S.O.B.s

"S.O.B.s"

"S.O.B.s" is the forty-ninth episode of the TV comedy series Arrested Development. The episode aired less than a month after Variety announced that the episode order for season 3 had been cut from 22 to 13. The plot of the episode, revolving around the Bluth family's desperation, seems to be a satire of the desperation of the show in general.

Synopsis

The Bluth family was sitting at a meeting at the company offices after losing Bob Loblaw as a lawyer. Michael told the family that if they want to keep going for the next few weeks, they must get a new lawyer and "pull out all the stops." They need $100,000 to retain their lawyer. Lindsay then mentioned that Maeby has been accepted at a new-age feel-goodery known as "Openings". She had even sent in the check. Michael suggested that everyone get a job to raise money for the family. He suggested that Lindsay do all the housework at the model home to pay off her debt. Gob and the rest of the family ridiculed Michael for suggesting this. George Sr. instead suggested that they hold a legal defense fund dinner in order to raise money - a "Save Our Bluths" event.

Later, Michael arrived at the model home to find Lindsay actually cooking and cleaning. Lindsay, not really knowing what to do, was making "hot ham water." Lindsay suggested that George Michael should also go to "Openings", so that he can properly express his feelings. George Michael walked in to the kitchen to take a break from his SAT preparation and get a cream soda. Lindsay offered to get one for him, but George Michael nervously hurried to the fridge to get it himself. He also checked the stove. Tobias then told Michael that George Michael has been acting strange. We then see how George Michael was constantly cleaning and checking things. Tobias believed that George Michael had Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder because he was afraid to express himself. The truth was, though, that George Michael was simply cleaning up after Lindsay, who wasn't doing a good job cleaning and cooking. Lindsay again recommended "Openings" for George Michael and gives Michael a letter showing "how great" she was doing. Lindsay and Tobias, not having read the letter despite having had it framed, are surprised to find out that Maeby has not been attending classes and was going to be expelled. They both thought it was a boarding school. Maeby had actually been working at the studio the whole time, filming her film "Snowboarding School 2" on location. Michael was annoyed that the non-refundable tuition is gone, and Lindsay, trying to act like a traditional parent, quipped that Maeby should be punished. Michael then decided to send George Michael to "Openings" instead.

Meanwhile, Lucille was soliciting for the Bluth fundraiser at the club restaurant. Gob, who was also at the restaurant at the time, decided to play a trick on Lucille by pretending to be a waiter. Lucille never looked at her waiter, so she did not know that Gob was playing a trick. Gob meant to keep his charade up until Lucille would notice, but was so successful that he even fooled the other waiters. Lucille left the restaurant not knowing Gob was there. A fellow waiter, played by Jack McBrayer hands him the tips he earned during his accidental shift.

At the penthouse, Michael came over to discuss the plans for the fundraiser with George Sr. Michael remarked that the "Home Builders Organization" would not support them, so they had to put on a show during dinner. They decided to invite a celebrities to the event. George Sr. also told Michael to write a speech for the restaurant. Michael then told George Sr. how Andy Richter's brother teaches at "Openings", so it may be possible to have Andy Richter come to the fundraiser. George Sr. also advised Michael not to send George Michael to "Openings" because they will poison his mind. George Sr. also poisoned the teachers at "Openings" by sending them poison muffins.

At "Openings", George Michael was asked to express himself in an essay for an assignment. It was also revealed that his teacher, Donnie Richter, is just one of five quintuplets, with Andy Richter being one of the others. At the house, Tobias, who was trying to enforce some discipline, confronts Maeby about not going to school. Tobias told Maeby she has to help him make some gift bags to send to casting director if she does not want to go to school.

At the country club, Gob found out he accidentally worked a day after he received some tips. Lindsay and Buster were bonding in the model home, when Buster wandered over to get some food, since Lucille did not leave him any. Meanwhile, George Michael was struggling to write an essay criticizing his father, so he asked Maeby for help. George Michael tricked Maeby into writing his essay for him, partly because it gave him the opportunity to smell her neck as he leaned over her shoulder.

The next day, Michael went to "Openings" to see how George Michael was doing at his new school. He found George Michael reading the essay in which Maeby criticized Tobias, and thought the criticism was directed at him. Gob continued to work at the restaurant, and began flirting with the women to garner better tips. He unknowingly began flirting with Lucille, and they both are disgusted when they realize what has just happened. Michael then went to confront Donnie Richter about poisoning George Michael, but ran into Andy Richter, who agreed to go to the Bluth's fundraiser. He then threatened Donnie Richter about his son. Michael then decided to pull George Michael out of "Openings", while George Sr. implicitly said he will poison Donnie. Lucille, mad that Gob is a waiter and that Lindsey is a "housewife", said she does not want them to come to the dinner. Maeby, tired of spending time with Tobias, arranged for him to get a bit part in a movie.

