Adam Brooks Reed (born January 8, 1970)[1] is an American voice actor, animator, screenwriter, television producer and television director. Reed created, writes, and voice acts the FX/FXX adult animated comedy series Archer, which premiered in September 2009. He also voice acted, wrote, directed and produced the television series Sealab 2021 and Frisky Dingo, with his co-creator and creative partner Matt Thompson.
Adam Reed | |
|---|---|
 Reed at the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con | |
| Born | Adam Brooks Reed January 8, 1970 |
| Alma mater | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
| Occupation(s) | Voice actor, animator, screenwriter, producer, director |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Notable work | Sealab 2021, Frisky Dingo, 12 Oz. Mouse, Archer |
| Website | floydcountyproductions |
Early work
editReed graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1992 with a degree in English.[2] He was hired as an intern at Turner Broadcasting thanks to his sister's connections, where his first job consisted of reviewing episodes of The Flintstones to be distributed on VHS as part of a promotion with Little Debbie, developing both an encyclopedic knowledge and appreciation for the series in the process.[3] Reed would eventually meet his future creative partner Matt Thompson, who was working in the on-air department as an associate producer at the time. The two soon collaborated on various Cartoon Network On-Air projects where they were credited together as "Butterbean."[4] In 1994, Thompson pitched High Noon Toons as a mid-day programming block for the network. High Noon Toons was hosted by cowboy hand puppets Haas (Thompson) and Lil' Jo (Reed), both referencing characters on Bonanza. This culminated in a primetime special series, Hoot'Nanny, where Reed and Thompson traveled to various European cities to shoot footage for the special as Haas and Li'l Jo. The two were frequently drunk during filming. Once in 1995, the duo were reprimanded for lighting one of the prop sets on fire.[5]
In 1995, Reed was told to write the live action segments for Carrot Top's A.M. Mayhem, a two-hour morning block of cartoons hosted by Scott "Carrot Top" Thompson. Reed described the experience as "a nightmare," placing most of the blame on Thompson's manager, who he described as "an unfunny person approving your jokes."[6] It was during this time where he and Matt Thompson came up with the idea for what would eventually become Sealab 2021, but the network wanted Reed to continue writing for A.M. Mayhem. In response, Reed resigned from Turner. Thompson resigned shortly after.[7] Prior to leaving, both stole the source footage material for Sealab 2020 from the network.
Reed and Thompson moved to New York, where they would spend a year working production in the "sordid underbelly" of daytime talk shows.[8] Soon they were working for Showtime, and "making more money than we ever thought possible," according to Reed. During this period, the duo produced two amateur pilots for Sealab in their spare time using the stolen footage, which they would later send unsolicited to Cartoon Network's then vice president of development, Mike Lazzo. Due to their boss at Showtime having an unforeseen accident, Reed and Thompson suddenly find themselves unemployed. In response, Reed booked a getaway trip to Europe. As he was about to leave for the airport, Lazzo called Reed wanting to greenlight Sealab.[9]
Companies
editReed and Thompson formed 70/30 Productions when they created Sealab 2021, one of the first original series for Adult Swim. The company's name came from the plan that Reed would do 70% of the writing and 30% of the producing, with Thompson doing the reverse.[10]
The pair became known for their work on a number of other Adult Swim projects, including Frisky Dingo, which aired for several years after Sealab 2021 was cancelled.[11]
In 2009, Reed and Thompson closed 70/30 Productions and formed Floyd County Productions to produce Reed's new project, the FX/FXX series Archer. The company not only develops exclusive programming but also creates content for other media, including the television shows Atlanta, Legion, Fargo, Goliath and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. In 2020, After numerous years of hard work, Reed decided to officially retire and sold the remainder of the company to Thompson.
