Previously, On Arrested Development

NPR's guide to the running gags from the show.

Season 4, Episode 9

Smashed

Originally aired Sunday, May 26, 2013

Tobias returns to his roots and reunites with his leading lady after a rough few weeks.

12 recurring jokes in this episode

The Bluths

G.O.B.

  • Mr. F (background)

    The Mr. F theme plays behind Argyle Austero as he describes his role in the Fantasticks.

    The Mr. F theme plays behind Argyle Austero when he threatens Michael.

Tobias

  • Blue Man Group

    Tobias: "Pardon the mess. I just blue myself for the first time in five years."

  • ... has hair plug complications

    Tobias's audition tape for House has him punching up a line about Graft Versus Host.

  • ... is the world's first analrapist

    Narrator: "Prison has taught Tobias a thing or two." He calls himself a "theralist" now.

  • ... is gay

    Tobias to Mark Cherry: "How old are you?" Mark Cherry: "23." Tobias: "Well within my rights."

    Tobias to Michael: "We'll have to go away and lick each other's wounds."

    Tobias: "Maybe I'll do my famous 'gay' character. I don't think you've seen that character." Michael: "Yeah, I have."

  • ... giggles ambitiously

    Tobias: "Am I crazy, or is this good?" He's crazy.

Buster

  • "I'm a MONSTER!"

    Tobias to Buster: "You're a monster, so you don't have to be perfect."

  • Balboa Bay Window

    Argyle Austero mistakenly identifies Michael as appearing in the magazine in a gorilla suit — it was Buster.

Miscellaneous

  • Carl Weathers says "No ... I LOVE it."

    Argyle doesn't just like the Fantasticks Four musical ... he LOVES it.

  • bleeps

    Tobias drops the queen mother of all swear words three times in quick succession when talking to Michael about their respective predicaments.