Tag Archives: Netflix

Co-ca-co-ca! ‘Arrested Development’ episode order grows

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It’s been awhile since we heard anything out of the Arrested Development camp. But today brings the legions of fans of the cult comedy some really great news. Netflix, the streaming service that agreed to help resurrect and eventually air new episodes of Arrested, originally commissioned creator Mitch Hurwitz to produce 10 new installments to comprise a fourth season. That number, it turns out, wasn’t enough. Deadline reports “Hurwitz shot more material than planned and also came up with ideas for additional scenes and storylines.” What this means, eager fans, is that the new season of Arrested will definitely consist of more than 10 episodes; Deadline estimates 12-15 total.

A Netflix spokesperson released the following statement surrounding the news: “We are thrilled with the direction of the show, with the footage we have seen and with the relationship between Mitch, Imagine, 20th and Netflix. At this time, we are not confirming or announcing the final episode count but we are sure fans will be thrilled when we do.”

Break out your favorite chicken dance and look forward to the return of an expanded Arrested Development this spring. And remember, all the new episodes are releasing at once, so if you haven’t planned a marathon with friends it’s about that time.

[Via Deadline]

Netflix original program ‘House of Cards’ gets first trailer

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Could House of Cards be a game-changer in terms of original content distribution? That’s where we last left off when Netflix announced it would be exclusively streaming a new show from executive producer David Fincher (The Social Network) and Kevin Spacey. The streaming giant released a trailer for the “wicked political drama [that] penetrates the shadowy world of greed, sex, and corruption in modern D.C.” Kevin Spacey stars as Congressman Francis Underwood, his wife Claire is played by Robin Wright, and together they “stop at nothing to conquer everything.” Kate Mara (American Horror Story) and Corey Stoll co-star.

Production value looks on-par with the best premium cable giants like HBO and Showtime have to offer. Will it attract the same kind of audiences Game of Thrones and Homeland score? We’ll find out shortly after House of Cards premieres on Netflix February 1. Just like the streaming company is doing with new episodes Arrested Development, all thirteen episodes of House of Cards will be made available on day one. No matter its performance, Netflix is committed to two 13-episode seasons of the politically-driven drama.

Conan tweets image from the set of ‘Arrested Development’

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Conan tweeted this image from the set of Arrested Development today. He said:

Here’s the 1st official photo from the new Arrested Development on @Netflix. Spoiler alert: I’m an amazing actor.

Soak it all in people. Conan and his trusty talkshow sidekick Andy Richter will take part in the resurrection of the cult comedy. It returns with Jason Bateman’s Michael Bluth in tow next year. Bateman is so in character in this photo; he’s got that classic dumbfounded “nothing going on upstairs” Michael look plastered on his face.

‘Arrested Development’ announces walk-on fan contest (video inside!)

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Arrested Development is in the middle of shooting its fourth season for Netflix. I know, it still hasn’t hit me yet. The creative team behind the show is collaborating with the streaming service for a fan contest aptly called “You’re Gonna Get Some Walk-Ons.” They’re going to allow six super fans to visit the set of the show in LA and appear in the upcoming episodes. So what do you have to do to win? It’s simple, really.

Show that you deserve a walk-on role by creating an original piece ofArrested Development content. Entries can be videos (less than 2 minutes), photos, artwork, essays and more.

We’re looking for entries that are the most creative, unique and relevant to the show.

That’s it. Entries can be shared via Instagram, Tumblr or Twitter with the hashtag #BluthWalkOn or submitted directly at the website youregonnagetsomewalkons.com. Hop over to that site to browse the latest entires if you’re short on ideas.

But you didn’t hear any of this from me. Jump after the break to get the news straight from George Michael! Continue reading ‘Arrested Development’ announces walk-on fan contest (video inside!) →

Comedian David Cross on the resurrected fourth season of ‘Arrested Development’

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If you consider Tobias Fünke a reliable source, then listen up! In an interview with Rolling Stone, actor and comedian David Cross talked about the upcoming fourth season of cult sitcom Arrested Development.

“I’m not gonna divulge anything, but I know what the stories are and what Mitch [Hurwitz] is doing, and it’s so layered. It’s really audacious and amazing. I think a lot of people will miss the work that is involved, the story, the Venn diagrams that are being created, the domino effect that characters have with each other in their various episodes. I know what he’s doing, and this has never been done on a TV show like this. This makes Lost look like a Spalding Grey monologue. You’ll have to watch each episode more than once.”

