[8.7/10] So the rap on this episode is that Martin Short doesn't fit with Arrested Development’s tone, and on a rewatch, I can understand the complaint. Short’s style of comedy is definitely broader, or at least broader in a different way than AD normally gets, with lots of physical comedy, spit takes, and mugging that aren’t in the show’s typical playbook.
But I gotta admit, I like Short from his SNL days (and, I’m a little ashamed to admit, from his appearance on Muppets Tonight), and while it’s a bit of an awkward marriage at times, I like him here too. He goes all out for those physical bits; the conceit of the hard-of-hearing handler is a good gag, and in the few moments where he tones it down a bit, he does good work. Plus the parody of 1940s serials and the events surrounding them is a solid laugh.
Plus this episode is just an absolutely classic farce. Michael trying to go on the getaway package with Tobias to keep him away from Lindsay who has a crush on Dragon who’s shepherding Uncle Jack who’s there to save the family from the business machinations of Lucille 2 and Stan Sitwell, which turn out to be romantic machinations, which GOB and Buster are trying to thwart before turning on one another, is just an absolute symphony of wild and wooly comedy.
Plus this episode has my favorite C-plot in the show -- Tobias recording himself for his awkward turns of phrase, only to think he’s just a “blowhard.” So many amusing double entendres. And it’s a great Lucille episode as well, between the “don’t drink and quote” interlude, and her learning to yell “bitch!” when she’s at her apartment but not at the model home.
Overall, this one is just full of fantastic, interconnected laughs, and while I get why people are resistant to Uncle Jack, I still get a big kick out of the whole damn thing.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParent2018-07-17T01:31:58Z
[8.7/10] So the rap on this episode is that Martin Short doesn't fit with Arrested Development’s tone, and on a rewatch, I can understand the complaint. Short’s style of comedy is definitely broader, or at least broader in a different way than AD normally gets, with lots of physical comedy, spit takes, and mugging that aren’t in the show’s typical playbook.
But I gotta admit, I like Short from his SNL days (and, I’m a little ashamed to admit, from his appearance on Muppets Tonight), and while it’s a bit of an awkward marriage at times, I like him here too. He goes all out for those physical bits; the conceit of the hard-of-hearing handler is a good gag, and in the few moments where he tones it down a bit, he does good work. Plus the parody of 1940s serials and the events surrounding them is a solid laugh.
Plus this episode is just an absolutely classic farce. Michael trying to go on the getaway package with Tobias to keep him away from Lindsay who has a crush on Dragon who’s shepherding Uncle Jack who’s there to save the family from the business machinations of Lucille 2 and Stan Sitwell, which turn out to be romantic machinations, which GOB and Buster are trying to thwart before turning on one another, is just an absolute symphony of wild and wooly comedy.
Plus this episode has my favorite C-plot in the show -- Tobias recording himself for his awkward turns of phrase, only to think he’s just a “blowhard.” So many amusing double entendres. And it’s a great Lucille episode as well, between the “don’t drink and quote” interlude, and her learning to yell “bitch!” when she’s at her apartment but not at the model home.
Overall, this one is just full of fantastic, interconnected laughs, and while I get why people are resistant to Uncle Jack, I still get a big kick out of the whole damn thing.