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.
Here we are, nearing the end of this season of Bob's Burgers. After a string of pretty good episodes, it seemed like the series was primed to have a stellar back half as it plays catch up with the other Fox series. While by no means an awful episode, "Pro Tiki/Con Tiki" manages to take everything that the series has done before and make an average episode. In fact, it has been done better. With exception to the tiki dress-up, this feels like a rerun in the most humdrum ways possible. Still, when the show does a familiar story, one can be thankful that they're doing an average job.
The episode opens with Bob (Jon Benjamin) getting a call from his old friend Warren (Chris Parnell). For starters, the man is rich and wants to invest money into Bob's Burgers. With his impending stay, Bob has the children shuffle around rooms so that Warren can have a bed. Gene (Eugene Mirman) decides to sleep in the living room. His one catch is that he gets to watch TV when everyone else is asleep. Louise (Kristen Schaal) becomes jealous and begs him to let her sleep in what Gene has called Newgeneland. It is a resounding "Nope" for a good few days until he finally lets her. Bob plays along and hides the remote from Louise, believing that Gene is king of Newgeneland, and thus controls it.
Meanwhile, Bob and Warren are getting along just fine. When Warren decides to invest $100,000 into the business, Bob is unsure as to how to accept it. He eventually invests it into the bank and begins to renovate the business with help from Teddy (Larry Murphy). Since Warren invested, he insists on getting input into the redesign. As a result, they make the place into a tiki restaurant, including a talking pineapple that greets customers. This goes well and even helps business. Still, Warren is being obnoxious and refuses to cooperate in a behaved manner. It causes Bob to give back the deposit. Warren goes on his way and lets Bob do whatever he wants with the business.
Rating: 3 out of 5
There isn't much to say that's necessarily exciting about this episode. Where the past few episodes have provided some deeper context to the characters and their motivations, this was a pretty straightforward tale in which a man comes into the Belcher household and does something a little juvenile. The only real catch is that this person is an old friend who has invested a lot of money into the company. The rest of it hits all of the familiar territory, such as using the facilities wrong and putting up egregious demands. It isn't a bad formula, and actually works when it comes to making an adequate episode. However, you sort of wish that there was something more to it.
The only thing that it really does have is Gene's plot about having a great new bed. Even that feels like it was cut down in order to emphasize Warren's time at the Belcher household more. This isn't a problem, as I generally feel like the B-Plots have become one of the least interesting things about the show. However, I do think that the sibling rivalry is something that could've made for a far more interesting use of time than listening to Bob complain about his friend. In fact, it wouldn't be much of a B-Plot, as everything is influenced by Warren's existence. If anything, it would compliment the story and add depth to how he screwed over the entire family.
Still, a mediocre Bob's Burgers isn't the worst thing that the show could have. In a season that has shown the series return to a higher quality, I am fine if an episode here or there doesn't connect as well as it should. This may be familiar territory, and not a lot happens that's valuable, but is that such a bad thing? Every show has a filler episode every now and then, and this one manages to do it with at least a sense of humor about itself. One can only hope that the remaining episodes bounce back. Even then, there's not a whole lot to keep this from going down as one of the better seasons of a show that has lasted surprisingly longer than it was ever expected to.
The episode opens with Bob (Jon Benjamin) getting a call from his old friend Warren (Chris Parnell). For starters, the man is rich and wants to invest money into Bob's Burgers. With his impending stay, Bob has the children shuffle around rooms so that Warren can have a bed. Gene (Eugene Mirman) decides to sleep in the living room. His one catch is that he gets to watch TV when everyone else is asleep. Louise (Kristen Schaal) becomes jealous and begs him to let her sleep in what Gene has called Newgeneland. It is a resounding "Nope" for a good few days until he finally lets her. Bob plays along and hides the remote from Louise, believing that Gene is king of Newgeneland, and thus controls it.
Meanwhile, Bob and Warren are getting along just fine. When Warren decides to invest $100,000 into the business, Bob is unsure as to how to accept it. He eventually invests it into the bank and begins to renovate the business with help from Teddy (Larry Murphy). Since Warren invested, he insists on getting input into the redesign. As a result, they make the place into a tiki restaurant, including a talking pineapple that greets customers. This goes well and even helps business. Still, Warren is being obnoxious and refuses to cooperate in a behaved manner. It causes Bob to give back the deposit. Warren goes on his way and lets Bob do whatever he wants with the business.
Rating: 3 out of 5
There isn't much to say that's necessarily exciting about this episode. Where the past few episodes have provided some deeper context to the characters and their motivations, this was a pretty straightforward tale in which a man comes into the Belcher household and does something a little juvenile. The only real catch is that this person is an old friend who has invested a lot of money into the company. The rest of it hits all of the familiar territory, such as using the facilities wrong and putting up egregious demands. It isn't a bad formula, and actually works when it comes to making an adequate episode. However, you sort of wish that there was something more to it.
The only thing that it really does have is Gene's plot about having a great new bed. Even that feels like it was cut down in order to emphasize Warren's time at the Belcher household more. This isn't a problem, as I generally feel like the B-Plots have become one of the least interesting things about the show. However, I do think that the sibling rivalry is something that could've made for a far more interesting use of time than listening to Bob complain about his friend. In fact, it wouldn't be much of a B-Plot, as everything is influenced by Warren's existence. If anything, it would compliment the story and add depth to how he screwed over the entire family.
Still, a mediocre Bob's Burgers isn't the worst thing that the show could have. In a season that has shown the series return to a higher quality, I am fine if an episode here or there doesn't connect as well as it should. This may be familiar territory, and not a lot happens that's valuable, but is that such a bad thing? Every show has a filler episode every now and then, and this one manages to do it with at least a sense of humor about itself. One can only hope that the remaining episodes bounce back. Even then, there's not a whole lot to keep this from going down as one of the better seasons of a show that has lasted surprisingly longer than it was ever expected to.
Comments
Post a Comment