DVD Review: ‘Bob’s Burgers – The Complete Third Season’

Article first published as DVD Review: 'Bob's Burgers - The Complete Third Season' on Blogcritics.

FOX’s Bob Burgers has slowly made its mark in the Sunday night Animation Domination lineup. While it is neither created by Seth MacFarlane nor Matt Groenig, it does feature a familiar, five-member family unit and their wacky adventures, so in a way, it sticks to the tried-and-true formula. Yet, the humor in the series feels more edgy and current than its multi-decade peers, and it has become a beloved favorite. The Complete Third Season, featuring episodes from the 2012-2013 television season, has finally recently been released on DVD.

Season three is probably where Bob’s Burgers finds its stride. It had a good freshman run and a solid sophomore series, but by the third year, it knows what it is and can really start to pay off running gags. We know Linda (John Roberts) will break out into weird songs at inappropriate times. We know the kids will get into trouble based on hormones, curiosity, or selfishness. And we know Bob (H. Jon Benjamin) will serve as the anchor that keeps everyone grounded, ineptly managing to clean up the messes when necessary.

Which is not to say it has become completely predictable. Bob’s Burgers follows a certain pattern for most episodes, one that is different from The Simpsons or Family Guy stories, but it still manages to come up with situations that feel original and fresh. I love the varying end credits that call back to a great part of that week’s plot. Its zany, recurring cast are a different make up of people than those other shows, and its installments feel more realistic, rather than so cartoonish. Most importantly, the trademark brand of humor it has carefully cultivated frequently lands.

Yes, many of the female characters are voiced by men (and occasionally boys are voiced by women), which seems odd if you are first discovering the show. However, after spending many hours with the parts, it’s hard to even notice such things, so convincing is the talent.

There are some great episodes among season three’s 23 offerings. In “Ear-Sy Rider,” Louise’s (Kristen Schaal) signature bunny ears are stolen and a biker gang shows up in town. “Bob Fires the Kids,” features Bob’s attempt to give his children a normal childhood, which backfires when they begin working on a pot farm. “Mutiny on the Windbreaker” has Gene (Eugene Mirman) falling in love with a stuffed manatee. In “An Indecent Thanksgiving,”Mr. Fischoeder (Kevin Kline) hires Bob’s family to pose as his own, and in “The Deepening,”  the family must stop a haywire mechanical shark. “Lindapendent Woman,” finds Tina (Dan Mintz) thinking that an arm near the milk shelf must be her soul mate; and, “The Kids Run the Restaurant,” is exactly what it sounds like.

The release has no extras, which is a huge disappointment, especially given the very long wait for the DVD to come out. Although I’m not sure exactly what kind of bonus features I expect from a prime-time animated series, with such a funny creative team, I would imagine the writers and actors would have at least a few things to share.

But, even without extras, the episodes themselves provide enough great material for a worthy purchase. Looking over the episode list from The Complete Third Season, I still vividly remember a number of the installments. That should indicate what a terrific series it is if, more than a year later, the jokes are fondly recalled and one can be amused all over again, before it is even re-watched. I can’t emphasize enough how good the material here is, which slightly lessens the sting of the crappy, late, weak release. Slightly.

Bob’s Burgers – The Complete Third Season is available now.

Bob's Burgers gets "An Indecent Thanksgiving Proposal"

Unlike the Halloween special, which aired almost a month before the holiday, FOX let Bob's Burgers put out their Thanksgiving episode at an appropriate time, the Sunday before. Of all the animated comedies the network has on this night, Bob's Burgers is my current favorite. To see the family celebrate a holiday that is so much about family is heartwarming. And, this being Bob's Burgers, also funny.

The story, "An Indecent Thanksgiving Proposal," begins with the landlord, Mr. Fischoeder (Kevin Kline), bribing Bob (H. Jon Benjamin) to cook a meal for himself and a lady friend, and also hiring Bob's family to pose as his own. See, Mr. Fischoeder's love interest only goes for married guys, so he plans on using Linda (John Roberts) and the kids to hook her in.