And then there is this bombshell. Cross says the initial plan to air 10 episodes might not stick; the season may be expanded. “I think it’s going to be 13 episodes, not 10,” he said. There’s too much story. Some characters will have two-parters. Everybody sort of participates, sometimes in a bigger way and sometimes in a tiny little thread that goes through everybody else’s stories.”

Read the brief interview in full at the source link below, and shake in anticipation in your cutoffs as new episodes of Arrested Development are expected to premiere on Netflix in Spring 2013.

[Via Rolling Stone; EW]

‘Arrested Development’ begins shooting new episodes today, photos from set inside

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Believe it, people. Arrested Development is back…in production. On Tuesday the seventh of August in the year 2012 the cult comedy was officially resurrected as shooting began on the upcoming 10 episode fourth season for Netflix. To celebrate the occasion (and prove it was actually taking place) star Jason Bateman (aka family man Michael Bluth) tweeted a picture (see above) from the set, tagging it with the words “First day. Away we go…” There isn’t much that can be gleaned from the photo, except that Workaholics stars Adam DeVine and Anders Holm are present inside of what appears to be an airport. Speculate!

Although the pic does not contain any familiar Development faces, Deadline reports that the entire cast–that is Jason Bateman, Jeffrey Tambor, Portia de Rossi, David Cross, Jessica Walter, Will Arnett, Michael Cera, Alia Shawkat and Tony Hale–is returning for the relaunch; actor contracts are currently “in final negotiations” as shooting begins. This news deserves a loud, obstructive “STEVE HOLT!” chant right about now… STEVE HOLT! So does this: Executive producer Ron Howard is back as the show’s all-knowing narrator. If you were afraid this comeback would play differently than before, your fears are now righteously quelled.

Howard’s Imagine TV and 20th Century Fox TV are the studios behind Arrested Development 2.0, and series creator Mitch Hurwitz, Troy Miller, and Imagine TV’s Howard, Brian Grazer, and Francie Calfo are executive producing. All ten episodes will go live on Netflix in 2013, and the word on the street is that while some episodes will bring us up to speed with each character individually, storylines will still cross into one another for a true Bluth family reunion.

BONUS! Hop after the break to view two more photos from the set. Bateman shared these via Twitter about a week back and they feature his TV son George Michael.

[Via Deadline; Twitter] Continue reading ‘Arrested Development’ begins shooting new episodes today, photos from set inside →

‘Arrested Development’ on Netflix: “IT’S ALIVE”

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We already know that the short-lived cult comedy Arrested Development is getting revived for a brand new 10-episode season on Netflix in 2013. But after years of speculation, some fans remain skeptical about the truth behind all this. Let this breaking news quell your fears and further ramp up anticipation. Renowned filmmaker and series executive producer Ron Howard took to Twitter to confirm that the ball has indeed started to roll on this thing.

First Howard tweeted, “Arrested Development for Netflix. IT’S ALIVE. This is what the writer’s room looks like.” Attached was a picture of conference room with tons of colored index cards clinged to walls with indecipherable episode ideas scribbled on them. (See the image of the the break.) A couple hours later Howard took another picture and tweeted, “Mitch [Hurwitz] let Jason [Bateman] and I in on some of the twists and turns ahead. hilarious.” This one features Howard, AD creator Mitch Hurwitz, and star Jason Bateman. (The image is embedded above.)

And to top things off, Bateman also jumped onto his Twitter account to share this exciting bit of news: “Taken at AD mission control, today! All systems are go. Filming for the new episodes starts in four weeks. Woo!” Another picture was attached, this one also starring Howard, Bateman, and Hurwitz in mid-laughter. (See the image of the the break.)

