Smashed 

Tobias attempts to recover from a series of bad choices by reigniting his passion: both professionally and romantically.

Directors:

Mitchell Hurwitz, Troy Miller

Writers:

Mitchell Hurwitz (created by), Paul Rust (story editor)

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 (voice)
Alia Shawkat	...	Maeby Fünke (credit only)
Tony Hale	...	Buster Bluth
David Cross	...	Tobias Fünke
Jeffrey Tambor	...	George Bluth Sr. (credit only)
Jessica Walter	...	Lucille Bluth
Ron Howard	...	Ron Howard / Narrator
John Beard	...	John Beard
Andy Richter	...	Emmett Richter
Tommy Tune	...	Argyle Austero
Terry Crews	...	Herbert Love
Isla Fisher	...	Rebel Alley

Storyline

Tobias attempts to recover from a series of bad choices by reigniting his passion: both professionally and romantically.

---

Genres:

Comedy

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 May 2013 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Imagine Television, The Hurwitz Company, 20th Century Fox Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

34 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD

Did You Know?

Trivia

Imagine Generic, the film company owned by Imagine Entertainment makes cheap movies so studios don't lose the rights to production.

---

Connections

References Happy Days (1974)

---

Soundtracks

I Can See It
(uncredited)
Music by Harvey Schmidt
Lyrics by Tom Jones
Performed by David Cross and Tommy Tune

User Reviews

but, then it's a no-no..

Arrested Development

Arrested Development is another take on dysfunctional family; created by Mitchell Hurwitz, with lots of twists and turns and mystery that helps kick the series into another level and stand alone. The narration by Ron Howard that guides the viewers is actually a smarter concept that it actually seems, since the makers doesn't feel the need to explain the situation and momentum through cheesy and additional dialogues; a slick move.

It is short on technical aspects like cinematography, background score and art design although the camera work is plausible and is shot beautifully with pleasing, light and breezy environment.

The writing is strong in terms of the material offered especially since it doesn't feel the urge to push boundaries just to crack a smile, and instead focuses on the irony of it and lets it flow fluently with well barred structure. The amusing concept, enfolding tricks, gripping screenplay, parallel sub-plots that are well edited which later merges in brilliantly are some of the high points of the series.

There is also a lot of going on in mere 20 minutes for the audience to let it sink in which may seem overstuffed at times but it does the work which is to keep the audience tangled into it. The characters are more mature and pragmatic than the audience usually gets in a sitcom where they might not be lovable or even likable at times, but their humane-ness keeps the viewers rooting for them.

The performance is somewhat fragile in here since the protagonist Jason Bateman is in his A game but unfortunately isn't supported to that extent by its supporting cast (Will Arnett, Michael Cera, Portia de Rossi and David Cross).

Season 04

The fourth and unexpected act of the series is a piece of masterwork in its own way, where the convoluted plot is edited brilliantly with a keen observation of the characters' characteristics and the parallel sub-plots that fuels in, this craft which is not easy to explore but is certainly worth.

Smashed

The guest appearance by Howard and Bateman factors a lot on the bigger picture with Cross on the lead in here, who has certainly improved on both, the dramatic and humorous aspect of it with a bit of gravitas that is offered to its character.