Bob is very resistant. Thanksgiving is his favorite holiday, and he has traditions with each child. To him, preserving these rituals is more important than money. Unfortunately, the children don't feel the same, and are excited to escape their father's corniness to get involved in a scheme. This is not only a typical portrait of a clan, painting Bob as the family man he truly is at heart, but also illustrative of the generational divide, parents being more sentimental than their offspring.

This, in of itself, would be a good enough tale. Bob grows ever jealous in the kitchen, while his kids compete for Mr. Fischoeder's affections, and Linda horribly overdoes things, as she is wont to do. But "An Indecent Thanksgiving Proposal" adds in a twist when Bob finds a bottle of absinthe in the kitchen. Suddenly, he is hallucinating and talking to the turkey, whom he has named, which makes things spiral even quicker out of control, and in very humorous ways.

Bob's Burgers works because of so many elements. One, it has a unique sense of humor that isn't found in practically any other series I can think of. Two, the characters are incredibly well defined, and are always played to their strengths. A fine balance is walked between repeating already known character traits, and overusing the same jokes, and it is pulled off expertly. Third, the show and its vocal cast can really land a joke, over and over again. Like when the family is naming holidays in the order of importance and Gene (Eugene Mirman) says the season premiere of Game of Thrones, though quickly admits to never having seen the show. Fantastic!

Louise (Kristen Schaal) remains the best part of Bob's Burgers. The fiendish young girl with her pink bunny ears is as clever as she is ornery. She will do whatever she must to meet her goals, and her brain just thinks on a different wave length than everyone else. And yet, when combined with her siblings, Gene and Tina (Dan Mintz), as she so often is in many a story, she works well in the group, too, without stealing too much focus.

"An Indecent Thanksgiving Proposal" has a happy ending for the family, of course. Like The Simpsons, no matter what happens during the episode, they can all come together in the end, and there is deep love between them. Bob's Burgers may be a little quicker to show it than The Simpsons, though, and only three seasons in, it still feels fresh and original, definitely designed for the modern sensibility.

Bob's Burgers airs Sundays at 8:30 p.m. ET on FOX.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Check out my website, JeromeWetzel.com! First posted on TheTVKing

Grill up a new Bob's Burgers

FOX's Bob's Burgers returns for its second season last night with "Belchies." Hearing that there might be treasure in a taffy factory that will soon be torn down, Louise (Kristen Schaal, the true star of the show) convinces her siblings to accompany her on a late night search. Tina (Dan Mintz) invites along Jimmy Jr. (Jay Johnston, The Sarah Silverman Program), who brings his brothers and friend, to Louise's dismay. The kids don't actually find anything, but luckily parents Bob (H. Jon Benjamin) and Linda (John Roberts) come looking for them, because Louise gets stuck, and the demolition crew begins work without checking the structure first.

Bob's Burgers is great because it is not only funny, but unlike anything else in the Animation Domination programming block. It seems a wholly original family comedy, with a typical dumb father who cares, and a less typical loving, supportive wife who happens to be pretty weird. And the kids are weird, too. So here is this pretty normal guy trying to do right by his very odd family.

If one questions just how weird Linda is, one only needs to look at "Belchies." Bringing sex dice into their scheduled Sunday night romp is fine, though awkward, but secretly slipping Bob boner pills, causing him to try to hide an erection for the rest of the episode, isn't exactly normal behavior. She does it because she loves him and thinks she is helping, but as if often the case, her help isn't exactly wanted or needed. And Bob continues to love her anyway, because she is a good person, at heart. Even after she hints that she might slip him more pills next week. It's a great couple formula that just seems fresh.

