Archer, Thursdays, 10 p.m., FX
If FX is willing to take a chance on animated spy parody Archer, I’m willing to try at least a few episodes. While its highly stylized animation may take some getting used to, the show plays like a smuttier Get Smart—the original series, not the Steve Carell abomination of an adapted movie.
Sterling Archer (H. Jon Benjamin) is the star agent—with the unfortunate codename “Duchess”—of the International Secret Intelligence Service, which just so happens to be run by his mother (Jessica Walter, perfectly channeling Lucille Bluth). Between bickering with his ex-girlfriend and co-worker (Aisha Tyler, also known as the only black person ever on Friends) and dodging HR complaints, Archer brings the office absurdity of Better Off Ted to the world of James Bond.
—Dan Newman
Chuck, Mondays, 8 p.m., NBC
One of the best shows in recent memory almost didn’t get a chance to have its third season when NBC nearly canceled Chuck, a comedy that mixes spy intrigue with nerdy jokes, action, and a heaping of unrequited love. After its second season ended with a cliffhanger, devoted fans refused to accept NBC’s decision not to renew the show and mounted an online campaign to save it. Thanks to a Subway sponsorship deal, Chuck got another 19 episodes.
The dialogue is cheesy and the plot lines are sometimes transparent, but the most compelling reason to watch Chuck is the charisma of the cast, led by Zachary Levi and featuring an angry Adam Baldwin. Chuck thrives on knock-off James Bond plot lines, but the real appeals are the nerdy protagonist’s relationships and how they affect his clandestine spy work. It’s quirky and geeky, but tough to stop watching.
—Sean Quigley
Parks and Recreation, Thursdays, 8:30 p.m., NBC
Who would’ve guessed that Greg Daniels and Michael Schur could mine suburban doldrems for comedy gold yet again? Wedged between Community and The Office, Parks and Recreation’s tribute to municipal government has been overlooked these past few months. Let’s stop that nonsense.
Do you like mustachioed civic servants who moonlight as jazz saxophonists? Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman) is your man. Or how about a homeless man-child who tries to win back his girlfriend by virtue of his shoeshine prowess? Andy Dwyer (Chris Pratt) will satisfy your needs. And don’t forget about Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler), the show’s headliner. Daniels and Schur—veterans of The Office—know how to handle an ensemble cast and make an audience howl with laughter. But, Parks and Recreation isn’t the next Office. It’s better.
—Chris Heller
24, Mondays, 9 p.m., FOX
This week, 24 fans were finally rewarded with the return of another action-packed day in the life of Jack Bauer. Although recent seasons of 24 have been criticized for predictability, the eighth season adds fresh relevance to the flailing series.
Day Eight begins with a United Nations peace initiative between America’s President Taylor and President Hassan of Kamistan. The attempts to settle a nuclear disarmament agreement evoke the current relationship between the United States and Iran, making Kamistan more relevant than the other fictional countries featured on past seasons of the show.
Bauer, who initially intends to retire and focus more on his family, finds himself inevitably drawn into the world of counter-terrorism. Disappointing for him—and henchmen around the world—but not for us.
—Kat Lynn
Burn Notice, Thursdays, 10 p.m., USA
Burn Notice doesn’t seem all that different from the rest of the USA Network’s programming. In every episode, a quirky but kindhearted protagonist solves the problems of strangers in trouble—only instead of an obsessive germaphobe or a smarmy fake psychic, the protagonist is a suave ex-spy named Michael Westen (Jeffrey Donovan). What sets Burn Notice ahead of the rest is the action. Each week the show cranks it to eleven with explosions and gunplay that would leave Adrian Monk whimpering in a corner. At the same time, things never get too heavy. In true 007 style, one liners and bullets are traded in equal measure. Bruce Campbell is particularly delightful as Westen’s boozy, womanizing army buddy. Toss in Gabrielle Anwa as the sexy Irish assassin turned girlfriend, and you have a show well worth watching.
—Brendan Baumgardner
