Reed conceived Archer shortly after the cancellation of his Adult Swim comedy Frisky Dingo. His experience vacationing in Spain with the influence of media franchises such as the James Bond series shaped his vision of the show. Some of the hallmarks include humor with many pop-culture references, rapid-fire dialogue, and meta-comedy. Archer is produced in a limited animation style that draws visually from mid-twentieth-century comic art. Actors record their lines individually, and the show regularly employs a recurring cast for supporting roles. Archer moved to FX's sibling network FXX in 2017, and the thirteenth season premiered on August 24, 2022. The fourteenth season, which will also be its final season, will premiere on August 30, 2023.[1]
Archer has received positive reviews from critics and won awards, including four Primetime Emmy Awards and four Critics Choice Awards. It has also received 15 Annie Award nominations, among others, for outstanding achievement in animation, writing, direction, and voice acting. Various forms of licensed media have been spawned or proposed as a result of the show's sustained success.
The core Archer characters from left to right: Cheryl Tunt, Ray Gillette, Lana Kane, Sterling Archer, Malory Archer, Cyril Figgis, Pam Poovey, and Dr. Algernop Krieger
Archer follows the exploits of eight dysfunctional secret agents and supporting staff of the International Secret Intelligence Service (ISIS), a fictional New York–based intelligence agency. The group consists of Sterling Archer, the show's narcissistic, womanizing protagonist;[2][3] Malory Archer, a retired agent, now ISIS director, and Sterling's snarky, emotionally distant mother;[3]Lana Kane, Sterling's love interest and mother of his daughter, and by far the most professional field agent at ISIS;[4] Ray Gillette, the agency's openly gay bomb specialist;[2] Pam Poovey, the head of the agency's human resources department who is often ridiculed by her peers;[3] Cyril Figgis, a mild-mannered accountant-turned-agent;[3]Cheryl Tunt, Malory's delusional, psychotic personal assistant;[5] and Dr. Algernop Krieger, a bizarre, morally bankrupt scientist with little regard for the well-being of his test subjects.[6]
The show features an array of supporting characters, several of whom gained expanded roles in subsequent episodes. Major supporting roles in Archer include Slater, an arms dealer and agent for the CIA;[7] Katya Kazanova, head of the KGB and Sterling's former love interest;[8] and Barry Dylan, Sterling's nemesis who, after seeking redemption, becomes his friend.[9][10]
Events in Archer's early seasons transpire in an anachronistic, Cold War–esque universe. By proxy, the real time history is frequently referenced, though the comedy's timeline is intentionally vague.[11][12] This method allowed producers the discretion to source elements they felt best fit the in-canon universe.[11] In the show's more contemporary episodes, Archer eschews its spy comedy roots to advance Sterling's character arc.[13][14] Each season has a unique mythology of events that highlights the group's incompetence, where they are forced to undertake a series of strange tasks in highly unusual circumstances.[15][16] The main storyline climaxes when Sterling falls into a coma.[17] From seasons eight to ten, Archer is reimagined in three self-contained universes, coinciding with a deeper exploration of Sterling's psyche.[18][19]
The cable television network Comedy Central previously owned exclusive US broadcast syndication rights for Archer.[20] Comedy Central began airing the series on their network on March 2, 2015, in one-hour program time slots.[21] In Canada, the show is syndicated nationally on Adult Swim (previously Teletoon's Teletoon at Night block from 2010 to 2019), and new episodes are aired in tandem with the American broadcast.[22]Endemol Shine International distributes Archer internationally.[23]
In 2014, Amazon Prime Video and Hulu purchased online streaming rights to Archer as part of multiyear licensing agreements with 20th Television.[24][25] Beginning in 2018, Hulu retains exclusive streaming rights to the show in the US via a new licensing agreement with 20th Century Fox.[26][27]
Production
Development
Adam Reed, the creator of Archer