The oddness continues behind the scenes. Both Linda and daughter Tina are voiced by men. Guest stars don't always stay along gender lines, either. While it is not unusual for an animated series to make some occasional change ups, the sheer number of times Bob's Burgers does it is astounding. It also fits very well with the offbeat tone, keeping the voices humorous and unexpected.

After a short first season, the recurring cast is just beginning to build. Three veterans of The Sarah Silverman Program give life to the Pesto kids, with Sarah Silverman and her sister, Laura, handling the twins, Ollie and Andy. These may not be the best known comedians working in showbiz (with the exception of Sarah), but they are some of the funniest, and fit right in with the cast.

The story of "Belchies" works because it involves the three kids getting into trouble. While the series is titled Bob's Burgers, and there is some fun to be had at the titular establishment, any story with the sibling trio off without supervision ends up soaring. This can be attributed to wonderful chemistry and well defined characters. "Belchies" is no exception in this arena, with bold, crazy Louise dragging lovesick Tina and idiot Gene (Eugene Mirman) along for the ride.

Even better, with the mystery of the taffy factory left unsolved at story's end, Cyndi Lauper sings a reveal over the ending credits. Cyndi Lauper! It's a totally out-of-left-field spot that works extremely well. This move caps a high quality return for the wonderful, under-watched series.

Don't miss another minute of Bob's Burgers, airing Sundays at 8:30 p.m. ET on FOX.

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Meet Allen Gregory

     FOX's newest animated series is Allen Gregory, which premiered its "Pilot" last night. Allen Gregory De Longpre (Jonah Hill, Superbad, Get Him to the Greek) begins first grade at a public school. Spoiled by his rich father, Richard (French Stewart, 3rd Rock from the Sun), Allen Gregory has the niceties and attitude of an older gentleman, and thus is ill prepared to deal with his peers. He quickly falls for well-into-middle age Principal Judith Gottlieb (Renée Taylor, The Nanny), then poops his pants. Luckily, Allen Gregory has a second father, whom he calls Jeremy (Nat Faxon, The Cleveland Show, Happy Hour) whom convinces Allen Gregory to give it another try.

     There are many hints, not so subtle, that make one think Richard is having money problems. Thus, Jeremy must get a job, rather than stay at home to tutor Allen Gregory. Richard is very selfish, so it's understandable that he would cut back on his son before himself. Looking at Richard, who is practically a clone of Dean Pelton (Jim Rash) from Community, with a hint of Dr. Venture thrown in, it's very clear just how Allen Gregory becomes who he is.

     If there is a major complaint to be had, it's that Superintendent Jeremy Rossmyre (Will Forte, Saturday Night Live, The Cleveland Show) bends over backwards to suck up to Richard. One presumes this is because Rossmyre wants money from Richard, and doesn't realize that Richard has none to give. Rossmyre is too dumb to figure this out. But offering up the principal as a girlfriend for Allen Gregory crosses so many lines, that his character is standard cartoonish, without any realistic bend to him at all. Not always a bad thing in an animated series, but Rossmyre is twisted odd in such a way that he detracts from the enjoyment.

     Many critics have lambasted Allen Gregory and its title character as annoying and hard to relate to. This may be so, but one cannot blame the child completely for the sins of the father. Allen Gregory is a product of his world, and is the way Richard raises him to be. As he is so young, there is still time to change him. Should Allen Gregory continue to call his teacher by her first name and bring wine to school indefinitely, this series will not be funny, However, should the titular boy grow and chance, Allen Gregory could be a very interesting, and unique, cartoon. It's funny enough to keep watching for now.

     Allen Gregory has other influences besides Richard, of course. As mentioned, Jeffrey is a much more grounded individual, though as persistent as Richard is about what he wants, it doesn't quite gel that Jeffrey is a straight family man, stolen away by this flamboyant rich guy. It's every Republican's worst nightmare come true, but in a way that would never happen, thus mocking the concept. Allen Gregory also has a normal sister named Julie (Joy Osmanski, Grey's Anatomy, The Loop). But these two cannot get through to him because, like Richard, he sees them as inferior and treats them with disdain. It's not a healthy family situation that begs to have drama threaten to break it up.

