When the solid and crew of “Bob’s Burgers” gathered to rejoice the present’s milestone three hundredth episode earlier this month, two key figures have been lacking.
Creator Loren Bouchard and actor H. Jon Benjamin — who voices the “Bob” of the title — have been unexpectedly waylaid by sickness and journey troubles, respectively. It was a situation that might have been an episode of the long-running grownup animated sequence, right down to the celebration’s setting, which befell in a room resembling the within of the present’s titular hamburger joint.
The one factor lacking was a musical interlude.
Centering a household that runs a restaurant, “Bob’s Burgers” kicks off its sixteenth season Sunday on Fox with its three hundredth episode titled “Grand Pre-Pre-Pre-Opening.” The milestone episode will take issues again to earlier than the Belcher’s opened their household eatery.
Based on Bouchard, one of many questions the writers needed to discover on this episode was “Why is Linda doing this?”
“Bob’s Burgers [the restaurant], it’s received his identify in it, however we sense that he can’t do it with out her,” Bouchard says. “[Bob] says that within the present, however what will we imply after we say that?”
The look to the previous additionally exhibits Bob (Benjamin) and Linda (John Roberts) making ready to welcome their first youngster, Tina (Dan Mintz). The Belcher clan additionally contains Tina’s youthful siblings Gene (Eugene Mirman) and Louise (Kristen Schaal).
“Grand Pre-Pre-Pre-Opening” is the three hundredth episode of “Bob’s Burgers.”
(twentieth Tv / Fox)
Bouchard admits he’s often not one for celebrating episode counts — “It begins to really feel slightly bit like bulk pricing,” he jokes — however he acknowledges that the longevity of the sequence is one thing particular. “Bob’s Burgers” premiered in 2011.
“What you get with a present that lasts this lengthy and has this many episodes is a distinct relationship with the followers,” Bouchard says. “You get to have a 15-year relationship. That’s like household. There are marriages that don’t final that lengthy.”
Through the years, the present’s devoted viewers has seen “Bob’s Burgers” increase past tv with the discharge of “The Bob’s Burgers Film” in 2022 in addition to a touring stay present of comedy and music.
Bouchard explains that the present’s strategy to those milestone episodes have been to “go small and deep” to keep away from overstuffing them with fan service. They’ve handled the one hundredth, two hundredth and three hundredth episodes like a brand new pilot that facilities the restaurant and household “in a really fundamental manner” as if it have been somebody’s introduction to the sequence.
The three hundredth episode, written by Bouchard and Nora Smith, digs into the present’s core premise to disclose how Bob and Linda got here to juggle a restaurant and a household on the identical time.
“I began my household after I began ‘Bob’s,’ so it’s very private to me,” Bouchard says. “I just like the chaos and simply audacious optimism that you might have kids and begin a doomed-to-fail, Hail Mary of a inventive mission on the identical time. It’s why I like this household, that they did this too.”
To commemorate the milestone, Bouchard and the solid mentioned, in their very own phrases edited for readability and size, “Bob’s Burgers’” standing as a “consolation present,” the Belcher household dynamics, memorable episodes and extra.
A consolation meals
“Bob’s Burgers” solid members Larry Murphy, left, Dan Mintz, Kristen Schaal, Eugene Mirman and John Roberts on the Bento Field places of work.
(Frank Micelotta / Fox)
It’s not uncommon for “Bob’s Burgers” to be described as a “consolation present” — one thing followers can activate to unwind or go to sleep to. The solid attributes this to the present having actual feelings that come from the center.
“The sweetness of [their affection] being real, that’s the factor,” Mirman says. “It’s simply a mixture of warmhearted and humorous and kind of grounded.”
“The jokes aren’t taking folks down a notch,” Schaal says. “The present has all the time been in a lane that individuals are realizing they need to come over to — the type lane.”
Bouchard says that “it’s very touching and affecting” that audiences flip to the present for consolation however acknowledges it’s one thing he can’t concentrate on whereas the present’s in manufacturing.
Bouchard: I undoubtedly don’t take it evenly. I don’t wish to give it some thought whereas we’re making “Bob’s.” If I thought of it whereas we’re making it, I’d I really feel like there’s a situation the place I may mess it up. You don’t wish to shoot for consolation present, you wish to shoot for edgy, attention-grabbing. [Episodes with] act breaks and massive closing numbers. I do know folks don’t imply, “I go to sleep after I see it for the primary time.” They imply, “I placed on episodes I’ve seen earlier than and it’s comforting in a profoundly, sleepy manner.” I believe being an grownup by definition means on the finish of the day you want one thing to simply transition to be able to go to sleep. I’m glad that “Bob’s” does that for folks.
