The One Where They Build a House
Encyclopedia
"The One Where They Build a House" is the twenty-fourth episode aired of TV comedy series Arrested Development.
Gob cuts the ribbon on the hollow house, and all four walls collapse. Michael and Gob realize that their competitive attitudes stem from George Sr., who has always pitted them against each other. George Sr. is hiding out in Mexico with his former secretary, Kitty, who is driving him crazy. He asks Gob to wire him money, but the call ends when the police take down George Sr., thinking that he is Oscar.
Plot
Michael plans to save the Bluth Company by beginning construction on a new model home and holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Gob, now president-in-name-only of the company, promises the board the house will built in two weeks. Michael protests, and Gob suggests building a fake house, with nothing on the inside. Meanwhile, Buster suspects that Lucille and Oscar are having an affair. Lucille tries to end the relationship, but can't resist Oscar's luxurious hair. Buster gets upset and goes off to war. Lindsay and Tobias’s newly open marriage becomes more competitive. Lindsay makes a date with a homeless man, only to realize that he is actually an actor living on the street to research his role.Gob cuts the ribbon on the hollow house, and all four walls collapse. Michael and Gob realize that their competitive attitudes stem from George Sr., who has always pitted them against each other. George Sr. is hiding out in Mexico with his former secretary, Kitty, who is driving him crazy. He asks Gob to wire him money, but the call ends when the police take down George Sr., thinking that he is Oscar.
Episode notes
- Tobias doesn't have a single scene in this episode without some kind of paint/makeup on him.
- The room where Gob signs some papers after making a firm offer on the boat is the same room where Michael signs some papers when purchasing his Corvette in Queen for a DayQueen for a DayQueen for a Day is an American radio and television game show that helped to usher in American listeners' and viewers' fascination with big-prize giveaway shows. Queen for a Day originated on the Mutual Radio Network on April 30, 1945 in New York City before moving to Los Angeles a few months...
.
Cultural references
- Blue Man GroupBlue Man GroupBlue Man Group is an organization founded by Chris Wink, Matt Goldman and Phil Stanton. The organization produces theatrical shows and concerts featuring popular music, comedy and multimedia; recorded music and scores for film and television; television appearances for shows such as The Tonight...
- Tobias auditions for the Blue Man Group. He has yet to hear back from them, likely because his audition features him singing to a piano, while the Blue Man Group does not use vocals in their performances.- Tobias is in blue makeup throughout the episode, using it to his advantage to hide in blue areas without being seen.
- Buster KeatonBuster KeatonJoseph Frank "Buster" Keaton was an American comic actor, filmmaker, producer and writer. He was best known for his silent films, in which his trademark was physical comedy with a consistently stoic, deadpan expression, earning him the nickname "The Great Stone Face".Keaton was recognized as the...
- The house falling on Buster is an homage to Buster Keaton's films One Week and Steamboat Bill, Jr.. - FriendsFriendsFriends is an American sitcom created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, which aired on NBC from September 22, 1994 to May 6, 2004. The series revolves around a group of friends in Manhattan. The series was produced by Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions, in association with Warner Bros. Television...
- The title is a play on Friends-style episode titles, which usually begin with the phrase "The One Where." - "Solid"Solid (song)"Solid" is a hit single recorded by the husband-and-wife songwriting duo Ashford & Simpson. It was featured on their album, also titled Solid and released as a single in late 1984....
- The song from Ashford & SimpsonAshford & SimpsonNickolas Ashford , and Valerie Simpson , were a husband and wife songwriting/production team and recording artists....
is featured prominently in this episode. - The Big LebowskiThe Big LebowskiThe Big Lebowski is a 1998 comedy film written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. Jeff Bridges stars as Jeff Lebowski, an unemployed Los Angeles slacker and avid bowler, who is referred to as "The Dude". After a case of mistaken identity, The Dude is introduced to a millionaire also named...
- When Gob charges at Michael with the over-sized scissors, it parallels the end of the film's dream sequence. - Evelyn Beatrice HallEvelyn Beatrice HallEvelyn Beatrice Hall, , who wrote under the pseudonym S.G. Tallentyre, was an English writer best known for her biography of Voltaire with the title The Friends of Voltaire, which she completed in 1906....
- Buster announces his intention to go to war, saying to Lucille and Oscar, "I don't agree with your dirty doings here, but I will defend with my life your right to do it." This parodies Hall's quotation (often mis-attributed to Voltaire), "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - They Shoot Horses, Don't They? - A movie poster for Tom Jane's movie has the tagline "They Shoot Heroin, Don't They?"