     Bottom line, if Allen Gregory chooses, like most animated sitcoms, to keep things status quo every week, it won't be very good for very long. If it takes a bold risk and allows character growth from week to week, as well as some larger plot arcs, there is potential here for a really cool series. Though the chances are it will fall into the latter, it's hard not to hope for the former.

     Allen Gregory airs Sundays at 8:30 p.m. ET on FOX.

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Bob's Burgers opens a "Bed & Breakfast"

     I still haven't decide if FOX's Bob's Burgers is good enough to warrant a second season pick up. But it has often been as funny as other, longer running shows on Animation Domination, so in that regard, I would like to see the series renewed. I don't really care for the 7:30 showings of American Dad caused by five shows sharing a broadcast night, but instead of running reruns as much, if the five shows were to be put in a rotation, I think it might be a really cool system. I can't think of a network that's done a rotation block of this sort, and it's high time to try it.

     In last night's episode, Linda (John Roberts, but not the Chief Justice) decides to turn the family's small dwelling into a bed and breakfast during a long weekend, taking advantage of the tourist traffic. Three guests show up: a couple who would like to stay in their room having kinky sex and an entomologist who is mating beetles. Besides the sexual sight gags, the animations smartly included more and more beetles crawling on the walls as the episode wore on.

     Linda is not at all satisfied with their participation in her many planned events, so she lets restaurant regular, Teddy (Larry Murphy, Delocated, Ugly Americans), who is really excited about the concept, stay, too. Unfortunately for Teddy, or fortunately for viewers, she lets Teddy have Louise's (Kristen Schaal) tiny room, and Louise sets out for revenge on the unwanted guest. She accomplishes such by using the aforemention beetles, as well as playing on Teddy's extreme discomfort with customed characters in a very visually entertaining scene.

     Louise has quickly become my favorite character, voiced by the hilarious Schall, who also is a correspondant for The Daily Show With Jon Stewart. Louise seems to live in a world all her own, but unlike other characters in that vein, say Stewie from Family Guy, Louise is bound by reality. Still, if you need a lock picked, or an idea that no one else would think of in a million years, Louise is your girl. She is also the youngest of the clan, but not a toddler, which I find refreshing.

     Many episodes thus far have dealt with the family helping out Bob, but this is the second time that Linda and her schemes have been the focus, and I like it. As Linda tries to implement her dreams in their lower-middle class reality, she struggles with the execution. In these times, Bob (H. Jon Benjamin, doing double duty as the title character in both Bob's Burgers and Archer) gets to demonstrate what a loving, well grounded husband and father he is. Bob has his flaws, but he comes through in a pinch, more so than other animated TV dads.

     I like Bob's Burgers because, while not always as laugh out loud funny as The Simpsons or American Dad, the family dynamics are more realistic. The show demonstrates humor in characters that are odd, but not as over the top as their peers.

     Bob's Burgers airs Sunday nights at 8:30 p.m. ET on FOX.

Article first published as TV Review: Bob's Burgers - "Bed & Breakfast" on Blogcritics.

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Family Guy Asks: Are You One of the "Friends of Peter G."?

     Nine seasons in, it's getting harder to come up with something new to say about FOX's Family Guy. That's because it bases its success on playing the same bits over and over again, for the most part. I'm not exactly complaining; I still enjoy the show, and am usually pretty amused. That being said, this week's episode, "Friends of Peter G.", was not exactly brimming with new ideas.

