Arrested Development's Michael Bluth finds that he can't leave his dysfunctional family, no matter how hard he tries.
Netflix
Despite its recent quirkiness -- or is that Qwirkiness? -- and incidents causing head-shaking embarrassment, the dysfunctional video-streaming site knows that it can outspend anyone else to score content that will keep TV buffs close. It also knows what folks are watching. As the folks behind the critically acclaimed Arrested Development began teasing fans with the possibility of an actual movie and even additional episodes, a ravaged Netflix knew exactly what to do.
Arrested Development wasn't a ratings winner during its three seasons on News Corp.'s
Netflix securing its position as the only place to watch first-run episodes of a fourth season -- seven years after the show's 2006 cancellation -- is huge. At a time when Netflix sorely needs an "aha moment" to convince both investors and audiences that it's still relevant, here come the Bluths to save the day.
Netflix has inked exclusive deals in the past. It recently struck a streaming licensing arrangement in which it will be the only online destination for complete prior seasons of The CW's scripted shows. It outbid major networks for David Fincher's House of Cards before that. However, now Netflix gets to bask in the street-cred glory that comes from helping rescue a cult classic from the major-network chopping block.
Leave Netflix now -- traitor -- and you're nixing the only online streaming service that has bankrolled a show's resurrection. Do you think that Amazon's
Netflix thought it was cooler than it really was when it aggressively hiked prices on dual plans and tried to force Qwikster on us. However, now it's showing that CEO Reed Hastings and gang are better than the company that investors have left for dead.
One of the more memorable Arrested Development moments came when Michael's imprisoned father tells him that there's money in the banana stand, a frozen banana kiosk the once-wealthy Bluth family runs as a side business. Michael dismisses the advice, feeling that his father doesn't understand the gravity of the family's dire financial situation. When the banana stand eventually burns down, Michael's father explains that he had stashed away money in the now-destroyed kiosk.
Netflix seems a lot like that blazing banana stand these days, but it appears to be putting out the fire before its money goes up in flames.
Maybe I'm just seeing this through shareholder goggles or as a big fan of the original show, but this is Netflix's smartest move in a long time.
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