Bob's Burgers' Ladies

Today, an average animated sitcom family consists of a mother, father and three children. Most of the time there are two sons and one daughter. The daughter is mainly used for jokes and is considered the least popular character among the family. Family Guy can be considered the creators of this set up with its character Meg. Numerous animated sitcoms have followed this method, however there is a show that breaks the norm, Bob’s Burgers. Running since 2011, Bob’s Burgers is not your typical animated sitcom family. The family consists of Bob and Linda and their children: Tina, Gene, and Louise. Yes, there is a show with a family having more females than males, shocking!  Not only that, these ladies break the conventional roles female characters have on animated sitcoms. Bob's Burgers represents women in a strong and non-stereotypical way with its main female characters.

Linda is not your typical mother. Unlike other animated sitcoms, Linda is not a stay at home mother whose only roles are to take care of the kids and please her husband. Linda can be found working along side Bob in his restaurant. If it weren’t for Linda, the restaurant would go under within a day. In season three, Lindapendent Woman, it is made clear Linda is the backbone. At the start of the episode we see Linda balancing an extremely low monthly budget by bouncing checks to certain places. At this point Linda decides to pick up an extra job, even though Bob insist the family isn’t at that point yet. Ignoring Bob, Linda begins work at Fresh Feed, after her first week the job offers Linda shift manager. When she excitedly tells Bob, he still thinks Linda doesn’t need to leave. Feeling under appreciated, Linda accepts the position. After her first messy shift, Linda comes back to the restaurant. Although Linda did not intend to, she taught Bob to be thankful for all the work she puts into running the restaurant and to appreciate what she does. 

Tina, the eldest daughter, is a hugely popular character. In the season two opening, The Belchies, the Belcher kids along with their friends are looking for treasure in an abandoned taffy factory. One of the friends, Jimmy Jr., is the boy Tina has a major crush on. During the treasure hunt Tina acts like a damsel in distress in order to get Jimmy Jr.’s attention. At the climax of the episode, Tina cries out in frustration, “I’m sick of acting like a dumb helpless girl just so a hot boy who dances will notice me. That’s not who I am. I’m smart, strong, sensual woman”. This line is still popular after three seasons. Tina reminds women they don’t need to act a certain way in order to get the man they want. It is more important to be who you are and to embrace everything about yourself. At the end of the episode Jimmy Jr. tells Tina he likes strong girls. Tina proudly replies, “Put it on a t-shirt Jimmy Jr. I don’t want to hear it”. It was so important for her to stick to what she previously said. By dismissing Jimmy Jr. her message sticks with the audience and she gains so much respect as well.

The youngest daughter, Louise is also a powerful character. She may be the youngest but she is the smartest, especially when it comes to getting her way. In season one, Bed and Breakfast, Linda gives her room away to the family’s friend Teddy. Louise is extremely territorial and makes it clear Linda has made a mistake by giving her room away. In an attempt to get Teddy out of the room she learns his fear of costumed cartoon characters. While locked in Bob and Linda’s room, Louise steals Linda’s credit card and hires costumed characters to show up to their house and scare Teddy out of her room. Louise only focuses on her main goals and will do anything to get her way, no matter how evil.

Bob’s Burgers is clearly not your stereotypical Sunday night sitcom. Linda, Tina, and Louise crush the traditional roles female characters have in animated comedy shows. If you are looking for strong female characters, you’ll find them in Bob’s Burgers.