Welcome to TV Recap, in which we look at modern shows and analyze them on an episode-to-episode basis. This one focuses on the cartoon sitcom Bob's Burgers, a very funny show that is capable of rivaling old school Simpsons in terms of irreverent humor and off the wall zaniness. With a cast of modern alternative comedian heroes, the story follows the Belchers as they run a burger joint. Join me as I take part in dissecting the show in its first full season. Check back on Tuesdays for the next exciting installment.
In terms of episodes, this one is a rather simple gimmick that works on its own merits. Bob's Burgers is set to make musicals out of both Working Girl and Die Hard: two 80's movies with a lot of sass and fun. The inspired riff may result in a very straightforward episode that lacks intricacy, but who cares? The concept alone is brilliant and makes for a rather strong start to another season. Here's hoping that the inspired comedy can stay strong for another season of a series that didn't seem like it would last this long.
The episode opens up at Waggstaff where Gene Belcher (Eugene Mirman) and Courtney (David Wain) are complaining to Mr. Frond (David Herman) about their musicals. Through flashback, there is revelation of how this came about. After an announcement that the school was to hold a musical, but didn't want to do Grease again, Courtney and Gene pitch ideas. When Courtney's idea for a Working Girl musical wins the fight, things begin to heat up. Tina (Dan Mintz) betrays Gene's Die Hard music project in favor of Jimmy Jr.'s (Jon Benjamin) butt. In fact, the Die Hard musical is made almost exclusively of the Working Girl rejects.
Through practicing, they try and pull something together. Their only problem is that they do not know where to host it. When Louise (Kristen Schaal) suggests the boiler room, Gene becomes inspired. However, he also wants to hold a one man version of the show, thus creating a competing show. With help from Louise, word spreads on the Die Hard musical and the crowd slowly pours into the hot boiler room. Courtney promised that Carly Simon would show up for the Working Girl performance, but nothing comes through.
After the conversation with Mr. Frond and the revelation of what is going on in the boiler room, Courtney and Gene work things out. They decide that they both were interfering on each other's territory. Over the course of 25 minutes, they throw together a combination musical that features both. It is called "Work Hard or Die Trying, Girl" which gets everyone involved in an enthusiastic manner. The episode ends with them performing the title number and Carly Simon finally making an appearance.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
It is so great to have Bob's Burgers back. In a way, the episode embodies the show's motives perfectly. What they want is to do something so bizarre and different from the norm, but have to settle for second best. Considering that the Animation Domination platform it debuted under is now gone, there is a need to put on a big show to be recognized. How do you do that? By promising Carly Simon and a big musical number. Considering that Gene is the master of musical numbers and there's been talks of a Bob's Burgers music album for quite some time, it is expected that they would debut with something so creatively bizarre that it meshes well between Fox's other premiere series: The Simpsons and Family Guy. It leans more to the former, but it still has to perform in the boiler room for recognition.
If there's any issue with the episode, it is the affinity for 80's nostalgia. It is a concept that has long been overused and the humor of not being self aware has also faded. Even if Die Hard is a great movie, the need to hearken back to the 80's is a little uninspired. Nonetheless, they somehow make it work with the great closing number that is more a commentary on their creativity than how dumb the 80's were. Still, it works because it combines two unnecessarily similar aspects in a fascinating way.
The other thing that may keep this from being a particularly great episode is that it is almost too simple. The story is about putting on a show. Guess what, they put on a show. No real arc to challenge. However, it is so air tight with how they execute it that it is easy to overlook. Maybe there could have been more insight into Gene's process and more of a petty fight with Courtney, but otherwise, the whole idea of putting on a show while talking about it in flashback does have some perks. The only issue is that there isn't much other substance to really chew. The boiler room gimmick either works for you or it doesn't.
Nonetheless, Bob's Burgers continues to try new and interesting things, and that's why it should be applauded. Here's hoping that their lunacy only grows from here and that the surprises continue to unravel. It may not be the series' most memorable episode, but that closing number more than makes up for any of the short coming and it is a celebration of strangeness.
*Note: Dan Mintz (the voice of Tina) has just released a comedy album called "The Stranger." I haven't listened to it yet, but I promise to have brief thoughts on it for next week's TV Recap.
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