S.O.B.s
Template:Infobox Arrested Development episode
S.O.B.s was the forty-ninth episode of the TV comedy series Arrested Development.
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. G.O.B 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 Lindsey 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, are surprised to find out that Maeby hasn't 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. G.O.B, 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 didn't know that G.O.B was playing a trick. G.O.B kept his charade up until Lucille would notice, but the other waiters thought he was a waiter. Lucille left the restaurant not knowing G.O.B was there.
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 doesn't want to go to school.
At the country club, G.O.B 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 didn't 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.
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. G.O.B 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 G.O.B is a waiter and that Lindsey is a "housewife", said she doesn't 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 can't 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 apoligized 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 doesn't 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. Micheal then pledged to always listen to George Michael in the future. George Michael revealed that he loved Maeby, but Michael ignored him.
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.
- A favorite episode among fans, this episode's popularity rivals that of some of the best episodes of seasons 1 and 2, largely because of the self-deprecating humor pointed at the show and its status, and the jabs at the Fox network.
References
- Character Death - The narrator reveals the character that will die in this episode. 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 to not seem "desperate."
- Frostbite (film) - 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 Builder's Organization) not going to want us," a reference to the fact that HBO never picks up shows cancelled 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 and The Drew Carey Show that used live episodes in an attempt to boost ratings.
- Medium - The 3-D effect is a reference to many shows that use these to garner higher ratings, specifically the NBC show Medium.
- 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 abbrievation for something, Michael replies "Don't call it that", which is poking fun at the popular 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 HBO will not want them, George Sr. quips "Well I think it's Showtime", referring to the fact that it is a possible destination for the show.
- www.saveourbluths.org - This is a reference to the "Save Our Bluths" website, created by fans to promote and save Arrested Development from cancellation.
- Kitchen Confidential - The short-lived Fox show about that debuted after the 3rd season premiere of Arrested Development. The show was about waiters and cooks working in a restaurant. All the references in this episode about waiters was in reference to this show.
Callbacks/Running Jokes
- Analrapist - Tobias mentions his previous occupation when discussing George Michael's odd behaviour.
- "You know, Michael, if I may take off my acting pants for a moment and pull my analrapist stocking over my head, George Michael has been acting strange lately"
- Taken literally, Tobias without his pants on and with a stocking over his head would make him look an awful lot like an anal-rapist.
- Chareth the Flirt - Refers to Michael’s pseudonym in Altar Egos when he’s flirting with Maggie Lizer.
- "Come on!" - G.O.B. 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.
- 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 - George Michael enjoys smelling Maeby's neck. He also reveals to Michael that he loves his cousin, but 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. G.O.B. 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, as Judy Garland is a gay icon.
- Tobias calls George Michael a "Freddie Wilson" who is a member of a fictional Village People-esque band - who were said to be gay.
- 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 due to the fact that 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 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, than 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.
- Y.O.M. - "Why we were Scared of the 70's" is on the TV network that covered Spring Break in Missing Kitty.
Hidden/Background Jokes
- Buster's Hand - When Buster's hand falls off, his thumb breaks off.
- Later, Lindsay glues Buster's thumb on backwards (and it looks like an erect penis).
- Cloudmir - The Variety page has an advertisement for the fictional Vodka, first mentioned in Public Relations.
- Also on the Variety web page, in the article "Movie Execs doing 'snow' again" The second paragraph reads:
...Bickering amongst the powers that be and those that want to be seemed destined to lower the boom of doom for this project. A blizzard of creative differences semeed to forcast a dismal future, much to the dismay of its cult audience. - This is a once again most likely another reference to the show's cancellation.
- Cream Soda - When Lindsay makes the cream soda for George Michael, she pours baking soda and heavy cream into a glass.
- Lobster Tail - Lucille orders the lobster tail for dinner at the club. In The One Where They Build a House, Buster mentioned that his "reproductive organ" looked like a "lobster tail, but without its shell."
- After a day preparing gift bags for the studios with her dad, Maeby complains she has glitter in her lungs. This is reminiscent of Tobias in the same episode, after slathering himself in Lindsey's diamond-based makeup--having mislaid his blue body paint--and foolishly inhaling extremely small, hard bits of diamond, asking Lindsey to take him to the hospital to treat lung pain.
- Orange County Tribune - The newspaper headline that Michael shows the family reads "Bob Loblaw Lobs Law Bomb." The subheading reads: "Bluths lose attorney, chances of survival slim."
- Spoon - When Lindsay is first stirring her "hot ham water" she uses a spoon. Later, she is seen using a spoon rest.
- Surrogates - During the "Save Our Bluths" event, several surrogates can be seen in the background.
- 28. Freddy Fogarty - the Variety webpage lists the "Top 30 Breakout Stars" along the right side-- Number 28 is listed as "Freddy Fogarty", who was a production assistant for all thirteen episodes of Season 3.
- Speech - After Michael dismisses his father's idea of getting celebrites for the party, George Sr. suggests that he is "going to write a speech" about him, to show "how wonderful" he is and flashing a Cheshire cat-like grin, likely a nod to Jeffrey Tambor's nomination that year as Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. He lost to three-time winner Brad Garrett, star of Everybody Loves Raymond.
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. Although he doesn't make any other appearances in the show, he was mentioned several times in Righteous Brothers.
- 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're relatable enough -- a common explanation for the show's historically 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).