Will Arnett’s face is forever etched in the minds of sitcom fans as Gob Bluth, the flamboyant, hapless magician from Arrested Development. But if you’d asked Arnett back in August 2003, when filming began on the show’s first season, whether he thought he was making television history, he probably would have laughed—or cringed. According to CinemaBlend and Rolling Stone, Arnett recently looked back on those early days with a mix of humility and disbelief, recalling a set atmosphere thick with uncertainty and a dash of dread.
“We were making it in a vacuum,” Arnett told Rolling Stone. “We started shooting in August of 2003, and I don’t think it began airing until November 2003. We had no reaction. The scripts were outlandish and bizarre and the scenes were insane. It was, ‘Hey, we might be making the worst thing of all time. There’s a chance we’re making the world’s worst television program.’ But we were all enjoying it and having a lot of fun.”
It’s hard to believe now, given the show’s cult status and the way it’s been revived and rediscovered over the years. But back then, the cast and crew of Arrested Development were flying blind. The show’s original run on Fox lasted just three seasons before being cancelled, a fate that seemed to confirm the cast’s anxieties. Yet, as history would have it, the story didn’t end there. Netflix, sensing the show’s growing popularity among streaming audiences, revived the series in 2013 and again in 2018, giving it a second—and third—life.
For Arnett, landing the role of Gob was nothing short of a breakthrough. He was a relative newcomer, desperate for a steady gig. “At the time, I was new to the industry and desperate to get a sitcom,” Arnett admitted. He’d dreamed of doing sketch comedy, improv, or stand-up, but, as he put it, “didn’t have the luxury” to pursue those avenues. The opportunity to play Gob Bluth was the big break he’d been hoping for.
Still, doubts lingered. Arnett recounted a moment of unexpected reassurance that came during those early, uncertain days. “There was an editing room near the stages where we shot. And I ran into one of the editors, who told me, ‘Man, I’m putting these shows together—they’re really good.’ And I was like, ‘Oh, really?’ I had no concept of what it was like to do something really good.”
It wasn’t just the editors who saw the show’s potential. David Cross, already a respected figure in comedy thanks to Mr. Show, approached Arnett one day with some encouraging words. “People are really liking the show. They’re liking what you are doing on the show,” Cross told him. Bob Odenkirk, who made a few appearances in the first season, echoed the sentiment. For Arnett, these moments were more than just compliments—they were lifelines.
Despite the cast’s misgivings, Arrested Development quickly found a loyal audience. Its quirky, self-referential humor and offbeat storytelling won over critics and fans alike, even if mainstream success eluded it during the initial Fox run. The show’s cancellation after three seasons was a blow, but not the end. As CinemaBlend points out, streaming services gave the series a new lease on life, and its reputation only grew with time.
Arnett’s portrayal of Gob Bluth became iconic, making him a household name and forever linking him to one of television’s most memorable dysfunctional families. Fans still approach him with references to the show’s famous chicken dance or the line, “You’ve made a huge mistake”—a phrase that’s become part of the pop culture lexicon. The role opened doors for Arnett, leading to a diverse career that’s included everything from voice work in Bojack Horseman to co-hosting the hit podcast Smartless alongside fellow Arrested Development alum Jason Bateman.
But Arnett’s journey didn’t stop with Gob. In late 2025, he took on a new challenge, starring in the film Is This Thing On?, directed by Bradley Cooper. The dramedy, which hit theaters around December 31, 2025, follows a man navigating the emotional minefield of divorce by diving into the world of stand-up comedy. It’s a role that draws on Arnett’s comedic chops while allowing him to explore more dramatic territory—a testament to how far he’s come since those uncertain days on the Arrested Development set.
For longtime fans, the journey of Arrested Development mirrors Arnett’s own evolution. The show’s original run may have been cut short, but its legacy endures, thanks in part to the streaming era. As of now, anyone with a Netflix subscription can revisit the Bluth family’s misadventures at any time, ensuring that new generations of viewers continue to discover—and obsess over—the show’s unique brand of comedy.
The story of Arrested Development is also a reminder of television’s unpredictability. What seems risky, even misguided, in the moment can become groundbreaking in hindsight. Arnett’s reflections highlight the importance of creative risk-taking and the value of trusting one’s instincts, even when the outcome is far from certain.
It’s tempting to imagine what might have happened if the cast and crew had listened to their doubts, or if the show had never found its audience. Would Arnett have become the beloved comedic figure he is today? Would the Bluth family’s bizarre antics have faded into obscurity? Thankfully, history had other plans.
As Arnett continues to evolve as an actor—balancing new film roles, podcasting, and the occasional return to his sitcom roots—he remains grateful for the show that changed everything. “I would give anything now to do something and to have that sort of breakthrough,” he told Rolling Stone. It’s a sentiment that resonates with anyone who’s ever taken a leap of faith, hoping their work will find its audience.
For those who want a taste of Arnett’s latest work, Is This Thing On? is currently in theaters, offering a fresh look at his talents beyond Gob Bluth. And for everyone else, the Bluth family is just a click away, ready to remind us all that sometimes, the world’s “biggest blunder” turns out to be a stroke of genius.
