'Arrested' is still in limbo

Friday marks the end — a rather short era — at Fox. The final four episodes of "Arrested Development" air back-to-back-to-back-to-back from 7-9 p.m.

Fox Entertainment president Peter Ligouri denies it, but it's what we like to call "burning episodes off." Hey, he's scheduled those four episodes opposite the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics.

But, honestly, I'm not here to beat up on Fox for this one. If "Arrested" had been judged solely by its ratings, it would have been canceled in the middle of its first season. And Fox kept it on the air for 53 episodes over three seasons.

The network tried everything it could think of and just couldn't find an audience for "Arrested." And it had plenty of incentive to do so — Fox not only aired the show, but the Fox television studio produced it.

The network hasn't officially canceled it, but a renewal would be the most shocking TV event since Janet Jackson had a wardrobe malfunction. So . . . let's look to the future.

Does "Arrested" have a future on ABC? Or Showtime?

And the answers are — probably not and maybe.

ABC Entertainment president Steve McPherson recently told TV critics, "I really love the show. We certainly would have interest if there was ever a possibility. . . . I believe that I can market that show really well, and I think we have some spots in the schedule that make sense for us."

But, he added, "I don't really foresee that happening. I think it's a long shot."

Meanwhile, over at Showtime, they're very interested. But it's conditional interest.

Les Moonves, the president and COO of Showtime's parent corporation, CBS, told the Deseret Morning News, "I think it would work great for us. It's a great show, and we're really interested.

"We're talking to Fox (studio), but we'll have to wait and see what happens."

And a big part of what they're waiting to see is whether Mitch Hurwitz, the show's creator, executive producer, writer and driving creative force, wants to continue in "Development."

"I think the show is only worth continuing if Mitch Hurwitz was at the helm running it," said Showtime Entertainment president Robert Greenblatt. "I think he's the genius behind it. And he hasn't yet come to that decision to continue the show."