A Stay of Execution?

Don't turn off the television just yet, Arrested Development fans.

I'm hearing word from the camps of both ABC and Showtime that each of these two networks is in "informal" discussions with 20th Century Fox Television to rescue our beloved Arrested Development.

Rumor also has it that Showtime's pursuit of Arrested is especially hot and heavy, as the powers-that-be at the premium channel believe that Arrested would make a perfect companion to their recently-launched comedy Weeds.

As for ABC, now that they've got their dramatic house in order, they're looking to increase their weight in the world of comedy. A pick-up of Arrested would give the alphabet an immediate boost of comedy credibility with the nation's television critics, along with an influx of rabidly-loyal Arrested viewers.

Any talks at this point must remain "informal," as Fox has not yet "officially" cancelled Arrested. Unofficially, however, the show is dead on the Fox network. Hey, what do you expect from a network that would replace television's funniest series with a show featuring a Diff'rent Strokes' actor on a pair of ice skates?