     Early in the episode, Peter (voiced by show creator Seth MacFarlane) and Brian (also MacFarlane) are busted for disrupting a movie theater while drunk. A judge orders them to attend Alcoholics Anonymous for a month. They go, and are bored out of their minds, so they turn the meeting into a drunken party. Yes, the comedy is that wrong. Peter, not having learned his lesson at all, drives home drunk and hits a tree, dying. Death (returning guest star Adam Carolla) shows Peter that his life will suck if he continues drinking, and also if he never drinks at all. The message: drink in moderation. And surely Peter didn't actually learn anything from the experience.

     The opening scene was visually pretty cool, with the cartoons interacting with the live action The Sound of Music, which was the film playing. Family Guy has mixed animation with reality before, as recently as their Christmas episode last month. Still, I think it's cool when they sometimes go with the real product instead of just making parody versions, as the show often does. This trick actually does still feel fairly new, as it is used sparingly.

     While at the AA meeting / party, Joe (Patrick Warburton) shows up to bust it. I found this a little odd, as Joe seems to drink just as much as Peter, and often participates in the stupid, alcohol-infused stunts that have structured many a Peter story. Even in this episode, Joe was seen acting inebriated. Yet he scolded Peter at the movie theater, and is judgmental in this particular instance.

     To stay out of trouble with Joe, Peter stages a big musical number. About the evils of booze, it was almost a third of the episode's running time, and not exactly necessary, or at least, not necessary in the length that it was. It was kind of fun, though it did seem to run a bit too long. It also lacked the novelty that musical numbers on the show used to brim with. Honestly, it kind of felt like the AA plot that comprised the first half of the episode may have been written just for this scene.

     To see what trouble Peter gets into next, watch Family Guy Sunday nights at 9 p.m. on FOX.

Article first published as TV Review: Family Guy Asks: Are You One of the "Friends of Peter G."? on Blogcritics.

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The Cleveland Show Tells Both "A Short Story and a Tall Tale"

     This week's episode of FOX's The Cleveland Show promised both "A Short Story and a Tall Tale". Really, you could often apply that description to any episode of the series, or any episode of any of FOX's Animation Domination shows. However, this being a Seth MacFarlane production, it's logical to assume that somehow the episode title should be offense, even if it doesn't appear so at first glance. Having watching the half hour, I can tell you that both the short and tall references are about height, and they lead to one of the most bizarre fight scenes ever shown on television.

     To set the scene a little, Cleveland (Mike Henry) and his wife, Donna (Sanaa Lathan), are given tickets to the NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles. Of course, on the way to the game, Cleveland takes every possible easy pot shot at the city itself. While there, Cleveland insults a number of the players, including LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal, and others I haven't heard of because I don't watch basketball, all voiced by themselves. At least that proves they have a sense of humor about themselves. The players decide to follow Cleveland home and get even for his taunts.

     At the same time, Cleveland's five year old son, Rallo (also Henry), has fallen in with a gang of midgets, believing them to be children. The midgets somehow think Rallo is an adult. If this wasn't a cartoon, there is certainly no way the plot would work, yet somehow it kind of does. Rallo stands one of them up at the altar, and they also want revenge. Even the gathering of the troops plays on mythical stereotypes. If MacFarlane hadn't already proven he is an equal opportunity offender by going after every other group first, the short American community may be offended. Heck, they still might be.

     Through a comedy or errors, the midgets and NBA players end up fighting each other on Cleveland's front lawn. Offensive? Incredibly, but then again, so were many of the things leading up the fight. Hilarious? Also, yes, though certainly not in any way that is politically correct. It's a good thing people watch this show and laugh in the privacy of their own homes, or it would have no viewers.

     If you think any of the above sounds funny, then I have a show for you. Watch The Cleveland Show Sunday nights at 9:30 p.m. on FOX. If you don't find midgets fighting seven foot tall athletes amusing, then stay away. You likely won't like any other episodes, either.

Article first published as TV Review: The Cleveland Show Tells Both "A Short Story and a Tall Tale" on Blogcritics.

