Arrested Development

Arrested Development is a critically acclaimed sitcom that debuted in 2003, celebrated for its sharp humor, intricate storytelling, and unforgettable characters. The show follows the hilariously dysfunctional Bluth family, led by the responsible Michael Bluth (Jason Bateman), who reluctantly steps in to manage the family’s struggling real estate business after his father, George Sr. (Jeffrey Tambor), is arrested for corporate fraud. As Michael attempts to hold the family together, he’s constantly undermined by his eccentric and self-absorbed relatives, including his vain sister Lindsay (Portia de Rossi), bumbling brother Gob (Will Arnett), socially awkward brother Buster (Tony Hale), and manipulative mother Lucille (Jessica Walter).

It is one of my all-time favorite TV shows. Culver City features prominenetly in many episodes. I was fortunate enough to see them filming around town several times over the years. I’ll attempt to chronical the many shots of Culver City as I rewatch the series.

Season 1, Episode 2: "Top Banana"

In this episode, Michael Bluth struggles to keep the family business afloat after his father’s arrest, while also trying to maintain control over the Bluth Company’s frozen banana stand. After discovering that money has been embezzled from the company, Michael takes a closer look at the family finances and decides to cut costs, starting with the banana stand.

Meanwhile, Michael’s son, George Michael, takes a job at the banana stand, eager to impress his crush, Maeby (who is also his cousin). But things go awry when his uncle Gob, who is desperate to prove his worth, burns down the banana stand in an ill-conceived attempt to assert himself. Michael soon learns from his imprisoned father that there was “always money in the banana stand”—literally, as wads of cash were hidden in the walls of the now-destroyed stand.

There are plenty of shots of Culver City in this episode. This is the first time we see the entrance to Balboa Towers, where Lucille lives (and her too lol). The entrace is actually the main gate to Culver Studios. This is shown in almost every episode.

Michael Bluth pulling into Balboa Towers (actual location off of Culver Blvd). With the construction of The Culver Steps, this driveway is gone.

Michael goes on a wild goose chase trying to track down Lucille’s furs. These scenes were all shot in downtown Culver City.

In the shot below, Michael waits to cross at the intersection of Culver and Washington. This is directly across from Akasha (the filming location for Tron).

Season 1, Episode 3: "Bringing Up Buster"

In this episode, Michael is determined to create some healthy boundaries with his eccentric family, especially his overly dependent and socially awkward brother, Buster (Tony Hale). Wanting to strengthen his bond with his son, George Michael, he plans a father-son outing. However, things take a turn when Buster, who’s desperate for a break from their domineering mother, Lucille (Jessica Walter), tags along and unintentionally derails their day.

The scene where Michael teaches Buster to ride a bike was filmed at the upper level of Bill Boots Field in Culver City next to the upper-most scenic overlook.

Season 1, Episode 5: "Charity Drive"

In this episode, Michael attempts to do a good deed by giving Lucille’s housekeeper, Lupe, a ride. Unfortunately, the woman is not Lupe, and is instead a total stranger who thinks Michael is trying to kill her.

In the opening credits, Michael bikes down Culver Blvd past the Culver City Fire Station. Fun Fact: Almost the exact same shot can be seen in the opening credits of Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines.

Gob pulls into Balboa Towers (Culver Studios) to visit Lucille.

Michael drives east on Culver Blvd. He picks up “Lupe” at the bus stop in front of Culver City Hall.

Season 1, Episode 7: "In God We Trust"

This is a great episode with tons of Culver City backdrops. The Bluth family gears up for their annual “Living Classics” pageant. George Sr., temporarily out on bail, is set to participate as God while George Michael plays Adam from Michaelangelo’s famous painting, “The Creation of Adam.” This episode reveals Tobias as a “never nude” and also introduces us to attorney Barry Zuckercorn, the Bluth family’s hilariously incompetent lawyer, played by Henry Winkler.

Early in the episode, we see Barry’s assistant, Julian, celebrating a recent legal victory over his boss with attorney Wayne Jarvis (John Michael Higgins) by his side. The Laguna Beach Courthouse is actually the entrance to the courtyard at Culver City Hall.

Fun Fact: You can also spot John Michael Higgins in Culver City in the Christoper Guest comedy, For Your Consideration.

Later in the episode, Michael has a conversation with Gob at the exit to Lucille Bluth’s condo complex. Like always, this is the main gate of Culver Studios. In this scene, you also get some great shots of the Culver Hotel and even signs that say “Culver City.”

Below Michael adjusts the radio with The Culver Hotel in the background. If you look closely, I believe that is actually some of the production staff in the background.

Below you can see the Bluth stair car exiting Balboa Towers (Culver Studios) and a shot of the same location in 2024. The driveway has changed substantially since the renovation of Culver Studios by Amazon.

In a shot from Michael’s window, you can clearly see the Culver Hotel, along with two green and white Culver City signs. You can also see Barry Zuckercorn’s advertisement on the green bench in the foreground.

Fun Facts: The Culver Hotel served as the bar Deliberations in future Arrested Development Episodes. Additionally, this same entrance can be seen in the Arnold Schwarzenegger action film Last Action Hero.

Season 1, Episode 8: "My Mother the Car"

In this episode, Michael tries to take Lucille Bluth’s car due to her previous reckless driving. Unfortunately, she manipulates him into letting her drive, promptly wrecks the car, and tricks a concussed Michael into thinking that he caused the accident.

There are a couple of fun shots of Culver City in this episode, starting with a shot of Balboa Towers where Culver Studios can clearly be seen.

Later in the episode, they show a clip of Lucille on the show “World’s Worst Drivers.” She can be seen parked very poorly on Irving Place just off Culver Blvd. This seen was shot directly across from the Culver City Unified School District Office at 4034 Irving Place.

Season 1, Episode 9: "Storming the Castle"

In this episode, Michael, unable to shake his crush on Marta, plans to expose Gob’s infidelity by getting her to participate in his magic act with his “assistant” (another girlfriend). Gob, meanwhile, faces hilarious threats from Rollo (Marc Grapey) of the Magician’s Alliance over his broken loyalty, risking his “legs.”

Elsewhere, Maeby rebels against Lindsay’s anti-leather stance and Lucille tries—and fails spectacularly—to break up Buster and Lucille 2. It’s a classic Bluth day of schemes, mishaps, and questionable loyalties.

The episode provides some great shots of some new locations in Culver City, starting when Michael meets Rollo on Lindblade Avenue.

Michael talks to Rollo through his Towncar window. Thanks to my eagle-eyed wife (who is also a huge Arrested Development fan), I was able to find this exact location by matching the parking meter number (DB53). The parking meters were upgraded since filming but the number scheme remains the same.

Gob poses with members of the Magician’s Alliance. Culver Studios can be seen in the background. I believe I spotted the location of this scene at the north end of the front of the studio. I captured this from a distance from the outside of the studio fence.

Later, Michael bikes home with a chair stolen from The Bluth Company. Culver City’s famous Cartoon Colour Company can be seen on Lindblade, as can 9028 Lindblade Ave.

Fun Fact: Cartoon Colour Company in Culver City is that it played a pivotal role in animation history by supplying professional-grade paints and supplies to some of the biggest animation studios, including Walt Disney Studios and Warner Bros. Established in the 1940s, it helped bring iconic cartoons to life by providing colors specifically crafted for cel animation, ensuring vivid and consistent results on screen. It closed its doors in 2018, and I was sad to see that they recently painted over the sign.