Arrested Development has finally ridden nearly to the end—of both the Curve and, apparently, the series. After a three-year dance with death, the show has finally, certainly, tragically been canceled (maybe), even as ardent fans grumble about a drop-off in the new season—a coping mechanism, one suspects, to deal with separation anxiety. Meanwhile, a great trailer and irresistible plot have fans drooling for Spielberg’s Munich; book reviewers are stoking buzz for a landmark comic book that was released twenty years ago; and ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy has built up just enough positive word of mouth to ensure that, when you finally tune in, you’ll be slightly disappointed. Madonna, for her part, could land almost anywhere on the Curve, as reviewers simultaneously praise her new album, trash her last one, give thumbs-up to her leotard and thumbs-down to her Farrah flip, and generally mourn the state of her career even as they celebrate its recent minor renaissance.

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• Articles by Adam Sternbergh
• Table of Contents: Dec 5, 2005 issue of New York | Subscribe!