"Arrested Development" creator Mitch Hurwitz isn't giving up on his show -- but he is using an upcoming episode to poke fun at the skein's latest near-death experience.
Seg, dubbed "S.O.B.s" -- for "Save Our Bluths" -- finds the show's Bluth family fighting to save their fictional construction company. They decide to mount a big event -- "Some kind of 'Save Our Bluths' type thing," as George Bluth Sr. says in the script for the episode.
"It's very self-referential," Hurwitz told Daily Variety, noting that he finished the final draft of the shooting script Wednesday.
In one scene, Jason Bateman's character, Michael, notes, "Our backs are against the wall. ... It's just hard for me to accept that it's really come to begging."
There's also a conversation about whether the Home Builders Organization -- HBO -- might be willing to save the Bluths. When that idea is nixed, George Sr. says, "I guess it's Showtime. We'll put on some kind of show at the dinner."
Episode also makes note of the show's recent round of guest stars, such as Charlize Theron, and even includes an appearance by the star of another critical darling killed by Fox, Andy Richter. Hurwitz is hoping to round up some other major names to make a pointless-but-funny cameo.
Script is even-handed, however, acknowledging critics -- perhaps even those inside Fox -- who've complained "Arrested" simply isn't a mass-appeal show.
"We've had plenty of chances," Bateman's character says. "Maybe the Bluths just aren't worth saving. Maybe we're just not that likeable. Who'd want to spend a half-hour with us if they didn't have to?"
As Hurwitz moves forward with what could be the final five episodes of "Arrested," the scribe said he's still digesting last week's double dose of bad news. Skein's order was cut to 13 episodes, and the show was pulled from sweeps (Daily Variety, Nov. 11).
"It's a very challenging show to do right," Hurwitz said. "It's even harder to do without hope. We're trying not to be discouraged ... the only thing that discourages me is the prospect that they won't show these episodes."
Hurwitz declined to take any major jabs at Fox but did lament what he feels is a lack of on-air hype. "They made the decision to not promote the show," he said, noting other skeins with better lead-ins got more support even though "Arrested" had to open a new night of comedy for Fox.
But he also said he understood the dilemma Fox execs face. "This show may not be for everybody. We always have to consider that," he said. "This is more than I ever expected. I've got nothing to complain about."
Hurwitz is also holding out hope of a "Family Guy"-style renaissance, particularly if DVD sales continue as strongly as they have been. "All of a sudden the new rule, instead of getting 25 episodes a year, could now be, let's get enough episodes to sell DVDs every year."
While the writing seems to be on the wall for "Arrested," Hurwitz has been down this road before.
"I feel a little naive in saying it, but this time last year they cut our order from 22 to 18. I got a lot of condolence calls, and I looked silly when I told them, 'Oh, there might be a third season,' " Hurwitz recalled. "Nobody has said the word 'canceled.' " (As reported by VARIETY)
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