Michael, meanwhile, told George Michael he cannot go to "Openings" anymore. Then, George Michael reveals that Maeby had written the essay, not him. Michael then flip-flopped and said George Michael must return to that school. Rocky Richter, the stuntman Richter, then confronted Michael about poisoning Donnie. George Michael was angered about this, and he was also mad that Michael never listens to his opinion. Over at the penthouse, Lucille was panicking because the caterers refused to come because she had run up a high balance at the clubhouse.

The party began and several celebrities were in attendance. Lindsay, who was doing the cooking, was making some dubious dishes. Andy Richter, pretending to be Emmitt Richter, refused to sing. George Sr. also accidentally revealed to Michael that he was the "muffin man", and that he poisoned Donnie. George Michael then apologized for criticizing his father, and then Michael began his speech. Michael then gave he speech in which he said that "maybe the Bluths are not worth saving." He then told everyone that he threatens people and that George Sr. poisons them. All of the guests rushed out in a panic upon hearing this. The food was bad, the gift bags ridiculous, and the speech was disturbing, but it was still one of the better dinner parties the Bluths had thrown.

Michael then told George Michael he does not have to go to "Openings" any more and that he was just worried about his possible Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. George Michael then revealed that he was simply cleaning up after Lindsay this whole time. Michael then pledged to always listen to George Michael in the future. George Michael then tells him (for the second time in the series) that he loves his cousin, Maeby. However, his father ignores him and simply says "I love you too."

In the "On the Next Arrested Development" segment, it is revealed that checks have been pouring in from the attendees of the party. Lucille believes this to be a result of the family not looking desperate. In reality, it was likely due to the many explicit and implied threats that Tobias, Michael, George Sr., and Gob inadvertently make as the guests are leaving.

Episode Notes

• This episode was written after Fox cut the season 3 episode order from 22 episodes to 13.
• This episode features several satires of things other shows have used to garner higher ratings. The narration often points these out.
• This episode features a reference to the show's possibility of moving to Showtime and HBO.

References

• Character Death In this episode, when a character is going to die, the narrator reveals the character (an elderly woman, who he reveals will die after she makes a racist remark). TV shows often promote the death of a character, but without revealing which character, in order to attract attention.
• Desperate Housewives The show pokes fun at housewives several times, a reference to the hit ABC show Desperate Housewives. George Sr. mentions that they should have an event instead of "selling out and becoming housewives." Also, Lucille advises the family not to seem "desperate."
• Frostbite Maeby's film Snowboarding School 2 is an inside joke referencing the 2005 comedy about a snowboarding academy whose Executive Producer, Jim Vallely, co-wrote this episode.
• HBO Michael says that "The HBO's (Home Builders' Organization) not going to want us," a reference to the fact that HBO never picks up shows canceled from other networks.
• 'I Love the' Why We Were Scared of the 70s is a parody of the various VH1 specials.
• Live Ending The "live" ending is poking at shows such as The West Wing ("The Debate"), The Drew Carey Show and Will and Grace ("Alive and Schticking") that used live episodes in an attempt to boost ratings. After finishing the 'Live' ending, Michael reminds the others that they will have to repeat the scene for the West Coast feed.
• Medium The 3-D effect is a reference to many shows that use these to garner higher ratings, specifically the NBC show Medium which had aired a special 3-D episode only two months earlier.
• Nicole Kidman A reference to using Oscar winning stars to boost ratings, as this show did with Charlize Theron.
• The O.C. Whenever any character uses "The O.C." as an abbreviation for something, Michael replies "Don't call it that", which is poking fun at the cancelled show on Fox.
• Quintuplets Andy Richter playing quintuplets is an allusion to his short-lived Fox show Quintuplets, in which he plays the father.
• Showtime After the characters discuss that the Home Builders' Association HBO will not want them, George Sr. quips, "Well, I think it's showtime," referring to the Bluths' putting on a dinner show for potential investors but alluding to the fact that the Showtime network was considered, at the time, a possible destination for the show.
• www.saveourbluths.com www.saveourbluths.org flashes on the screen at one point, a reference to the real "Save Our Bluths" website created by fans to promote and save Arrested Development from cancellation.
• Kitchen Confidential The short-lived Fox show, based on Anthony Bourdain's memoir, that debuted after the third season premiere of Arrested Development. The show was about waiters and cooks working in a restaurant. All the references in this episode about waiters were in reference to this show.
• Zodiac Killer Michael, shocked to find out that George Sr. sent Donnie Richter a basket of poisoned muffins, queries him about his potentially being the Muffin Man, and George Sr. tells him he only poisoned the first two teachers, and the other 23 were poisoned by copycats. This is similar to the Zodiac Killer's death toll, which was reported to be as high as 37, when officially he was only suspected in the deaths of 7.

