Save Our Bluths

What's going on with Arrested Development? Last night's episode was crazy and left a lot of people confused. It was entitled "Save Our Bluths." The whole episode was about the Bluth's trying to save their family (the show) by hosting a charity on their behalf. It was also making fun of every other shows desperate attempts to gain viewers (there were parts in 3D, the live ending, someone was going to die, the cavalcade of stars, etc).

The entire episode was filled with jokes about how the family was unlikeable and that people couldn't connect with them (hence the low ratings). They made fun the media and fan speculation of the show's future (Home Builder's Organization "HBO? They don't want us." "How about Showtime? We need some song and dance after dinner"). They even made fun of the shows attempt to get get ratings by casting Oscar winning actresses (Charlize Theron) as well as and endless parade of celebrities (Andy Richter, Andy Dick, Ben Stiller, John Laroquette, Richard Belzer, Zach Braff, etc.).

The charity, of course, was a complete disaster and they failed to raise any money for themselves (i.e. the show has tried desperately to save itself and gain viewers, but nothing they have done has helped the show). Even though they tried to seem desperate, it wasn't desperate enough (even after all the awards and acclaim, people still aren't watching the show).

In the end money (offers) flooded in because they didn't seem desperate. To make fun of other shows desperate attempts for viewers, the scene cut to a "live" feed, and the final lines of the show were:

Michael: "It doesn't pay to be desperate."
Lucille: "No, it sure doesn't."

The cast then began to celebrate.

The ending of the episode was confusing. After much thought, I have come to believe they were celebrating a move to a new network, possibly ABC. I could be reading into these lines too deeply, though.

I went to the web site they flashed on the show last night, SAVETHEBLUTHS.ORG, this morning and it seems like they are crying out to the show's fans for help. I really don't know. Until I hear anything official, I will stand by my belief that ABC has saved it from cancellation and it will be picking up the show.