The FOX network recently introduced another TV show to their Sunday night “Animation Domination” line-up, Bob’s Burgers. How will this stack up against the other animated sitcoms? Will it be quickly renewed or end up being cancelled?
Bob’s Burgers revolves around Bob Belcher (H. Jon Benjamin), a third generation restaurateur who operates Bob’s Burgers with the help of his wife and their three kids. He has big ideas about the food he serves but knows little about customer service and business management. The restaurant is constantly struggling and there are times when it doesn’t seem like his family is on his team. His wife, Linda (John Roberts), supports his dream through thick and thin but is tiring of it. Eldest daughter Tina (Dan Mintz) is a 13-year-old hopeless romantic with minimal social skills. Son Gene (Eugene Mirman) is an aspiring musician and prankster and youngest child Louise (Kristen Schaal) has an off-balance sense of humor but loves her dad’s business.
The new show debuted on January 9th and, thanks in part to the afternoon’s NFL Wildcard Playoff game, had a great premiere. The first episode of Bob’s Burgers scored a 4.5 in the 18-49 demographic and 9.38 million total viewers. Those numbers were good enough to make it the best performing network premiere of the season to date.
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Unfortunately that success was short-lived. Only about half as many of those viewers came back to watch in week two. The second episode dropped to a 2.5 rating in the demo and 5.07 million viewers. The most recent episode attracted a 2.2 rating, a further decline of 12% in the demo, and 4.81 million total viewers.
Thanks to the fantastic premiere numbers, Bob’s Burgers still averages a 3.1 rating and 6.42 million viewers. If the ratings keep declining or even if they just stay the same, that average will sink lower. Sandwiched between The Simpsons and Family Guy, Bob’s Burgers doesn’t come close to matching their ratings. That seems to indicate that some FOX viewers are making a conscious effort to skip the newbie series. FOX execs are likely wondering if other shows might make better use of the timeslot. They already have a couple new animated series in the works.
Back in October, FOX ordered six additional scripts for the series. Because it can take months to produce new episodes, the order would allow the series to remain in continuous production. The network has yet to order additional episodes be actually produced however. The network is likely waiting to see if the ratings even off or get better before committing to its future.
What do you think? Do you like Bob’s Burgers? Does the humor go too far? Cancel or keep it?
Image courtesy FOX.
I’m a foodie so it’s no surprise I like this series. I love the offbeat humor, the kooky kid who wears the rabbit ears, the son who’s completely clueless, the dull daughter (whose voice is actually a man!), the mom with her heavy NY accent and poor Bob, the hapless dad in charge of it all. I loved the ep where Bob’s Burgers was being accused of serving ground up humans and one of the picketers was carrying a sign that said, “Don’t TASTE me bro!” Brilliant. You know, shows like M*A*S*H didn’t catch on till the third or fourth… Read more »
Gave it a chance through 3 episodes. Will not watch another. I enjoy dry humor like Newhart. This doesn’t come close.
Thats because Bob’s Burgers doesn’t have any dry humor. Its just plain dry.
@Luis The Cleveland Show is better than BB. But you should still keep Bob’s Burgers.
I say get rid of it .It was bad enough we had to put up with crap like King of the hill now we’ve got something just as crappy
Keep it, the show is great. Way better then the Cleveland which was picked up.
You know what? I actually think it’ll last as long as Sit Down, Shut Up did. But still, keep it.
Um…my crotch is itchy. Anyway, My friend and I like it. I haven’t been that impressed with it so far as much as the other animation domination shows. Plus, the animation’s not as good and it sorta reminds me of Sesame Street. If this show was a puppet show, I dont think the characters would look much different. Anyway, keep the show. I like Tina’s socially akwardness, Genes jokes and pranks, Louisse’s craziness, Linda’s nasal voice, and Bob’s douchebag voice. Hopefully, the show will get better and maybe at last 3 seasons. I say keep it.
Cancel Bob’s Burgers and put American Dad in that time slot.
Cancel Bob’s Burgers and give American Dad a 1-hour timeslot!
Get rid of this show.Ive watched Every Sunday and it has not gottan any better.BRING BACK KING OF THE HILL- I miss Hank n Bobby
My wife likes it, but I don’t think I’d miss it if it were cancelled.
BTW, afi1114, I love Family Guy from the pilot episode. I haven’t enjoyed it so much the last couple of seasons, but I can usually tell by the third episode if I’m going to like something.
This show is awesome… it’s an original comedy with original dialogue and original characters. Everyone hated Family Guy when it first started, lets just hope Fox has learned their lesson, and allows this show enough time to build a following. Keep this show… by the way if you like this try watching Archer on FX… also great.
I admit that I really loved Lucy, Daughter of the Devil far more than Bob’s Burgers. Since it involves the same talent, I am hoping it will evolve into a better show. It has had some very funny moments so far.
I watched the first episode and hated it but I gave it another shot and watched episode 2 but I only made it into 10 minutes into that one before having to shut it off.
This is by far the worst new show and it’s the only one that I actually want to see canceled. It should have never made it to tv in the first place.
You apparently have watched perfect couples on NBC. Thts the worst show of the new year
You all who like it gotta have brain damage…. maybe lack of nutrition from eating too much mcdonalds…
give it a chance! it’s great! It’s actually quite funny.