Pilot (2 Nov. 2003)

Widower Michael Bluth has been working for his father's development company since he was a teenager manning the family's frozen banana stand, and he and his son George Michael have gone so ... See full summary »

Directors:

Anthony Russo, Joe Russo

Writers:

Mitchell Hurwitz (creator), Mitchell Hurwitz

Stars:

Jason Bateman, Portia de Rossi, Will Arnett

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Jason Bateman	...	Michael Bluth
Portia de Rossi	...	Lindsay Bluth Fünke
Will Arnett	...	Gob Bluth
Michael Cera	...	George-Michael Bluth
Alia Shawkat	...	Maeby Fünke
Tony Hale	...	Buster Bluth
David Cross	...	Tobias Fünke
Jeffrey Tambor	...	George Bluth Sr.
Jessica Walter	...	Lucille Bluth
John F. Beard	...	Himself (as John Beard)
Jonathan Schmock	...	Captain
Hira Ambrosino	...	Executive
Paul Mendoza	...	Enrique
Stacey Grenrock-Woods	...	Trisha Thoon (as Stacey Grenrock Woods)
Chad Einbinder	...	Birthday Party Man

Storyline

Widower Michael Bluth has been working for his father's development company since he was a teenager manning the family's frozen banana stand, and he and his son George Michael have gone so far as to move into one of the company's model homes. So when his father George Sr. throws his retirement party on the family yacht, Michael expects that he will be announced as his father's successor. Instead, Michael gets two surprises: His mother is the new President, and his father is under investigation by the SEC. So Michael has to hold his wildly dysfunctional family together.

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Plot Keywords:

model home | prison | frozen banana | gay protest | playing monopoly | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 November 2003 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Stage 5, 20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hurwitz Company, The, Imagine Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

21 min 28 min (extended)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Both the model house and Lucille's houses were completely different than in the later episodes. Tobias also had different glasses, Buster had longer hair and George-Michael had darker skin.

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Goofs

When at the Jail Lucille is seen putting on make-up with a green Clinique compact than is next seen pulling out a Black Chanel Compact than in the next shot she is seen putting her Green Compact away in her purse.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Narrator: This is Michael Bluth. For ten years, he's worked for his father's company waiting to be made a partner. And right now, he's happy.

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Soundtracks

"Everybody Got Their Something"
Written by Nikka Costa and Justin Stanley
Performed by Nikka Costa

User Reviews

It's Arrested Development

It is hard to oversell Arrested Development, and mind-boggling they only did three season before being canned. The characters are hilarious and well-developed, David Cross is perfect, but the whole cast is great. The writing is great, but best of all: NO LAUGH TRACK! I hate laugh tracks, and Arrested Development, the Office, Parks and Rec, 30 Rock, and Community are much appreciated for not having one. The laugh track detracts from otherwise quality comedy shows.

Start with the first episode in order to better understand the characters, and you will be hooked, no doubt.

Ron Howard is perfect as the narrator. I just love this show and am so thankful that we finally get a complete series edition for it!