Archer
editAfter the cancellation of Frisky Dingo in 2008, Reed took a vacation to Spain to brainstorm ideas for a new project. His experience traversing the Vía de la Plata, and people-watching in Plaza Mayor in nearby Salamanca, enabled him to conceptualize his vision of Archer.[12][13] Reed recalled in an interview:
So I sat on the Plaza Mayor for three days – drinking either coffee or beer or gin, depending on the time of day – surrounded by these Spanish women who seemed both unaware and completely aware of their beauty. Occasionally they would glance over – and catch me gaping at them – and just smile at me like, "I know, right?" And for three days, I couldn't even splutter "Buenos dias" to any of them – not once. And thus was Sterling Archer born – he would've absolutely sauntered over to a table full of those women and sat down and ordered an entire case of cava or whatever.[12]
Nevertheless, he believed developing a sitcom with the theme of global espionage was inevitable given his proclivity for adventure-driven comedy. Archer was originally pitched under the working title Duchess.[14]
Archer draws inspiration from a variety of sources, including the James Bond franchise, OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies (2006), and The Pink Panther franchise.[15] The show's hallmarks include reference-heavy humor, rapid-fire dialogue, and meta-comedy. Archer is produced using limited animation and takes its visual style from mid-century comic art. The cast members record their lines individually, and the show regularly employs guest actors and actresses for supporting characters. There have been 145 episodes broadcast in the show's history.
Archer has received positive reviews from critics and won awards, including four Primetime Emmy Awards, four Critics Choice Awards, and three Clio Awards. The series has also received 15 Annie Award nominations, among others, for outstanding achievement in animation, writing, direction, and voice acting.
Filmography
editTelevision
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994–95 | High Noon Toons | Lil' Jo | Also writer and producer |
| 2000–05 | Sealab 2021 | Dr. Virjay, Mardock, Various | Also co-creator, writer and executive producer |
| 2005–07; 2018 | 12 oz. Mouse | Shark | Actor; 22 episodes |
| 2006–08 | Frisky Dingo | Killface, Xander Crews / Awesome X, Ronnie, Wendell T. Stamps, Nearl Crews | Also co-creator, writer and executive producer |
| 2008 | The Xtacles | — | Also co-creator, writer and executive producer |
| 2007 | That Crook'D 'Sipp | Beauregard Beauxregard VIII | Pilot; actor |
| 2008–09 | Robot Chicken | King Randor, Tony Stark / Iron Man, NASCAR President, Jerry Lawler | Actor; 3 episodes |
| 2009–23 | Archer | Ray Gillette, Bilbo, Captain Reynaud | Also creator, director (season 1–6), writer (season 1–10) and executive producer |
| 2012 | Unsupervised | — | Executive producer |
| 2014 | Chozen | Executive producer |
Awards and honors
edit| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | NewNowNext Awards | Best Show You're Not Watching[16] | Archer | Won |
| 2011 | Annie Awards | Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production[17] | Archer | Nominated |
| Critics' Choice Television Awards | Best Comedy Series[18] | Archer | Nominated | |
| 2012 | Annie Awards | Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production[19] | Archer | Nominated |
| Comedy Awards | Best Animated Comedy Series[20] | Archer | Won | |
| Critics' Choice Television Awards | Best Animated Series[21] | Archer | Won | |
| 2013 | Annie Awards | Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production[22] | Archer | Nominated |
| Critics' Choice Television Awards | Best Animated Series[23] | Archer | Won | |
| 2014 | Annie Awards | Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production[24] | Archer | Nominated |
| Critics' Choice Television Awards | Best Animated Series[25] | Archer | Won | |
| Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Animated Program[26] | For "Archer Vice: The Rules Of Extraction" | Nominated | |
| 2015 | Annie Awards | Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production[27] | Archer | Nominated |
| Critics' Choice Television Awards | Best Animated Series[28] | Archer | Won | |
| Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Animated Program[29] | "Pocket Listing" | Nominated | |
| Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Media – Multiplatform Storytelling[30] | Mark Paterson & Tim Farrell for "Archer Scavenger Hunt" | Won | ||
| 2016 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Animated Program[31] | "The Figgis Agency" | Won |
| Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Media – Multiplatform Storytelling[32] | Mark Paterson, Tim Farrell, & Bryan Fordney for "Archer Scavenger Hunt 2" | Won | ||
| 2017 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Animated Program[33] | "Archer Dreamland: No Good Deed" | Nominated |
| 2018 | Annie Awards | Outstanding Achievement for Writing in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production[34] | Adam Reed | Nominated |
| Critics' Choice Television Awards | Best Animated Series[35] | Archer | Nominated | |
| Webby Awards | Best Use of Augmented Reality[36] | Archer, P.I. App | Nominated | |
| Saturn Awards | Best Animated Series or Film on Television[37] | Archer | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ "North Carolina, Birth Index, 1800-2000," index, FamilySearch), Adam Brooks Reed, 1970". Familysearch.org. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
- ^ "Adam Reed, cartoon man of mystery".