Before the creation of Archer, Adam Reed worked on animated comedies with executive producer and longtime collaborator Matt Thompson. The pair later became renowned for their work on a number of Adult Swim television projects, chiefly Sealab 2021 and their follow-up Frisky Dingo, which aired for several years.[12][28] After the cancellation of Frisky Dingo in 2008, Reed took a vacation to Spain to brainstorm ideas for a new project. His experience traversing the Vía de la Plata, and people-watching in Plaza Mayor in nearby Salamanca, enabled him to conceptualize his vision of Archer.[29][30] Reed recalled in an interview, "So I sat on the Plaza Mayor for three days—drinking either coffee or beer or gin, depending on the time of day—surrounded by these Spanish women who seemed both unaware and completely aware of their beauty. Occasionally they would glance over—and catch me gaping at them—and just smile at me like, 'I know, right?' And for three days, I couldn't even splutter 'Buenos dias' to any of them—not once. And thus was Sterling Archer born—he would've absolutely sauntered over to a table full of those women and sat down and ordered an entire case of cava or whatever."[29] Nevertheless, he believed developing a sitcom with the theme of global espionage was inevitable given his proclivity for adventure-driven comedy.[12] The James Bond franchise, OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies (2006), and The Pink Panther franchise were Reed's inspiration as the series, then under the working title Duchess,[31] began taking definite form.[12]
By August 18, 2009, following Reed's pitch to FX, the network commissioned six episodes for Archer.[32] FX initially commissioned the project as a companion series for their situational comedy It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia,[33] but the network ultimately delayed Archer's premiere to the following January because of the demanding production schedule, and The League became Philadelphia's companion show instead.[34] Despite this, the pilot, "Mole Hunt", aired as a test screening on September 17, 2009, following the season five premiere of Philadelphia. The pilot was not featured in program listings or otherwise promoted by FX; rather the network merely informed select television critics of the broadcast.[33][35]
FX moved Archer to FXX's broadcast lineup in 2017 as part of an aggressive strategy to increase the network's output of animated programming.[36] FX had planned the move before the show's seventh season, in conjunction with the debut of Cassius and Clay,[37] but momentarily dropped their endeavor after Clay's abrupt cancellation.[38] FXX renewed Archer for a twelfth season, which premiered on August 25, 2021.[39][40][41] On September 28, 2021, FXX renewed the series for a thirteenth season, which premiered on August 24, 2022.[42][43] The 14th and final season of Archer is scheduled to premiere on August 30, 2023.[44]
Writing
Scriptwriting an episode consumes three weeks of the production schedule.[45][46] As the comedy's main writer, Reed typically creates the first draft during pre-production, which he submits to his team of producers and art directors. From there, they analyze the script for each character, cast guest stars, and create basic concept designs, before Reed develops a final script to submit to FXX.[45][46] The extent of Reed's oversight diminished when FXX expanded Thompson and executive producer Casey Willis' creative responsibilities for new episodes.[47] Starting in season 11, Reed no longer writes the episodes. A typical Archer episode goes through 2 pages of dialogue per minute, doubling a typical sitcom.[48]
Early Archer episodes are framed with the standard setup of a workplace comedy, defined by raunchy, reference-heavy humor,[49][50] rapid-fire dialogue,[51] and interaction-based drama.[52] They parody spy film and routinely mock clichés of the genre. By the end of the fourth season, however, Reed questioned the longevity of the comedy's spy premise and began contemplating a new direction for Archer, impelled by the then-growing associations of ISIS with the identically initialled jihadist group. Late season episodes experiment with the standard format of an anthology, each with self-contained mythologies of arcs, settings, humor, and personas.[53][54] Reed said, "Once we started making them, and having a good time making them, [we thought] 'what are some other things we can do now that the boundaries have sort of been passed?'"[53]
Cultural references on Archer cover a wide spectrum of society and the human condition, in film, literature and music for example.[55][56][57][58] Some, chiefly references to literature, are obscure, and the audience often may not notice them in a single viewing.[59] Reed cites his time as a university English major as the primary forebear for the show's literary references.[56]Archer also develops a unique self-referentiality through character-based jokes, catchphrases, and running gags that evolve over multiple episodes.[60][48] For example, Sterling or another character may yell "phrasing" in response to any sexually suggestive remark.[61][62]Neil Genzlinger of The New York Times argues that Archer uses "a caustic brand of humor that isn't for everybody but that has brought the show a dedicated fan base."[63]
Animation
Archer's characters are composed in Adobe Illustrator using referential material, such as photos of models and actors in costume (pictured above).
