It takes several minutes of viewing FX's Archer before you really settle into what's going on. And what's going on is a boatload of "They did NOT just say that!" jokes, told at rapid-fire rates. Like most paper-cut-edgy comedies these days, Archer is not for everyone. But for those who enjoy off-color humor, Archer may just be the funniest thing on television this season.
Here's the dossier on Archer: Cocky superspy Archer (voiced by H. Jon Benjamin) does his best to deal with coworkers he feels are beneath him. Every character, from agency boss and Archer mum Malory (Arrested Development's Jessica Walter) to zany secretary Cheryl (or Carol, or whatever Archer thinks her name is, voiced by Judy Greer), is self-serving, conniving, and spoiled with vices. Most of the humor comes from the enclosed space of the work environment, but Archer does find some time to go out into the field and bloody up some bad guys.
The show comes from the demented brain of Adam Reed, creator of the equally squirrelly Sealab 2021 and Frisky Dingo. There's a lot of both shows in Archer, and that's a good thing. What Archer does best is unapologetically and repeatedly cross the line, draw a new line, and then cross that one, too. It's not for the faint of heart or the easily offended. So if there's some form of pole or other lengthy object up your rectum, stay away.
Take the show's fourth episode (I've screened the first five; they're all hilarious), entitled "Diversity Hire." After ill-advised phone calls from Archer get several minority agents slaughtered in the line of duty, the agency is forced to hire someone who fulfills certain diversity requirements—and lands the Holy Grail with a suave new agent who happens to be both black and Jewish ("He's a diversity double whammy!" Malory declares). Among the obvious racial fun-poking, Archer feels threatened and plots to kill the new guy while old-lady Malory tries to seduce him and Cheryl hopes a copier-room tryst with him results in pregnancy. Yup, that's Archer.
Incredible voice acting from the cast (which also includes Chris Parnell as the agency's comptroller and Aisha Taylor as Archer's sultry ex and interoffice rival), whip-crack jokes, and impeccable timing make Archer FX's funniest program (sorry It's Always Sunny) and a big step in the right direction for basic-cable animation.
Archer debuts tonight at 10pm on FX.
Heckle TV.com writer Tim Surette on Twitter: @TimAtTVDotCom
Comments (9)
Not since the first season of South Park did I laugh so hard while watching the pilot of an animated show.
As soon as I saw a picture of the animation style in this show I KNEW it had to be by the Frisky Dingo people, I hope they didn't can that show in favor of this one though. Killface for President!
Great new show. The author of the article is right. If you're one of these "PC" types that's easily offended then don't bother. Go sit in a corner and pray for world peace or something.
What this basically is is an Adult Swim cartoon that just happened to go to FX instead of Adult Swim for some odd reason, so it has that same brand of completely insane, pull no punches sort of humor.So if you like that type of humor, which i do and always have, you will enjoy this show, which i must say, i did.It's not complete and total insane genius like Assy McGee or Aqua Teen Hunger Force, but still it's pretty damn funny, much like, oh, Harvey Birdman.
I have missed this one might take a look
Sheesh, only two episodes are aired and already the writer is praising the fourth one? Thanks for the light spoiler and bragging about being ahead.
Not everybody has such a low attention span that they cant watch a 30-60 minute show without nonstop jokes.
No way. You can only watch things blowing up for so long before you get bored. Humor not only drives a show, it makes it. Without humor of some form or another, shows cannot survive. This show looks hilarious from the description and I am running out to watch it right now!
the comercials look interesting but i'd prefer it have a balance between the action and comedy. you can only laugh for so long before you get bored