Arrested Development: Recommended "Similar Shows"????

bigdog1334
[1]Dec 25, 2008
member since: 02/07/07
level: 2
rank: Sweat Hog
posts: 19
Hey guys, long time lurker, rare poster here. As an obsessed fan of this show, I obviously realize that no other show can come even close to the sheer comedic brilliance of AD, and I often have a weekend marathon and watch the entire series. However, AD always seems to be better if I can manage to go for a few weeks between viewings. Basically, I was wondering if any of the TV experts in here could recommend any shows to me. Obviously, I am looking for a show as awesome and hilarious as AD, but I realize that is impossible.
For reference...I also enjoy Scrubs, The Office, and It's Always Sunny...but as It's Always Sunny is getting more and more popular and mainstream, I was looking for any other excellent AD-like shows that manage to slip under the radar. Thanks for all suggestions guys!!!!
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ssimonds1
[2]Jan 17, 2009
member since: 04/10/07
level: 24
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posts: 830
Well if you are in to TV on DVD Soap and Mary Hartman Mary Hartman might be a place to look.
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pipinowns
[3]Jan 19, 2009
member since: 12/28/07
level: 8
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posts: 122
I'd suggest broadening your Horizons.

A lot of drama's can be really funny. In fact, besides Arrested Development, almost all comedy shows are less funny then many drama shows on TV right now.
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kdmac67
[4]Jan 23, 2009
member since: 07/29/08
level: 12
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I have a friend who told me to watch "AD", and I loved it. Then I asked him for other advice, and he said "The Office", and I loved that. He also watches "Scrubs", like you. So it sounds like you have similar tastes to him. I know he is into "30 Rock" and "Entourage" (I haven't seen them myself), but give those a try.
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finalcry
[5]Jan 24, 2009
member since: 11/23/08
level: 6
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A lot of people that I know that like AD are also big fans of The Office. I never got into it. Entourage is a great show. But nothing compares to Arrested Development.
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Steph__x
[6]Jan 26, 2009
member since: 06/02/07
level: 25
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posts: 3,452
Flight of the Conchords! Also I agree that a lot of Drama's are hilarious. One such that has outrageous/hilarious moments, like AD did, is Boston Legal.
Edited on 01/26/2009 4:22am
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Mdinkle1
[7]Feb 1, 2009
member since: 07/14/07
level: 35
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posts: 6,425
I'd recommend 30 Rock and Flight of the Conchords, both are hilarious!
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ADRockedMyWorld
[8]May 24, 2009
member since: 05/25/09
level: 1
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I found a show very much under the radar the other day that reminded me of AD. The show is called CEO Woodsman. You can watch it here:
http://www.atom.com/funny_videos/3EFBFFFF01B82E2F001700BC8BA6/
While it isn't quite as good as AD, it had a few moments that took me back to the good ol days.
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ana_jovanovic
[9]May 28, 2009
member since: 04/14/09
level: 12
rank: Evil Bert
posts: 586
Better off Ted, a new ABC show is very good, and it does have AD feel to it. It's like if AD was set in the office. And there's Portia de Rossi.
One bad thing about it though. It's new, and the 1st season only had 7 episodes, for the second season ABC ordered only 13 episodes, and it's going to be mid-season - so waiting for it 'till 2010...
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stellarchick86
[10]May 28, 2009
member since: 10/04/07
level: 31
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Well I dont know about "being under the radar" but of the comedies I have seen, "Seinfeld", "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "The Office" seem to be most similar to AD.
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ericinmacland
[11]Jun 12, 2009
member since: 11/22/08
level: 5
rank: Caveman Lawyer
posts: 1
There is an excellent show starring Ricky Gervais (creator of the original, British "The Office") called "Extras". I'd probably rank this as my second favorite comedy behind Arrested Development. I'd also recommend "Boston Legal", "How I Met Your Mother", and "Curb Your Enthusiasm" for fantastic comedies.
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twentymooseman
[12]Jun 16, 2009
member since: 08/05/07
level: 3
rank: Soup Nazi
posts: 55
"Dead like me" is pretty good, you'll have to watch it on DVD, or you can stream the first season on netflix. Flight of the Conchords is funny but has a different brand of humor than Arrested Development. 30 Rock is great.
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LukeSupernova
[13]Jun 18, 2009
member since: 10/22/08
level: 4
rank: Thighmaster
posts: 26
Trailer Park Boys, Flight Of The Conchords, The League Of Gentlmen, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Early Doors, Summer Heights High.
All these shows are far better than your bog standard 'scrubs' or 'fiends'
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sienster
[14]Jun 19, 2009
member since: 02/03/06
level: 8
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posts: 675
Nothing will ever top AD! But three shows that I love are the Office, 30 Rock and Curb Your Enthusiasm. They're all great and have AD qualities.
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leggomyeggroll
[15]Jul 6, 2009
member since: 09/27/05
level: 6
rank: Small Wonder
posts: 240
I love the shows you've listed. I was actually hoping to find some shows mentioned that I haven't watched already. Here's a few that I don't think have been mentioned, and I think you'll like them because it's adult humor/comedy and like other said, drama.

1. Weeds (Comedy - Showtime)
2. Californication (Comedy - Showtime)
3. Dexter (Drama - Showtime)
4. Entourage (Comedy - HBO)
5. Nip Tuck (Drama - FX)
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leggomyeggroll
[16]Jul 6, 2009
member since: 09/27/05
level: 6
rank: Small Wonder
posts: 240
I want to second that the original office with Ricky Gervais is awesome. I think I like it more than the US version. However, I do have a hard time with the British-English, especially when they use "slang" words. But love his acting. Ricky Gervai's Extras is nothing short of being awesome too. The first season has some classic episodes with some great guest stars.

I want to second that Boston Legal is great (ABC I believe) as well as Curb Your Enthusiasm. However, "Curb..." was somewhat predictable after a while. Still a funny show though.

While I'm at it, I figured I'll list two others that a friend recommended to me, but I haven't actually watched them yet:

- Breaking Bad
- Peep Show
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primetime73
[17]Jul 21, 2009
member since: 07/18/06
level: 4
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posts: 19
Let me second the 30 Rock and Better Off Ted recomendations. 30 Rock is just a funny show but Better Off Ted has a bit of the Arrested Development feel to it. I like Flight of the Conchords but some of the episodes were lame, it has its ups and downs. The nerd in me just discovered Big Bang Theory and I really like that show.
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Sacci_23
[18]Jul 23, 2009
member since: 04/24/09
level: 7
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posts: 47
I have to agree with 'Better Off Ted', many of the other suggestions are great, and if you don't feel too old for a bit of animated comedy check out 'The Life and Times of Tim'
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Arnoboy
[19]Aug 28, 2009
member since: 07/02/08
level: 8
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posts: 182
I'll recommend you: How I Met Your Mother
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l1DarKMaTTeR1l
[20]Aug 29, 2009
member since: 09/22/03
level: 4
rank: Thighmaster
posts: 5
since it hasn't been mentioned before another AD like low key hilarious comedy is It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
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