I really, really, really think Arrested Development is NOT going away. My moles (not the hairy cancerous kind) tell me that Showtime is DYING to pick up this comedy we so love (they are definitely on the upswing with their recent Globes noms for Weeds which were the first in ages), HOWEVAH! FOX NEEDS TO OFFICIALLY CANCEL THE DANG THING BEFORE THEY CAN DO ANYTHING. Hello?!! Peter Liguori!! Show some mercy, for the love of Bluths!! And don't be surprised if he ends up keeping it around just to spite the cabler ... (Similar to what ABC did keeping Jake in Progress to keep John Stamos off a full-time gig on ER).

So ... we need to be patient.

Sustainable 'Development'

By Christopher Muther | December 29, 2005

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''Arrested Development" geeks celebrated with chocolate-dipped frozen bananas and cornballs when rumors began circulating that Showtime may pick up the smartest sitcom on television, which was all but axed by Fox this fall. Scoring ''Development" would be a major coup for Showtime, since the pay channel is unable to create an original show that doesn't stink six ways to Sunday. But before the Bluth family signs on the dotted line and jumps to the network of ''Fat Actress," there's another option that should be explored: first-run syndication. When shows were canceled in the 1980s, studios would often continue to produce new episodes of the program, selling it as a free agent, and then allowing it to suffer the indignity of airing at 7:30 on Saturday night after ''Wheel of Fortune."

In first-run syndication, ''Arrested Development" wouldn't be limited to Showtime's subscription base or be at the mercy of a network threatening to euthanize it every other week. But there's also a risk that the show could find itself airing at 2:30 a.m. after ''Elimidate." Before considering a move to syndication, here are a few helpful tips that can be learned from other shows that blossomed in syndication.

CHARLES IN CHARGE: Swap the family

When the Scott Baio babysittercom showed up in syndication after a failed stint on CBS, the Pembrokes were suddenly replaced by the Powells. In the case of ''Arrested Development," replacing the Bluths with, say, the Blooms, would be a disaster, but it could help trim the show's $1.6 million-per-episode price tag. And we hear that Willie Aames is available . . . very available.

TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT: Make room for baby

Producers of the Ted Knight sitcom gave Nancy Dussault a midlife pregnancy to spice up ratings once the show jumped to syndication. A baby is always a sure sign that writers have run out of ideas, but we're salivating at the thought of a pregnancy as portrayed by Jessica Walter.

BAYWATCH: Show some skin already

In a nod to David Hasselhoff's long-running syndicated jigglefest, producers should consider setting more of the show at the beach. Forget seals that attack; giving Lucille Austero an opportunity to suffer a vertigo attack in the surf could do wonders for ratings.

MAMA'S FAMILY: Give Betty White and Rue McClanahan some love

The Vicki Lawrence ode to dysfunctional middle America limped along for six years (four in syndication) through various cast changes and a scandalous lack of Carol Burnett screen time. But the lesson to be learned is that any sitcom can survive with a little White and McClanahan. ''Arrested Development" would become untouchable if these golden gals paired up and made a series of inspired guest appearances. Step aside, Justine Bateman. You're not needed anymore.: