# Archer TV show - what the ever lovin'....? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 17, 2015, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archer-tv-show-what-the-ever-lovin/725411 "2015-07-17T13:21:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2015, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archer-tv-show-what-the-ever-lovin/725411/61 "2015-07-17T20:12:29Z")
The entire point of _Archer_ (such as there is one) is that it portrays the white male protagonist action hero archetype in a manner that actually highlights his ignorance and bigotry. And also, to make some of the most inappropriate workplace humor jokes ever[SUP]\*[/SUP]. It is to Bond films and Michael Bay movies as _The Graduate_ is to romantic comedies; it is deliberately intended to make the audience laugh uncomfortably at the mindlessly offensive tropes of conventional action movies, hence Archer’s fascination with Burt Reynolds. (BTW, the episode with Burt Reynolds is one of the best.) And yes, making fun of Indians for smelly food is a pretty obvious and sophomoric stereotype but that’s exactly where Archer goes. \Every…time.\ If curry jokes are the most offensive thing you found while watching an episode count yourself lucky. He makes fun of far more stereotypes than that: blacks, other Asians, homosexuals, parapalegics, accountants, the French, cyborgs, Johnny Quest…the list is endless. But mostly, the show makes fun of the archetype of male-savior-action-hero-who-is-bigotted-but-correct. And Archer (like Bond) is just about the most useless and incompetent spy ever who only survives every episode because he is inexplicably good at impossible stunts and the support of all of the coworkers he otherwise disregards and offends. Stranger Archer: "Why do ywe have so many damn dolls in here? Pam: For sexual harassment complains so people can non-verbally indicate where stuff happend on their bodies. Archer: That takes like one doll. Pam: Not if there’s ever a gang rape. (fingers crossed) ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2015, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archer-tv-show-what-the-ever-lovin/725411/62 "2015-07-17T20:16:16Z")
“Read a book.” ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2015, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archer-tv-show-what-the-ever-lovin/725411/63 "2015-07-17T20:34:44Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > And Archer (like Bond) is just about the most useless and incompetent spy ever who only survives every episode because he is inexplicably good at impossible stunts and the support of all of the coworkers he otherwise disregards and offends. One of the funnier things is that Archer is incredibly dense creature of pure impulse on the one hand, yet an oddly savant-like auto-didact about obscure topics and is in fact an almost super-humanly capable action figure. He actually is a very good James Bond-cartoon-level spy. Anything involving action, you’d want him on your side. Anything other than that…welllll…not so much. ---
**Author:** ![G0sp3l](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c68b51/32.png) [@G0sp3l](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G0sp3l)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2015, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archer-tv-show-what-the-ever-lovin/725411/64 "2015-07-17T20:34:57Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > “Read a book.” I would prefer not ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2015, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archer-tv-show-what-the-ever-lovin/725411/65 "2015-07-17T20:44:36Z")
Well apparently the Emmys are racist because they love Archer and nominated them for Outstanding Animated Program. > ---
**Author:** ![G0sp3l](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c68b51/32.png) [@G0sp3l](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G0sp3l)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2015, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archer-tv-show-what-the-ever-lovin/725411/66 "2015-07-17T21:16:38Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > Well apparently the Emmys are racist because they love Archer and nominated them for Outstanding Animated Program. > > [x.com](https://twitter.com/ArcherFX/status/621722059752763392/photo/1) i don’t do twitter but… sploosh ---
**Author:** ![yoyodyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a9a28c/32.png) [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2015, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archer-tv-show-what-the-ever-lovin/725411/67 "2015-07-17T21:24:48Z")
> [@G0sp3l](#): > > I would prefer not Literally? ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2015, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archer-tv-show-what-the-ever-lovin/725411/68 "2015-07-17T21:32:37Z")
> [@G0sp3l](#): > > but if you quit now you’ll never hear about the air-boat. Or Mallory knitting a onesie. Or… > Trenette > Whore Island > Reginald Thistleton Or take a highway to the danger zone. Or learn how cocaine is a great diet food. Or learn how you get ants! ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2015, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archer-tv-show-what-the-ever-lovin/725411/69 "2015-07-17T22:00:40Z")
> [@G0sp3l](#): > > I would prefer not Not a big Melville crowd? Well, he’s not an easy read. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2015, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archer-tv-show-what-the-ever-lovin/725411/70 "2015-07-17T22:01:01Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > One of the funnier things is that Archer is incredibly dense creature of pure impulse on the one hand, yet an oddly savant-like auto-didact about obscure topics and is in fact an almost super-humanly capable action figure. He actually is a very good James Bond-cartoon-level spy. Anything involving action, you’d want him on your side. Anything other than that…welllll…not so much. Yeah, I didn’t watch the last season but, over all, if you wanted a bomb set deep in an enemy base or a missile launch stopped or something else like that then Archer would be your guy. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2015, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archer-tv-show-what-the-ever-lovin/725411/71 "2015-07-17T22:10:59Z")
