I suppose I should be thankful--this amazing show, with one of the most talented ensembles ever collected for a sitcom, was allowed three entire seasons to make us laugh and wince, often simultaneously. Another genre-busting show that I adored, Freaks and Geeks, only got one season. The reigning philosophy of television seems to be, if it isn't an instant hit ratings-wise, cancel it. Nevermind if that show is brilliantly written, brilliantly performed, and a darling of the critics. Get rid of it and replace it with Dancing with the Stars or some other soul-killing reality/competition nonsense. But I'm not bitter. Well, maybe a little.

Arrested Development is about a rich, extremely dysfunctional family whose patriarch (character actor extraordinaire, Jeffrey Tambor) is thrown in jail for financial misbehavior in his role as CEO of the family business. His stalwart middle son, Michael (played by Jason Bateman, an actor I had written off prior to this show. I admit to gravely, gravely underestimating his talent, and beg his forgiveness.) has to take over the business and the family, both of which are bankrupt and chaotic. His mother (Jessica Walter) is a caustic drunk. His older brother (played with rubber-limbed insanity by Will Arnett) is a talent-less magician. His twin sister (the lovely and funny Portia Rossi) is a shop-a-holic whose marriage (to a well-cast David Cross) is failing. His youngest brother (embodied fully by actor Tony Hale) never progressed beyond the emotional age of 9 and is obsessed with his mother.

The hijinks that ensue have to be seen to be believed. I will admit that this show takes a little getting used to. It's narrated, for one thing, by Ron Howard, who keeps reminding us of what just happened. That sounds silly when I write it down, but believe me, it works. There's something of the Greek chorus in the way the narration grounds the audience and frames the action. There is no laugh track (thankfully), and much of the dialogue is improvised, which allows for more unexpected exchanges between the characters. The sponteniety of that structure absolutely comes through, and makes this program sound and feel like nothing else on television.

This is the show that gave the world Michael Cera (now of Juno and Superbad fame), and I can't thank the casting director enough. He plays Michael's slightly nerdy son who can't quite find his footing in this family of nutjobs. Nobody does awkward and understated like Michael Cera. His character is sweet and likable, no matter the circumstance, and he is the most faithful source of the dual funny-uncomfortable moments in the show.

All three seasons of Arrested Development are now out on DVD, or you can watch them online. It's the best way to get absorbed in this show, since the commercial breaks in the original airings were incredibly disruptive and annoying. Give it a few episodes, and if you're not totally hooked, well, that's unfortunate. This is one of the best television shows ever created, and I wish it had been granted a stay of execution. They are making a movie of it, however, due out next year. One can only hope they are able to make something worthy.