- Howard DeanHoward DeanHoward Brush Dean III is an American politician and physician from Vermont. He served six terms as the 79th Governor of Vermont and ran unsuccessfully for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination. He was chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 2005 to 2009. Although his U.S...
- When Gob announces his plan to build a model home in two weeks, he finishes his presentation with an enthusiastic "Hey!", a reference to the exclamation famously made by politician Howard Dean while campaigning for president, the so-called "Dean scream." - "Women and children first" -- Gob says this doesn't make any sense. He compares the phrase to Rock-paper-scissorsRock-paper-scissorsRock-paper-scissors is a hand game played by two people. The game is also known as roshambo, or another ordering of the three items ....
, which he also asserts that doesn't make any sense.
Callbacks/running jokes
- Audition - Tobias' audition scene for the Blue Man Group mirrors his audition scene from the pilotPilot (Arrested Development episode)"Pilot" constitutes the first episode and the series premiere of the Fox sitcom Arrested Development. The episode originally aired on November 2, 2003. George Sr. is about to announce his retirement when he is arrested for using his company's funds for personal expenses...
. In both, he attempts to perform a song, but the scene is cut short just before he starts singing. - Blendin - A "Blendin Moving and Storage" truck appears in this episode. "Blendin" is the fake company name that the government goes by when surveilling the Bluths, seen in a previous episode as "Blendin Dog Grooming."
- Blue dot - This is the first time that a blue dot (used here to obscure Oscar's erection) is used to censor something; earlier episodes used a traditional blur, and some later episodes use a white patch. The blue dot was first mentioned by Gob in "Missing Kitty," and appeared later in "Good Grief" and "Queen for a DayQueen for a Day (Arrested Development episode)"Queen for a Day" is the 30th episode aired of TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Plot:As George Michael is getting ready for school he comes across a box of love letters he'd written but never sent to Maeby. Michael comes in to offer George Michael a ride to school, causing George Michael to...
." - Buster's real father - Oscar suggestively says, "I know where the boy (Buster) came from," while overly dramatic music plays. Lucille then looks down toward Oscar's waist area.
- Bluth Company board/workers are incompetent - The board chooses Gob's idea of building a house in two weeks (rather than Michael's, which was researched and well put together) after he performs a magic trick for them and brings in his business model, Starla.
- The Cornballer - The Cornballer, the dangerous device created by George Sr., appears in this episode. Introduced in "Bringing Up BusterBringing Up Buster"Bringing Up Buster" is the third episode of the American television series Arrested Development.-Plot:Michael is making cornballs for breakfast in preparation for another tradition: the Sunday bike ride. However, George Michael is ambivalent about the plan...
," it had been banned due to the severe burns it frequently gave people, although it is still marketed successfully in Mexico (even though the narrator says The Cornballer wasn't legal anywhere). The Mexican warden and several prison guards have all fallen victim to the Cornballer. - Gahb Bluth - Gob's name is mispronounced as the way it is spelled, which happened previously in "PilotPilot (Arrested Development episode)"Pilot" constitutes the first episode and the series premiere of the Fox sitcom Arrested Development. The episode originally aired on November 2, 2003. George Sr. is about to announce his retirement when he is arrested for using his company's funds for personal expenses...
" and "Storming the CastleStorming The Castle"Storming the Castle" is the ninth episode aired of TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Plot:While doing some business work at home, the chair Michael Bluth is sitting in collapses. Michael decides he'll get one from work, which George Michael questions...
." This time it is Starla, the business model and Gob's supposed girlfriend, who pronounces it wrong. - Ann - This episode begins the running gag that George Michael's girlfriend, Ann, is unmemorable, unremarkable, and boring.
- When Michael learns that George Michael is dating Ann, he says, "Her?"
- Michael is disgusted by the mayonnaise/egg combination that Ann has invented, which she calls a "mayonegg."
- Michael can't remember Ann's name, referring to her as "Egg."
- Michael tries to talk George Michael out of his plan to buy Ann diamond dust in order to get her "all glittered up for Easter."
- When Michael and Gob are reading the newspaper at the end of the episode, Gob mistakes Ann for a male in the picture.
- Hermano - George Sr. doesn't know the Spanish word for brother, instead saying "brothero." This is an allusion to the Season 1 episode "Marta ComplexMarta Complex"Marta Complex" is the 12th episode aired of TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Plot:Michael Bluth convinces his mother to throw what she thinks is a Valentine's Day party, but is, in fact, an anniversary party for Tobias and Lindsay. In attendance is Gob's girlfriend Marta, who is impressed by...