Archer's animation style mirrors the aesthetic of Mad Men and mid-twentieth century comic art in the style of Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, among others.[64][65][12] Line work is pronounced by thick, bold outlines, in contrast to the very fine, thin line work characteristic of prime time comedies such as The Simpsons and Family Guy.[65] Production of the comedy involves a workforce of 150 specialized artists from Reed and Thompson's Atlanta-based company Floyd County Productions, quadruple the workforce that oversaw its freshman season.[66]
Archer's production process uses Adobe software—Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects—as well as visual effects programs such as Toon Boom Harmony and Cinema 4D for compositing and animation.[67][68] This begins with storyboarding, typically after a script has been approved,[45] and lasts around 11–13 weeks per episode.[67][11] Four episodes are produced in tandem at any given session, generally in staggered phases.[11] In the initial stages of animation, art director Chad Hurd and producer Neal Holman storyboard set pieces with a team of artists based on specifications in the script.[68] After a series of design revisions and reviews, these skeletal designs are then rendered as 3D models in Autodesk 3ds Max, employing a variety of animation and special effects techniques.[69][67] The illustration team takes various screenshots of the 3D models once they have been completed, and the resulting images are enhanced by specialized artists in After Effects.[67]
The characters are composed in Illustrator using referential material, among them photos of models and actors in costume.[70][68] Because Archer is produced using limited animation, characters are rendered as digital puppets, and not hand-drawn on paper and digitally composited for traditional cel animation.[71] Costumes may or may not be reproduced depending on their animatability; too much detail can hurt a character's animatability.[67] These body pieces are then separated into basic components and layers, much like an action figure, and rigged in After Effects.[68][71] Consequently, one given pose can turn into a range of others, which, according to producer Bryan Fordney, creates "the illusion of more animation on screen than what is actually present."[71] A similar technique is used in the animation of a character's face—head illustrations are divided into basic components that can be turned "off" and "on" in sequence, lending the appearance of facial movement and expression.[72][67]
Once compositing begins, compositors enhance the visual palette of artwork from three or four departments until it "looks like it was made by a single artist."[73] For elaborate scenes like action sequences, artists develop several composites, which are then superimposed on stock footage using special effects.[73]
Title sequence and music
Holman cited Catch Me If You Can (2002), The Incredibles (2004), Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005), and the work of Saul Bass as strong stylistic influences in the creation of Archer'stitle sequence.[74] When he was developing the original sequence, the rough draft version consisted of style frames with roiling flame silhouettes of the characters coalesced on a charred, black background. The crew initially struggled to develop an opening theme they believed was compatible with the premise of Archer, but once the show's eponymous theme song had been completed, Holman felt his idea was too melodramatic and went in a different direction.[75] He created the finalized version of the sequence from several segments, each reviewed by the producers, because of the demanding production schedule.[76] The standard opening of Archer has gone through six iterations—a replacement of shots at the start of the show's sixth season, and brand new sequences for its fifth, seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth seasons.[74]
Archer did not employ a composer to develop a soundtrack in its first four seasons, but instead used a compilation of needle dropstock music.[77][78] By season five, musician JG Thirlwell was hired as the composer for the comedy's jazz-influenced score, brought to the producers' attention for his work on The Venture Bros.[77][78]
Archer has a principal cast of seven actors: H. Jon Benjamin, Jessica Walter, Aisha Tyler, Judy Greer, Amber Nash, Chris Parnell and Lucky Yates. Benjamin voices the show's titular character,[79] Walter voiced Malory until her death in 2021,[80] Tyler plays Lana Kane,[81] Greer portrays Cheryl Tunt,[82] Nash plays Pam Poovey,[83] Parnell voices Cyril Figgis,[84] and Yates portrays Dr. Algernop Krieger.[85] Additionally, series creator Adam Reed plays Ray Gillette.[2] Reed was expected to play the titular role in the original pilot, but was re-cast because producers felt his voice-over did not service the character's dialogue well.[86] When Benjamin received the offer, he was surprised since he did not believe his voice was suitable for the part. At one point, Benjamin used a British accent for the character, but Reed insisted he use his normal speaking voice.[87]
