"Bob's Burgers" excels at combining heartfelt moments with crude comedy after 14 seasons.
In a journey spanning fourteen seasons, the Belcher family remains just as grubby and smelly, but their emotions have evolved - a reflection of the show's creators' affection for these fictional characters, as per Loren Bouchard.
"The people working on the show have been here since the beginning. Many of us have started and raised our own families. We've grown attached to the characters who mirror our own lives," said Bouchard, sharing his thoughts with CNN. "We feel a strong sense of responsibility for them."
The show's upcoming 14th season will feature only 13 episodes instead of the usual 22, owing to the 2023 writers' and actors' strikes. Despite this, it manages to pack in a great deal of heart (and humor from fart jokes) regardless. With one episode notably touching the hearts of numerous fans, it's considered one of the best in the show's history.
What sets "Bob's" apart from other family-themed animated sitcoms is its relatable portrayal of everyday life. The Belchers' experiences feel more genuine, as they lack the flexibility of other cartoon shows like the Simpsons. Losing their burger business would severely impact Bob and his family in real life, making their achievements all the more fulfilling to witness.
"Bob's" regularly attempts to push boundaries - whether it's through unusual stories, parodies like "Alien" or "Waterworld," or insight into the Belcher kids' dreams. Regardless of the plot, the family remains grounded with practical concerns shaping their adventures - even during the most extraordinary situations, like stealing a jade jellyfish figurine or escaping from a murder-filled island.
"The Belchers feel real," commented Wendy Molyneux, a writer from the show's outset. "I can imagine an endless list of moments for them, similar to those of real people."
Embracing the bittersweet
From day one, "Bob's" writers have been encouraged to try varied formats, storylines and themes as long as they stay true to the characters. "Bob's" is perpetually striving to be a great show, infused with fresh, engaging content according to Molyneux and her sister, Lizzie Molyneux-Logelin, who also create the Fox animated show "The Great North."
"There's always been a push to try new things on 'Bob's,'" Morgan said. "We desire to keep making a good show that feels current."
However, with the passing years, this objective has grown more challenging. Early seasons showcased surreal episodes that took advantage of characters' imaginations, while later seasons have preferred exploring the bittersweet.
A memorable instance illustrating this change was "The Amazing Rudy," a Molyneux-written episode not centered on the Belcher family. Instead, it focuses on Rudy, a fourth-grader with asthma, living with his divorced father. Usually accompanying the Belchers, Rudy often faces unsupervised situations with the Belcher kids. In this particular storyline, he prepares a new magic trick for dinner with both his divorced parents and their partners. Due to his anxiety, he messes up the trick before leaving the place, sobbing. Visuals of the Belchers' love-filled home throw him off, and he flees, his expressions alternating between melancholy and agitation.
Friendly Louise eventually steps forward to comfort him, persuading Rudy to rejoin his parents at the dinner table. However, Rudy is comforted by their love, the Belchers' humble dinner scene reminding him of a loving family once more.
This emotional, bittersweet narrative is a more recent trend in "Bob's Burger," showcasing the show's evolution. Creators have always attempted to strike an exquisite balance between heartfelt moments and lighthearted humor.
"Rudy the Phenomenon" marks the progression of the 13th season of the show, which concluded its broadcast last spring. During a holiday episode at the library, when Louise reads an emotional poem at a gathering, no one from her family attends to hear it ... until Tina shows up, having abandoned her own Christmas pageant to support her sibling. Despite Louise's tough exterior, she almost sheds a tear at Tina's presence, suppressing a sniffle over her sister's happiness.
The heartfelt moments in the last two seasons, which dares to explore new emotional depths for its characters, would not have been possible earlier in the series' run, as per creator Bouchard. Fans, having invested in these characters, allow for a potential tear or two if the show justifies it and avoids overdoing it.
In another winter episode, Bob takes his children to visit his late mother's mausoleum, struggling to find it in the snow as the cemetery nears its closing time. Linda, dreading potentially encountering ghosts, accidentally stumbles upon the gravesite. She spends most of the episode at Bob's mother's grave, paying tribute to her for raising such a wonderful man and grieving that she never got to meet him.
It's in this episode, after 13 seasons, that Lily, Bob's mom, is mentioned by name. Moreover, it's also the only episode that directly addresses Bob's childhood loss.
"I secretly use the paintings of Bob thinking about his dead mom to think about my mom," said the showrunner.
The Belchers stand out as relatable in a sea of animated TV families
The subtle sadness simmering under the surface of "Bob's Burgers" makes the Belchers stand out as endearing and ensures that big emotional swings resonate. The Belcher family feels authentic as they deal with real-life issues that we can empathize with. It's the reason fans are fond of them and appreciate the emotional connections.
Interestingly, the individuals behind the Belchers and their neighbors on the Wharf feel the urge to protect the characters they've created, even if they introduce challenges for the family in the story.
"Loren (Bouchard) created such complex characters who have always felt authentic to us, so we always had the urge to treat them as real people and aid their development", said Lizzy Molyneux-Logelin. "It may seem strange to idolize an animated 11-year-old named Gene, but it is not any less true."
Many animated families in adult TV shows, particularly those of great financial insecurity, lag behind in comparison to the Belcher family. The Belchers struggle to keep their burger shop afloat and are constantly pressed to find money for Christmas presents. Bob savors crafting creative burgers with amusing names, like "Swiss Congeniality" and "Mrs. Krautfire", but these efforts are mostly overlooked.
Being a Belcher child isn't exactly a walk in the park, either. Tina, the awkward eighth-grader, often feels like a misfit. Louise, the intelligent girl, doubts her vulnerability. Even Gene, who's full of life and fart jokes, occasionally finds his confidence shaken.
"Bob's Burgers", which values heartwarming family moments and humor, shines brightest when it delves into small moments, like a dinner or a poetry recital. Pain may be present, but it's a natural part of life.
"The jokes become funnier to me when there's a hint of sadness. I'm not sure if calling it 'funnier' is the right term, though. I'd say they're warmer," Bouchard said.
Read also:
- Lifestyle 2023 from "Breathless" to cinnamon buns
- Unanimous decision: faster wolf culls possible
- New Year's Eve fireworks: What applies in other countries?
- Ban on New Year's Eve fireworks: no bangs here
Source: edition.cnn.com
