Dear Mr. Hurwitz:

I consider myself a very enthusastic fan of your show “Arrested Development” that has unofficially been given the axe by the Fox Network. I have read the rumors flying around the Internet lately about Showtime making an offer to pick up the show. These rumors are also reporting that the future of the show lies in your hands — whether you decide to bring it over to Showtime, or call it quits with A.D.

I can understand your predicament. The past few years must have been very trying — between winning awards for a wonderfully written and produced show — but not having the fan base that it deserved. At the same time, the Fox Network did an extremely pitiful job marketing your work — which has brought us to where we are now. Being nearly cancelled, only to be revived for a dozen episodes must be extremely frustrating.

If you look at the number of shows that are coming out now, though (“The Loop” or ABC’s new show “Sons and Daughters”) these are all copies of your genius. Every review I have read of these shows has made a comparison to your show. If everyone is trying to copy Arrested Development, why would you want to throw in the towel now?

Showtime, unlike Fox, has a vested interest in picking it up. To Fox, it’s just another comedy that may fail or may succeed. For Showtime, however, they need a good comedy and a loyal audience. I can’t think of any better combination than your current fanbase. I can same with some degree of confidence that of the 20 people I know that watched Arrested development —
18 of them would sign up for Showtime to continue watching the Bluth family.

Unlike most sitcoms on television these days, Arrested Development is very linear. You need to have seen the previous three or four episodes, in order to get all of the jokes. I find that even if I go back and re-watch an old episode in the middle of a season — I tend to miss out on a lot of the jokes, because I forgot some of the surrounding story. While, at the same time also finding many references to newer shows, where the seeds of a plotline or a joke would be planted very early on. It’s this “inside joke” humor that prevented the mass audience from catching on. It’s also why it would never succeed on Fox.

Do you think the regular Fox viewer is clever enough to pick up on all the subtleties of Arrested? I doubt it — they’re more concerned about who Simon is going to criticize next in the search for America’s Next Over-Hyped Rock Star. If you compare Arrested Development to the Sopranos, however, it’s very similar. You need to understand the intricacies of the Soprano family in order to fully understand and find the nuances of the show. The same holds true for Arrested Development.

The point I’m trying to make, Mr. Hurwitz, is that the audience will appreciate your handywork, while the network will appreciate the viewers — much more than Fox could have ever provided. Moving to Showtime is something that should have happened a long time ago, and it’s very unfortunate what has happened to you, and the show.

I want to let you know, however, that whatever happens with the show — the fans will know that you made the right choice. The decision comes down to you, Mr. Hurwitz, not some hoity-toity television executive with their “finger on the pulse of the American audience.” And if you decided to let the show go, I think we’d all be able to respect your decision. The show would be nothing without you at the helm, and if you weren’t able to give it your all — I’d rather have the show come to an end as it is. It’s because it’s your choice, that I think we’d accept your decision.

Thank you for your time,

A Bluth Family Supporter

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