An animated development for "Arrested Development" alums

As if the ever-increasing rumors of an "Arrested Development" feature film -- it's even got an entry at IMDb -- weren't cool enough, now comes word from the Hollywood Reporter that "AD" mastermind Mitch Hurwitz has recruited three of his former cast members to do voiceover work in his new animated comedy pilot for Fox, "Sit Down, Shut Up."

According to the article, Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Henry Winkler have signed on for the cartoon, which focuses on high school staff members who are completely ambivalent to their students. It's based on a live-action Australian series of the same name -- which begs the question, why animate it? Prime-time 'toons have had a pretty spotty track record, especially on Fox. (Remember "The PJs," anyone?) It's possible Fox has an eye to squeeze "Sit Down" onto its Sunday-night animation block of "King of the Hill," "American Dad," "The Simpsons" and "Family Guy."

But I have another question: Why go back to Fox, the network that strung "AD" fans along for three tumultuous years, constantly switching air times and under-promoting the heck out of it? The unfortunate answer, of course, is that Fox is the only network that takes chances on non-traditional shows with any kind of frequency. It's just that once the show's on the air, they have no idea what to do with it, and it usually dies a slow death. ("Firefly," "Dark Angel," "Tru Calling," "Futurama," the list goes on.)

Still, the greenlight for "Sit Down" is welcome news for "AD" fans still mourning the loss of the Bluth family. And who knows, if the show is a hit, maybe we'll be treated to some special guest voices. Perhaps Jessica Walter as a domineering lunch lady? Jeffrey Tambor as a blowhard football coach? David Cross as the world's worst sex-ed teacher? Fingers crossed.

-- Adam Reinhard, lifeisfunnybutnothahafunny@gmail.com