Walter was the first significant casting choice on Archer.[88] Producers contracted her shortly after they sent out character descriptions to talent agencies, and they promoted her involvement to recruit actors for the project.[89] Greer agreed to Archer because of her wish to break into voice acting, although she initially believed the series was too provocative for network TV.[90] Nash did not audition for her part; rather, the actress was approached by Reed and Thompson, whom she had previously collaborated with in Frisky Dingo, while she was recording DVD extras for their program.[85] Yates was brought onto Archer at Nash's request, after Krieger was given a more prominent speaking role.[87]
Archer cast members record their lines individually rather than at group recording sessions to accommodate their work schedules. The producers therefore do not host table reads or rehearsals.[95] Reed or another producer may be present at a session, or direct actors over the phone in the event they are not together.[96][95] Recording sessions can take place anywhere, but are typically held at studios in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and New York, depending on the actor's home base.[97]
Archer has been well received by the media. A number of TV critics have complimented the work of the voice actors,[117][118][119] often singling out Benjamin for further praise:[120][121][117] Tim Goodman from The Hollywood Reporter, for example, viewed Benjamin's acting as the bedrock of Archer, "mixing rants, mumbling, whining and a stop-and-start delivery style that is note-perfect for comedy."[119] Other reviewers cited the writing, the crude sensibility, and characterization among the show's most satisfying attributes:[122][123] the main characters have been described as "exceedingly well-defined."[124] Chris Barton of the Los Angeles Times called Archer "the smartest, strangest animated show on TV this side of Rick and Morty,"[125] and Entertainment Weekly journalist Ken Tucker praised the series for its "solid plotting, vividly distinct characters, and some of the most unexpected punchlines and sight-gags in prime time."[121]
Archer's artistic reinvention is a principal topic of discussion among critics. Some journalists felt these arcs provide the show greater creative license to explore deeper within itself.[63] While the comedy received positive feedback for staying true to form "in the service of something much grimier and at once totally fresh" in early seasons,[126] later Archer episodes have been subjected to criticism as the tone and emphasis of the show evolves. By the eighth and ninth seasons, some critics believed that despite having greater visual appeal, Archer too often sacrifices narrative continuity and humor through increasingly predictable and uninspired writing.[127][54]
The series has been included on a number of best of lists. TV Guide ranked Archer among the 60 greatest TV cartoons of all time,[128] and the show placed within the top ten on Entertainment Weekly's 25 Greatest Animated TV Series.[129] Similarly, The New Yorker, in a non-ranked rundown of 2014's most noteworthy programs, called Archer "good counter-programming for every horrible thing in the news."[130]
Several companion books have been published by HarperCollins' imprint It Books:
How to Archer: The Ultimate Guide to Espionage and Style and Women and Also Cocktails Ever Written (January 2012, ISBN9780062066312), the fictional how-to guide of the daily life of Sterling Archer.[160][161]
Archer and Bob's Burgers: The Untold History of Television (August 2015, ISBN1443444219) by Kathleen Olmstead, with information about the actors and production crew, the show's conception, and episode analyses.[162]
The Art of Archer (December 2016, ISBN0062484133) by Neal Holman, with a foreword by Christian Slater. The book contains commentary on Archer's creative development, concept art, cast interviews, script excerpts, and the original pitch for the series.[163]
Tour
Archer's success spurred a nationwide tour, Archer Live!, wherein actors reimagined scenes from the show's repertoire.[164] The initial leg commenced with shows in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Philadelphia, and New York. Sporadic dates were later added to the itinerary.[165][166][167] Live readings may also be held at promotional events such as the San Diego Comic-Con International.[168]
Album