Callbacks/Running Jokes

• Chareth the Flirt Refers to Michael’s pseudonym, Chareth Cutestory, in "Altar Egos" when he’s flirting with Maggie Lizer.
• "Come on!" Gob uses his trademark line when he discovers he is flirting with Lucille.
• Dinner Party The narrator says they had one of their better dinner parties, possibly referring to their other party this season in Prison Break-In.
• Hair Plugs Tobias has scabs on his head from the removal of his hair plugs.
• "Hey" Buster greets Lindsay with “Hey, sister” for the first time.
• "Hotter" Buster theorizes out loud that Lindsay is possibly looking hotter after announcing that she is now his new mother to Lucille. Buster's natural instinct causes him to become attracted to women that act maternal towards him.
  • This is similar to a scene in the Season 1 episode "Staff Infection", where Gob proclaims that Kitty is "starting to sound pretty damn sexy" when he was really talking to Lindsay over the phone.
• Jamie Kennedy Maeby complains that "Jamie Kennedy can't even snowboard" when talking about her new production, Snowboarding School 2. Jamie Kennedy had previously appeared in "Notapusy", when he was trying to get Maeby to cast him in another one of her films.
• George Michael/Maeby When George Michael asks Maeby to help with his assignment, the narrator mentions that one reason for it is that it also gives him an opportunity to smell her neck. Also, for the second time in the series (the first being Pier Pressure), George Michael reveals to Michael that he loves his cousin, but, once again, Michael ignores him.
• "Mr. F" - The recurring tune from "Mr. F" is used in the background when Donnie Richter reveals his grading system for "Openings."
• Robot Buster calls Michael a robot. Gob first called Michael this in "The Cabin Show".
• The Ocean Walker The Variety webpage for Maeby's new movie contains an ad for Rita's proposed movie from "The Ocean Walker". It also had the line "It's Deep."
• Tobias is gay Numerous jokes are made about Tobias' homosexuality.
  • When Michael says they lost Bob Loblaw because someone wanted a boyfriend, Tobias says "Don't blame me."
  • Tobias refers to the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz as the "Steel Man." When Michael corrects him, Lindsay says "He knows," implying that Tobias deliberately said the wrong thing in an effort to appear straight.
  • Tobias calls George Michael a "Freddie Wilson" who is a member of a fictional Village People-esque band - who were said to be gay. The script originally had the real name of Village People member Victor Willis. That may or may not have been used because Victor Willis was one of the few straight members of the band, and the others were not (implying Tobias). The name was changed to the fictional "Freddie Wilson', although during the original broadcast of the episode the closed captioning used that earlier copy of the script that contained Victor Willis name. It was corrected later.
    • This is also used as a subtle reference to the fact that a common criticism of the show and explanation that it never gained a wide audience was because the writing often contained obscure references that few could understand. After Tobias says this line, Michael responds, "I don't know that reference," followed by Lindsay's "Neither do I."
  • Tobias says he's going to take off his acting pants and put on his "Analrapist" stockings over his head before giving advice to Michael about George Michael's mental condition.
  • Tobias sees himself as a 'mother' when Maeby acts out of line. "Lindsay: She should be punished for this. You know, Tobias, if I can become a more traditional mother, then maybe you could start being more of a... Tobias: Non-traditional mother. Yes, you’re right. After all, I am her father."
  • Tobias is listening to a gay song called "Discipline Daddy."
  • He is called the "glitter queen" by a casting director.
  • Tobias wants to wear lipstick and eyeliner when he is preparing his gift bags for casting directors.
  • Maeby tells the casting director that Tobias is "really into discipline".
• Y.O.M. Why we were Scared of the 70's is on the TV network that covered Spring Break in "Missing Kitty".

Character Cameos

• Andy Dick appears as himself, playing the host of the fictional TV show Why we were Scared of the 70's.
• Andy Richter guest stars as himself, Donnie, Chareth, Rocky, and Emmitt - he plays identical quintuplets that all have different personalities, a reference to his short-lived sitcom Quintuplets. Richter first appeared in the show in the Season 2 episode "Switch Hitter".
• Bob Einstein reprises his role as Larry Mittleman - he appears at the dinner party playing the surrogate of a businessman.
• Celebrity cameos Numerous celebrities can be seen briefly at the Bluths' dinner party:
  • Ben Stiller as Tony Wonder. He had also appeared in "Sword of Destiny" and "Good Grief".
  • John Beard as himself - he plays the FOX News anchor and appears in several episodes (he is also seen in a separate flashback in this episode, too).
  • Judge Reinhold as himself. He would later appear in "Fakin' It".
  • Richard Belzer as himself. He later appears as "Professor" Munch in "Exit Strategy".
  • John Larroquette as himself. He was mentioned several times in "Righteous Brothers", and made a brief cameo at the end of the episode as a member of the Blue Man Group.
  • Zach Braff as Phillip Litt, who had first appeared in "Spring Breakout".

Foreshadowing/Future References

• Judge Reinhold - The Variety page has an advertisement for his new court TV show, saying "This Fall... Justice will be done." Judge Reinhold and his fictional television show play a large part in the next episode, "Fakin' It".
• The episode also makes extensive reference to the show's eventual cancellation, including a number of metafictional exchanges in which the characters agonize over whether they are relatable enough—a common explanation for the show's normally low ratings. At the end of the episode Michael concludes that the Bluths have received plenty of chances and may not deserve to be saved (from cancellation).

Sources

• Variety
• FOX
• The-OP.com
• TV.com