The Ultimate TV Comedies Bracket -- Round Five, Day Two

Good for her.

I wonder how I can ever talk Jason Bateman out of making that face again. Winking aside, it’s time for another matchup in the Elite Eight of the Ultimate TV Comedies bracket. We talked yesterday about influence vs. innovation, and it’s a debate that we must once again have today.

Now, before we do have that debate, I wanted to briefly acknowledge the loss of Norman Lear, whose passing was announced earlier this morning. Lear lived to the remarkable age of 101 years old, and lived a hell of a life. As much as we talk about the influence of shows like M*A*S*H or Cheers or, say, The Dick Van Dyke Show, it seems impossible to think of the modern sitcom and not think of the influence of All in the Family or The Jeffersons or countless other shows Lear was involved in. A titan, a legend, and a big loss today.

I digress. You ready for a potentially tough (or, hell, maybe a super-simple) vote? Let’s go!

(2) Arrested Development vs. (6) The Dick Van Dyke Show: It will not make me sad if The Dick Van Dyke Show wins here, simply because when it comes to influence, it’s kind of hard to top that show. But I know Arrested Development better, to the point where I rewatched the first three seasons to an unhealthy degree in college. If the first season of Cheers is the best first season of all time, the first season of Arrested Development is a very close second. (And unlike the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’s an excellent example of the talents of the Russo Brothers, who directed many of that first season’s episodes.)

It’s not my call, though. What do you think?

Arrested Development

The Dick Van Dyke Show