Arrested Development
Fox, Sundays, 8:30 p.m.; starts Nov. 7THE PLOT After real-estate-development mogul George is sent to the slammer for SEC violations, sensible son Michael tries — and usually fails — to salvage the family's company and keep the Bluth brood out of trouble. Their adventures are narrated by exec producer Ron Howard. (Catch up with the clan on the Season 1 DVD, out Oct. 19.)
WHY WE LOVE IT For eschewing all the common sitcom trappings (e.g., four cameras and a laugh track) and giving us television's quirkiest humor. (Finally, an Emmy award we agree with!) ''It's a show that doesn't really ask you to laugh,'' says Bateman. ''No one's holding for laughs or framing up jokes.'' But creator-exec producer Mitch Hurwitz is quick to point out that the series is not too intelligent for its own good: ''It's broad comedy told with a pretty dry touch.''
WHAT IT'S UP AGAINST American Dreams (NBC), Charmed (The WB), Cold Case (CBS), Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (ABC)
WHAT'S NEXT Tobias and Lindsay agree to an open marriage (hey, those always work!), Gob is named president of the family company, while George gets into a rivalry with his twin brother, Oscar (also played by Tambor), over Lucille. Michael, meanwhile, becomes jealous when his son nabs a girlfriend before he does. ''If people just try us for two weeks, I'd love to be in the position to guarantee them their time — and have a way to give them back the hour I've asked them to spend,'' says Bateman before pausing. ''But maybe just cash will have to do.''
—Dalton Ross