," in which G.O.B and Michael don't know that "hermano" is Spanish for "brother." - Hole in his heart - Buster says that he has a "hole in my heart" during the Army physical, a reference to Lucille's comment in "Storming The Castle."
- I bleeped - Gob says, "I bleeped the business model," to Michael, a continuation of his using this phrase to announce (often untruthfully) that he had sex with someone. This began with "I bleeped Kitty" in "Visiting OursVisiting Ours"Visiting Ours" is the sixth episode aired, and the fifth episode in the DVD continuity of, the TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Plot:...
." As in "Altar EgosAltar Egos"Altar Egos" is the seventeenth episode aired of TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Plot:Michael Bluth and family gather to discuss George Sr.’s upcoming trial. They've received a plea offer, but lawyer Barry Zuckerkorn hasn’t read it yet because he is too busy picking up cross-dressing...
," when Gob claimed to have consummated an impulsive marriage, the narrator tells the audience what actually happened between Gob's claims. - "I've made a huge mistake" - George Sr. utters "I've made a huge mistake" to convey regret at his affair with Kitty.
- Lungs - Tobias gets diamond dust in his lungs. In the Season 3 episode "S.O.B.s", Maeby gets glitter in her lungs.
- Mission Accomplished - This is the first use of the "Mission Accomplished" banner, which returns in "The Immaculate ElectionThe Immaculate Election"The Immaculate Election" is the thirty-sixth episode aired of the TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Plot:Michael is surprised to find the house still a mess a week after the fumigation, which Michael had Lindsay call and arrange, long before Michael had begun hiding his fugitive father in the...
" and "The Cabin ShowThe Cabin Show"The Cabin Show" is the forty-first episode aired of the TV comedy series Arrested Development. It is the first episode of Season 3.-Synopsis:...
." - Mommy, What Will I Look Like? - A photograph of George Sr. and Kitty's possible baby is presented courtesy of Lindsay's photo manipulation business introduced in "Let 'Em Eat CakeLet 'Em Eat Cake (Arrested Development episode)"Let 'Em Eat Cake" is the 22nd episode of the TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Synopsis:The Bluth Company is in trouble. Because of the low-carb diet fad , the banana stand has been struggling. Meanwhile, the model home is falling apart because of shoddy workmanship. Lindsay thinks she has a...
." - Moving out - When he's kicked out of Lucille's apartment, Oscar drags his belongings behind him wrapped in a bedsheet, just like Buster did in "Marta ComplexMarta Complex"Marta Complex" is the 12th episode aired of TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Plot:Michael Bluth convinces his mother to throw what she thinks is a Valentine's Day party, but is, in fact, an anniversary party for Tobias and Lindsay. In attendance is Gob's girlfriend Marta, who is impressed by...
." - Panic attacks - Buster says that he has his "panic attacks under control" during the Army physical, referring to the panic attacks that he frequently suffered from in the first season.
- Phone - Gob's inability to use the company telephone system is displayed again. This time, he accidentally hangs up on George Sr.
- Police brutality - When George is arrested by the Mexican police, he is beaten over the head with a baton after he is already on the ground, as in "The One Where Michael LeavesThe One Where Michael Leaves"The One Where Michael Leaves" is the twenty-third episode aired of TV comedy series Arrested Development, and the premiere episode of the second season.-Synopsis:...
." - Portugal - Gob believes that George Sr. is in PortugalPortugalPortugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
, when he is in fact in Mexico. Gob also mentions that Portugal is "down South AmericaSouth AmericaSouth America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
way." This is a callback to "In God We TrustIn God We Trust (Arrested Development episode)"In God We Trust" is the eighth episode aired of TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Plot:Michael Bluth has called a meeting with his family's longtime attorney, Barry Zuckerkorn, to discuss his father's incarceration. But Barry proves difficult to work with. Michael and his sister, Lindsay, are...
," in which Gob and Maeby both think that Portugal is in South America. - Rape horn - Lucille mentions her rape horn from "The One Where Michael LeavesThe One Where Michael Leaves"The One Where Michael Leaves" is the twenty-third episode aired of TV comedy series Arrested Development, and the premiere episode of the second season.-Synopsis:...
," claiming that Oscar forced himself on her at the beach and that she didn't have it with her. - Rock, Paper, Scissors - This children's game is referenced multiple times as Gob and Michael use it to settle differences; at the end of the episode, there is a combination visual and verbal pun as well.