FX released Cherlene (Songs from the Series Archer), a compilation of country music, on March 3, 2014, through digital media.[169][170] The album features a cover of "Danger Zone", with guest vocals by Kenny Loggins, as well as three original tracks composed by Aaron Lee Tasjan.[170][169]Kevn Kinney, frontman of Drivin N Cryin, led music production of Cherlene.[169] Kinney had met Adam Reed a decade earlier, and was hired after a lunch meeting with the writer and Matt Thompson in Atlanta.[171] In preparation for his services, Kinney viewed Archer's first three seasons to familiarize himself with Cheryl Tunt—the eponymous character of Cherlene. The album was recorded at Griffin Mastering, Inc. with a group that included Tasjan, David Franklin, and Drivin N Cryin member Dave V. Johnson on instrumentation.[171] Jessy Lynn Martens provided Cheryl's singing voice, chosen because of her subdued Southern accent and likeness to Judy Greer's voice.[171][169]Cherlene received positive reviews and peaked at number 68 on iTunes' best-selling albums chart.[172]
Proposed film
In June 2016, Thompson and Willis discussed the possibility of a feature-length Archer film with The Daily Beast. According to Thompson, this discussion happens "once every two years" among Reed and the producers, although work on the project would likely not begin until after the show ends.[173] They cited Jon Hamm as their ideal choice of actor to portray Sterling if it is commissioned as a live-action adaptation.[173]
Other appearances
"Fugue and Riffs", Archer's season four premiere, is a crossover episode with the Fox series Bob's Burgers, which also stars H. Jon Benjamin as the title character. It features a cameo of the Belcher family and Sterling, in a fugue state, assuming an identity identical to the main protagonist of Bob's Burgers.[174][175]John Roberts reprises his role as Linda for the appearance.[176] Reed devised the idea of a Bob's Burgers crossover because he was a fan of the series. According to H. Jon Benjamin, "He asked me to ask Loren Bouchard, [...] so I was the middle man. It went really smoothly. It was around a 15–20 second phone call—then they turned it over to hundreds of thousands of lawyers."[175]Archer also partook in a brief, high octane comedy skit for the late-night talk show Conan.[177]
The characters of Archer have appeared in other media as part of broad marketing campaigns for the show. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue featured Lana, Cheryl, and Pam in a spread for their March 2016 issue to promote the seventh season, while a 2014 Esquire advertisement showcases Sterling in ready-to-wear from Ermenegildo Zegna and Saint Laurent.[178][179] Similarly, to promote Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017), Fox released an animated short film featuring Sterling's encounter with Eggsy Unwin.[180][181]
Harry Jon Benjamin is an American actor, comedian, writer, producer and musician. Benjamin is known for his voice roles in adult animated series, including Sterling Archer in Archer; Bob Belcher in Bob's Burgers; Carl in Family Guy; Ben in Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist; Kevin in O'Grady; Satan in Lucy, the Daughter of the Devil; and Coach McGuirk and Jason Penopolis in Home Movies. Benjamin was named 2014's male comedy performer of the year at Vulture's TV Awards for his work in Bob's Burgers and Archer. He also performs in the 2001 satirical comedy film Wet Hot American Summer; its subsequent 2015 television series, Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp; and the final installment of the franchise, the 2017 mini series Wet Hot American Summer: 10 Years Later.
Matt Thompson is an American television producer, television writer, television director, and voice actor.
Adam Brooks Reed is an American voice actor, animator, screenwriter, television producer and television director. Reed created, writes, and voice acts the FX adult animated comedy series Archer, which premiered in September 2009. He also voice acted, wrote, directed and produced the television series Sealab 2021 and Frisky Dingo, with his co-creator and creative partner Matt Thompson.
Geoff James Nugent, known professionally as Jim Jefferies, is an Australian comedian, actor, and writer who holds dual Australian and American citizenship. He created and starred in the American FX sitcom Legit (2013–2014) and the Comedy Central late-night show The Jim Jefferies Show (2017–2019).
"Mole Hunt" is the first episode of the animated comedy Archer. The episode premiered on September 17, 2009.
Bob's Burgers is an American animated sitcom created by Loren Bouchard for the Fox Broadcasting Company. It is centered on the Belcher family—parents Bob and Linda and their three children, Tina, Gene, and Louise—who run a hamburger restaurant and often go on adventures of many kinds. The show premiered on January 9, 2011. The series was conceived by Bouchard after he developed Home Movies. Bob's Burgers is a joint production by Wilo Productions and 20th Television Animation.
FXX is an American basic cable channel owned by the Disney Entertainment business segment and division of The Walt Disney Company through FX Networks, LLC. It is the partner channel of FX, with its programming focusing on original and acquired comedy series and feature films for a primary demographic of men ages 18–34.