So yeah, Arrested Development is coming people. There’s no denying it, so detractors keep silent. IT’S ALIVE. Wink. Continue reading ‘Arrested Development’ on Netflix: “IT’S ALIVE” →

Mitch Hurwitz has a solid plan for ‘Arrested Development’s rebirth on Netflix

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Not that you have to be reminded or anything, but Arrested Development is making a comeback in a big way, with a brand new season and a feature film on the way. At this week’s National Association of Broadcasters convention, creator Mitch Hurwitz dropped some delicious nuggets pertaining to the smart comedy we’ve all missed so dearly. Netflix’s Ted Sarandos was on hand to confirm that all ten episodes that make up season 4 will be released simultaneous on the same day at the same time. So get ready for an Arrested Development binge…it’s not like you haven’t done exactly this at least once before with previous seasons.

Hurwitz went on to explain how he’s planning on taking advantage of all the episodes launching at once. “There’s something exciting about trying to break the form again,” he said. “There’s going to be some mystery sprinkled throughout this [but] instead of watching one a week and try to get ahead of it, the hope is [fans] will watch them all together and then go back and look for clues and connections.” He added, “We’d also like to use the technology to provide additional material, where you might be able to access another part of the story.” Curious. Is he worried about people spoiling important plot details the day and date the episodes come out? Nope: “It’s comedy. The twists really aren’t as important as the characters.” True dat.

Previously Hurwitz was planning to focus on “almost one character per episode.” This week, however, he admitted that the new season “is now kind of evolving into becoming more like the old show again.” Another reveal: Bob Loblaw Attorney at Law (played by Scott Baio) is coming back. “We will bring him back,” Hurwitz said. “It’s kind of a one-joke thing. But if you guys don’t mind bringing it back, we’ll give it to you.” Yup, we don’t mind. Also, STEVE HOLT!

Last, Hurwitz dropped this bombshell. This may in fact mark just the beginning of the return of Arrested Development. Though Hurwitz kept his mouth shut regarding the Bluths coming to the big screen, he did share that there’s a possibly that Development will live on to see a fifth and even sixth season on the streaming service. “We would love this to be the first first of many visits,” he said and a thousand fans screamed in joy.

Arrested Development is set to return sometime in 2013.

[Via Vulture]

‘Arrested Development’ is starting production, exec producer confirms return in 2013

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Now everybody scream hallelujah! Executive producer Dean Lorey took to his blog earlier this week to share morsels of information regarding the start of production on the return of Arrested Development to television and the big screen. This is it:

We’re really doing this thing.  Mitch Hurwitz, Jim Vallely and I are off writing the new season of ARRESTED to premiere on Netflix in 2013.  The original cast is back.  There are offices and parking spaces.  We’re shooting this year.  I wish I could give more specifics but, for the moment, even the schedule is being kept under wraps.  But it’s happening and it’s great to be back with my pals from the show.  More later as it becomes okay to release further details…

It’s not much, but official word like this will at least quell the fears of Arrested fans and reassure them that headway is being made on the revival of the cult hit show. They have parking spaces set up, people! Like Lorey concluded, more as this story develops.

[Via Dean Lorey]

New episodes of ‘Arrested Development’ are coming to Netflix in 2013

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The Bluths are coming…to Netflix! After series creator Mitch Hurwitz announced in early October that the cult hit Arrested Development would come back to TV to bridge a gap in time between the unfortunate cancellation and the upcoming feature film, 20th Century Fox TV has been trying to find a suitor to air the new batch of episodes. Apparently the show was in contention at Showtime, but it was the video streaming service Netflix that came out as victor in the end. All new episodes of Arrested Development will premiere exclusively on Netflix in the first half of 2013. Finally, a (somewhat) tangible date we can mark on a calendar regarding the return of this show.

Executive producers Ron Howard and Brian Grazer said this in a press release: “Of all the projects we’ve been involved with over the years, we probably get more questions about Mitch Hurtwitz’s brilliant ‘Arrested Development’ than any other– everyone, ourselves included, seems to feel like the Bluths left the party a bit too soon. Bringing a series back from cancellation almost never happens, but then, ‘Arrested’ always was about as unconventional as they get, so it seems totally appropriate that this show that broke the mold is smashing it to pieces once again.” And Howard had to add, “After a long hiatus, I’m dying to finally get back to the narrator’s microphone…’It’s Arrested…Development.'”

The Arrested Development pickup adds to Netflix’s list of original programming which also includes upcoming series House of Cards from David Fincher and Kevin Spacey. Price hikes, the Qwikster debacle… these are yesterday’s news. Being a major player in bringing the Bluths back into our lives, Netflix has fully redeemed itself.