> [@Whiskey\_Dickens](#): > > I am more than a little offended by the term “East Indian.” I would appreciate it if the term was just shortened to the more acceptable “Indian.” > > “East Indian” harks back to a hate-filled time when Native Americans were called “Indians.” I married into an Indian family, and they all prefer American Indian. Usually abbreviated to NDN when typing. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2015, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archer-tv-show-what-the-ever-lovin/725411/72 "2015-07-17T22:30:00Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > Well apparently the Emmys are racist because they love Archer and nominated them for Outstanding Animated Program. > > [x.com](https://twitter.com/ArcherFX/status/621722059752763392/photo/1) It’s up against **Bob’s Burgers** so it’s an H. Jon Benjamin showdown! (unless _The Simpsons_ or _South Park_ wins). ---
**Author:** ![Lanzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Lanzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lanzy)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2015, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archer-tv-show-what-the-ever-lovin/725411/73 "2015-07-17T22:56:56Z")
A little research said comedy is Tragedy plus time. In a few years you may like Archer. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2015, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archer-tv-show-what-the-ever-lovin/725411/74 "2015-07-17T23:01:28Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > None taken! I’m sure I like plenty of things others don’t. > > I watch South Park, so it’s not as though I don’t like lowbrow humor, but there is a line. I won’t watch that terrible redneck show with Hank…something to do with a hill? I’m blanking on it right now and am far too lazy to look it up. > > And, I do watch and laugh at some jokes about Indians, but mostly ones made by Indians. Plus the curry one is just…not funny. It’s stupid. It’s like fart jokes. Ad nauseum. Wait…_King of the Hill_ is more offensive than _South Park_? :smack: (If it’s even offensive in the first place, that is) ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2015, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archer-tv-show-what-the-ever-lovin/725411/75 "2015-07-17T23:25:08Z")
I watch _Archer_ for the fine animated boobies. Does this make me sexist? ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2015, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archer-tv-show-what-the-ever-lovin/725411/76 "2015-07-17T23:45:56Z")
> [@don\_t\_ask](#): > > Whenever I see people talking about what a great sense of humor they have and how they generally love some brand of humor BUT this example isn’t funny I am reminded of a comment by a friend off mine. He’s been dead for some years now but was a comedy writer/producer/performer. He once remarked, “It’s easy to say you have a good sense of humor but if you can’t laugh at a good joke about something you believe in devoutly, you haven’t.” This simply begs the question as to whether the joke is a good one or not. It also assumes a mighty lot in using the phrase “good sense of humor.” ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2015, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archer-tv-show-what-the-ever-lovin/725411/77 "2015-07-17T23:47:38Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Wait…_King of the Hill_ is more offensive than _South Park_? :smack: (If it’s even offensive in the first place, that is) Yeah I’ll cop to being a little taken aback by that comment as well. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2015, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archer-tv-show-what-the-ever-lovin/725411/78 "2015-07-17T23:51:37Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > I watch _Archer_ for the fine animated boobies. Does this make me sexist? No. But if they’re Pam’s boobies, you’re still pretty fucked up. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2015, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archer-tv-show-what-the-ever-lovin/725411/79 "2015-07-17T23:56:31Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > I admit, I am made uncomfortable when white people make jokes about my ethnicity. I don’t see why this is a problem. Quoted for truth. I can’t speak for **Anaamika** (I’m a white dude and not only that, I have no Indian friends…) but when there was a kerfuffle about Stephen Colbert’s “Ching Chong Ying Yong” joke I read a lot from Asian Americans about the issue. Plenty were saying it was NBD. Plenty of others were saying it was about time someone spoke up against these kinds of jokes. And they weren’t missing the joke or anything. They understood that Colbert’s intention was to make fun of white people’s casual racism. But (said the people whose stuff I was reading), many of them had grown up with that kind of epithet being a source of real trauma. It is absolutely understandable, not even a little bit of a problem, if they felt uncomfortable on hearing it used so casually–and it is absolutely understandable, not even a little bit of a problem, for people who are being made to feel uncomfortable to say something about how they are being made to feel uncomfortable. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2015, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archer-tv-show-what-the-ever-lovin/725411/80 "2015-07-18T00:03:08Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > Well apparently the Emmys are racist because they love Archer and nominated them for Outstanding Animated Program. \ Just like the gypsy woman said! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archer-tv-show-what-the-ever-lovin/725411.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archer-tv-show-what-the-ever-lovin/725411.md?page=5)