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Score: 9.5 Superb 294 votes

S.O.B.s

Episode Number: 49    Season Num: 3    First Aired: Monday January 2, 2006    Prod Code: 3AJD09
George Sr. and Lucille decide to host a fundraiser at the apartment in an attempt to pay for a new lawyer; Lindsay becomes a mother figure in the Bluth household, with mixed results; Maeby helps Tobias land an acting gig; Gob accidentally finds a job; Andy Richter's brother helps George Michael to learn how to speak up.

Cast and Crew

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Writer: Jim Vallely, Richard Day
Director: Robert Berlinger
Star: Alia Shawkat (Mae "Maeby" Fünke),  David Cross (Tobias Fünke),  Jason Bateman (Michael Bluth),  Jeffrey Tambor (George Bluth Sr. / Oscar Bluth),  Michael Cera (George Michael Bluth),  Jessica Walter (Lucille Bluth),  Portia de Rossi (Lindsay Bluth Fünke),  Ron Howard (Narrator),  Tony Hale (Byron "Buster" Bluth),  Will Arnett (George "Gob" Bluth II)
Recurring Role: John Beard (Himself)
Guest Star: Andy Richter (Himself),  Zach Braff (Phillip Litt),  Judge Reinhold (Himself),  Jack McBrayer (Country Club Waiter),  John Larroquette (Himself),  Ben Stiller (Tony Wonder),  Helen Slayton-Hughes (Mrs. Van Skoyk),  Richard Belzer (Himself),  Andy Dick (Himself),  Bob Einstein (Larry Mittelman)

Notes

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When George Michael wants a cream soda, Lindsay mixes baking soda and cream in a glass. (edit)
On Variety.com, where we discover about Maeby's new film, we can see an advertisement for Ocean Walker. Ocean Walker was a movie that Maeby was asked to read in an earlier episode. Rita, Michael's girlfriend, came up with the idea of people being able to walk on oceans. She was coincidentally mentally retarded. (edit)
It is revealed that the company that Maeby works for is called Tantamount Studios. This is an obvious parody of Paramount Studios. Tantamount Studios is the fictitious studio from Mr. Show with Bob & David. David Cross co-starred and co-wrote the sketch show. The Tantamount Studio in Mr. Show portrayed everything that was evil of the four major networks; the show relished being "off the map" on HBO. (edit)
Buster greets Lindsay with “Hey, sister” for the first time. (edit)
Andy Richter starred in the FOX series Quintuplets. It is a joke that he has 4 identical brothers in this episode. Quintuplets was also produced by Imagine Television. It was cancelled after one season. (edit)

Quotes

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TV Newscaster: Do you like foam in your coffee? It's called a cap-a-keeno, and you'll never believe what it costs! (edit)
Andy Dick: And whatever happened to the Muffin Man? Remember him? I always pictured a giant six-foot muffin trying to eat me while I was eating him. It's kind of a fantasy I go to a lot now. (edit)
Gob: If you didn't have adult onset diabetes, I wouldn't mind giving you a little sugar.
Mrs. Van Skoyk: Oh, Gob ... you could charm the black off a telegram boy. (edit)
Donnie: Hardly. See, if it were me, I would say I'm Donnie Richter. I have a brother named Andy. He's an attention hog. He can't seem to really attract a real audience, but I love the fat S.O.B. anyway. (edit)
Michael: My son expresses himself just fine. Isn't that right, son?
George Michael: What? Yeah ... fine. Uh, yes, I don't care. What's up?
Tobias: Yes, he's a regular Freddie Wilson, that one.
Michael: I don't know that reference.
Lindsay: I don't either.
Tobias: I don't know either.
Narrator: It's this guy. (edit)

Trivia

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George, Sr.: I think it's showtime.

This reference was toward the premium cable channel Showtime, which showed interest in picking up the series (although this episode was filmed before the Showtime speculation started). (edit)
The "Home Builder's Organization" reference is toward the premium cable channel HBO (since the network had shown no interest in picking up the series). (edit)
On the "Variety" Homepage with the top-story "Movie execs doing "Snow" again," there's an ad saying "This Fall Reinhold Justice Will Be Done!" This is a reference to actor Judge Reinhold. (edit)
The discussion about attempting to recruit an Oscar-winning actress -- "maybe Nicole Kidman" -- for the Save Our Bluths party is a reference to Oscar winner Charlize Theron, who guest-starred in previous episodes as Rita, Michael's mentally-challenged British girlfriend/fiance. (edit)

Allusions

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Tobias: Now we paint our lips Joan Crawford red.

Joan Crawford was an Oscar-winning actress who starred in movies such as, Mildred Pierce and What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?. She was also the central figure of the book and movie, Mommie Dearest. (edit)
After helping her dad stuff goodie bags for studio producers, Maeby complains she has glitter in her lungs...which is very similar to Tobias' complaint of having diamond dust in his lungs from inhaling a large quantity of Lindsay's diamond-based makeup in "The One Where They Build A House". (edit)
During an exchange on fundraising approaches, George Sr and Michael say that "HBO does not want us" and "I think it's showtime", a reference to the rumors of Arrested Development moving onto the networks of HBO and Showtime. (edit)
The ending refers to when shows seem to get 'desperate' and do live shows to attract a larger audience, much like The West Wing did recently with its live debate. (edit)
Andy Richter playing quintuplets is a nod to his FOX show Quintuplets. (edit)
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Community Reviews (22)

 
10.0
Perfect
S.O.B.s
"Series classic"
one of my faves
Continue » Posted Nov 8, 2006 7:28 pm PST
9.9
Superb
S.O.B.s
"Exactly why I watch this series"
Gob accidentally works a day in his life!
Continue » Posted Jun 19, 2006 7:10 pm PST

cheezhead1013
Report Abuse 1 user agrees
with this review
9.8
Superb
S.O.B.s
"Exactly why I watch this series"
In this classic episode, it's the FOX network that is the real S.O.B.
Continue » Posted Feb 9, 2006 7:47 pm PST
9.9
Superb
S.O.B.s
"Exactly why I watch this series"
Another hilarious, incredibly smart episode from the folks at AR
Continue » Posted Jan 26, 2006 1:13 pm PST
9.8
Superb
S.O.B.s
"Series classic"
Another great episode of a great show.
Continue » Posted Jan 14, 2006 1:55 pm PST
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Episode Vital Stats

 
Episode: S.O.B.s
Season Number: 3
Episode Reviews: 22
Episode
Score:
9.5 Superb 294 votes
Rating Statistics:
perfect: 159 (54.1%)
superb: 113 (38.4%)
great: 13 (4.4%)
abysmal: 5 (1.7%)
Other: 4 (1.3%)
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