[Via Netflix] Continue reading New episodes of ‘Arrested Development’ are coming to Netflix in 2013 →

Netflix scraps Qwikster, keeps DVD-by-mail and streaming services under same roof

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A mere three weeks after Netflix CEO Reed Hastings apologized for his “arrogance” concerning the lack of communication behind the the Netflix price hike, he is reaching out to subscribers yet again to backtrack plans to separate the company’s DVD-by-mail and streaming services under different brands: Qwikster and Netflix, respectively. In a brief blog entry on Monday, Hastings informed everyone:

It is clear that for many of our members two websites would make things more difficult, so we are going to keep Netflix as one place to go for streaming and DVDs. This means no change: one website, one account, one password… in other words, no Qwikster.

This time, in a thinly veiled apology, Hastings shared this in a press release (fortunately he does not star in a YouTube video this time): “Consumers value the simplicity Netflix has always offered and we respect that. There is a difference between moving quickly — which Netflix has done very well for years — and moving too fast, which is what we did in this case.”

Hastings originally came up with the idea for Qwikster because he believed that separating the two services would help the company innovate faster. Though such a move might benefit the company internally, I had concluded that it would receive negative backlash from subscribers. Two separate URLs and accounts would surely confuse people and in the long run it would likely drive users away. Thankfully Hastings took some time to rethink his plans for the company and Qwikster is no more. Simplicity continues to reign under one brand, Netflix…for now.

[Via Netflix]

Netflix splits in two: Netflix for streaming, Qwikster for DVD-by-mail

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On Sunday Netflix CEO Reed Hastings posted an apologetic blog entry on the official Netflix Blog and uploaded a similarly themed video to the company’s YouTube channel to announced some big changes. First and foremost, in the coming weeks Netflix will be split into two separate entities: Netflix is being kept for streaming, and the new brand Qwikster will incorporate the DVD-by-mail service. Additionally, subscribers will be able to rent video games (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii) from Qwikster; this will be available as an upgrade option at an additional charge, just like how the Blu-ray upgrade is handled.

So why is all this change happening? Hastings blames his own “arrogance” on it all. He believes that his lack of communication with customers before, during, and after the recent price hike is to blame for the negative backlash the company has witnessed from subscriber outrage, cancellations, and the plummeting of their stock on Wall Street. According to Hastings, the decision had to be made: “So we realized that streaming and DVD by mail are becoming two quite different businesses, with very different cost structures, different benefits that need to be marketed differently, and we need to let each grow and operate independently.”

Though the decision to break up Netflix into two pieces might make sense for the company, there really aren’t any benefits for the customer that I can think of. Netflix and Qwikster will each have their own domains and they will not communicate with one another. This means that queues and ratings will not carry over from one service to the other. That’s a major bummer. Every time you want to change billing information or your password, these things will have to been done twice since the two services are totally separate. All of these extra steps on the consumer end of things is going to make matters worse (read: not better) for subscribers. I get that Hastings thinks that by separating streaming and DVD-by-mail will help the company innovate faster, but in the long-run I cannot see this shift in branding working at all. And isn’t that name just plain stupid…Qwikster, ugh. Reminds us of failed Internet ventures like Friendster and Napster. Is the introduction of Qwikster a step in the wrong direction for Netflix? Time will tell, sooner rather than later I bet. It’s funny. Hastings admits that “DVD by mail may not last forever but we want it to last as long as possible.” This move to disintegrate DVD and streaming services, I think, will speed up that process leading to the demise of physical rentals.

Other tidbits to come out of the announcement… Hastings claims, “There are no pricing changes (we’re done with that!). Members who subscribe to both services will have two entries on their credit card statements, one for Qwikster and one for Netflix.” …Andy Rendich, the man in charge of DVD-by-mail for the last four years (he’s been with the company for twelve years), has been appointed CEO of Qwikster. …The DVDs will continue to ship in ” that distinctive red” envelope but branded with the Qwikster logo. …Hastings hints that, “The additional streaming content we have coming in the next few months is substantial.” (Good news there!) Watch Hastings’ video titled “An explanation and some reflections” after the break.

[Via Netflix] Continue reading Netflix splits in two: Netflix for streaming, Qwikster for DVD-by-mail →