FX Network recently began airing a new animated series, Archer, that brings a unique take on the secret agent genre. But, will it survive? Is the comedy TV series worth watching?
Archer revolves around suave master spy Sterling Archer (H. Jon Benjamin) and the International Secret Intelligence Service (ISIS), a spy agency where global crises serve as opportunities for the highly-trained employees to undermine each other. The series also features the voices of Jessica Walter, Aisha Tyler, George Coe, Chris Parnell, and Judy Greer.
The animated comedy series was previewed in September 2009 and started airing as a regular show last month. The premiere on January 14th attracted a .9 rating for the 18-49 demographic and 1.8 million total viewers. It ranked as FX’s highest rated comedy series premiere for Adults 18-34 (786,000), surpassing Lucky (771,000) from April 2003.
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An encore of Archer’s pilot episode, which previewed last fall, garnered 1.4 million total viewers.
“The numbers for Archer are very encouraging and it is nice to see it off to such a good start,” said John Landgraf, President and General Manager, FX Networks. “With the stunning growth of Sunny’s fifth season and The League’s successful first season, our ambitious comedy expansion is moving full steam ahead.”
Unfortunately, Archer hit a bump in the road in week two. The show’s numbers dropped to a .7 rating and 1.23 million viewers. Then, last week’s installment fell further still, to a .5 in the demo and an audience of only 870,000. That’s essentially half of the series premiere’s viewership and significantly lower than the cable channel’s average viewing audience.
While FX naturally has lower expectations than the networks, the sharp decline of Archer’s numbers isn’t positive. There are two episodes left to air and, unless the ratings rise, it’s looking unlikely that the series will be returning for a second season.
What do you think? Is the super-spy world of Archer worth watching or should it be cancelled? Should it return for season two?
Image courtesy FX.
dear deity, please don’t cancel this show. It is truly the only decent thing on TV now. I promise that I will buy all of your sponsors products.
this is the best new cartoon on television. I have every episode on my dvr and have watched each 5 or so times. please. please. please. for the sake of comedy, don’t cancel this show. I hate that it’s even in the DAAAAANJAH ZOOONE
I absolutely love this show and will watch every episode they put out. RE: move to adult swim/cancellations of sealab etc Adult swim probably can’t handle the budget for a show like this. Sealab and Frisky Dingo were both canceled after they had run through many of the humorous permutations and situations that their characters could handle. Archer still has a lot of room to explore and have fun. Not every show can or should go for a dozen seasons like the simpsons, friends, seinfeld, etc – but most well made shows can and should take a few seasons to… Read more »
This show is great! It will be a shame if it doesnt go on.
Personally, I enjoy this show a lot. Perhaps I am contributing to its downfall, I don’t watch it live, I torrent it.
There are a lot of aspects of the story line that I find appealing. Many shows and stories I have read are very two dimensional. They don’t really go places, nothing big seems to occur from episode to episode. I feel like I am watching a template of some show with minor variations most of the time. Maybe I should look into Adam Reed’s doings.
Archer is probably the funniest show Adam Reed has written ever and canceling it would make me very sad 🙁
Its a bummer to hear about the ratings, this is a great show and i will definitely be buying the first season. I think most people who tune in to fox are too dumb to get most of the jokes.
This show is AWESOME!! It’s very smart…it might be too smart for some people. I think it should be given a real chance. Please bring it back!!
I absolutely love love love this show. I save them on my DVR and my boyfriend and I watch them over and over. I can’t help quoting it. I really hope it gets more followers and a second season, it is entirely too funny not to.
Great show! Much, much better than Family Guy.
Archer is much better than the Seth McFarlane remakes of Family Guy and better than just about all animation offered on adult swim, the cast is spot on as are the jokes. I guess because every random one liner isn’t followed by a ridiculous flashback the masses can’t handle it.
Live the show! It’s soooo funny!!!!! Right up there with Family Guy!
Better than Family Guy.
This show is hilarious..smart, witty…..give it time. Promote it more or put it behind a good lead in.
I’m enjoying it! I hope it is renewed…
Are the creators retarded…??!!
How about shipping it over to Adult Swim like they should’ve done in the first place…
Are you? The people behind this show had two series that were cancelled by Adult Swim (Sealab 2021 and Frisky Dingo).
There is a technicality here, though I won’t blame you for it, cause it’s not well known. Frisky Dingo wasn’t canceled by Adult Swim. Adam Reed walked away from the show for personal reasons. It was unfortunate that it happened like that, because FD was actually getting it’s highest ratings yet when it went off the air.