It's Archer Week here at UPROXX -- in case you hadn't noticed -- and with the Season 4 premiere inching closer I thought I'd put together a public service announcement of sorts, outlining the running gags and themes that everyone should know. And not "everyone should know" in the sense that they're really funny and happen often, but in the sense that you should judge and possibly de-friend anyone in your life who isn't keenly aware and excited about them. They're that much a part of the TV humor zeitgeist at this point.
Are there more than ten? Certainly. Should you guys point out the omissions? Of course. Because as Danger mentioned yesterday, no show pivots between high and low brow quite like Archer, which is exactly why it's UPROXX's spirit comedy. Speaking of Danger...
The reference first appeared in "Diversity Hire" -- the show's all-timer of a third episode -- and has been littered throughout the series ever since. Honestly, if you hear anything Kenny Loggins-related at this point and don't pull the Lana name bit on the person closest to you you're a lost cause. Above via.
And Cranston from the S3 finale for good measure...
Voiced by friend of the program Neal Holman, Brett has sustained six gunshot wounds and a brutal beating at the hands of Barry Dylan, earning him the nickname "Mr. Bloodmobile."
Whether they're labeled "Monster" or "Truckasaurus" or "Johnny Benchian," Lana's hands should always be referenced when a big manly grip is needed. ICYMI: Aisha Tyler denied the rumor she also has ginormous man hands.
Krieger's van first appeared in S2's "Double Trouble" -- with the original van art paying tribute to Rush's "Exit...Stage Left" -- where it coined the classic "rolling probable cause" and "S.S. Date Rape" lines in the clip above. It makes two appearances in S3, first paying tribute to Rush's "Hemispheres" and then "Caress of Steel" in the season finale. I plan to make this evolution image poster size for the inside of my bedroom door.
Simply beautifully elaborate and over-the-top and symbolic of all things Archer. And no, I'm not sure why that dude's face is part of the above embed but the audio clip is still worth it.
Cheryl Tunt as a character is pretty much a cornucopia of offbeat running gags and themes, but there's something about "Mind if I glue up?" that is just so classic Cheryl.
When Pam Poovey is kidnapped by mistake in "El Secuestro" we discover she paid for college thanks to an underground fighting ring and is pretty much impervious to pain. She also has an amazing back tattoo.
Thus the evolution of HR Pam Poovey --> the bum-shock-fighting relentless badass Pam Poovey we all know and love.
Archer's regularly berated live-in valet has been addicted to heroin and/or a substance abuser since his post-war days on a merchant ship in the orient. How could you not be? I think we can all agree that the best way to ride the dragon is via the assistance of Reggie the Lemur.
Every self-respecting fan of the show references "Other Barry" and occasionally "Bionic Barry" when having a conversation with him- or herself. It's just how it's properly done.
Sterling's Burt Reynolds references need a supercut, like yesterday. But until then the below and "The Man from Jupiter" thread will have to do.
![[avatar]](http://p.uproxxcdn.com/photo/62/thumb)
![[image]](http://cdn.uproxx.com/wp-content/thumbnails/130/110/2013/06/tumblr_m4bjkorWgS1rw6l1no1_400-150x150.gif)
![[image]](http://cdn.uproxx.com/wp-content/thumbnails/130/110/2013/06/sterlingarcherdraperpryce-pirateking-150x150.jpg)
![[image]](http://cdn.uproxx.com/wp-content/thumbnails/130/110/2013/06/everyone-speaks-swedish-in-the-artsy-its-always-sunny-in-philadelphia-season-9-trailer-uproxx1-150x150.jpg)
![[image]](http://cdn.uproxx.com/wp-content/thumbnails/130/110/2013/05/bawk-150x150.gif)
Lets not forget Mallory Archers long standing fued with Trudy Beekman. They should really put her in an episode, at least once.
That is great. Adam mentioned in the Q&A Trudy is making an appearance in S4 and his mom is doing her voice. I choose to believe he made her grill him a cheese after she finished recording her part. [www.uproxx.com]
Sadly I missed the Q&A but, sweet.
Does anyone else here instantly think of Lucille Bluth and Lucille Austero every time Mallory bitches about Trudy Beekman? The episode where Mallory torches Trudy’s apartment…that has to be an homage right?
I’m pretty sure it’s a deliberate homage, which makes it disappointing that they didn’t just go all the way and get Liza Minelli to do the voice.
My wife and I overuse the hell out of “Lanaaaaa/Danger zone”
Really hoping to see more Krieger this season, with or without van, I’d love to se a really heavily Krieger-centric episode.
So they’ve done Caress of Steel, Exit…Stage Left, Hemispheres and now Fly By Night… Question is… which album cover they gonna do next?! They seem to be sticking to the earlier stuff, so I’ll have to go Grace Under Pressure. Grace Under Krieger has rapist undertones too!
“Yuuuuup” & “noooooope” are two of my most-used Archer references
Also “duh and/or hola” is up there. Not sure if that one is much of a “running” gag though.