Roberts: We love how a lot consolation this brings to the world. We like being gentle and having a job in leisure that makes folks really feel good — it makes the world a greater place. That’s uncommon and we’re blessed and we’re grateful.
Dinner (musical) theater
Tina, left, Louise and Gene in an episode of “Bob’s Burgers.”
(twentieth Tv / Fox)
Based on Bouchard, the music on the present was ”a ’dare we dream’ kind factor to start with.” However the reception to the present’s catchy ukelele-driven theme music made him really feel like there was room to push the musical components additional, like having a singular finish credit scores and outro music for every episode.
“This kind of flea market discover, barely childlike music felt to us like of the present, however the viewers needed to give us permission,” Bouchard says. “We needed to go slowly to get that.”
As soon as they noticed the viewers was on board, he felt just like the present had the go forward to hit the bottom operating from placing musical moments inside the tales to ultimately having musical episodes. Whereas it’s nonetheless one thing they take “second by second,” Bouchard says he’s “so glad that [the music is] a part of what folks appear to need from the present.”
Roberts: I believe within the earlier seasons, we have been extra improvising and issues like that. However now it’s very skilled huge songs. It’s enjoyable. I’m impressed by everyone.
Mirman: I’m actually incapable of singing. So the best way we do it for me is that the one that’s in command of the music will sing one line and I’ll mimic it like 9 instances to one of the best of my potential. [Then] they splice collectively a baby singing poorly that’s nonetheless significantly better than me in actual life. However it’s nonetheless very enjoyable. It’s very enjoyable to be challenged.
Mintz: I’m form of in Eugene’s boat. I can’t bear in mind pitch for very lengthy after I hear it, so I do have to right away hear it and instantly repeat it. However I’ve been stunned at how a lot I do take pleasure in it. You do it many times, after which the ultimate ones are like, “Now do it and don’t maintain again.” And you’re feeling an actual singer for, like, one line. There’s additionally the no stress of it as a result of I’m singing as an individual, as a personality, who’s not knowledgeable singer, so it doesn’t must be that good.
The place’s the meat? Belcher household dynamics
The Belchers inside their restaurant.
(twentieth Tv / Fox)
One factor that comes by means of in each episode of “Bob’s Burgers” is simply how a lot the Belchers love one another.
“[Linda] is a mother that pays consideration and is current and exhibits up for her kids,” says Roberts, who attracts from his personal mom for his efficiency. “There’s a realness there and it’s very grounding for the present. … Linda’s gone slightly loopy typically, however for probably the most half, it’s all very a lot stuff that you would be able to relate to.”
Perpetually within the Belchers’ orbit is Teddy — handyman, loyal buyer and Bob’s greatest good friend.
“I consider Teddy as consistently attempting to inject himself into the lives of the household that he doesn’t have,” says Larry Murphy, who voices Teddy. “The perfect half about that’s that they could shake their heads [at him], however they all the time rise to the event and are supportive of the character.”
And as a lot because the Belcher kids can tease or annoy one another at instances, there is no such thing as a doubt that all of them genuinely take care of each other too.
“There’s a sibling camaraderie that’s actually pretty,” Mirman says. “It jogs my memory of the camaraderie on TV and flicks within the ‘80s. That period of the stuff I grew up watching.”
Schaal: I like how they take pleasure in one another’s firm. They’re often not attempting to lose the opposite one. I imply, in some episodes, Louise is bothering Tina and we discover that. However normally, they hang around collectively, they play collectively. They’re not on their f— iPads, separate in their very own worlds. They’re happening adventures. And on the finish of the day, Louise has their again like nobody else and he or she’ll struggle for them.
Mintz: I believe it’s nice for Tina to be pulled out of her consolation zone by her siblings, regardless that she’s presupposed to be the chief because the oldest. These are a number of the most enjoyable episodes for me when Gene and Louise wish to do one thing harmful or towards the principles or no matter. Tina’s anxious for some motive and retains being like, “Nicely, we shouldn’t,” however she will get dragged alongside. There’s all the time some second in each a type of the place it’s like, ‘Wait, Jimmy Jr. shall be there. OK, perhaps I’m nice with this.’ I believe Tina’s life could be much more boring if she didn’t have somebody make her break the principles on a regular basis.