- Taker - Michael says that Lindsay is a "taker," a callback to "Best Man for the GOBBest Man for the GOB"Best Man for the Gob" is the nineteenth episode aired of TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Plot:Michael meets with the company's accountant, Ira Gilligan, who informs him that the company's books do not balance, and that there is money missing. If he is asked to testify, he says, he will not...
." - What's wrong with him? - When Lindsay says she's got a man interested in her, Michael asks "What's wrong with him?" She says "There's nothing wrong with him—he is homeless." This mirrors Gob and Michael's conversation about Blind Attorney Maggie Lizer in Season 1.
- "Who wants to go to the hospital?" - This episode ends with Lindsay taking Tobias to the hospital, a running gag in the first few episodes of Season 2.
- "You're gross - Lindsay tells Tom JaneThomas JaneThomas Jane is an American actor known for his roles in the 1999 film Deep Blue Sea, the 2001 TV film 61*, the 2004 film The Punisher and the 2007 Stephen King adaptation The Mist...
, "You're gross." She first said this to Johnny Bark in "Key Decisions."
Hidden/background jokes
- Blendin - A "Blendin Moving and Storage" truck rolls past Lindsay on the street. "Blendin" is the fake company name that the government goes by when attempting to bug the Bluth Company.
- Tobias, who is painted blue, blends in with the "Blendin Moving and Storage" truck.
- Blue paint - After he has removed his makeup, bits of blue paint remain on Tobias' face in the first scene of the episode and can actually be seen randomly throughout the house for the rest of the season.
- Construction worker cutting the ribbon - G.O.B tells Michael the president should be cutting the ribbon, not the construction worker. Later, when G.O.B cuts the ribbon, he is dressed as a construction worker.
- Cloudmir
- Gob has Cloudmir Vodka in his office.
- Tobias blends into a Cloudmir advertisement.
- In "Public RelationsPublic relationsPublic relations is the actions of a corporation, store, government, individual, etc., in promoting goodwill between itself and the public, the community, employees, customers, etc....
", Jessie hires Lindsay to promote Cloudmir, a callback. - In "Missing Kitty", Kitty is wearing a pink Cloudmir Vodka shirt.
- C-Word - Michael tells G.O.B., "Get rid of the Seaward," referring to the new boat; Lucille replies, "I'll leave when I'm good and ready." In Season 3 it's revealed that GOB lives on a boat called the Seaward.
- Hole in the wall - A patch of spackle can be seen covering the hole in the wall of G.O.B.'s office after he used a sledgehammer to destroy it and find the briefcase in "The One Where Michael LeavesThe One Where Michael Leaves"The One Where Michael Leaves" is the twenty-third episode aired of TV comedy series Arrested Development, and the premiere episode of the second season.-Synopsis:...
". - Judaism - While a suntanned George Sr. talks to the Mexican police, a white spot from where his yarmulke sits can be seen.
- Les cousins dangereux - Tom Jane's movie poster for Junk says that it's "From the directors of Dangerous Cousins", the movie in My Mother, The CarMy Mother, The Car"My Mother, the Car" is the seventh episode aired of TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Plot:Michael Bluth, fed up with his mother Lucille's extravagant spending, says she cannot throw a lavish birthday party for herself. But when Lindsay, prompted by Lucille, suggests a surprise party, Michael...
. - Lindsay's blouse - When Tobias disguises himself with the silver diamond cream he is wearing the same silver blouse that Linsay wore in the flashback scene at the beginning of the episode when she asked a man at a bar if she could buy him a drink. This is also a running joke where Tobias is often seen wearing Lindsay's or women's clothing.
- Covered by the paper - After Michael and G.O.B.'s rock/scissors fight, the Narrator says, "Unfortunately, the whole incident was covered by the paper," continuing with the rock-scissors-paper gag.
- Major Award - On the pool table/desk in G.O.B.'s office is a table lamp in the shape of a sexy woman's leg, just like the full-sized lamp the father won as a "major award" in the movie A Christmas StoryA Christmas StoryA Christmas Story is a 1983 American Christmas comedy film based on the short stories and semi-fictional anecdotes of author and raconteur Jean Shepherd, including material from his books In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash, and Wanda Hickey's Night of Golden Memories. It was directed by Bob Clark...
. - Señor Tadpole's - Kitty is wearing a Señor Tadpole's shirt. Señor Tadpole's is the restaurant that Kitty mentioned she went to in "Missing Kitty".
