Archer Review

FX is expanding its horizons a bit with an Adult Swim style raunchy spy comedy called Archer. The comparison to Cartoon Network’s adult animation block is no surprise as Archer creators Adam Reed and Matt Thompson have previous animated experience with Sealab 2021. The new series about a spy and the ragtag office group he works with is heavy on the classic animation style, sex, violence, and perverted humor. The problem is that while it may make you smile from time to time, you’ll barely get anything more than a shocked chuckle from viewing Archer.

While the show is named for the bumbling spy, Sterling Archer, it’s really more akin to The Office than Get Smart. Featuring Aisha Tyler as Archer’s former sexy girlfriend Lana Kane, Jessica Walter as the head of the International Secret Intelligence Service (ISIS) and Archer’s mother, and Judy Greer as the name changing secretary Cheryl (or Carol), the cast is full of talent and potential.

For the most part Archer focuses on the workplace interactions at ISIS, with plotlines revolving around explaining exorbitant expense account usage or bringing more diversity to the workplace. The comedy comes from childish attempts at sexual humor, all of which fall flat. It’s not a puritanical standpoint to say that a joke about a matronly woman masturbating at her desk while her son walks into the room is not only uncouth, but unfunny. Other shows have been able to incorporate our adult delinquent child humor into witty dialogue and socially engaging storylines. Look no further than the majority of South Park’s run.

Archer goes beyond what some people might believe to be acceptable even on basic cable. You’ve been warned, when Archer says that it is rated Mature you had better believe it. This show is far crasser than anything the boys in Philly have been able to come up with. Unlike the Always Sunny guys Archer is devoid of anything worth listening to from its stellar cast.