The show has the same problem that "Buffalo Bill" had 20 years ago in that the show doesn't try to fill the screen with likeable characters that can attract the casual viewer (it's worth noting the only "likeable" character to come out of Dabney Coleman's series, Gena Davis, was also the only one to go on to really big success after the series was over).

For the life of me, I don't understand why this show isn't popular. I watch a fair number of shows that I enjoy but am not surprised they don't last, but AD seems so broadly funny. I don't see a cult appeal to it.

By the way, I disagree about likeability; there are three. Micheal is likeable, though he does lower himself to his families level all the time. George Micheal is very likeable. And Buster is likeable too.

Buster? He banged Liza Minnelli for goodness sake.

Its my fault - if I enjoy a TV show it gets cancelled - I'm truly sorry - I just purchased season one on DVD which is tantamount to signing the show's death warrant - sorry. First Wonderfalls and now Arrested Development - very sorry.

Shelton:

Don't let me find out you're the S.O.B. who killed ALF...

I know this might get me banned here, but the only network show that I regularly watch is...Survivor.

Philistine.

Who's responsible for the agonizing slow death of the formerly great Alias?

Alias is a classic example of a show that should have been pre-planned for a two or three year run. The desire to keep shows running forever destroys them.

Hey, there's no shame in being behind "America's Funniest Home Videos." That's #1 in my household.

Watch whatever you want - just don't touch the cornballer.

I never watch this show, but I wish I did. I'll just have to borrow or Netflix the DVD's, because it's incredibly funny. I'll miss it.

OJ, have you caught any of "House"? We started watching it because my wife likes Hugh Laurie (him without a British accent is creepy for quite a while), but we've kept watching it because it's pretty darn good. National Review gave it a nice writeup a while ago, reflecting on its conservative values (which come and go).

Timothy:

The Wife is a doctor. Watching a medical show with her is just brutal. She actually yells at the characters.

I'd still give this one a shot--it's basically a medicinal whodunnit with interesting characters, so the medicine is more crucial to the plot than most, and it sounds like they've got some good consultants. Her main problem with it may be that she'll figure out the culprit in the first half hour.

I'm probably watching more network tv this season than I have in years. AD, of course. The Amazing Race is the only show the whole family makes a point of watching together. I've been watching Lost and Alias (Alias has gotten better this season, and Joel Grey playing Ron Rifkin last Wednesday night was nicely creepy). And my guilty pleasure, for which I will not say a word in my own defense, is The Apprentice.

Timothy - "House" is #2 in my house. They could hire Anthony Daniels (Theodore Dalrymple) as a consultant, maybe they already have, it's that kind of show.

Um....CSI (Vegas). But, it's not my fault. The Woman. She gave it to me and I watched it.

there were three decent careers that came out of Buffalo Bill: Dabney Coleman, Joanne Cassidy, and Gina Davis.

shows like AD take time to build an audience, but fox isn't the best network for giving a struggling show time. don't know why that is given how few decent shows fox has on. if AD is building audience steadily then it should be kept on.

Desperate Housewives is good fun.

The OC is also fun.

bring back Mary Hartman!

But it's all over for Kim Possible! The second movie resolved too much. On the other hand, I always heard that it was planned to have a limited run from the start, precisely to avoid the decaying to parody fate.

Oh, right, sorry -- network TV. Yes. I'm not even sure we get that here. It's still on?

It must be because I'm a mom, but y'all have waaaaaay too much time on your hands to be watching that much tv. You better hope your wives are not regular readers of the comments page.

Although, like AOG, I get my share of Kim. I missed the movie, though. She and Ron get together, right?

Yes, but knowing that spoils the first viewing experience. And there's really no way to go on once those two are a romantic item. On the other hand it's been hinted at from the start (for instance, the only time KP ever cries is when it looks like she's permanently separated from Ron)

Man, you two need my Thunderbirds DVD collection in the worst way.

Mr. Judd: Yeah, but I bet they don't have a naked mole rat!