The TV Addict 

Good News: Joss Whedon announced on his blog that ANGEL alum Amy Acker will join the cast of DOLLHOUSE as Dr. Claire Saunders, the overseer of the ‘dolls’. Bad News: Having yet to watch BUFFY or ANGEL [sacrilegious I know!] this TV Addict isn’t nearly as excited about the news as he probably should be.

Good News: ‘S’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘N’ and the rest of the Upper East Side Alphabet finally return to TV with brand new episodes of GOSSIP GIRL starting Monday. Bad News: You better be home on Monday, as the CW just announced that the final five episodes of the season will not be streamed online [but will be available on iTunes].

Good News: ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT alums Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Henry Winkler reunite for a new FOX series titled SIT DOWN, SHUT UP. Bad News: The pilot executive produced by DEVELOPMENT mastermind Mitch Hurwitz is animated. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. But ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT part deux it ain’t.

With the exception of the AMERICAN IDOL results show [which let’s face it, can be watched in about fifteen minutes courtesy of my trusty PVR], there’s slim pickings on TV tonight. Which means it’s time for another installment of May We Suggest: TV on DVD. [How many hours until HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER returns?]

Tonight’s theme is “Brilliant But Cancelled” and features an eclectic mix shows we wish were still on the air.

Our evening kicks off at 8PM with FOX’s ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT and KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL, followed by our behind-the-scenes Hollywood hour at 9PM courtesy of Jay Mohr’s ACTION and Darren Star’s GROSSE POINTE. 10PM brings us a double helping of Aaron Sorkin. As we press play on the under-appreciated gem that was SPORTS NIGHT, finishing off the hour with a condensed version of STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP. All the Sorkin greatness minus the parts where he gets too preachy and condescending.

Call me the cynical addict, but the recent report about an ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT movie in the works couldn’t help but get this TV Addict thinking. Why exactly does Universal Studios want to spend millions of dollars on a movie based on a critically acclaimed yet highly unsuccessful television show. (Which rest assured, I’ll be first in line to see.)

Our theory. After the ridiculous success of SUPERBAD and JUNO, Universal wants to be in the Michael Cera business. And if backing up the Brinks truck for creator Mitch Hurwitz and his brilliant team of writers and actors is the quickest way to that so, well so be it.

Think I’m crazy? Wondering whether I’ve spent a few too many nights covered in blue paint? Check out this unconfirmed and not-at-all-fake advertising mock-up that may or may not have been leaked to theTVaddict.com.

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Since December 25th is fast approaching, I thought I’d help out my fellow TV Adidcts by posting the occasional ‘can’t miss deal’ for those of us who leave our holiday shopping to the very last minute.

Today’s Deal: The entire series of ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT for only $29.99. Yup, you’re reading this correctly. All three season’s of one of television’s most brilliant comedies ever — for only $29.99. That’s 73% off the regular price!

The catch, like all Amazon Gold Deals, it’s only available for 24 hours, so click here NOW!

You guys know me, right? You know what I like on TV, right? So you all know that my favorite thing about my favorite show, Arrested Development, was the amazing and adorably spot-on hilarious George Michael Bluth, played by Michael Cera, right?

Imagine my sheer delight when I found out about the most amazing website I’ve visited in a long time (besides thetvaddict.com of course), where CBS has produced and is airing what they call a “microseries”, 10 episodes of a television show about two sad-sack roommates attempting to sell their idea for a television show.

That website? Clarkandmichael.com

The sad sack roommates? Michael Cera (or as the credits call him “Mikey Cera”) and his real life best friend Clark Duke.

The microseries, which started as Clark’s thesis project in college, deals with Michael and Clark living in an apartment, trying their hardest to get these scripts out to producers throughout LA. These two guys have their own headshots littering the walls of their apartment. Their quirky personalities and just all out “we are awesome, we will succeed attitude” makes me so happy and provides plenty of hilarious, awkward situations for the two of them to get stuck in.

Michael Cera, who just recently turned 19 years old, and Clark Duke, who also stars in the new ABC Family show “Greek”, are fabulous together. I’ve said over and over again that very few people can pull of the awkward reaction shots and awkward uncomfortable humor like Michael can. Together with Clark, and his darling southern accent, I’ve found myself unable to contain fits of laughter each and every time I watch the show.

Just a few things that I love about the three episodes I’ve seen so far and some reasons for you to tune in –
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Last night NBC gave us new episdoes of THE OFFICE, 30 ROCK, SCRUBS and ANDY BARKER P.I.. Which begs the question, which was your favourite show last night and why?

This TV Addict’s pic: 30 ROCK, because Will Arnett (ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT’S Gob Bluth) is officially my new favourite television comedian. Only now, after re-watching the show for its second and third time (weekdays at 5:30 and midnight on CBC) am I fully appreciating the brilliance that was ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT. Can we not get a Gob and Franklin spin-off?

Are you Blue? Going through Franklin withdrawl? Miss the brilliant and hilarious antics of the Bluth Family? Why not tune into the new CBS hit sitcom RULES OF ENGAGEMENT.

Jessica Walters, better known to ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT fans as Lucille Bluth guest stars next Monday’s episode (March 5, 9:30PM CBS). It seems as though Ms. Walters is very interested in David Spade. First Heather Locklear, now Jessica Walters — how does Spade do it! For a preview, click here to head on over to theTVaddict.com Screening Room.

According to my super-secret-source inside the CBC, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation is rumoured to be replacing FRASIER reruns with ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT in early 2007. This is great news for fellow Canadians who won’t have access to the episodes that will soon be airing on MSN (Canadian/International and MAC users have no access to all of MSN’s content). It’s nice to see my tax dollars finally paying for a show that I’m interested in watching! (CBC is funded by the government of Canada.)

Thanks to Mark S for the Tip!

The final season of ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT is available today on DVD. Amazon.com has the DVD on sale for the amazing price of $19.99. Click here to check it out

Canadians, HMV is having a door crasher today, selling the DVD for $21.99. Knowing HMV, the price will shoot up tomorrow to at least 30 bucks, so get it today!

If you missed the ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT bandwagon (and according to Neilson Ratings, the entire country did!) - I can’t stress enough how funny the show is. Start with Season 1, which is also available, give it a few episodes and you’ll find yourself hooked. Admittedly, it took me a few episodes to really ‘get’ the brilliance - but if you hang in there, you will fall in love with television’s most dysfunctional (and funny) family.

If you missed last night’s season premiere of WEEDS you can catch it online for the next week for free (Courtesty of MSN Video). Of course there is a catch, and once again, us noble MAC users are left with nothing. It seems you can only watch MSN video if you have Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 and Microsoft Media Player 10, which naturally aren’t available to MAC users. Let’s hope MSN changes teir strategy when they start airing ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT in September, or else there are going to be a lot of angry MAC users out there.