- Sign - The DJ's sign reads: "Events Elegance.com / Let us handle your event. / D.J.'s, Live Music, Catering, Floral Arrangements, Valet Parking, Invitations, Un-Invitations, Gift Baskets, Basket Cases, Clean up Crews, Preparations Crew, Funeral Services, and what ever [sic] else will make your party a party to remember! / There is no event too small and no budget too.."
- Sign - When Gob is buying a boat, the sign behind him reads "Nothing creates the illusion of Success like a Boat".
- Whisper - During the Army physical, Buster whispers that his "reproductive organ" is shaped like a "lobster tail, but without its shell". This is a callback to "Storming the CastleStorming The Castle"Storming the Castle" is the ninth episode aired of TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Plot:While doing some business work at home, the chair Michael Bluth is sitting in collapses. Michael decides he'll get one from work, which George Michael questions...
", in which it is mentioned that Lucille Austero changed Buster as a baby, and Buster whispers, "That's why she didn't look surprised..."
Foreshadowing/future references
- Buster refers to his genitals as "Charlie Browns", setting up "Good GriefGood Grief"Good Grief" is the twenty-sixth episode aired of TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Plot:The bounty hunter that Michael hired has found George Sr. supposedly died in Mexico, and George Michael is dumped by his girlfriend, Ann. Maeby seeks advice from Barry Zuckerkorn on divorcing her parents...
", which was filled with PeanutsPeanutsPeanuts is a syndicated daily and Sunday American comic strip written and illustrated by Charles M. Schulz, which ran from October 2, 1950, to February 13, 2000, continuing in reruns afterward...
references, as well as setting up a later genitalia reference using "Linus", another Peanuts character. - Oscar mentions that he knows how to avoid combat duty, then goes to cut off Buster's pinky. This sets up the fact that Oscar was in the Army (which is revealed in "Switch HitterSwitch Hitter"Switch Hitter" is the 29th episode aired of TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Plot:Michael schedules a meeting with Stan Sitwell, President of rival company Sitwell Housing Inc., at the house. Michael thinks that Sitwell sees that the company is in trouble and sees an opportunity whereas G.O.B...
") and hints that Buster can get out of the Army by losing a body part. This pays off in "Hand to God".
Cameos
- Judy GreerJudy GreerJudy Greer is an American actress, known for portraying a string of supporting female characters, including Kitty Sanchez on the Fox series Arrested Development and Cheryl on the animated comedy series Archer...
makes her first appearance of the season in a brief scene with George Sr. - Former MADtv castmember Mo CollinsMo CollinsMaureen "Mo" Ann Collins is an American actress and comedian. Collins is perhaps best known for being a member of the ensemble on FOX's sketch comedy series MADtv. She became well known for several characters during her tenure on the show...
makes her first appearance as Starla, who later becomes a recurring character throughout Season 2. Starla is obsessed with Quincy JonesQuincy JonesQuincy Delightt Jones, Jr. is an American record producer and musician. A conductor, musical arranger, film composer, television producer, and trumpeter. His career spans five decades in the entertainment industry and a record 79 Grammy Award nominations, 27 Grammys, including a Grammy Legend...
, who was the producer of MADtvMADtvMADtv is an American sketch comedy television series. It licensed the name and logo of Mad, but otherwise had no connection with the humor magazine outside the animated Spy vs. Spy and Don Martin cartoon shorts and images of Alfred E. Neuman that the show featured during the late 1990s. Its first...
. - Thomas JaneThomas JaneThomas Jane is an American actor known for his roles in the 1999 film Deep Blue Sea, the 2001 TV film 61*, the 2004 film The Punisher and the 2007 Stephen King adaptation The Mist...
guest stars in this episode as himself.
Goofs
- The narrator says that the Bluth Company "prepared to unveil Phase Two", however, in "Staff InfectionStaff Infection"Staff Infection" is the fifteenth episode aired of TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Plot:Michael Bluth had begun working weekends, but he keeps up the weekly "bike ride" with son George Michael. He receives an emergency call from Lucille and heads over to her apartment...
", the company was working on Phase Three. - Tobias, while talking to Lindsay and Michael, is seen holding a beer cozie in his right hand. In the next shot he is holding a wine glass in his left hand.
- At the beginning of the scene where Michael, George-Michael, Oscar, Buster and Jane start to build the house, at the top left of the frame, camera equipment is briefly visible.
External links
- The-OP.com
- FOX
- Quotes for this episode on WikiQuote