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American Dad Bursts the "Piñata"

     I think that American Dad has figured out that episodes featuring Stan (Seth MacFarlane) and Roger (also MacFarlane) competing with each other, especially when the stakes are mere pride, work very well. As such, that was one of the two major stories going on in last night's episode, "A Piñata Named Desire". Stan claimed he could act, as he said he did it for a living working for the CIA. Roger, an alien with the voice of Paul Lynde who is a master of disguise and characters, challenged Stan's boast. What was unusual was that Stan appeared to give up very quickly, going to Roger for acting lessons early on in the episode.

     Then things took a twist. Stan learned so well from Roger that he beat his friend out for the male lead part in what I presume to be a local community theater production. Not wanting to be outdone, Roger took out the female lead and assumed her role. What resulted was a hilarious make out session (and more) between the two, as somehow convincing gay sex became the epitome of acting.

     It is well known that MacFarlane goes for shockingly offensive humor, and there was plenty of that. I'm not saying gay sex is necessarily offensive in of itself, but any sex between any two genders, whether they be a same-sex of opposite-sex couple would have grossed anyone out the way it was depicted here. I was grateful that the height of Stan and Roger's love making was not explicitly shown. But the egos of these two characters play so well off of each other, it's like a very strange, yet welcome, remake of The Odd Couple.

     I would like to know why American Dad only acknowledged the conceit that Roger is always showing up as someone else in such a half-hearted way. Sure, Stan called him out on it when he was heading to the acting classes, asking if the teacher Roger recommended was just going to be Roger in another costume. Roger admitted it was likely. Yet, later in the show when Roger dressed as a women to win the female lead, Stan was still the only one at the theater that recognized him. Let's be honest: Roger is an alien with a huge gray head. He's not exactly subtle. With television, especially animation, we often suspend disbelief. But since the series poked fun at its own tool anyway, why not go whole hog? I want an episode where EVERYONE recognizes Roger, no matter how many times he changes wigs and clothing.

     The B plot involved Steve (Scott Grimes) planning the 'best sleep over ever' as his final overnight gathering with his pals. OK, I see why bullies poked fun at the geeky gang for calling their hang out a sleep over, but plenty of cool kids spend the night at their friends' houses through high school, and even college and beyond. Why couldn't the characters just realize they should change what they call it, rather than throwing away the whole convention? At least in the end? I did like their 'long lost black friend', though. Very funny stuff.

     American Dad currently airs news episodes just outside of prime time, Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m. on FOX. Make sure you remember the odd timeslot, because the show is worth it.

Article first published as TV Review: American Dad Bursts the "Piñata" on Blogcritics.

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Bob's Burgers - "Human Flesh"

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     What to say about FOX's new animated sitcom, Bob's Burgers? Pushing American Dad to 7:30 starting next week because FOX Sunday is so stuffed with animation that it's spilling out of primetime, I'm not sure Bob's Burgers deserves that kind of clout. Putting it up against the other four series in Animation Domination, I'd put either Bob's Burgers or The Cleveland Show in that 7:30 slot, so I'm kind of disappointed. Bob's Burgers is funny, but not hilarious.

     The show revolves around the Belcher family, who run a restaurant called, appropriately enough, Bob's Burgers. Husband, Bob (H. Jon Benjamin, the star of Archer), is the boss and owner. He's a loud mouth, stubborn, ignorant jerk, who somehow happens to still be amusing. That could be thanks to Benjamin's not-small talent. Wife, Linda (John Roberts, no, not the Supreme Court justice), falls into the traditional sitcom wife role, never really getting too mad at Bob for forgetting their anniversary, and being happy with her mediocre lot in life. Bob doesn't deserve her. Eldest daughter, Tina (Dan Mintz - what's with the guys voicing the girls?) didn't have any distinguishing characteristics I picked up on in the first episode. The middle child, Gene (Eugene Mirman, The Flight of the Conchords), is as dumb and as in a world all his own as his father is, but still has that youthful, naive joy about it. Youngest daughter, Louise (Kristen Schaal, The Daily Show), was my favorite. She makes up wild stories, and just tries to keep life interesting. The kids and wife are also Bob's sole staff at the restaurant.

