A State of Arrested Development: Critical Essays on the Innovative Television Comedy - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0786479914 ISBN 13: 9780786479917

Publisher: McFarland & Company, 2015

Synopsis

One of the most critically-acclaimed television series of all time, Arrested Development is widely hailed as a cutting-edge comedy that broke the traditional sitcom mold. The winner of six Emmys, the series was canceled by Fox in 2006, only to be revived in 2013 via Netflix's streaming service. Beyond its innovative approach to storytelling, the series lampooned contemporary American culture, holding up an unflattering mirror to modern society. This collection of new essays explores how the show addressed issues such as wealth and poverty, race, environmentalism and family relationships. Focusing on the show's iconic characters, the essays also consider Arrested Development as it stands next to such works of fiction as Hamlet, The Godfather and the writings of Kafka. Also covered is the show's reinvention of the sitcom genre, and what its revival on Netflix means for the future of television.

About this title

About the Author:

Kristin M. Barton is an associate professor and chair of the Department of Communication at Dalton State College in Dalton, Georgia. He lives in Woodstock, Georgia.

Review:

"compelling pieces from scholars of communication, literature, philosophy, theology, composition and rhetoric, among other disciplines...a welcome and distinguished contribution to the expanding field of television studies"--Journal of American Culture.

About this edition

• Publisher: McFarland & Company
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 0786479914
• ISBN 13: 9780786479917
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 256
• Editor: Barton Kristin M.