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.
Please keep this show.
It’s is not only great but Adam Reed is amazing.
He also created Sealab 2021 and Frisky dingo.
We need cartoons like this that don’t sell out or become lame like family guy or south park has become.
KEEP THE SHOW!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!
The creator is brilliant, I loved sea lab, and Frisky. I just saw the first 3 eps. on Hulu, and it is exactly what I was looking for. If they keep it on, I will program my dvr, my grandmas, sisters, brothers, uncles, and parents to record it just to keep the numbers up. I’ll be deployed in 2011, but come hell or high-water I’ll watch it in Iraq.
Don’t cancel this show it is liked by many many people. Its a funny show
Me and my husband love this show you must keep it!!!!!
obvious corporate bs move coming from FX….at least give it to adult swim or comedy central…the show is epic, classic, and badass.
Archer is officially NOT canceled. Let the bras begin to fly:
http://www.thrfeed.com/2010/02/fx-renews-archer-.html
even if you discount the pedigree that this show boasts, it’s still the funniest thing going over the airwaves right now. if this show get canceled i will boycott FX for the rest of my days
I will be devastated if this show gets canceled. It’s hilarious! Every single episode has laugh out loud jokes. There’s not many shows that can boast that.
please please please keep this show on the air
Great show!
This show is incredible. Will be missed.
cancel? this is the funniest show on tv and i’m not just talking about cartoons here
Funny as hell! They could host their episodes online to generate tons of hits. I loved the episodes and have watched them all several times online.
For the love of god, keep this show.