- ^ Adult Swim Podcast (September 11, 2019). "Adam Reed (Co-creator of Sealab 2021) (14:23)" (video). youtube.com. Adult Swim.
- ^ Adult Swim Podcast (September 11, 2019). "Adam Reed (Co-creator of Sealab 2021) (25:06)" (video). youtube.com. Adult Swim.
- ^ Atlanta Magazine, Oct. 2005, pg. 140. October 2005. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
- ^ Adult Swim Podcast (September 11, 2019). "Adam Reed (Co-creator of Sealab 2021) (25:49)" (video). youtube.com. Adult Swim.
- ^ Adult Swim Podcast (September 11, 2019). "Adam Reed (Co-creator of Sealab 2021) (24:16)" (video). youtube.com. Adult Swim.
- ^ Official Archer Season 6 Guide PDF
- ^ Adult Swim Podcast (September 11, 2019). "Adam Reed (Co-creator of Sealab 2021) (28:04)" (video). youtube.com. Adult Swim.
- ^ Atlanta Magazine, Oct. 2005, pg. 110. October 2005. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
- ^ "Exclusive: Adam Reed On The Origins Of FX's 'Archer'". Fanbolt. March 3, 2011. Archived from the original on August 22, 2011.
- ^ a b Reed, Adam (May 14, 2014). "'Archer's' Adam Reed: If Spanish Women Liked Me, I Never Would Have Created This Show". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 10, 2018.
- ^ Brophy-Warren, Jamin (January 11, 2010). "New FX Series "Archer" Puts an Animated Twist on the Spy Genre". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on January 10, 2018.
- ^ Holman, Neal (December 6, 2016). The Art of Archer. HarperCollins. p. 3. ISBN 978-0062484130.
- ^ Gelman, Vlada (February 24, 2011). "Adam Reed". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on January 10, 2018. Alt URL
- ^ "Logo announces winners for this year's "NewNowNext Awards"". Logo TV. June 18, 2010. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018.
- ^ "Annie Awards 2011: Complete List of Winners". Gold Derby. March 7, 2016. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018.
- ^ Labrecque, Jeff (June 6, 2011). "'Archer' season premiere review: Is this the best (children) cartoon on TV?". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018.
- ^ "Annie Awards 2012: Complete List of Nominations". Gold Derby. March 7, 2016. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018.
- ^ Harp, Justin (March 6, 2012). "The Comedy Awards 2012: Nominations in full". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018.
- ^ "Critics' Choice TV Awards: 'Homeland', 'Community' & 'Sherlock' Double Winners". Deadline Hollywood. June 18, 2012. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018.
- ^ "40th Annie Award nominees and winners list". Los Angeles Times. February 2, 2013. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
- ^ "Winners of the 3rd Annual Critics' Choice Television Awards". Broadcast Television Journalists Association. June 10, 2013. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018.
- ^ "41st Annie Awards (2014)". ASIFA-Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018.
- ^ "Winners and Nominees from the 4th Annual Critics' Choice Television Awards". Broadcast Television Journalists Association. June 1, 2015. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018.
- ^ "66th Primetime Emmys Nominees and Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018.
- ^ "42nd Annie Awards (2015)". ASIFA-Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018.
- ^ "Critics' Choice TV Awards Winners: The Full List". Deadline Hollywood. May 31, 2015. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018.
- ^ "67th Primetime Emmys Nominees and Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018.
- ^ "Nominees and Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018.
- ^ "Complete list of 2016 Emmy nominations and winners". Los Angeles Times. September 18, 2016. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018.
- ^ "'Archer' Scavenger Hunt, '@midnight,' Among Interactive Media Juried Emmy Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. September 8, 2016. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018.
- ^ "The complete list of 2017 Emmy winners and nominees". Los Angeles Times. September 17, 2017. Archived from the original on July 14, 2017. Retrieved March 18, 2017.
- ^ Giardina, Carolyn (December 4, 2017). "'Coco,' 'The Breadwinner' Lead Annie Awards Feature Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018.
- ^ Johnson, Zach (December 6, 2017). "Critics' Choice Awards 2018: Complete List of Movie and TV Nominations". E! News. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018.
- ^ "2018 Winners". The Webby Awards. April 24, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
- ^ McNary, Dave (March 15, 2018). "'Black Panther,' 'Walking Dead' Rule Saturn Awards Nominations". Variety. Archived from the original on March 16, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2018.