How does one get to know Homer? Through his Odyssey, of course. Oh, well, or with Bart or Lisa or Marge… The point is — the Odyssey is just a bunch of gods, semi-gods and peoples wondering around. One discovers the world through its inhabitants. So I thought the easiest way to introduce you to Bob’s Burgers is through the locals of the eastern coast of the United States of America, who are also part-time characters in the TV animated series Bob’s Burgers.  

Sitcom (from the Latin “Situational Comedy”) is a sub-genre of comedy that, in turn, has its own sub-genre: the family sitcom. Apart from the obvious example of  Everybody Hates Chris, we also have a side-genre of animated/family/sitcom — The Simpsons for example. We are getting closer, bear with me. Should we not forget that Phineas and Ferb is also an animated/family/sitcom but just children orientated. So, there are side divisions inside sub-division. Anyway, our address of discussion is Comedy/sitcom/animated/family orientated to a broad audience. Bob’s Burgers obviously shares similarities with The Simpsons or Family Guy, as well as with Phineas and Ferb. It consists mainly of friendly but punchy humour that brings out not only everyday topics but the universal ones as well, such as parenthood, friendship, love.  

Characters

For fourteen seasons now, with roughly 20 episodes each 21 minutes long, we can safely say we had time get to know the characters. The Belcher family consists of 5 full time characters whose doings we care about the most.  

They are in age descending order: 

1. Bob: co-founder of the family and name plate for the burger joint.    

2. Linda: Bob’s wife and loving mother of three.  

3. Tina: their teenage daughter whose main interests are asses and horses.  

4. Gene: the musician. Also, their son.  

5. Louise: the crazy daredevil. Most moral one.  

Gene, with his highly nuanced references to films, pop culture, or anything really, always gives you a sense of satisfaction when you catch one. Louise’s path to solving a problem always raises questions about human morality, while Tina navigates the awkward realities of teenage life. Bob finds joy in simple things with his passion and love, and for Linda, human relationships are the key to everything.  

What Makes Up A Character?

Bob loves to cook. Around him, and built on his passion, this madhouse thrives. The American dream, together with free child labor, gives somewhat of a goal at the end of each month: the rent. If Mr. Fischoeder — the Belchers’ landlord — is fed, then anything is possible. And indeed, anything happens every time. But as we said earlier, it’s not what happens that’s important, but who it happens to. It is the way Charlot reacted to circumstances that made him who he is. Our perception of one’s actions is what we retain as a memory of an event or a character. So no matter what happens, Bob finds money and the game goes on.  

School acts as a whole separate galaxy of childhood, appearing as a recurring setting for the three youngest Belchers, as the episode usually starts in the kitchen, where the dramatic premise is established, and the 20-minute storyline steers off to the unknown — usually to the school. The school is populated with a bunch of memorable characters, such as Tina’s dancer crush and his overexcited friend, or an asthmatic kid whose divorced parents attend dinner with their respective partners and it’s odd.

A few regulars, from time to time end up in the Bob’s Burgers. Teddy, a handyman who fixes everything — including Bob’s and Linda’s lives — or the owner of the burial bureau, Mort (got it?). Everyone comes with their own problems and needs. But they are what makes up this community. It is one thing to draw a coastal town and a few characters, and another to breathe life into it. The paradox of a sitcom is that after spending 10 years with characters, one starts to feel a part of them; yet, to be able to produce an animated tv series for 10 years it should catch somehow. The creator of the series, Loren Bouchard, said in an interview that he created the series out of a curiosity about kids behind a bar counter doing their homework and then serving food. It is a curiosity to explore other people’s lives that brings a good sitcom out there, and love for the characters comes later.

One should consider watching Bob doing his burgers for many reasons. Is it that you like a character or wish to watch something new? Would you like to get an unexpected connection to the US East Coast, with its lookalike towns and endless seashore? Will the usual everyday life of an American working-class family catch you for some reason? Or are you here simply to have a gig? It’s all in. All is in the box, and even though not every episode of this series will get to touch you, not all art and entertainment is designed to punch you in the face every time. Sometimes it is necessary to get a key — a key to everyone — and you need to scroll through a few options only to get there. To get an access to an unforgettable experience with an unforgettable family of five.  

Viktor Smolkin

Fonte immagine in evidenza: Pinterest