FX Swim

Grade: B-

Well, we're only a few weeks into TV midseason, and already I'm behind. Having chosen the Golden Globes over 24 last night, I'll soon be 4 hours behind in one show alone, in addition to the pilot of Human Target, last week's doubleshot of 30 Rock, and the penultimate Dollhouse. Speaking of Dollhouse, the series finale has been preempted by the Haiti telethon, so it will now air on January 29th at 8 PM.

But one thing I have cleared off my DVR is Archer, FX's first animated comedy. FX has had a number of successful dramas, between The Shield, Nip/Tuck, Rescue Me, and Damages, but hasn't been quite so lucky on comedies. Sure, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia has turned into quite the cult hit, but FX is still seeking a companion show to fill the hour.

Archer, created by writers for various Adult Swim programs, feels like it would have been more at home wedged between Aqua Teen Hunger Force and Sealab 2021. It's about a spy organization called Isis, run by the titular antihero's mother, voiced by Jessica Walter. Joining Walter in the impressive voice cast is her former Arrested Development costar Judy Greer, SNL's Chris Parnell, and ex-Nip/Tucker Aisha Tyler. In the pilot, Archer's tasked with training his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend in spycraft. In the second episode, he invents a mole to doctor his expense accounts, only to discover a real mole.

The show seems to want to be The Tick, but so far it hasn't reached that level. Like most of Adult Swim, Archer is amusing enough, but would probably be funnier if viewed in a crowded dorm late at night while in the midst of some kind of high. The second episode's better than the first, as it puts the focus on Archer instead of viewing him through the other guy. But for a show making fun of spy stories, these first two episodes have been completely tied down in the office. There's plenty of other shows doing a better job with office culture, so why not let Archer be a spy?

It looks like next week will already be more mission-focused, and the show will probably get funnier over time. But like Adult Swim, this seems like the kind of thing that might be fun to get caught in while channel surfing, but not worth setting to your DVR.