TCA Press Tour: ‘Running Wilde’ doesn’t want to stand in ‘Arrested Development’s’ shadow
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Will Arnett and Mitch Hurwitz know you’re not over “Arrested Development.” And frankly, neither are they.
Since Hurwitz’s critically acclaimed sitcom, which starred Arnett, went off the air in 2006, fans were left reeling over the show’s demise and never held off hope that a cable network, or film, would breathe new life into the show.
But Hurwitz and Arnett, co-creators of Fox’s new comedy “Running Wilde,” hope viewers will tune into the romantic comedy set for fall.
“We love ‘Arrested’ and do miss it, and we still want to do the movie,” Hurwitz said. Fans of the series, which has since garnered a cult following, should at least be pleased to know that Hurwitz is dead set on plans for the film.
“[The show] was an amazing experience and an amazing opportunity. I look at the climate of television today and I don’t think you could do it [now]. They gave me a lot of room to play. I never had any entitlement or expectation that I could keep that on the air for a long time.”
“Running Wilde” stars Arnett as Steven Wilde, a silver-spooned playboy trying to win – and of course buy – the affections of his true love, Emmy, a staunchly liberal humanitarian who retreated to the rainforest to save a native tribe and raise her daughter, Puddle, who narrates the show.
Arnett already knows what half of the viewers will be thinking once they see the episode. “Of course we’re going to get the comparisons good and bad to ‘Arrested Development. Bad mostly,” he joked.
Hurwitz just hopes viewers will give the show a chance – and maybe keep it around longer than it’s predecessor.
“There is a burden associated with ‘Arrested Development,’” he said. “If we can get a big audience interested in the show, more and more of our subversion will be able to come out. There is real peril in trying to repeat yourself. [‘Running Wilde’] is not exactly ‘Arrested Development.’ But I think it’s one that is appealing.”
‘Running Wilde’ premieres Tuesday, Sept. 21 (9:30 p.m.) on FOX. Check out a quick glimpse of the show below.
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