This Sunday, Netflix will premiere 15 new episodes of the hit comedy "Arrested Development," the cult comedy about the formerly wealthy and incredibly dysfunctional Bluth family.
The series stars Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, David Cross and Jeffrey Tambor, but one of its biggest stars is not an actor, but a banana stand.
Bluth's Original Banana Stand was set at Newport Beach's Balboa Island and was staffed by George Michael Bluth, played by Michael Cera. To promote the new season of the show, replicas of the banana stand have been popping up across the country. Earlier this week, one appeared at several L.A. locations, including the Grove.
One place where the stand has not been yet, however, is its actual location from the show. "I think it's only appropriate that in come to the home of the original frozen banana, and maybe have a banana taste-off," said Keith Curry, the real-life mayor of Newport Beach.
Although the concept of a frozen banana became nationally popular because of the show, Curry and local residents have embraced the tasty treat for years.
"The frozen banana is a cultural icon of Newport Beach. People have been coming to Newport to enjoy the summer, go to the beach, and have a frozen banana for decades," he said.
More than 500 people, including Curry, have signed a petition to the bring the traveling Bluth Banana Stand to its fictional home. So far, no luck. "Of course, there's funny Hollywood rules about how far from Hollywood they can be for production," Curry said. "Still, they're always welcome."
Curry still maintains hope that the show's executives are saving his city for last. His message for those in charge of the mobile booth: "I would give you the key to the city if you come out and bring the banana stand. Because I can do that."
Jacob Freedman contributed to this report.