Entertainment
16 Seasons Later, This Insane Sitcom Continues to Pick Up Steam on Hulu
There’s no doubt that when Bob’s Burgers premiered back in 2011, creators Loren Bouchard and Jim Dauterive knew they had something special to share with the world. But as is the case with most shows, it took some time for the FOX series to really find its footing. With 16 seasons under its belt, and having been renewed through Season 19, it’s clear that they’ve righted the ship. It’s hard to deny, however, that the early seasons are rough. Whether it’s the one-dimensional characters, or the low-budget animation, Bob’s Burgers definitely went through some growing pains.
Our first glimpse into the Belcher family is a scene in the restaurant where Bob is just berating his children. That’s the jumping off point. Not only is it aggressive and mean-spirited, but it isn’t in line with the Bob Belcher that audiences know and love today. In those early seasons, Bob is as flat as a character can get, and I promise that’s not a shot at the animation which lacks the polished finish of later episodes. Eventually, Bob’s Burgers would find its charm without losing its edge. The two-time Emmy Award-winning series has made it a priority to draw audiences in, instead of alienating them. That formula has made for one of the best comedies currently available to stream.
H. Jon Benjamin’s One-Note Portrayal of Bob Belcher Fell Flat
From the jump, Bob’s tone is simply angry. He yells at his kids. He yells at his wife. That’s his whole thing. There is something inherently funny about characters being frustrated or upset, but that kind of comedy works best if it’s situational. It loses its luster if that’s the only emotion a character is going through. So for Bob Belcher to be so negative right off the bat, that’s almost a disservice to actor H. Jon Benjamin and what he brings to the table. From Wet Hot American Summer to Archer, Benjamin’s voice-over work is top-notch. That being said, it’s difficult to watch Season 1 of Bob’s Burgers and not cringe a bit.
When so much of a television series is based around one character, such as Bob Belcher, there has to be a depth to that character from the very beginning. That just didn’t exist at first. It truly seemed like this guy just hated his kids, hated his wife, and hated his job. While Tina, Gene, Louise, and Linda were just side characters who took the brunt of the punishment, as opposed to a cohesive ensemble cast. Luckily, as the years went by, Bob’s Burgers slowly began to shift the tone.
At Its Core, ‘Bob’s Burgers’ Has a Lot of Heart
There’s nothing wrong with softening the edges, and that’s arguably what saved the show. There are still some dark undertones. However, choosing to shift focus from Bob to the entire family as a cohesive unit really worked wonders for the series. From Dan Mintz as the anxiety-ridden, boy-obsessed Tina, to Kristen Schaal‘s hard-nosed, unafraid portrayal of Louise. It’s much more fulfilling as an audience member to watch these characters interact, rather than watch Bob scream at everyone for an entire episode.
The softer tone creates a beautiful contrast when other characters ultimately erupt in anger. John Roberts does an absolutely wonderful job as Linda. Like any relationship, her and Bob’s marriage is a balancing act. A give-and-take. Through their relationship, as well as the interactions with their children, that’s where the comedic moments can live and thrive. There’s no doubt that the Belcher family dynamic allows the comedy to shine through at the perfect times.
‘Bob’s Burgers’ Success Rewarded With Four-Season Renewal
After proving that this wasn’t just a one-dimensional stereotype of a New Jersey family, Bob’s Burgers was renewed for four seasons. Back in April 2025, the series was rewarded with Seasons 16, 17, 18, and 19. Season 16 is currently streaming on Hulu. That means more of Gene’s inappropriately timed one-liners, more of that anxious sound Tina makes, and more of Aunt Gayle’s crazy cat lady antics. There is a lesson to take away from this, and that is, don’t be afraid to adapt.
In a competitive and creative field such as scripted television, hesitation to make changes could be fatal to a series. It’s a fine line between success and failure. Thankfully, the production team on Bob’s Burgers figured that out early enough in the process and fans are now being rewarded as well.
- Release Date
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January 9, 2011
- Network
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FOX
- Showrunner
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Loren Bouchard
- Directors
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Tyree Dillihay, Anthony Chun, Jennifer Coyle, Wes Archer, Ian Hamilton, Tom Riggin, Bernard Derriman, Don MacKinnon, Kevin Wotton, John Rice, Simon Chong
- Writers
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Lizzie Molyneux-Logelin, Wendy Molyneux, Kelvin Yu, Scott Jacobson, Greg Thompson, Katie Crown, Aron Abrams