‘Bob’s Burgers’ creator and cast celebrate 300 episodes of their heartfelt and edgy ‘comfort show’

by

The team behind “Bob’s Burgers” recently celebrated reaching 300 episodes, but two important people weren’t able to join the festivities.

The celebration hit a snag when creator Loren Bouchard and star H. Jon Benjamin-the voice of Bob-both faced unexpected problems with illness and travel. It was a surprisingly fitting situation, almost like something that would happen on their animated show, and the party itself was even held in a room made to look like the inside of Bob’s restaurant.

The only thing missing was a musical interlude.

The popular animated series “Bob’s Burgers” begins its sixteenth season this Sunday on Fox with a special 300th episode called “Grand Pre-Pre-Pre-Opening.” The episode will show what life was like for the Belcher family before they first opened their restaurant.

Awards

The Emmy-nominated ‘The Plight Before Christmas’ isn’t just emotionally powerful in its final scenes; it also includes a stunning xylophone performance of a piece by Philip Glass.

Bouchard said the writers aimed to answer the question of why Linda was acting the way she was in this episode.

Loren Bouchard, the creator of Bob’s Burgers, points out that while the restaurant is named after Bob, he relies heavily on his wife, Linda. The show itself acknowledges this dependence, and Bouchard wonders what that really signifies about their relationship.

The show flashes back to a time when Bob and Linda were getting ready to welcome their first child, Tina. We also meet Tina’s younger siblings, Gene and Louise, completing the Belcher family.

Loren Bouchard, the creator of the show, typically doesn’t make a big deal about reaching certain episode numbers – he playfully compares it to offering discounts for buying in large quantities. However, he acknowledges that the show’s long run is remarkable. ‘Bob’s Burgers’ first aired in 2011.

According to Bouchard, a show that runs for so many years and has so many episodes creates a unique bond with its audience. It’s like building a 15-year relationship – almost like family, and longer than some marriages!

Fans of “Bob’s Burgers” have enjoyed the show in new ways over the years, including the 2022 movie and a live comedy and music tour.

According to Bouchard, the show handles big milestone episodes by focusing on intimate, character-driven stories rather than overwhelming viewers with fan references. They approach episodes like the 100th, 200th, and 300th as if they were the very first episode, re-introducing the restaurant and family in a simple and straightforward way for new viewers.

Review

‘The Bob’s Burgers Movie’ makes for a hilariously tasty cinematic offering

The new movie, ‘Bob’s Burgers: The Movie,’ brings the voices of the popular animated show’s cast – H. Jon Benjamin, Kristen Schaal, John Roberts, Dan Mintz, and Eugene Mirman – to the big screen.

I absolutely loved the 300th episode! It was so clever how Bouchard and Nora Smith wrote it to really explore the heart of the show – how Bob and Linda first started balancing the craziness of running a restaurant with raising a family. It felt like a beautiful look back at how it all began.

Starting my business, ‘Bob’s,’ coincided with starting my family, so it means a lot to me personally,” Bouchard explains. “I embrace the craziness and hopeful spirit of raising children while also launching a risky creative venture. That’s why I connect with my family – they took that leap too.”

To celebrate the show reaching a big milestone, creator Loren Bouchard and the cast talked about what makes “Bob’s Burgers” so comforting to watch, the relationships within the Belcher family, and some of their favorite episodes. They shared their thoughts, which have been lightly edited for clarity and to keep things concise.

A comfort food

Many people call “Bob’s Burgers” a “comfort show” – something relaxing to watch when you want to de-stress or even drift off to sleep. The actors believe this is because the show feels genuine and emotionally honest.

What makes their connection special, according to Mirman, is how real and heartfelt it feels. She describes it as a blend of warmth, humor, and authenticity.

Schaal explains that the comedy isn’t about putting people down. He believes the show has consistently offered a positive and empathetic style of humor, and audiences are finally recognizing that.

Bouchard finds it heartwarming that people find comfort in the show, but he explains that he can’t dwell on that while he’s actively making it.

Television

Raphael Bob-Waksberg, the creator of the show, and Lisa Hanawalt, a supervising producer, talk about how the series jumps between different time periods – from the 1950s all the way to the 2020s, including events during the COVID-19 pandemic.

