Television has taken on the dysfunctional family time and again – it is a tried and true formula for the sitcom genre.

But just when you thought it was overworked, a show like “Arrested Development” comes along and reinvents everything. Yes, while dysfunction has been done before, it’s never been like the Bluth Family.

The show follows Michael Bluth (Jason Bateman), who is trying to keep his family together after his father is put in jail for a laundry list of corporate crimes. Someone has to pull the pieces together, and it won’t be his siblings.

Michael’s brother Gob (Will Arnett) is much more concerned with his career as a magician, sister Lindsay (Portia De Rossi) is a free-spending, wannabe socialite, and brother Buster (Tony Hale) never has done anything without his mother Lucille’s permission. Lucille (Jessica Walter), incidentally, will never hesitate to manipulate any one of her children.

Added to the mix are Michael’s own son, George Michael (Michael Cera), who has a crush on his cousin, and Lindsay’s wacky husband, Dr. Tobias Funke (David Cross).

It might seem confusing at first, but it’s easy to catch on and get drawn in, thanks to the show’s crisp writing.

And now that the first season just came out on DVD, it’s downright addictive. I rented it and somehow watched all 22 episodes in two days.

When you can watch it commercial-free and there’s a “Play All” option, crack pales in comparison.

Aside from the brilliant writing, the actors are perfectly cast. Jason Bateman – anyone remember the Hogan Family? – has deadpan and dry humor down to an art.

Will Arnett as Gob is so ridiculous that he’s able to make any scene funny. This is especially true when he performs his terrible magic show, complete with Europe’s “The Final Countdown” in the background for dramatic effect.

Fans of Mr. Show will be happy to see David Cross back on television playing a truly bizarre character. The episode where he directs a high school play and another where he sneaks into a blind woman’s house is absolutely hilarious.

“Arrested Development” can also boast some great celebrity guest spots.

Carl Weathers, probably best known for Apollo Creed in “Rocky,” plays himself and serves as Dr. Tobias Funke’s acting teacher.

Henry Winkler, better known as “the Fonz,” is the sleazy and incompetent lawyer representing the family.

James Lipton, Julia Louise-Dreyfus and Liza Minelli also show up and contribute in cameo roles.

TV is really meant to be on DVD, and “Arrested Development” is proof of that. The show looks better than it does on television, and the sound is cleaned up nicely, too.

As for the extra features, there’s a very funny extended version of the pilot and some decent deleted scenes.

The commentary is the only part that’s messy, with about 10 people trying to talk over each other.

The show picked up five Emmys, including Best Comedy, so there’s a lot of buzz about the new season starting this week.

But do your homework first and rent, or even buy, the first season of “Arrested Development.”

If you aren’t familiar with one of the best shows on television, you have some catching up to do.

Pat McDermott can be reached at [email protected].