Andy Samberg has a specific "thing." You know it when you see it—that high-energy, slightly chaotic, deeply earnest absurdity that defined Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping. But if you haven't seen his foray into adult animation, you're missing the weirdest piece of that puzzle. We're talking about Digman!, the Andy Samberg animated show that hit Comedy Central and basically decided that archaeology needed to be a lot more like an 80s action movie.
Honestly, it's weird.
The show didn't just appear out of thin air. It was co-created by Samberg and Neil Campbell, a name you might recognize if you're a fan of Brooklyn Nine-Nine or Comedy Bang! Bang!. They wanted to build a world where archaeologists are the biggest celebrities on the planet. Forget TikTok stars or actors. In this universe, if you find a shard of an old pot, you’re basically Mick Jagger.
What Is Digman! Actually About?
The premise is pretty straightforward, though the execution is anything but. Rip Digman, voiced by Samberg, is a washed-up archeologist. He’s got the hat. He’s got the salt-and-pepper beard. He’s got a massive ego that was bruised years ago when his wife (and partner in adventuring) died in a tragic accident. Or so he thinks.
Rip is basically Indiana Jones if Indiana Jones was a narcissistic wreck who lost his tenure and now lives in the shadow of his former glory. He’s joined by Saltine, voiced by Guz Khan, an ambitious assistant who is essentially the "straight man" to Rip’s absolute lunacy.
The world-building is where this Andy Samberg animated show really flexes. It isn't just a parody of Raiders of the Lost Ark. It’s a complete reimagining of society. They call it "The Quaking." At some point in this world's history, society decided that history was the only thing that mattered. As a result, the "National Museum" is like the Vatican, the White House, and Coachella all rolled into one.
The Voice Cast is Low-Key Incredible
While Samberg is the engine, the supporting cast is stacked. You’ve got Tim Robinson—yes, the I Think You Should Leave guy—playing Rip’s rival, Howard Humble. If you like Robinson's specific brand of screaming and social awkwardness, he delivers it here in spades. Then there’s Melissa Fumero, reuniting with her B99 co-star to voice Bella, a character that adds a bit of grounded heart to a show that is frequently about finding "the brush of the gods" or some other nonsense.
- Mitra Jouhari plays Saltine (initially), bringing a dry wit that balances Samberg's gravelly, over-the-top Rip voice.
- Dale Soules voices Agatha, Rip's tough-as-nails office manager.
- Guest stars include everyone from Daniel Radcliffe to Maya Rudolph and Jane Lynch.
It's the kind of lineup that only happens when a creator has the industry clout of someone like Samberg. People want to work with him because they know it’s going to be "stupid" in the smartest way possible.
📖 Related: Alfonso Cuarón: Why the Harry Potter 3 Director Changed the Wizarding World Forever
Why This Isn't Just Another Rick and Morty Clone
A lot of people see an adult animated show and immediately think it's going to be nihilistic or rely on "scientific" jargon to move the plot. Digman! isn't that. It’s much closer to the DNA of The Simpsons or Archer, but with a specific Lonely Island flavor.
The jokes come fast. Like, really fast.
One minute they're talking about the deep lore of a fictional civilization, and the next, Rip is having a five-minute emotional breakdown because he can't find his favorite snacks. It uses "Archaeo-logic," a recurring gag where the characters explain the history of objects in a way that makes zero sense but is treated as gospel.
The Longevity of the Andy Samberg Brand
Why does this show matter in the grand scheme of Samberg’s career? It represents his transition into a producer-creator who isn't afraid to take big swings on cable TV. While Brooklyn Nine-Nine was a massive network hit, Digman! is niche. It’s for the fans who loved 7 Days in Hell or Tour de Pharmacy. It’s absurdist. It’s niche.
Wait.
Is it actually good?
Yeah, if you like the "Samberg Voice." If you find his shouting or his hyper-fixation on specific words annoying, this show will be a tough sit. But if you grew up on Saturday Night Live Digital Shorts, it feels like a homecoming. It’s the logical evolution of a guy who has spent two decades perfecting the art of being a lovable idiot.
