MovieChat Forums > Jake in Progress (2005) Discussion > Arrested Development clone?

Arrested Development clone?

posted 19 years ago by RikerDonegal
4 replies | jump to latest

I've seen the first two episodes and I'm not that impressed.

The first episode had a few funny moments, but the second one had nothing going for it.

It's seems very much like an attempt to do a more accessible version of Arrested Development. You have a central character that the audience are supposed to find likable and sympathetic. He's surrounded by wacky selfish people who all need him to do something for them.

It's shot and paced like an episode of 24, but the main inspiration (I think) is Arrested Development. His side-kick in episode two even did magic tricks!! How AD is that?!

Up until the final moments of the episode I didn't much like the central character. I must admit that his final choice at the end was good. But that one moment, and no laughs at all in the preceding 25 minutes don't make for a great comedy series.

A good friend is urging me to watch again and give the show a second go. I don't know. I already watch 24 and Arrested Development. Do I need to watch a non-funny amalgam?

[–] grrnnw 19 years ago

This show is sooooo not an Arrested Development clone. Aressted Dev is the anti-sitcom. This show follows most of the sitcom rules and then adds it's own mix to give it a grown up flavour!

Give the show a chance - if anything it reminds me of Miss Match. The show is kind of unique in treating viewers like adults who don't have to be spoon fed their laughs!

[–] RikerDonegal 19 years ago

Yeah, I agree, Arrested Development is an "anti-sitcom" and Jake In Progress is an example of a very typical sitcom. As if JiP was a sanitised version of AD for people who don't get AD.

However, I will give it another.

Interesting comparison with Miss Match. I never saw it, but I did want to (particularly the Charisma Carpenter episodes!).

[–] rar728 19 years ago

This show is sooooo not an Arrested Development clone. Aressted Dev is the anti-sitcom. This show follows most of the sitcom rules and then adds it's own mix to give it a grown up flavour!

I agree. This show is not an AD clone at all. Both are fresh and funny, but I don't think they are similar at all.

[–] orestes31 19 years ago

Yeah very few similarities... both have no laugh track so maybe that opens the door for people wanting to compare the two. :p