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.
 Loading ... |
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.
Let it die. I love all of H. John Benjiman’s work (from Home Movies to Archer, and everything in between), but this show is just insipid and boring.
Maybe if it was on adultswim where it could do more it would be better.
Cancel it, it was the most boring thing I’ve ever seen pass for comedy.
keep it! keep it! keep it!
I haven’t laughed out loud at a tv show in a long time! bob’s burgers is excellent! very very very funny!
definitely keep it. it is a great show and a nice break from the family guy sense of humor which, in my opinion, has become grating. besides, loren bouchard and jon benjamin? amazing.
BOBS BURGERS is the first new series I have been excited to see in at least 5 years. KEEP IT KEEP IT FOR THE LOVE OF GOD KEEP IT.
Its humor is unique and not just another family guy or something like that, its awesome and a breath of fresh air for those who have been watching hours and hours of family guy, American dad and king of the hill for the past years.
King of the Hill is still on all the time….. its still just as good. We need some new amazing shows for god sakes
KEEP IT FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!
I stole your comment a bit, only to help reinforce our desires!!
Keep it!
Yes, bring back King of the Hill and get The Venture Bros and Metalocalypse onto regular TV. But please Bobs Burgers going too.
KEEP IT! It looks promising. Not flat out funny but it can develop into a good series. I wish someone had kept The Goode Family going as well too. So Fox, please give this show atleast a couple of seasons. Thanks.
Seeing it as the new beginning of an anime, one cannot think of simpsons and family guy. That being said, i cannot help think about the beginng of any other new animated series and remembering how bad the monarchs were. Id have to say even with diffrent anime styles, that bobs burgers is wicked fun right from the get go. If kept, i believe it will be funnier then simpsons and family guy. Remember how terrible they were in the first seasons? I hope there will be more to come and not suffer the fate of futurama.
Lol at anyone thinking this show is even remotely funny, how old are you? 5?
“My crotch itches”
Thats not witty whatsoever, it’s like a potty joke that all the kindergarteners would bust up laughing at. Family Guy also uses humor that could be considered stupid, but it is nearly always amazingly witty. Mcfarlane is a genius.
Cancel. Please cancel this and put King of the Hill back on. When I say this I’m being completely honest and not exaggerating in the least: It is the worst and dumbest show that I have EVER seen.
The joke is funny because its out of the blue and not in keeping with the conversation at the time. It introduces the character as a strange, confused teen girl who is almost completely socially inept. The joke is the reaction of other characters. Maybe you don’t understand wit as much as you claim to
I thought it was very funny! Its refreshing to see off beat cartoons like Fox’s lineup. Hooray for them being so innovative.
KEEP IT!!! it is probably one of the funniest shows i have seen in a while. the comedy is smart and funny. it’s not the same as family guy, which although i love it, is becoming a little much with the overkill humour. this show is a must watch and i think that people will turn on and tune in. especially after it no longer has to compete with football. give the show a chance – so worth it!
I think its a great show! I can’t believe some people don’t like it! I think it HAS to stay because its the most favorite show I have ever had in my entire LIFE!!! PLEASE KEEP IT FOX, IM BEGING YOU!
I think it a great show! I can’t believe some people don’t like it. I think it should stay because it is the most favorite show I ever had in my entire LIFE!!!