Just heard that Fox has cut back its order for Arrested Development from 13 to 22 episodes and pulled the show from November sweeps. Most commentators are interpreting this, rightly in my mind, as a prelude to cancellation at the end of the season.

There were two episodes of Arrested Development this week, the latter of which ("Mr. F") was the best I've seen this fall. Of course, as with episodes of Lost and Invasion, you're either watching them all or hopelessly behind — much of this show's humor comes from the gradual buildup of running gags, musical cues, and character histories — so there's not much point in my telling you a given episode was the "best of the season."

Still, after four uneven attempts it seemed like the show could be great again. I guess I'll find out in December.

There are so few good comedies on television right now. The Simpsons is sucking again despite last season's apparent promise. Malcolm in the Middle is good every now and then, but there've been too many Jessica episodes lately: she's such an irritating character that I stop watching when I see her. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia had some potential but it's off the air for now.

Which leaves only My Name Is Earl as far as reliable comedies are concerned.

(I usually end up laughing at some completely inappropriate/overwrought moment while watching House and Law and Order, but it's my understanding that those shows are dramas of a sort.)

There's one potential silver lining here: if Arrested Development is really going to get cancelled, the writers will know well in advance and have five or six episodes to prepare to the series finale.

I'm all for letting continuity-reliant shows go out gracefully instead of limping to a close like The X-Files or Twin Peaks, trying to settle all the show's problems in one episode like Star Trek: Voyager, or just abruptly ending with most of the plotlines unresolved like Firefly.

As long as there's a possibility that NBC or ABC could poach Arrested Development, I wouldn't count on that kind of ending. In fact, I predict that the graceful exit will become much less common as new technology (e.g. ordering television on iTunes, once they up the resolution) makes it easier for shows to support themselves with smaller audiences.