The voice of Archer’s Dr. Krieger opens up about season six

Yates plays the crazed and possibly cloned scientist within the spy agency formerly known as ISIS. He is known for his outlandish pet projects and manic sexual ideals. While unconventional, Dr. Krieger is an asset to the spy team – as is Yates to the Archer team.

Fun fact: Yates played a grouch in the 1999 film The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland and played several characters in the show Good Eats before landing his position of Dr. Krieger. So, if you’re under 20, there’s a good chance you’ve been watching his career since birth.

Last time we saw Krieger and the Archer team, they were just leaving the cocaine business and getting back to true espionage. With the spin-off season of Archer: Vice over, it’s time to get back to spying.

The University of Guelph’s fiction literature, anime, sci-fi, and horror club (F.L.A.S.H) has weekly showings of Archer, hosted by their club leader Andrew Erdman for their members.

“Does he (Yates) ever question any of the lines he says? Because there are some things that his character says that I find hilarious but some people might think, what?” asked Erdman.

The short answer is bestiality, but Yates covers this and much more – including some points on next season and the Krieger clones situation. You can find the interview, word-for-word, below.

ZR: Dr. Krieger has some some crazy pet projects on the go – from Pigley to the “Krieger Cleanse” – not to mention that stealthy submarine. Will he continue to up the ante with wild side projects in the new season?

LY: He builds a robot bear for A.J. (Lana’s baby) that I really love. Other than that, there hasn’t been anything too bananas. His hologram girl is getting more powerful, though, and I’m really excited about that. It’s subtle, but it’s there. I love her so much. Seriously. Judy Greer plays her.

ZR: Has there ever been a pet project idea of Krieger’s that was mentioned on screen or in development that ever made you reconsider if it was a good fit for the character, or if it was in good (enough) taste? Where’s the line?

LY: Never! The only time I’ve ever come close to balking is when it’s implied that Krieger has had “relations” with Pigley 3. He waves the geiger counter over his crotch and it goes off. I thought it was hilarious, but I just didn’t want Krieger to go that far. I know he’s a sexual weirdo, but bestiality is a line I just didn’t want him to cross. […]

ZR: Baby Abbiejean is sure to be a wonderful addition to the show. Do you think Dr. Krieger would make a good babysitter?

LY: The best! Look, this little girl has the genes to become the biggest badass on the planet. If Krieger desensitizes her now to all of the horrors in the world, she will literally never fear anything. That’s parenting in the 21st Century, guys. It’s simple math. Or science, or whatever.

ZR: There are students who are taking both science and acting studies at the University of Guelph, any words of wisdom you could impart on them?

LY: Yes, keep studying science! Seriously, we’re going to need all the scientists we can get very, very soon. I wish I had studied something other than theatre. I am seriously not qualified to do anything but act like a jackass for the delight of others. Now, it’s worked out pretty swell for me, but I would give anything to have a science background so that I could do cool s***. You can always act. Science, guys. Science.

ZR: We know there are many Kriegers out there. What makes the original the best?

LY: I assume by “original” you mean our Krieger? Because I hope like hell that there is a Father Krieger out there that is some sort of living clone god. Also, we still don’t know which Krieger came back with the gang at the end of Season 5. Well, I know. And Adam Reed, but that’s it. Not even the executive producers know! So, I don’t even know how to answer that question. It just leads to more questions.

ZR: The first-year students in university were under 5 when The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland came out. Now that they are adults, they know you best as Dr. Krieger. How do you feel about that transition?

LY: Did you guys get the cooking show Good Eats? It starred Alton Brown. It’s on Netflix now, but it ran for 12 years or something. I played a ton of characters on that as well. So, hopefully I will keep working on cool shows that you guys love and you will be lifelong fans by the time I drop dead. And that kicks some serious ass.