TV’s Most Functional & Unhinged Family

(And why they are goals)

For years, television show jokes (particularly family related) usually have come at the expense of someone else. To the point where it was so common to watch this type of humor everywhere you looked. Shows like “The Simpsons”, “Family Guy”, and “American Dad” are a few examples of shows that typically belittled other characters (or showcased a form of bullying) as part of the show’s humor.

I thought for a long time that healthy family dynamics weren’t humorous or entertaining enough for viewers to enjoy. I thought that I wouldn’t see the day that safe, warm, loving families would be “cool again” like they were in the show “Leave it to Beaver” which was on televisions in the late 50s and early 60s. It seemed like unless they were made for small children (shows like “Arthur” and “Mister Rogers neighborhood”) or if they were older shows from the 50s, that family dynamics would always be depicted as toxic, drama filled, and abusive for the sake of popularity.

But something changed in 2011 with the introduction of Bob’s Burgers. Not only is it wholesome, cringey, funny, and cute but it’s also intended for ages 13 and up. Yet, according to the Hollywood Reporter, the median age for Bob’s Burgers is 49.5-year-olds. Its popularity across a broad range of ages has allowed the show’s creators to continue creating new episodes- despite the show not making harmful jokes or belittling characters in a way that other shows have in the past.

But why should we be taking notes from the Belchers? And why is this style of entertainment enjoyable despite not relying on mean jokes?

I’ll gladly explain!

The Belcher family consists of:

The father figure: Bob

The mother figure: Linda

The oldest daughter: Tina

The brother: Gene

& The youngest daughter: Louise

Each member of the family is close with one another. They share their experiences with one another and barely ever hold back… even if it gets uncomfortable. In the family, whenever there is a problem, they all do their best to help each other. No matter what. And even if it means getting out of debt by playing rock, paper, scissors against Mr. Fischoeder and bleeding from your finger crotch (Season 3: Episode 20 reference). Both Bob and Linda don’t judge their children for being themselves and they only show concern when they feel that they might be in danger. Their kids (Tina, Gene, and Louise) are very close to each other and have a special bond that is basically unbreakable. If and when one of them fights with one another, they always make amends and they remember their love for one another. The shenanigans that this family goes on is pretty silly and usually life lesson worthy. Every episode centers around a specific theme, be it family values, friendship, and/or morals.

People continue to enjoy watching Bob’s Burgers because I feel, deep down, that everyone would have loved being born into a loving, caring, and warm family. Unfortunately, no one can choose what family they will be born into… but I bet we all wish we could be loved fully by the people we are raised by. Not everyone gets that and yet-some people do! Which is in itself a miracle because it’s so rare to see (at least in my life it has been rare to see). As human beings, I believe and think that we all want to improve. People want to do better. And people want to raise their children in a way that might look different than what they had as a child. Or maybe they would like to replicate what they had because it was meaningful. Either way, I feel that watching Bob’s Burgers is a way of learning how functional families solve problems together and it teaches us that families like that can exist, even if it’s existing as an animation. I can imagine that the creators of Bob’s Burgers were aware of the family dynamics that were a center of attention for many years-and they probably wanted to show the world something new and wholesome, yet hilarious all at once. And they nailed it with Bob’s Burgers!

I’m sure there have been other shows that display healthier dynamics between friends and family relationships. I wouldn’t know what they are lol but if you’d like to comment below what show you feel showcases caring relationships- I’d love to know! I’d also love to know what YOU think about Bob’s Burgers? Yay? Nay? As you can tell, I’m a huge fan but I understand people have different tastes! And if you’re also a fan of Bob’s Burgers… do you have a favorite moment in the show? One of the many moments I adore in the show is when the kids want to stop Linda from buying essential oils from Angie (Season 9: Episode 11)! Lol!!!