In a discussion that largely focused on the big step up in original programming that Netflix plans to take over the next year or two (multiple new Marvel shows, a sci-fi series from the Wachowskis, the Chelsea Handler talk show, the one where Jack McCoy and Jed Bartlet are lovers, etc.), Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos briefly touched on something that is very important to fans of critically-acclaimed comedies and Segway-riding magicians: Season 5 of Arrested Development is all but confirmed.
Sarandos is also “positive” that another season of Arrested Development is in the offing: “It’s just a matter of when,” he says, adding that sorting out actors’ schedules is a concern: It was “a fair criticism” of last year’s revival of the cult comedy “that the cast didn’t appear on screen often enough together.” [USA Today]
That last part is the key. This cast is busy, man. Will Arnett is on a network sitcom, Jessica Walter is doing Archer and any other show that features a sarcastic drunken matriarch, David Cross has a few dozen irons in the fire at all times, and Michael Cera and Jason Bateman have film careers. Getting them all together in one room for any substantial amount of time is going to be extremely difficult. Worthwhile, at least for us binge-watching saps at home? Sure. But difficult.
Still, I kind of wish he had addressed the criticisms in the classic Arrested Development way. It’s not entirely true, but it would have been a nice touch.
