Summary
The best episode ofBob’s Burgersseason 14 proves that the long-running animated comedy is the true successor toThe Simpsons. After over 25 years on the air,The Simpsonsshows no sign of ending anytime soon. The cartoon family sitcom has aired over 760 episodes andThe Simpsonsseason 36will soon bring that historic number even higher when the show returns to screens later in 2024. However,The Simpsonshas changed a lot in that time, and various shows have built their entire reputations around altering elements introduced in theGolden Age ofThe Simpsons.
South Parktook the edgy cynicism ofThe Simpsonsto new heights, creating a darker, more abrasive, and less family-friendly series.Family Guytook certain aspects ofThe Simpsons, like its deconstruction of traditional family sitcom tropes and its political commentary, and doubled down on these. Meanwhile,Bob’s Burgersleaned into the sweeter, more relatable, and grounded side ofThe Simpsons’ formula for its inspiration. WhereSouth ParkandFamily Guyoffered viewers a more blackly comedic, provocative spin on the show’s style,Bob’s Burgersinstead madeThe Simpsons’ setup more sincere and idealistic.
The Bob’s Burgers Movie Proved It Has Something The Simpsons Is Missing
The Bob’s Burgers Movie proved Bob’s Burgers has one secret weapon The Simpsons is missing, and it’s one the older show once had years earlier.
Season 14 Episode 2 Shows Bob’s Burgers Has Expanded Its World
“The Amazing Rudy” Doesn’t Need The Belchers To Succeed
Now in its thirteenth year,Bob’s Burgershas proven itself to be the true successor toThe Simpsonswith season 14, episode 2, “The Amazing Rudy.” This outing’s story of the sensitive Regular-Sized Rudy navigating a meal with his divorced parents and their new partners is funny, poignant, and resonant despite barely featuring the Belcher family. The episode proves thatBob’s Burgershas created a fictional world immersive enough for supporting characters to headline an entire episode of their own. This was the quality that neitherFamily Guy, norSouth Park, nor any ofThe Simpsons’ imitators could manage.
Family GuyandSouth Parkare often too irreverent for episodes that center on minor characters to succeed
The plot of “The Amazing Rudy” might be simple, but it is as successful as any ofThe Simpsons’ best kid-centric episodesas a result. Regular-Sized Rudy’s plight doesn’t have high stakes, but the episode seriously engages with his awkward life stage and the complicated emotions it involves. In contrast,Family GuyandSouth Parkare often too irreverent for episodes that center on minor characters to succeed, as evidenced by the poor reception ofSouth Parkseason 4, episode 14, “Pip,” andFamily Guyseason 10, episode 3, “Screams of Silence: The Story of Brenda Q.”
The Simpsons Exploring Springfield’s Stories Opened Up The Series
The Cartoon Grew More Ambitious After Its First Few Seasons
BeforeBob’s Burgersproved that it could pull off a story that scarcely incorporated its ostensible heroes,The Simpsonsmanaged to make episodes about supporting characters a mainstay in the series. Characters like Apu, Milhouse, and Ned Flanders were the focus of episodes like season 7, episode 23, “Much Apu About Nothing,” season 8, episode 6, “A Milhouse Divided,” and season 8, episode 8, “Hurricane Neddy.” LikeBob’s Burgers,The Simpsonstypically focuses on the family at the center of its world. However, it is also able to expand its scope to incorporate the stories of more supporting stars.
AlthoughThe Simpsonsseason 35focused mostly on the central family, this was a surprisingly welcome change of pace given just how much the series relied on supporting characters for novelty value. While a backstory for Carl Carlson was fun, a second unrelated episode centering on the character was arguably excessive. Similarly, basing four or five episodes around Moe’s misadventures was one thing, but spending the entirety of season 23, episode 12, “Moe Goes from Rags to Riches,” detailing his dishrag’s backstory was less appealing. This went beyond extending the show’s universe and into pure audience trolling.
The episode’s critical acclaim is owed in part to a quality that makesBob’s Burgersstand out in comparison toFamily Guy,South Park, and evenThe Simpsons
Bob’s Burgers Offers Something The Simpsons Lacks
Bob’s Burgers Remains More Understated Than Its Cartoonier Competitor
On that note, it is important to point out why “The Amazon Rudy” was such a success. The episode’s critical acclaim is owed in part to a quality that makesBob’s Burgersstand out in comparison toFamily Guy,South Park, and evenThe Simpsonsitself.Bob’s Burgersis a lot more grounded than its competitors, relying less on outlandish absurdity and more on deadpan character humor. In one ofThe Simpsonsseason 35’s lesser episodes, Homer tips a waitress $10,000, a gesture that proves the character doesn’t exist in anything resembling recognizable reality.
In contrast, many ofBob’s Burgersseason 14’s storylines are dedicated to the Belcher family working out how to get by despite the rising cost of living. Despite occasional flights of fancy, the series never abandons the realities of working-class life, or leans too far into its status as a cartoon. This meansBob’s Burgershas an easier time taking its characters seriously, whereasThe Simpsonscan often become too silly for its own good.
