Top Banana

Season 1, Episode 2, Aired
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Episode Summary

Michael puts George Michael in charge of the Bluth Frozen Banana Stand, and his son subsequently burns down the stand. Elsewhere, Tobias auditions for a commercial, and Lindsay inadvertently gets the part.
9.1
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Fan Episode Reviews (12)

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  • "Don't be afraid to ride her... hard."

    9.1
    "Superb"
    By JaCkKbAuEr2424, Jun 06, 2011 Report Abuse
    I read a review of this episode by the AVClub a few days ago where the writer said "Top Banana" was one of those rare post-Pilot episodes where the episode was even better than the pilot episode. I agree with that sentiment. Here, we get the same dynamic the pilot episode introduced to us but cranked up a few notches. The jokes are more fast-paced and subtle, while the Bluth dynast grows even more complex.

    The episode introduces us to the next most profitable piece of the Bluth family now that the company is in shambles: the banana stand. George Bluth created it as a means to make a little extra cash; Michael worked there as a child and now, George Michael has taken the role of Mr. Manager. Michael struggles to get the flight records of the company and learn why exactly his father's in jail. And with the help of T-Bone, the flamer (no, not THAT kind), George is making sure it stays that way. Meanwhile, Gob looks for more important things to do in the company, with Lucille's help, while Tobias continues his hunt for an acting job.

    Once again, most of these plot points wind up connecting with each other in ways Larry David wishes he could accomplish on an episode to episode basis. When the storage unit goes up in flames and the fireman says, "Looks like the work of a flamer," the joke is landed, and once again, we're left laughing at how Hurwitz and co. can so successfully create double entendres and duel meanings out of the simplest stuff (this is also a precursor to the way that Tobias will frequently says things that are sexual without meaning to). Also the "fire sale" that's in the commercial Tobias is auditioning for ties into the "flamer" joke and the rest of the fire related plots.
    ,br>
    But boy, there are some great jokes and sight gags here: Gob continually returning dead animals to the pet store, the "Mr. Manager" discussions, Tobias' entire insane audition for the "fire sale, Lindsey's "best hair" picture... great stuff. And to think, this was only the second episode.moreless

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  • Awesome.

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By Sarah_LOST, Oct 12, 2010 Report Abuse
    The family's frozen banana stand has burned down. Flashing back to a week before, we see the events leading up to this: Michael is trying to get George Sr. to tell him where company money is being hidden; George Michael has to work through his crush on Maeby when she begins working at the stand; and Tobias gets an audition for a commercial. I'm really enjoying this show - it's so easy to watch and extremely funny - not sure who my favourite character is right now but most of them are amazing. I love how the show is set up and everything. I really can't wait to watch more of it.moreless

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    2 1

  • 102

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By Canogaparkcindy, Sep 30, 2010 Report Abuse
    Definitely a classic of the series, we've got all we could expect from an Arrested Development episode. Plots tying in together in the end, a clever plot, hilarious scenes, and a great ending. All of which were in this episode.

    I think the ending of this episode really stood out, after that very strong premiere, we've got even a stronger episode. All the situations tend to be ironic, clever, witty, and not to mention hilarious. The final scene in which their burning down the banana hut, was great. Then we knew from beforehand that Gob threw a letter in the ocean. That letter was the insurance check.

    Just when you think it's over, this show gives us another surprise. There was 250,000 dollars in the Bluthe's Banana hut in the walls. And they burned it all down. A lot of subtle humor in this episode, that you'd have to watch twice to catch.

    A memorable series classic, don't miss this one!moreless

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  • There's always money in the banana stand.

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By SGK_Attack, Apr 19, 2010 Report Abuse
    While the first episode was good, this one just blew it away.

    Before I get to the content of the episode, I'll gush about the episode title. "Top Banana" revolves around Michael both trying to assert that he's the one in charge now (the "top banana" of the family) and putting his son in charge of the frozen banana stand.

    On to the episode itself (uh... Spoiler Alert), it had several stand-out moments that make it an early favorite:
    - Gob is jealous that Michael isn't including him in the business so Michael gives him a letter to mail... which Gob then attempts to dramatically throw into the ocean. It turns out to be harder than it sounds.
    - Tobias auditions for a commercial. Unfortunately, he misread "fire sale" as just "fire". What happens next just needs to be seen.
    - Michael, George Michael and Gob watch as the banana stand burns down. Michael asks, "You mailed that insurance check, right Gob?" Gob silently backs away.
    - Michael tells George Sr. about the burning and finds out that George was speaking literally when he said, "There's always money in the banana stand."

    This episode basically sealed that Gob would be my favorite character and that Tobias would be my second favorite.moreless

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  • lol

    9.2
    "Superb"
    By efc91, Aug 23, 2008 Report Abuse
    The family's frozen banana stand has burned down. Flashing back to a week before, we see the events leading up to this: Michael is trying to get George Sr. to tell him where company money is being hidden; George Michael has to work through his crush on Maeby when she begins working at the stand; and Tobias gets an audition for a commercial. This show is s funny, the whole episode was laugh out load funny. Arrested Development just got better and better and this is a awesome example of how funny this show is. My score 9.2 out of 10.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

    ADD TRIVIA
    • Buster does not appear in this episode. Edit
    • In the beginning of the episode, the news title reads "Bananas Flambe" in discussion of the Banana Stand burning down later that episode. Later, we see Lucille eating a Bananas Foster, which is a desert made with bananas and rum and then set aflame. Edit
    • Tobias's infamous cut-offs are visible in his third and fourth shower scenes. The explanation for this never-nude affliction is given in first season's "In God We Trust". Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • Gob's belt buckle is a silver G. Edit
    • Tony Hale ("Buster") does not appear in this episode. Edit
    • Featured Music: Bachman-Turner Overdrive "Taking Care of Business." Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Lucille: (on the phone) Then why don't you marry an ice cream sandwich! Edit
    • Gob: I should be in charge. I'm the older brother. Michael: Do you even want to be in charge? Gob: No ... but I'd like to be asked! Edit
    • Narrator: Michael realized that his father had even taken control of the banana stand, but he still had some unanswered questions, so he did a little detective work. Michael: You burn down the storage unit? T-Bone: Oh, most definitely. Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • The Lunts Tobias says that with Lindsay working as an actor as well, they're like "the Lunts," referring to the legendary theatrical husband-and-wife duo of Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne. Edit
    • Steve Martin When confronted by Lindsay about his lack of acting work, Tobias lets out an exaggerated "Excuuuuse Me", borrowing the line that Steve Martin made famous in his stand-up act. Edit

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