic intentions away from his cousin Maeby (who despite being 15 and in high school has somehow managed to become a Hollywood movie producer) to a Christian fundamentalist named Ann (whose minister father was played by the versatile Alan Tudyk, who in one calendar year played the robot in I, ROBOT, a pirate imitator in DODGEBALL, and a space ship pilot in SERENITY). Tobias, meanwhile, striving to become an actor, has aspirations of joining the Blue Man Group (throughout the season, one sees random smudges of blue on the walls of the model home), while his wife Lindsay and he have agreed to have an open marriage, though neither manages to have a successful encounter with anyone else. And poor Buster has his hand bitten off by a seal in the ocean, a seal that was accustomed to the taste of mammal flesh by none other than Gob. The great string of guest appearances continued through out the season, with Season One performers such as Henry Winkler, Liza Minnelli, Carl Weathers, Judy Greer, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus joined by actors like Ben Stiller, Ed Begley Jr., Christine Taylor, Martin Short, Ione Skye, Dick Van Patten, and Zach Braff. All this nuttiness has created what is for me the lone "must see" comedy show of the past ten years or so. I just hope that after this year it hasn't become "can't see" TV.
After a debut season that saw ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT win the Emmy for Best Comedy and just generally demonstrate that it was the most original new American comedy series in years, the show continued with a brilliant second season, more awards and critical acclaim, but still astonishingly few viewers. Fans of the show wonder why everyone isn't watching it. It has one of the most brilliant ensemble casts in memory, vastly higher production values of virtually all other American comedies (most are filmed before live audiences and minimal sets, which means few camera set ups, relatively inexpensive sets, and all around lowered costs), and brilliant writing that is genuinely funny. I don't ever remember laughing at an episode of FRIENDS or EVERYBODY LOVE RAYMOND or countless other American sit coms that elicit smiles at most. ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT is one of the few truly funny shows American TV has produced. Typically, as I write this review the show has had only 13 episodes ordered for the 2005-2006 season and although it has not been officially cancelled, no one imagines that it will be back on FOX for the 2006-2007 season. The hopes of fans of the show have been bolstered of late, however, by the fact that both ABC and Showtime are interested in picking up the show. While there is "many a slip between the cup and the lip," this interest in a rational world seems not merely good news but inevitable. What network wouldn't want to pick up the best comedy on TV? On various boards fans are already lusting at a scenario whereby ABC pick up LOST and puts it on immediately before LOST, thereby creating the finest hour and a half of television of the week.
If the show is not back next year, at least we have these brilliant DVDs. I never fail to be astonished at both the marvelous creativity of the show's writers and the wonderful executive by the production team. Just consider one thing: most comedies are shot on stage and feature two or three cameras situated to capture the performances. The notion of montage is irrelevant for such shows. But ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT can feature a three-minute segment with a montage of 7 or 8 completely different set ups. The time spent on producing a single episode must be extraordinary compared to a show like FRIENDS, where virtually all of the cost of the show is expended on salary, as opposed to ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, where the production costs are as large as the time expended making it. If the show does go away after the painfully truncated Season Three, these DVDs will still be there to remind us of what a high quality production that we lost.
And the cast! I've played a game with my friends who are fans of the show. I've asked them both to name their favorite cast member and the one they think was most expendable. In each cast they found the first task difficult and the second impossible. A couple said they perhaps liked Jason Bateman as Michael Bluth the most, but not especially more than the others. But no one is dispensable. Take away any cast member and the show would be diminished thereby.
One thing I especially like about the show is the way that it continues a trend in television, a trend that a large number of the best shows on TV hold in common. More and more shows are engaging in longer and longer story arcs, so that now the stories can extend over several seasons. In this case, George Bluth, the head of the Bluth clan, has been imprisoned for financial wrongdoing at the Bluth Construction Company. To make matter worse, it appears that he may have committed treason by building inside Iraq during the embargo. At the end of Season One George escaped from jail and in Season Two he is ensconced in the attic of the model home many of the family members live in. This overarching narrative holds the show as a whole together. Along the way we get a host of ongoing jokes, such as Gob's (pronounced like Job, as in the Book of Job in the OT) countless pathetic magic tricks, the icky relationship between Lucille and her son Buster, and George's secretary Kitty flashing her artificially enhanced chest (so that she can appear on the video series "Girls With Low Self-Esteem") with the warning, "This is the last time you'll see these." George-Michael has transferred his romantic intentions away from his cousin Maeby (who despite being 15 and in high school has somehow managed to become a Hollywood movie producer) to a Christian fundamentalist named Ann (whose minister father was played by the versatile Alan Tudyk, who in one calendar year played the robot in I, ROBOT, a pirate imitator in DODGEBALL, and a space ship pilot in SERENITY). Tobias, meanwhile, striving to become an actor, has aspirations of joining the Blue Man Group (throughout the season, one sees random smudges of blue on the walls of the model home), while his wife Lindsay and he have agreed to have an open marriage, though neither manages to have a successful encounter with anyone else. And poor Buster has his hand bitten off by a seal in the ocean, a seal that was accustomed to the taste of mammal flesh by none other than Gob. The great string of guest appearances continued through out the season, with Season One performers such as Henry Winkler, Liza Minnelli, Carl Weathers, Judy Greer, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus joined by actors like Ben Stiller, Ed Begley Jr., Christine Taylor, Martin Short, Ione Skye, Dick Van Patten, and Zach Braff. All this nuttiness has created what is for me the lone "must see" comedy show of the past ten years or so. I just hope that after this year it hasn't become "can't see" TV.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
great sit com!
One of the funniest sit coms of all time. Great cast, and excellent writing. Can't wait for the release of the new season.
Published 9 hours ago by Rick vonNordeck
5.0 out of 5 stars
Incredible
Great show. Probably the best on tv, to truly appreciate the intricacies of comedy watch over and over again. Can't wait until the newest episodes come out.
Published 11 hours ago by Buster
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hilarious
Very funny. Must see if you are a fan of arrested development. Great way to watch without commercials and on demand
Published 2 days ago by rs
5.0 out of 5 stars
Intelligent subtle humor
For anybody who like subtle humor. This series does not follow the common patterns of comedy. This contains dark humor and jokes that usually would not be on TV. Read more
Published 3 days ago by Tikirocks
5.0 out of 5 stars
excelllent.
Great comedy. Don't understand why there was only 3 seasons. Must see, must see, must see Blah , Bob blah!
Published 4 days ago by M. Duszyk
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great show, solid season
If you don't like this show, you probably lost your hand in a loose seal incident... and that's why you never leave a bad review.
Published 4 days ago by Jeremy Y. Wang
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best!
This is a hilarious show that should have continued. You have to watch from the beginning to get to know the characters and their quirky lives. I'm now part of the cult. Read more
Published 4 days ago by Maggie Becker
5.0 out of 5 stars
Can't wait for the next episodes to start on Netflix.
Surprisingly caught several running jokes that I missed the first two times around. This is a heavily layered comedy that is best watched repeatedly. Read more
Published 5 days ago by Kathleen Dunnigan
1.0 out of 5 stars
Horrible show
Not really my thing I didn't care for any of the actors and the humor was more repulsive than funny.
Published 5 days ago by Fireyallen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Show!
I find this show really funny. I like to watch it on my downtime. I love the way the parents are with the adult siblings.
Published 5 days ago by LaSona Jackson
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