Favourite flavors
Tina and Linda in “Bob’s Burgers.”
(twentieth Tv/Fox)
Through the years, “Bob’s Burgers” has come to be identified for its varied vacation episodes for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas that always rank amongst viewers’ favorites.
“I like on Thanksgiving once they play the marathon of stuff,” Roberts says.
However holidays aren’t the one taste of memorable episodes. And even after 16 seasons, the solid says they’re simply as excited to flip by means of new scripts and document episodes collectively as they have been once they began.
As for his or her favorites, Mintz says he enjoys “all of the fantasy ones.” Murphy agrees.
Murphy: I like these episodes the place the youngsters are every telling their very own story — and it may not have occurred. It simply will get to not exist on the earth of “Bob’s Burgers,” but it surely’s somebody’s standpoint telling a narrative, like once they constructed that enormous robotic [“The Handyman Can”]. Form of a “Rashomon”-type thought.
Schaal: I like something that’s emotional. If Louise ever will get to be emotional, I get excited. Even just like the one the place they’re on the lookout for Bob’s mother’s grave [“Show Mama From the Grave”]. They’re going for one thing that’s actually unhappy, however doing it so nicely. I like these episodes.
Roberts: I believe what’s actually superior is that there’s a person episode for every character that’s genius. For me, I believe “Lindapendent Girl” was an unimaginable episode. I simply did an episode Holly Schlesinger wrote the place it’s extra about Linda and her previous. All of us received our flip at having unimaginable episodes.
Mirman: I agree with Kristen concerning the ones which have an emotional arc. There’s a Christmas one [“The Plight Before Christmas”], the place all three children have an occasion and the mother and father perceive they will’t make it to every little thing. Finally Tina makes it to Louise’s poetry studying the place she wrote two poems and one is absolutely candy and concerning the household. I’ve watched that episode a bunch.
Schaal: Going again to the story ones. The one concerning the chores [“Fight at the Not Okay Chore-ral”], the place Louise is butting heads with Linda about doing chores after which they inform tales about being in a wild west city. That one I like as a result of it was about this actual battle. And the humorous factor is, my daughter has requested to observe that one a number of instances. I believe it’s as a result of Linda breaks down and says, “I’m improper, I quit,” and my child is thrilled to see the mother say that.
We’re right here, we’re gruyere, get used it
Teddy and Linda in an episode of “Bob’s Burgers.”
(twentieth Tv / Fox)
“Bob’s Burgers” has typically been hailed for its inclusivity. As a sequence residing in “the type lane,” the characters are accepted for who they’re — even when there’s mild ribbing at instances.
“No one’s attempting to vary anybody,” Roberts says. “They’re simply attempting to make them higher human beings.”
“And so they don’t must defend who they’re,” provides Schaal. “There’s full acceptance.”
At a time when trans and queer folks are more and more focused by ring-wing politicians and activists by means of laws and dehumanizing rhetoric — LGBTQ+-friendly exhibits akin to “Bob’s Burgers” can, for some, really feel like a refuge. Bouchard explains how the present’s strategy to being inclusive is intentional.
Bouchard: One of many easy methods that we do is you simply do it. You don’t must shine a light-weight on it. What I believe is attention-grabbing about acceptance and tolerance and inclusivity — all these issues have grow to be capitalized phrases, and so they virtually lose their worth once they’re not simply a part of your day by day life. Your storytelling needs to be about one thing apart from that. That’s not going to be as satisfying as simply put it within the character and let or not it’s their day by day. They rise up feeling accepting and inclusive and normalizing, and so they go to mattress that manner. They don’t be taught that f— lesson in the course of a half-hour present. That’s nice that it exists. Possibly typically, as a tradition, we have to all come collectively and be taught a lesson. [But] “Bob’s” is within the enterprise of not writing these episodes. We’re within the enterprise of writing these characters with out fanfare.
And I give credit score to my mother and father. I believe my sister and I have been bizarre within the regular bizarre manner — bizarre children are regular. Quite a lot of mother and father make room for that, and love their children regardless of how they specific themselves as little children. I suppose some don’t, however I’m glad to have come up in that. To me, it feels pure. To me, it’s not a stretch. The best way to do it’s to simply stay it, simply be it, and assume that when it’s on paper and it appears regular to you, hopefully it’ll really feel reassuring and comforting to folks too.