I don’t take the show’s comforting effect on viewers lightly, but I try not to focus on it while we’re making it. Thinking about that while creating episodes could make me mess up. We’re aiming for something bold and attention-grabbing, with strong act breaks and memorable finales, not just something cozy. When people say they ‘fall asleep’ watching, I think they mean they rewatch old episodes and find them deeply relaxing. I believe adults often need something to help them unwind and fall asleep, and I’m happy ‘Bob’s’ provides that for people.

We truly enjoy bringing joy and comfort to others through our work. It’s rewarding to have a career in entertainment that positively impacts people and makes the world a little brighter. We feel fortunate and thankful for that.

Dinner (musical) theater

Bouchard initially described the show’s music as a hopeful experiment. However, the positive response to the upbeat ukulele theme song encouraged him to explore more ambitious musical ideas, such as creating a distinctive end credit and outro song for every episode.

Bouchard explains that the whimsical, almost childlike quality of the music felt like a key part of the show, but they needed the audience to be receptive to it. They had to introduce it gradually to ensure it was well-received.

Once the audience started enjoying the musical elements, the show’s creator felt confident enough to fully embrace them, starting with incorporating songs into the storylines and eventually creating entire musical episodes. Although they still take things one step at a time, he’s happy that music has become a key part of what viewers want from the show.

Review

‘King of the Hill’ and ‘Gumball’ are back, and I tell you what, it’s about time

As a huge animation fan, I’m thrilled to see two shows I loved are returning! Hulu’s bringing back both Mike Judge’s “King of the Hill,” which is always great because of its Texas setting and relatable characters, and “The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball,” created by Ben Bocquelet – that show was just so uniquely funny and creative.

In the past, we did a lot more spontaneous work on the show. Now, it’s become much more polished with big, elaborate musical numbers, which is great. I’m really impressed with everyone’s talent and hard work.

Let me tell you about how they handle my singing – or lack thereof! I really can’t sing at all. So, the music person lays down one line, and then I try to copy it, repeating it about nine times. It’s a bit rough, honestly! They then cleverly edit in a child’s voice – still not perfect, but definitely better than mine! But honestly, it’s a blast. I love the challenge of trying to pull it off.

I’m similar to Eugene in that I struggle to remember a musical pitch for very long once I hear it, so I have to repeat it right away. But I’ve actually been really enjoying the process. You keep practicing over and over, and eventually they encourage you to really let go and sing freely. For a brief moment, it feels like you’re a true singer. It’s also nice because there’s no pressure – I’m singing as a character, not a professional, so it doesn’t need to be perfect.

Where’s the beef? Belcher family dynamics

What really shines through in every episode of “Bob’s Burgers” is the Belcher family’s strong love for one another.

According to Roberts, who used his own mother as inspiration, Linda is a very involved and attentive mother. He believes her authenticity is a stabilizing force for the show, and while she’s had her moments, her experiences are generally relatable.

Perpetually in the Belchers’ orbit is Teddy — handyman, loyal customer and Bob’s best friend.

Larry Murphy, the voice of Teddy, explains that he sees Teddy as someone who’s always trying to become part of a family he doesn’t have. Murphy adds that despite the family’s initial reaction, they consistently step up and support Teddy.

Despite their teasing and occasional annoyances, the Belcher kids clearly love and support each other.

Mirman describes a warm, supportive connection between the cast members, like a family. He says it feels similar to the friendly teamwork seen in many of the TV shows and movies he enjoyed growing up in the 1980s.

Review

Combine Pedro Almodóvar with stop motion and you get Adult Swim’s most unexpected yet perfect show

Created by Gonzalo Cordova, known for “Tuca & Bertie,” “Women Wearing Shoulder Pads” is a first-of-its-kind series for Adult Swim, being their first program originally produced in Spanish. It’s a truly unique show.

I really appreciate how much the characters enjoy being together. They generally aren’t trying to avoid each other. Of course, sometimes Louise teases Tina, and we see that dynamic. But mostly, they spend time together, they have fun, and they’re not glued to their devices. They go on adventures as a group. Ultimately, Louise is fiercely loyal and will always defend her family.

