Maybe the 10th time's the charm. For years, Jason Bateman has been the only memorable element of nine forgettable series, such as ''Chicago Sons,'' ''Simon,'' and ''Some of My Best Friends.'' Now with Fox's dark dysfunctional-family comedy ''Arrested Development'' (debuting Nov. 2), he has finally found a show as sharp as he is. ''It's the kind of stuff that makes me laugh, as opposed to the softer material I've been doing for pretty much my whole career,'' says Bateman. As the uptight son who takes over the family business when his father (Jeffrey Tambor) is jailed on embezzlement charges, Bateman brings a snide edge to what could've been a bland straight-man role. ''It's not the sexy part, but it's vital to making the comedy work,'' says Bateman. ''I like having the responsibility.''
The 34-year-old actor, who's married to actress Amanda Anka (Paul's daughter) and has no children, is less comfortable with playing the father of a 13-year-old boy (Michael Cera). ''He shaves more often than I do,'' deadpans Bateman. ''And he's grown six inches since the pilot.'' Bateman knows all about growing up on TV. At 12, he played an orphan adopted by Michael Landon on ''Little House on the Prairie.'' While older sister Justine scored with ''Family Ties,'' Jason also segued into sitcoms as scheming adolescents on ''Silver Spoons'' and ''It's Your Move.''
He enjoyed a longer run as one of Valerie Harper's sons on ''Valerie,'' which morphed into ''The Hogan Family'' after the contentious star was replaced by Sandy Duncan. ''I never really had a problem with Valerie,'' Bateman says. ''I've worked with people a thousand times worse.'' It's this kind of showbiz experience that gives Bateman the air of an old pro. ''He's savvy,'' says ''Arrested'' creator Mitch Hurwitz. ''It's not like dealing with a comic getting his first shot.''
Starring in a string of flops has been ''frustrating,'' says Bateman. ''But this is my best job in 24 years. If it lasts, that would be really fortunate.'' And definitely an arresting development. --Bruce Fretts
You Might Also Like
- TV Review Arrested Development | Gillian Flynn
- TV Review Arrested Development | Carina Chocano
- Movie News TV shows on the big screen | Gillian Flynn
- Television Commentary Evolution of the sitcom dad | Aubry D'Arminio
- Movie News Pop culture hit and miss
- Television News Six months after ''Arrested Development'' | Gilbert Cruz