     In last night's first episode, "Human Flesh", Louise has told her class that Bob's Burgers uses human flesh in their patties. Unfortunately, that report gets back to health inspector, who used to date Linda, and he comes and posts a big, frightening investigation sticker on the front window of the store during their busiest weekend, driving away all customers, and stirring up a neighborhood revolt. Hugo's jealousy over Linda makes the situation worse that it need have been. The only person who will (secretly) continue to eat the food, is neighbor Mort the Mortician (Andy Kindler, Everybody Loves Raymond, Last Comic Standing), which doesn't help with the rumors. Also not helping, Louise changing the burger of the day board to The Pedophile, served with candy, with does attract one more patron. In the end, Bob embraces the lie to lure in The Adventurous Eaters Club, and overcharges them enough to make up for the slow sales.

     The humor was pretty good. Louise was the only one that elicited an out loud chuckle from me, but Mort and Bob earned smiles. I wish Linda were a bit more interesting, but with only one episode under the series's belt, there's plenty of time for that, as thirteen episodes are expected in the first season. Similarly, if the show is to be good, Tina needs more development. By contrast, I'd prefer that Gene stay just the way he is, played for comic relief, and never taking too much story for himself.

     The animation really bugged me, though, and made it hard to enjoy. Bob's Burgers is created by Loren Bouchard (Dr. Katz, Lucy the Daughter of the Devil), and uses his style from Home Movies, which I didn't care for. I think it's the weird torso-neck-head shapes that really throw me. It makes the characters look non-human, and not in a good way. I believe I can get past it, should the show at least maintain the writing and voice talent level of it's first episode.

     My review of "Human Flesh" is mixed, for the reasons listed above, so it's hard to give a recommendation. It's not a bad show, by any means, but on a night stacked with established, long running greats like The Simpsons and Family Guy, it doesn't measure up, at least not yet. The biggest thing Bob's Burgers has going for it is that it's different, and NOT created by Seth MacFarlane, whom I love, but have no desire for a fourth series from him until one of the others three end. Unless he departs from his formula, that is.

     Bob's Burgers currently airs Sunday nights at 8:30 p.m. on FOX. If you missed it, the first episode is currently available free from Amazon's Video on Demand service.

Article first published as TV Review: Bob's Burgers - "Human Flesh" on Blogcritics.

The Cleveland Show ends first year

     Seth MacFarlane's latest contribution to Fox's Animation Domination, The Cleveland Show, paid ample homage to it's origin, Family Guy, during last night's first season finale, "You're The Best Man, Cleveland Brown".  Yet, despite appearances by Peter and Quagmire (both voiced by MacFarlane), and someone calling Rallo (co-creator Mike Henry) "the black Stewie", the show definitely stands on it's own.  Sure, it's always nice when the shows crossover, when did on last week's Family Guy, but Cleveland is also it's own thing, and not just the black version of anything.

     Last night tied up one of Cleveland's (also Mike Henry) loose ends from his previous series: his wife, Loretta.  She died a few months ago, as addressed in another episode, and it was time to read her will.  It's nice that the show bothers with continuity such as this.  In it, she left everything she took from Cleveland in their divorce to their son, Cleveland Jr. (Kevin Michael Richardson), with one caveat: nothing was allowed to go back to Cleveland.  Which is too bad, because the generous boy shares the wealth with everyone else.  Cleveland, the poor, miserable, every-guy, who bad luck seems to follow, handled it better than he has plenty of other things.  Besides, he was distracted by the second plot.

