I could not bring myself to watch the finale tonight of “Arrested Development,” one of the most inventive and enjoyable comedies in broadcast history, which was completely ignored by most of the American public. And you can’t really blame FOX; the network actually kept the show on the air far longer than justified by its low ratings.

I read a spoiler tonight that makes me wish I had watched; an actor who holds the record for playing the same character on the most different television series extended his string by turning up on “Arrested Development.” Fans of “Homicide” and “Law & Order: SVU” will know to whom I am referring; he’s also turned up, in character, for cameo appearances on a number of other series, ranging from “The X Files” to “The Simpsons.”