Jon Benjamin’s animated “Archer” gets early nod for FX’s Fall 2009 primetime schedule over Louis CK, Norm MacDonald

While comedians Louis CK and Norm MacDonald continue to wait for word on whether their primetime reality/sitcom hybrids get the greenlight from FX, the cable network has gone ahead and ordered six half-hours this fall for Archer, an animated sitcom with Jon Benjamin in the lead role of spy Sterling Archer. The rest of the voice cast includes SNL alum Chris Parnell, Aisha Tyler, Judy Greer and Jessica Walter. From the official press release: "It clearly fits the FX brand and we believe it will find support from the fans of ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,’" said FX original programming exec veep Nick Grad. (THRVariety; Broadcasting & Cable) Here's a preview:

But that's not all. FX also is continuing to order up additional half-hour comedy projects. So there's still a chance for either and/or both Louis and Norm to get their shots. The latest to hit the net's pilot pipeline: The League, a semi-scripted comedy (a la Curb Your Enthusiasm, in which plot outlines include room for improv) about a group of guys in a fantasy football league, starring Mark Duplass with a cast that includes Nick Kroll, Paul Scheer and Jon Lajoie. The Archer pilot reportedly showed up for FX to watch a month ago, so it looks as though they move pretty quick over there. We could know a lot more about the net's fall/winter primetime comedy outlook before long.

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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