     Cleveland's mother and father decided to come back to town and get re-married.  The best joke in all of that was when his mother called Cleveland his father's only son, and we got a montage of all the half-brothers that Cleveland has out in the world.  That could make for a successful spin-off all it's own, and when the writing starts to get stale, a never-ending pool of new characters to pull from.  But for now, the plucky Cleveland, not unlike Charlie Brown, as referenced in the title, took his lot in life and made the best of it.

     And that is why the show works.  Cleveland knows who he is, and he is an original character.  Joined by a slew of side characters who are rapidly growing on me from week to week, I can see why a second season was ordered before the first even aired.

Animation Domination certainly decks something

     Sunday marked the end of 2009 episodes of Animation Domination (or, Seth McFarlane & The Simpsons Night) on Fox.  Let's look at the results.

     The Simpsons, the only holdout against giving the entire night to McFarlane's series of practically the same shows, absconded the Christmas theme for an episode about Bart wanting a baby brother.  Homer (Dan Castellaneta), of course, would have none of it, and all of Bart's (Nancy Cartwright) attempts to trick his parents into it failed horribly.  So he went and adopted an orphan.  The episode had some of the best gags in a long time, from the boys dressed as the South Park kids, to the montage of famous brothers (many voiced by the actual celebrities portrayed).  For those who argue that the show has passed its prime and it so longer as good as it once was, I think this episode joins the ranks of recent ones proving them wrong.  Besides, without Simpsons, could we really take another McFarlane clone?

     All kidding aside, McFarlane's latest creation, The Cleveland Show, is actually fairly funny, just like his other shows, although some of the novelty of the original has long worn off.  This episode went all out for the holidays, even adding a new theme song, with a few fun throwbacks to the show it spun off from.  Cleveland does get to deal with reality of a broken family, though, and for the Christmas drama, Cleveland (Mike Henry) had to find his new stepkids' father and get him to come home to restore the yuletide spirit.  This show tries to be edgy, with Cleveland's boss proclaiming "Hide the silverware!" when his dark skinned employee arrived, but ends up being a bit too silly to be offensive.  My only real complaint about this episode was letting neighbor, Arianna (Arianna Huffington), an uber-religious bear, drop character to enjoy letting the reindeer watch her have sex with her husband, Tim (McFarlane).  Continuity, people!

     Family Guy really kind of skipped the holiday, too, but was ok for it.  Peter's (McFarlane) father-in-law, Mr. Pewterschmidt (also McFarlane),  lapses into a coma, Peter gets to take over his multi-billion dollar company.  Like most episode, the main plot isn't what makes the show.  This one was full of great gags.  For instance, while the town's bar is called the Thirst Clam, apparently it's strip club is the Fuzzy Clam.  When Mr. Pewterschmidt collapsed, he said he was having a "heart attack-ack-ack-ack-ack-ack, you oughta know by now", reference to legendary Mr. Billy Joel.  The doctor at the hospital, as well as a surprise pop up at the end, was none other than Hugh Laurie playing his popular fox character House, from the television show of the same name.  Jim Parsons also made a guest appearance as his character, Sheldon, from The Big Bang Theory.  Plus, there were some great Scooby-Doo moments.  And let's be honest, moments are what Family Guy is all about.

     The best of the night was probably American Dad.  It felt like a bizarre series finale for Stan (guess who?  McFarlane), though the rest of the cast didn't get the same payoff, and the series isn't ending.  This episode apparently takes place outside of the show continuity.  Stan and Francine (Wendy Schaal) had sex in a church on Christmas, and so are left behind as the rest of the congregation, including their children, are raptured into heaven.  Stan blames Francine for seducing him, and she leaves him and ends up as Jesus Christ's girlfriend.  Seven years later, as the end times come to an end, Jesus asks Stan to help him rescue Francine from the anti-Christ, and we see what is really in Stan's heart.  It was incredibly trippy, weird, and wonderful.  One of the best episodes of the series thus far, which is saying something, as Dad is probably consistently the best of the Sunday night lineup at present.