Yuuuuuuuuuuuuup, me too…
That one actually crossed my mind but I’m still unclear if that’s a gag or just a fun pronunciation.
Absolutely. I even use them in texts and im’s.
They should do an entire episode where Lana watches interracial porn. You know… because the gag is funny…
I always like to drop “…that’s lesson one.” into casual conversation more often than I should.
I’m hoping for more Rush album themed vans. So many to choose from. The “Fly by Night” owl would be a good one.
I’m convinced that if gas prices weren’t so high we’d already have real-life versions of Krieger’s van rolling around. I saw a “real” Ghostbusters car one time. Those old Econolines are just murder on the old wallet though…no wonder Krieger has a hard time marrying.
Grace Under Krieger!
I love the “Tactil-Neck” thread. Archer was totally wearing the black turtle neck before all the other secret agents thought it was cool.
I see from the promos that he has added white this year. I wonder if they are just white, or a slightly lighter white.
Speak of the devil, I was just thinking I want more Pam Back Tattoo.
SPLOOOSH!
Now I need to go download ‘Mulatto Butts’ again.
Bear claws, raawwwrr!
Also, “phrasing!’ and Babou the ocelot
Phrasing supercut, also stat.
@Upstate Underdog “Look at his tufted ears!” Has become shorthand for almost any cute animal in this household.
Totally missed “And that’s how you get ants!”, the tin foil birds from the Chinese restaurant, Mallory making fun of Ray’s sexuality, but that speaks more to how packed the show is with in-references than any major list deficiency.
YUUUUUUUUP
I think you nailed the #1 omission: Ants. Kicking myself.
I use “and that’s how you get ants” all the time
Was that not totally epic?
Also Archer’s forgetfulness with night vision goggles.
I’d also submit “do you not?”
Also Archer referring to everyone as “idiot”
I’ve always wondered why Pam is not a field agent, but Cyril is.
Maybe because Cyril can be trusted to (try) and follow orders? Pam seems like the very definition of ‘loose cannon’
Pam would just kill everything in sight. also she’d be stoned all the time.
I enjoy Archer’s literary knowledge.
Seriously, read a book.
Yeah, I think that’s an under-appreciated aspect of the show.
“It’s not a book, it’s an allegorical novella!”
And, spoiler alert, it sucks.
“Bartelby the Scrivener? Not big Melville fans?”
Holy shitsnacks!
Funny to say, but I used that four times before I remembered where it came from.
Weird thing is I haven’t watched any old Archer in months and just in the last week or so I’ve found myself using “Holy shitsnacks” and getting people asking “…shitsnacks?”
I hope they’re going to make an episode in Mallory’s apartment with some kind of dinner party theme for every season now, I love those.
Maske, Krieger Van Evolution poster needs to be a priority. What an awesome idea.
Gonna make some calls.
Toot toot!
Love It!
I’ve been trying to rewatch past seasons to bone up on some of the running gags. Even with these, there are just to many to list! I’m glad though that these are geared towards season 4, as I’m curious what the sea theme might have to offer.
I’m always down for a Krieger perversion, too. Have they confirmed that he’s a Boy From Brazil yet?
Definitely want more Krieger this season.
Can’t or won’t? EITHER!
I had something for this…
This one… Come on people!
Seriously. Maske, do you even WATCH the show???
YES! I use this all the time… not because I think it’s particularly good… but mostly because I’m hopeless at making witty retorts.
I wonder if Danger Guerrero’s middle name is “Zone”.
I hope one day Pam will become a field agent. It’d be gloriously violent.
Man it’d be awesome if Lana was a real person.
These are recurring per se, but I use “this is just babytown frolics” and “because THAT sir, is a facile argument!” like… all the time.
Also, “the Dane Cook of” for everything that is the worst.
Burt Reynolds obsession is a lot like appearances by Malcom McDowell. Inevitable or you’re not really a tv show.
FX needs to air back episodes more often… They’re hardly ever on.
You’re not my supervisor!
Two things:
1. Barry is the worst. The show would be better off without him.
2. The season premieres a week before my birthday. This makes me a happy panda.
Also, I use “this is why we can’t have nice things” way too much.
Baby Seamus/tattoo?
Really like the “bawk bawk” thing. “Oh ugly duckling, bawk bawk” while pecking a woman on the head with a tinfoil swan is perhaps my favorite joke in the entire serious.
Wait….I had something for this.
Who or whom, gunshots too close to the ears, the core concept, passing out being super bad for you, Lana’s sarcastic yays from off-camera, that’s how you get ants… this whole show is a goldmine.
After last night I feel like the three most glaring omissions here have to be the “core concept” reply when anyone on the show asks if someone else gets something, Archers Lacrosse background, and the buckle content of Mallory’s purses
I really have to get up to date with this show
Yes! I have found my “new” people with the addition of Archer to my beloved repertoire.