TheArcherseries has more recurring gags (phrasing) than any show in recent memory. Every mishap, snide comment, and quip makes a reappearance later in the series. Many of the running jokes were created in the first two seasons of the show, as viewers are introduced to the most hostile work environment in history.
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Archer’s idiocy and narcissism are on perfect display in these moments. His genius is also evident, as he always knows the right time to interject. As the Tinnitus gets worse, the jokes get better. These recurring jokes will take viewers back to the Danger Zone where Brett gets shot and Woodhouse is always to blame.
10Phrasing
Phrasing may be the first recurring joke in the entire series. If someone says something that is ill phrased and can be interpreted as innuendo, Archer utters “Phrasing”. When Archer awakes from his coma in Season 11, the phrase returns in the form of“I guess we’re not doing phrasing anymore”. Below are some of the best examples:
Malory (to Archer): “Your mouth better get over there and make Torvald happy”
Malory (to Utne): “You wanna play me hard?”
Archer: “Phrasing”
Malory (to Utne): “You better nut up because i’ve swallowed just about as much as I can take from you”
Archer: “Phrasing!!”
Malory (to Katya): “Don’t you want to freshen up after your long ride?”
Archer: “Phrasing, sorry Katya”
Sheryl/Carol: “Who the hell broke my box?”
Archer: “So phrasing isn’t a thing anymore?”
9Lanaaaaa!!
Whenever Archer needs to get Lana’s attention he screams her name as loud as possible until she responds “What!?”. The scream is almost always followed by an inconsequential quip. For example, when Archer gets Lana’s attention to say that Baboo remembers him.
There are way too many examples of this happening throughout the ten plus seasons to count. The dynamic between Lana and Archer is one of the reasons why the show has been so successful. Archer irritates Lana until she reaches a breaking point in almost every episode.
8Woodhouse
Archer is not exactly appreciative of Woodhouse. He abuses the butler both verbally and physically for absolutely no reason. One of the most notable moments iswhen Archer asks Woodhouse to remove all of the dog hair from the apartmentafter Archer insists that Woodhouse let the dog in. He says the following:
Archer: “Woodhouse, if I find one single dog hair when I get back I’ll rub sand in your dead little eyes”.
Woodhouse: “Very good sir”.
Archer: “I also need you to buy sand. I don’t know if they grade it . . . but . . . coarse”.
7Danger Zone
Archer has fond memories of the Kenny Loggins hit “Highway To The Danger Zone”. The song was one of the “Awesome” moments fromTop Gunwhen the pilots were going through flight training. Whenever Archer is planning to do something that will endanger the lives of others,he utters “Danger Zone!” in a high-pitched voice.
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Below are some of the most unforgettable examples:
6Cheryl/Carol
In the first few seasons, Archer has a problem remembering Cheryl’s name, commonly calling her Carol. This happens so often that Cheryl starts to identify herself as Carol. The running gag continues throughout the series with Cheryllabeling her name tag as better Cherylin Season 11.
Cheryl has a number of different aliases, including Cristina. It honestly gets to the point where the ISIS employees refer to her as Carol more than Sheryl.
5Burt Reynolds
Archer is completely obsessed withBurt Reynolds. Basically, every movie he has ever starred in is referenced in the series:
Each of these unrealistic movies gives Archer the inspiration to be as destructive and obnoxious as possible. Burt Reynolds is the most referenced celebrity in the series because Archer tries desperately to emulate the actor’s characters.
4Brett’s Workplace Abuses
Brett’s workplace abuse begins in the first season when Archer tries to shoot his way into the mainframe and a bullet ricochets into Brett. Before Brett’s eventual death, which is caused by Archer, fans were able toenjoy all of the great moments listed below.
Malory’s only concern is that Brett is always bleeding on the carpet. In the words of Archer,“He died doing what he loved, getting shot”.
3Do You Want Ants? Because That’s How You Get Ants
The joke began when Lana knocked a box of doughnuts out of Archer’s hands in Season 1. Pretty much every time someone drops food on the floor, this phrase is uttered by one of the characters.
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Malory also makes the comment, “Are we starting an ant farm in here?”. Considering everything that has happened to ISIS over the years, the characters seem to have unjust concerns about an ant infestation.
2Tinnitus
Being aspy has its risks, and one of them is ongoing, crippling tinnitus. Archer seems to find himself near explosions quite often and refuses to wear earbuds. To make the rest of the office understand his pain, Archer fires his pistol in a crowded elevator.
As the series goes on, the tinnitus progresses. Archer’s treatment? Just say “Mop, mop, mop” until the ringing goes away.“Damn you tinnitus, you’re a cruel mistress!”.
1Idioms
Every time Archer has trouble expressing himself, he relies on the use of idioms, many of which aren’t actually idioms. Colloquial metaphors do not have interchangeable words. The recurring joke features inArcher: Heart of Archness Part II. During the season, Archer’s translator is unable to use idioms to communicate with the pirates. The following examples are just from one episode.