"The Man from Jupiter" is the fourth episode of the third season of the American animated television series Archer. It originally aired on January 19, 2012, in the United States on FX. Sterling Archer is introduced to Burt Reynolds, who is involved in a relationship with his mother Malory Archer. Sterling tries several attempts to end their relationship. Meanwhile, a group of Cuban hitmen set out to kill Sterling.
Sterling Malory Archer is the fictional titular character on the American adult animated sitcom Archer, which aired on the basic cable network FX from 2009 to 2019 and is currently broadcast on sister network FXX. Almost exclusively referred to as just 'Archer', the character serves as the comedy's main protagonist and is voiced by H. Jon Benjamin. Creator Adam Reed was expected to play the role in the show's original pilot, but was recast because producers felt his voice-over was not suitable for the character's dialogue. Archer debuted in the first episode of Archer, "Mole Hunt", on September 17, 2009.
Cheryl Tunt is a fictional character from the American animated comedy Archer, which aired on the basic cable network FX from 2009 to 2017 and currently broadcast on sister network FXX. Created by Adam Reed as one of the show's original supporting characters, Cheryl is played by Judy Greer. Greer auditioned for the role because of her desire to break into voice acting, after previous efforts had failed. For Archer Vice, the comedy's fifth season, Jessy Lynn Martens provided the character's singing voice. Cheryl made her debut in Archer's first episode, "Mole Hunt", on September 17, 2009.
Floyd County Productions is an American animation studio located in Atlanta, Georgia. It produces the animated TV shows Archer, Unsupervised, Chozen, and Dicktown for FX, in addition to providing animation for various live-action shows.
Animation Domination High-Def was a late-night programming block broadcast by Fox. Originally premiering on July 21, 2013 as a spin-off of Animation Domination, the block originally focused on new, original adult animation series—similarly in style to Adult Swim. The ninety-minute block and its content were primarily produced by Friends Night, a television animation studio headed by Adult Swim alumni Nick Weidenfeld, Hend Baghdady, and creative director Ben Jones —including its programs, along with interstitials and other content featured during its programming.
Chozen is an American adult animated sitcom, which aired from January 13, to March 31, 2014, on FX and which was created by Grant Dekernion. The show aired for one season.
FXX is a Canadian English-language discretionary service channel owned by Rogers Sports & Media, a division of Rogers Communications, and the FX Networks subsidiary of Walt Disney Television. Based on the U.S. cable network of the same name, FXX is devoted primarily to scripted comedies for young adults.
You're the Worst is an American comedy-drama television series created by Stephen Falk. Originally broadcast by FX, the series moved to its sister channel FXX beginning with the second season. The series follows Jimmy, a self-involved writer, and Gretchen, a self-destructive PR executive, as they attempt a relationship, along with their friends Edgar and Lindsay. The series premiered on July 17, 2014.
Man Seeking Woman is an American surrealist romantic comedy television series that aired for three seasons on FXX from January 14, 2015, to March 8, 2017. The series is set in Chicago, about a naïve and soft-spoken man in his 20s named Josh Greenberg, who finds himself in several surreal and awkward circumstances while trying to find love.
The seventh season of the animated television series, Archer, premiered on FX on March 31, 2016. It was originally planned to consist of 13 episodes; however, it was later changed to 10.
The eighth season of the animated television series Archer, subtitled Dreamland, began airing on April 5, 2017, and consisted of eight episodes. This season is also the first to air on FXX since the series was moved from FX.
Deadpool: The Animated Series is an unproduced American adult animated cable television series developed for FXX by Donald and Stephen Glover, based on the Marvel Comics character Deadpool. The series was being produced by Marvel Television in association with FX Productions and ABC Signature Studios, with Donald and Stephen Glover serving as showrunners.
Cake is an American live-action/adult animated anthology television series that premiered on FXX on September 25, 2019. The series features an assortment of short-form comedy.
↑ Couch, Aaron (February 22, 2014). "2014 Image Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 23, 2014. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
↑ VanDerWerff, Emily (January 17, 2013). "Archer: "Fugue And Riffs"". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on January 16, 2018. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
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