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Animated comedy "Archer" draws slot on FX

Nellie Andreeva
Tue Jul 14, 2009 2:02am EDT

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - FX is making a rare foray into animation with a new comedy series from Adam Reed, the cable network's first cartoon in 10 years.

Television  |  Media

Tentatively titled "Archer," the series, which has received a six-episode order for a launch in the fall, is set at ISIS, an international spy agency whose highly trained employees constantly confuse, undermine and betray one another.

"Archer" features the voices of Jon Benjamin ("Family Guy") as suave master spy Sterling Archer, code name Duchess; Jessica Walter ("Arrested Development") as Malory, his domineering mother and boss; Aisha Tyler ("Friends") as his ex-girlfriend, Agent Lana Kane; Chris Parnell ("Saturday Night Live") as Cyril Figgis, an ISIS comptroller and Lana's new love interest; and Judy Greer ("Miss Guided") as Malory's lovesick secretary, Cheryl.

The pilot for "Archer" quickly built strong buzz after being delivered to FX a month ago.

"It is a smart, adult comedy," said Nick Grad, executive vp original programing at FX. "It clearly fits the FX brand, and we believe it will find support from the fans of 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.'"

"Archer" has yet to get a premiere date and time slot but likely will be paired with "Sunny" sometime during its six-episode run.

The last time FX took a stab at launching an animated series was in 1999 with "The Dick & Paula Celebrity Special," which ran for one season.

(Editing by SheriLinden at Reuters)
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