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.
 Loading ... |
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.
Shows usually take a half-season to find their bearings, but Archer is funny right out of the gate. It’s a rare gem of an adult cartoon, with consistent laughs and a cast of familiar, talented voice actors.
H. Jon Benjamin’s Archer is everything Adam Reed’s Xander Crews wasn’t: likable.
The problem is DVR and HULU… who watches TV at the actual time anymore? Especially not us elusive 18-34 yr olds. I feel a revisit to the Arrested Development saga from ’03 – ’05 or the Family Guy. Just cause we don’t watch the day of doesn’t mean millions aren’t watching it. Advertisers! Start advertising on HULU!!!
Archer is hilarious and i badly want more seasons. If by chance it does get canned does anybody think adult swim will pick it up?
“Archer” is funny as hell, and what the suits need to understand is that in a world of 2,3, and 4 hundred channels available it takes time for folks to find out about a new show, see it, and get to like it or not. They want such instant results they’re canceling shows before enough people even find out they exist to watch. It’s that kind of short-sightedness that hurts America in so many endeavors. They need to keep this, it’s a riot.
DO NOT CANCEL THIS SHOW!!!! Yes it may hit a small down turn but its turning around and now that’s all I hear about at work and when Im out..its catching on and taking a firm grip…we already have “Archer” night and every episode our gathering is growing…keep it on the air FX!!!!!! SOA is the only other show I care about in a world of crap programs and reality tv that is anything but…Archer is different and has its own audience…let them find the show thru the current fans and it will prove itself…please do not take this away.
I like the show but I liked frisky dingo more. Because I like it, it will be cancelled, sorry.
I like the show so far, pretty funny. I just never watch FX otherwise and it doesn’t seem to air that often so how can you get an accurate gauge on the fan-base? Definitely don’t cancel the show.
I love it. As a fan of Johnny Quest from thelate 60’s this is the same show on Viagra! keep it! Restructure the story line and it could do better.
NOOOOOOO funniest show on tv
First off everything Adam Reed has done has been awesome and ridiculously underrated.
Frisky Dingo got canned and that show was amazing. Archer is another hit that you just have to give a chance to. Tell your friends about it and try to expand the viewership. I really, really hope they bring Archer back for another season; it clearly has potential.
This show is the best I’ve seen in years and they better keep this show on or the producer’s are gonna be in the DAAANNNNGGGGAAAA ZONE!!!
This show is very funny. Do not cancel it.
I loved episode 106, keep them coming…PF
Nooooooooooooo. Don’t cancel!
I am fan of show. I want please you can cancel not it but american idol. Show like this is rare and imperative.