10 Reasons Why You Should Watch ‘Archer’

It’s almost impossible to go through a week without watching at least one episode of “Archer” if you need a bit of sunshine back in your life. Slowly making a name for itself as one of the best animated comedies on TV, Archer has really captured the imagination of geeks with its unique approach and clever writing. Expect a TV series with an edge on the usual TV-MA animated shows out there, with each episode making you laugh out loud with inappropriate politically incorrect statements, catch phrases and inside jokes! Netflix subscribers have the privilege of checking out Archer on the streaming giant, or alternatively catch the show on the FX network. You will not be disappointed!

Also check out 10 Reasons to Watch ‘It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia’

The story follows the employees of International Secret Intelligence Service (ISIS), the CEO Malory Archer (Jessica Walter), and her arrogant son, master spy Sterling Archer (H. Jon Benjamin). ISIS captures the everyday hostile work environment in a building disguised as a Laundromat service, while Insults and HR violations are the order of the day. Viewers are treated to one of the funniest espionage comedy shows, with Malory’s team delivering a not so secret service with all intelligence flying out the window with each mission.

In the meantime, if you need any persuasion to check out one of the funnies animated shows on TV, here is our…..

10 Reasons Why You Should Watch ‘Archer’

 

1. Archer:  “World’s Most Dangerous Spy”

Archer is probably the most self-centered, arrogant and annoying character you will ever see on television. Known across the globe as the “World’s Most Dangerous Spy”, Archer almost always finds a way of jeopardising each mission because of his “awesomeness” and his ability to compare everything he encounters to a Burt Reynolds Movie. With Burt as his biggest role model and copious amounts of booze as his compass, Archer finds himself stuck in the most ridiculous situations but always manages to save the day with the assistance of his hot sidekick, Lana Kane (voiced by Aisha Tyler). Always ready with quirky remarks while sporting his “tactical turtleneck” or “Tactleneck” while on a mission, Archer is reason enough to watch the show!

2. Hilarious Stereotypes

Imagine every conceivable stereotype thrown into an animated series with no regard for political correctness…..they called it Archer! For those of you with a sharp sense of humor and if you are not scared to take one on the chin every now and then, be sure to watch an episode and see the sparks fly as the cast of the series take a swing from every angle with quick quips and sarcastic remarks.

3. The Cast

The voice cast is packed with comedy heavy weights, which include the likes of Jessica Walter, Jeffrey Tambor, David Cross, Judy Greer,  Darren Criss, Jon Hamm, Bryan Cranston, Timothy Olyphant and Burt Reynolds to name a few. If the stars and guest stars are anything to go by, I’m sure you agree this is something to check out?…..of course you do! Did I mention series creator Adam Reed also voices one of the main characters?!

4. The Storyline

Imagine a “Spy Spoof” fit for geeks that appreciates smart and witty dialogue while keeping the “silly” as simple as possible, while nailing the funny moment with perfect execution. I was sceptical to start a season of “Archer”, knowing that “Spy Spoofs” are often stupid and plagued by the familiar 007 hand me down slapstick comedy tricks we have seen over a thousand times.  Series creator Adam Reed has kept us entertained and wanting more ever since we saw the first episode. The show is bold and not scared to take chances which works in its favor. Strong characters and an awesome voice cast brings to life a story of Cold War-inspired espionage while keeping it very light-hearted and funny.

5. The Animation

The animation brings to life the storyline in an almost 3D setting with crisp, detailed backgrounds, but still retains the comic book feel that makes the visuals so appealing. Art director Neal Holman and animation director Bryan Fordney Floyd from County Productions has been there from the beginning, overseeing a staff of sixty at their Atlanta-based studio. The studio makes use of 3D software to create the 2D world of Adam Reed’s brilliant scripts. They have a real flair for the female form too, capturing the imagination of every bond girl enthusiast.

6. Hilarious Inside Jokes

The constant inside Jokes are one of the biggest reasons why “Archer” is so damn addictive. For example: Pamela “Pam” the HR Director is shown many times “dropping a doozy” in the bathroom. When a gun is discharged in the office (by accident or intentionally), Brett Bunsen (unknown employee) always ends up as the helpless victim being shot. Doctor ‘Algernop’ Krieger, the head of the Applied Research Department is always teased for being a potential sex offender due to his suspicious looking van with tinted windows. Archer’s childhood is always shown in flashbacks of his mother emotionally bullying him about something trivial. Lana is always picked on for having big strong hands, and is often the victim of Archer’s ridicule. The list goes on and on!

7. Archer’s Twisted Family

We touched on Archer’s dysfunctional relationship with his mother which is shown in a series of flashbacks as he was growing up. Archer and Malory are unwilling to let each other live separate lives because of their strange love hate relationship. Unaware of who his father is, it seems that the former head of the KGB, Nikolai Jakov with whom Malory kept in touch with through the years might be the one. Unfortunately for Archer, every attempt at confirming the DNA samples has been interrupted or inconclusive.  Her definite tendency to micro-manage her ISIS agents is a well-groomed skill acquired through her years of raising Archer when she was around to do so. The end result of her “hard work” raising Archer leaves the audience with a description of her son she uttered in one of the episodes: she said he is a “vain, selfish, lying, and quite possibly alcoholic man-whore”! Let’s not forget about good old Woodhouse, Archer’s elderly and devoted valet who practically raised him while Malory was purposefully absent.  Poor Woodhouse is always at the short end of the stick with Archer showing no regard for his feelings, needs and general well-being.

8. The Cream from “Arrested Development”

Earlier we talked about the stellar voice cast bringing to life the hilarious show. One of the biggest reasons why the scripts gel extremely well, is because series creator Adam Reed employed a couple of “golden oldies” from one of our most favorite shows, “Arrested Development”! That’s right, Jessica Walter, Jeffrey Tambor, David Cross, and Judy Greer previously starred in the Fox critically acclaimed comedy series. Rivalry disputes between family members from the “Arrested Development” days are a perfect fit for the cast members to adapt and play out the scenes in “Archer”. Think of the relationship Lucille Bluth had with Buster, and you will see a close relation in the relationship Malory maintains with Archer.

9. Russia!

The continuing mystery of who Sterling Archer’s father is often leads ISIS agents back to Russia. The show depicts Russia as a communist semi wasteland where KGB operatives are still hired to follow through on assassination orders and such. Archer was also kidnapped by the KGB to insert a chip in his brain.  The Russia parodies are nonstop with Archer taking the mickey out of Pres Putin’s great country. Example: Archer is stuck in a building while being chased by agents in Russia. He finds himself without shoes and the hauls are covered with broken glass…because it’s Russia.  Archer says: “What is this, a broken glass factory?” an elderly Russian man staying in the building opens his flat door. Archer asks him, ”Uh secret police! Shoes! Now! Those cannot be your only shoes (old raggedy loafers). He sarcastically quips: “What am I saying, it’s Russia, I bet people come from miles around just to have their picture taken in those.”

10. Lana and Archer, The great “Love Affair”

Lana and Archer’s relationship is one of the biggest sources of entertainment, which leaves the audience gasping for air while laughing through each season. Lana Kane is a field agent at ISIS as well as Sterling’s former girlfriend and the mother of his child. Archer and Lana are teamed up most of the time to carry out ISIS missions, so expect each mission to almost fail because of their “love quarrels”.