Created by Neil Campbell and Andy Samberg, the latter of whom also stars while doing an odd Nic Cage voice, Digman! is set in a world where “archaeologists are massive celebrities and the coolest people on the planet.” The protagonist is Rip Digman, an aging archeologist trying to claw his way back to the top of the “archy” scene after an expedition gone wrong.
The archeologists are “celebrities” not so much as their lives are super glamorous, but normal people are invested in their lives and careers to a degree that televised news programs provide regular updates and commentary on the archy scene.
Another interesting aspect of the reality of the show is that because archeologists are such celebrated individuals that means museums are well-funded and exciting to the general public. This aspirational reality goes uncommitted on in a way that’s refreshing. The show trusts its audience and it can make social commentary without being snide about the state of the world or preaching to the choir.
It’s hard to talk about Western adult animation without acknowledging the Rick and Morty of it all. This show in particular is not free from many of the same elements that make Rick and Morty what it is. Digman! is joke-dense, high-concept, self-aware comedy with genre trappings both good and bad. It also brings a visual style that much of western, adult animation seems to be cursed with. While more aesthetically pleasing than the Big Mouths of the world, the visual style still isn’t what I would call appealing. The look is appropriate though, in that it gets the job done and allows strong writing and voice performances to shine through.
That being said, despite some common elements with other series, Digman! is absolutely its own show. Once the pilot is out of the way the program is allowed to be its true self. This means some of the wordiest, nerdiest jokes I’ve ever witnessed and plots that start in one place, snowball into something completely unpredictable, and then return back to where they started. Like the hero’s journey if there was a barely related yet incredibly fleshed out Top Gun parody between meeting the mentor and crossing the threshold.
Another major distinction is that the characters are far more pleasant than the self-interested disasters of the other show. While still messy and flawed, it’s much easier to root for Rip and his supporting cast and their lower-stakes problems.
Overall, the four episodes provided in advance of the premiere were a delight. I’m excited to see where the second half of the season goes and if it overcomes some of the less appealing genre trappings present in the first half.
Digman! brings its good vibes, jokes in Latin, and Andy Samberg’s weird Nic Cage impression to Comedy Central starting March 22nd.
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