👉 See also: Why the Cast of Hold Your Breath 2024 Makes This Dust Bowl Horror Actually Work
Comparing Digman! to Other Samberg Projects
If we look at his other animated work, like Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs or Hotel Transylvania, those are "for the kids." They're polished. They're high-budget Sony productions. Digman! is the gritty, hand-drawn (well, digital-hand-drawn) cousin that stays up too late and drinks too much coffee.
The animation style itself, handled by Titmouse (the studio behind Big Mouth and The Venture Bros.), is colorful and slightly frantic. It matches the tone. It doesn't look like a Pixar movie because it shouldn't. It looks like a comic book that’s been left out in the sun and then scribbled on by a hyperactive teenager.
The Struggles of Modern Animation
It's no secret that adult animation is in a weird spot. Netflix cancels shows after one season. Warner Bros. Discovery wipes things from existence for tax write-offs. For this Andy Samberg animated show to find a home on Comedy Central—a network that has struggled to find a post- South Park identity—was a gamble.
But it worked because it’s cheap(ish) to produce compared to live-action and it taps into a loyal fanbase. Samberg doesn't just have fans; he has a cult following. When he tells people to watch something, they usually do.
The first season consisted of eight episodes. Each one tackled a different "artifact" or trope.
- The search for the "Holy Grail" (sort of).
- A trip to a secret underground city.
- A rivalry-fueled race against Howard Humble.
It’s episodic but has a loose "prestige TV" arc regarding Rip's dead wife and his quest for redemption. It balances the "monster of the week" format with actual character growth, which is rare for a show this silly.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Show
The biggest misconception is that it’s a "kids' show" because it’s animated. It’s definitely not. While it isn't as vulgar as South Park, the themes are adult. It deals with failure, aging, irrelevance, and the commercialization of history. It’s a satire of celebrity culture as much as it is a parody of action movies.
✨ Don't miss: Is Steven Weber Leaving Chicago Med? What Really Happened With Dean Archer
Another mistake? Thinking you need to know history to enjoy it. You don't. The "history" in Digman! is almost entirely made up. They treat the invention of the "Yurt" as a world-shattering event. They treat ancient pottery like it’s a nuclear weapon. The comedy comes from the intensity the characters bring to mundane things.
How to Watch and What to Expect
If you’re looking to dive in, you can find it on Comedy Central’s website or through various streaming platforms like Paramount+ or Hulu, depending on your region and the current licensing deals.
When you start, don't expect a deep, emotional journey immediately. Give it three episodes. The pilot is a lot of setup—introducing the world, the voice, the vibe. By episode three, the writers find their groove, and the chemistry between Samberg and the rest of the cast really starts to pop.
Actionable Insights for Fans of Andy Samberg
If you enjoy the vibe of the Andy Samberg animated show, here is how to get the most out of your viewing experience:
- Watch the background: Like The Simpsons, there are tons of visual gags in the museums and on the street signs that fly by in seconds.
- Listen for the cameos: Half the fun is realizing that a random side character is actually a massive Hollywood star doing a favor for Andy.
- Don't take the "archaeology" seriously: If you're a history buff looking for accuracy, you’re going to have a bad time. This is "junk science" at its finest.
- Check out The Lonely Island's other produced works: If you like this, look into PEN15 or I Think You Should Leave. They share the same "DNA" of comedy that prioritizes the bit over everything else.
The show is a testament to the idea that you can take a very specific, weird premise and make it work if the voice behind it is sincere. Rip Digman is a jerk, but he’s a jerk we want to see win. That’s the Samberg magic. He makes the unlikable likable through sheer force of will and a very specific, raspy delivery.
In a world full of cookie-cutter sitcoms, Digman! is a reminder that television can still be deeply, wonderfully stupid. And honestly, we need more of that. If you haven't given it a shot yet, clear an afternoon, grab some snacks, and prepare to learn absolutely nothing about real history. It’s better that way.