Arrested Development Jumps the Shark?

If you're an "Arrested Development" fan like me, you're not just a fan, but a cult member. The cult requires you to clap your hands and dance like a chicken (even though chicken don't clap), wear cutoff jeans under your clothes and make the occasional reference to a stair-car. The news of the show's second season getting cut short early came hard, too. FOX's pledge to keep the show on the air was of little consolation. Based on last night's episode, perhaps FOX is more prescient than given credit for.

The struggling ensemble comedy has always been a bit quirky and off the wall. But last night's "Arrested" was completely off everything. If this is the direction the show's creator, Mitchell Hurwitz, plans to take, I can't blame FOX for pulling the plug.

Martin Short appeared in the episode as the Bluth family's estranged Uncle Jack (although he's not really related) who is crippled and has to be carried around by a deaf giant because he refuses to use a wheelchair -- not the giant, but Uncle Jack. At one point, the giant accidentally shakes Short's character to point that he throws up on himself -- again, not the giant, but Uncle Jack. The whole concept was stupid, crass and unfunny. I credit the writers of the show for really trying to stretch the boundaries. But the show already does that on an average day. Now I'm angry at them for not only taking the show too far, but also for digging an even bigger hole for the show to climb out of.

Don't get me wrong. I'm a huge fan of Martin Short. And that's not at all colored by the fact I spent a week working closely with Marty during which time he affectionately nicknamed me "kid." He's a genuine guy and a true Hollywood insider, but he doesn't show it. He flaunts it. Unfortunately, this character, "Uncle Jack," really doesn't work at all. Even worse, it looks like "Uncle Jack" will be returning for a few more episodes. I only hope Arrested Development and Martin Short in the arms of a giant, haven't jumped the shark already.