I really enjoy the episodes where Tina’s siblings, Gene and Louise, push her outside of her comfort zone. Even though she’s the oldest and usually the responsible one, it’s fun to see them get her involved in mischievous or risky things. Tina often initially protests, saying they shouldn’t do it, but she always ends up going along. There’s usually a turning point when she realizes Jimmy Jr. will be there, and then she’s okay with it. Honestly, Tina’s life would be much duller if her siblings didn’t constantly encourage her to bend the rules.

Favorite flavors

“Bob’s Burgers” is well-loved for its holiday episodes – especially those celebrating Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas – which are consistently fan favorites.

“I love on Thanksgiving when they play the marathon of stuff,” Roberts says.

It’s not just special episodes that fans remember. Even after sixteen seasons, the cast still feels the same excitement about reading new scripts and recording together as they did when the show began.

As for their favorites, Mintz says he enjoys “all the fantasy ones.” Murphy agrees.

I really enjoy the episodes where each kid shares their own version of events – stories that might not even be true. It’s fun when those stories don’t necessarily fit into the regular ‘Bob’s Burgers’ world, but we see things from their perspective, like when they created that huge robot in ‘The Handyman Can.’ It’s similar to the idea behind the movie ‘Rashomon,’ where everyone tells the same story differently.

I’m drawn to episodes that explore strong emotions. Whenever Louise has a chance to show vulnerability, I’m really engaged. Even episodes like “Show Mama From the Grave,” which aim for a sad and touching moment, are incredibly well done and some of my favorites.

I really love that each character gets their own dedicated episode – it’s a brilliant idea. “Lindapendent Woman” was a standout for me, and I recently worked on an episode written by Holly Schlesinger that delves into Linda’s backstory. It’s great that everyone has had a chance to shine with these fantastic episodes.

I agree with Kristen that the best episodes have a strong emotional core. There’s one Christmas episode, “The Plight Before Christmas,” where the three kids each have different events happening, and the parents realize they can’t be everywhere at once. It’s a really touching episode-I’ve seen it many times. It culminates with Tina attending Louise’s poetry reading, where Louise has written two poems, and one of them is a sweet one about family.

I really like the episode about chores, “Fight at the Not Okay Chore-ral.” It features a relatable conflict between Louise and Linda about household tasks, and they end up sharing stories set in a Wild West town. What’s great is that it’s based on a real disagreement. Interestingly, my daughter has asked to watch that episode repeatedly. I think she enjoys seeing Linda admit she’s wrong and give up – it seems to really appeal to her.

We’re here, we’re gruyere, get used it

“Bob’s Burgers” is well-known for being welcoming to everyone. The show portrays a community where characters are accepted as they are, with good-natured teasing being a common way they interact.

According to Roberts, the goal isn’t to change people, but to help them grow and become better individuals.

“And they don’t have to defend who they are,” adds Schaal. “There’s complete acceptance.”

With transgender and queer individuals facing growing hostility from right-wing politicians and activists – including harmful laws and language – shows like “Bob’s Burgers” can offer a safe and welcoming space for some viewers. Creator Loren Bouchard discusses how the show deliberately focuses on inclusivity.

One of the things we aim for is simply *showing* acceptance and inclusivity, rather than explicitly talking about it. When those values become big, emphasized concepts, they can lose their meaning. Storytelling is most effective when these qualities are naturally part of a character’s everyday life – how they live, feel, and behave. It’s not compelling to have a character *learn* a lesson about acceptance within the timeframe of a show. While it’s good to have those cultural moments where we collectively learn, our show focuses on creating characters who already embody those values, without making a big deal out of it. We focus on showing, not telling.

I’m grateful to my parents. My sister and I were definitely unusual kids, but in a perfectly normal way – it’s common for kids to be a little different. Thankfully, our parents embraced that and loved us for who we were, no matter how we expressed ourselves. I know not all parents are like that, and I feel lucky to have had their support. It feels completely natural to me. I believe the best way to be yourself is to simply live authentically, and hope that when you share your story, it will resonate with and comfort others.

Read More

2025-09-29 00:33