"Arrested" coming back for TWO more years!

[Jaguar]

So says the ever-so-accurate Kristin on E! Online:

Hallelujah! Arrested Development fans, brace yourselves. I have some good news and--well, you might want to sit down for this--some mind-blowing, earth-shattering, out-of-this-world, fantastic news.

Earlier this week, a friend here at E! interviewed Jason Bateman at a charity event with his good friend Ben Stiller. When asked the status of Arrested Development, he lit up like a banana stand: "Actually, great. Supergreat. There is a heartbeat. There is no flatline. And there may be twins. I'm going to let Kristin figure out what that means. I can't comment any further, but there will be an announcement next week."

After various calls to Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Pamela Anderson and Jennifer Garner's OB-GYN re "twins," I can tell you that Jason's little hint had nothing whatsoever to do with any of those things. And while there are 17 listings for a "J. Bateman" in the local Hollywood white pages, none of them know a damned thing about the fate of Arrested Development. But glory be, after much badgering and pestering, two rock-solid Fox sources, who have never failed me before, caved and gave me the lowdown.

Though they're still dotting I's and crossing T's on the final documents, I'm told Fox network and 20th Century Fox studio are "99.9 percent of the way there" to reaching an agreement on the new season. According to these highly placed sources, it looks very likely that Arrested Development will be coming back not only for a full season of 22 episodes but actually two full seasons of 22 episodes. How freaking fantastic is that?

At press time, I can tell you this is precisely where the show's fate stands. So, barring any last-minute switch-a-roonies or bad acts by Satan or Rupert Murdoch, we will get glorious "twin" seasons of the best damn comedy on TV.

According to these insiders, even though the ratings weren't exactly American Idol numbers, Fox's new prez, Peter Liguori, bless his perceptive little heart, has faith that the show will do well in a different time slot. He also wants to bring AD up to the magical episode number required for syndication and feels the show will do very well in repeats and also in DVD. Can I get a "Hell, yeah!"?

That said, not to be a Downer Debbie, but another much loved, little-watched fave isn't likely to be so lucky...

Wow...I figured the show would probably get renewed (Fox's GetArrested petition has over 100,000 sigs right now) but I didn't think it would be "twins"! This is amazing and I can't wait to hear the official word in the upfronts next week.

[Peter Paltridge]

Er, sounded vague to me. Don't jump to conclusions.

[Jaguar]

We're less than a week from upfronts, all the networks have pretty much gotten their schedules and plans in place, so it's pretty doubtful to this that the show's fate could be any different from this.

Ms. Veitch has some very reliable sources is usually right about these things as well.

[Chad Bonin]

That's definitely good news. I guess Peter saw that there's always money in the banana stand.

[Spongebrain2.0]

"That said, not to be a Downer Debbie, but another much loved, little-watched fave isn't likely to be so lucky..."

What in god's name could that possibly be.... Oh god...I hope it isn't "24"...Family Guy is doing kickass in the ratings department, so that's safe....what other FOX show could it be...help me on this

[AF$]

"That said, not to be a Downer Debbie, but another much loved, little-watched fave isn't likely to be so lucky..."

What in god's name could that possibly be.... Oh god...I hope it isn't "24"...Family Guy is doing kickass in the ratings department, so that's safe....what other FOX show could it be...help me on this

"24" is hardly "little watched"; it's safe.

[Fone Bone]

"That said, not to be a Downer Debbie, but another much loved, little-watched fave isn't likely to be so lucky..."

What in god's name could that possibly be.... Oh god...I hope it isn't "24"...Family Guy is doing kickass in the ratings department, so that's safe....what other FOX show could it be...help me on this

I have no clue. The Simpsons, Family Guy, King of the Hill, House, 24, The O.C., That 70's Show, and Malcolm in the Middle, already have pick-ups for the next season.

I KNEW Arrested would get renewed but even I am floored by the two-season pick-up. Before anybody gets TOO excited I WOULD like the remind people that the Sci-Fi Channel did the same thing for Farscape and we know how that went. I'm thrilled that Arrested will be getting a third season but I wouldn't be surprised if Fox weaseled out of the fourth if ratings don't pick up (they DID bump season two's episode count down to 18 after signing on for 22.)

[Lord Dalek]

If it's true then G.O.B be praised.

what other FOX show could it be...help me on this

[COUGH]Nanny 911[/COUGH]

Also take it easy with the !?!'s. They're a little... immature

[The Drizzle]

I'll wait for the official word before I jump for joy.

[Sandoz]

Well, consider my fingers crossed.

[90'sCartoonMan]

Wow, I don't want to get my hopes up, but...please, PLEASE be true!

[Jerry Mouse]

what other FOX show could it be...help me on this

Life On a Stick, perhaps?

[Fone Bone]

Life On a Stick, perhaps?

How the hell is that a fan-favorite on ANY level?

[Killtacular]

The episode order has been shortened from 44 episodes to 22 episodes, no two seasons, but I believe the deal has been officialized and you'll be hearing about it next week.

[Jerry Mouse]

How the hell is that a fan-favorite on ANY level?

I don't know. I've never watched it so your guess is as good as mine.

[Master Moron]

How the hell is that a fan-favorite on ANY level?

Well, Life on a Stick was made by some of the same people who made Andy Richter Controls the Universe...which is actually the only reason Amy Yasbeck signed on in the first place. That's actually the only reason I watched Life on a Stick, but I turned it off after about 15 minutes. When someone makes a completely nonsensical remark about deep frying genitalia that's usually a good sign that this show isn't going to be anywhere near the quality of Andy Richter Controls the Universe.

And I didn't realize Nanny 911 was a fan favorite OR in danger of cancellation. Besides, what does it matter if it does get cancelled? Supernanny on ABC is the exact same show. How many nanny shows do we really need?

[Carolina Red]

USA Today's annual Save Our Shows poll had Arrested as the only show with over 50% of voters wanting to keep the show. It also had the fewest votes to get rid of the show. I'll wait for the official word, presumably when the fall schedule is released, but if the show is renewed then this will be great news! I sure hope that Fox learned from the mistake they made with Family Guy.

[Jaguar]

The episode order has been shortened from 44 episodes to 22 episodes, no two seasons, but I believe the deal has been officialized and you'll be hearing about it next week.

Where'd you hear this? Not that I don't believe you, I'd just like to see.

[EightOh]

I've also been reading that it's most likely going to be a renewal for 22, not 44, but I'd glady take it at this point.

[Harley_Quinn]

One season or 2, I'm just glad it's coming back.