The dysfunctional Bluth clan is moving to IFC.
The cable network has acquired Twentieth Television’s 53-episode library of the critically acclaimed "Arrested Development." Twentieth president Greg Meidel and Jennifer Caserta, executive vice president and general manager of IFC, announced the pickup Monday.
Produced by Imagine Television’s Ron Howard and Brian Grazer, "Arrested Development" chronicled the struggles of a preening, morally challenged California family to adjust to the Enron-like collapse of their company.
The Fox series was a beloved, albeit low-rated addition to the network constellation for three seasons, from 2003 to 2006. The show’s ensemble cast includes Jason Bateman, Michael Cera, Henry Winkler, Jeffrey Tambor, Will Arnett, Jessica Walter and Portia de Rossi.
IFC will begin airing the Emmy-winning show on Oct. 25.
In recent weeks, the network has made inroads into the cult comedy market. It is running the six-part documentary “Monty Python: Almost the Truth” and also acquired the rights to "Monty Python’s Flying Circus."
“’Arrested Development’ is one of the smartest and funniest shows of the last decade with a hilarious presentation of absurd family dysfunction," Caserta said. “With the addition of shows like ‘Monty Python’s Flying Circus’ and our original series ‘The Whitest Kids U Know,’ IFC continues to be a destination for unique and unconventional comedies," she said. "Adding ‘Arrested Development’ to our schedule is the next natural step for us in that direction.”
