How to Appreciate Arrested Development

Whether you couldn't get enough of Gob's incompetent magic tricks or his sister Lindsay's shopaholic tendencies, the Bluth family on "Arrested Development" was a source of endless laughter and in-jokes for viewers of the now-canceled Fox series. Fortunately you can still view episodes of the show online, in syndication and on DVD.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Notice the subtle humor in "Arrested Development" by keeping your DVD remote on hand--so you can pause, rewind and review the show in slow motion. "Arrested Development" is funny whether you're watching it carefully or listening to it as you fold laundry in the other room, but if you pay attention to the details, you'll enjoy the full comedic effect.
2. Watch the series in episodic order so you can note how the Bluths evolved over time--and how the humor became richer. One funny element of this documentary-style comedy is the phony "Next time on Arrested Development," which features scenes that never take place. It's fun to watch these trailers and then see the following episode in sequence.
3. Keep track of your favorite quotes. "Arrested Development" quotes are funniest in context, but sometimes just re-reading one or hearing one will remind you of that context. Like when Tobias says, "Well, it looks like I've prematurely shot my wad, on what was supposed to be a dry run... and now it seems like I've got a bit of a mess on my hands."
4. Have an "Arrested Development" trivia party for your friends who are die-hard fans. You can view favorite episodes and have quizzes with prizes--"Arrested Development" paraphernalia of course. The grand prize could be a poster of the famous chicken dance scene, or the complete series on DVD.