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Bob Belcher

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Bob Belcher
Bob's Burgers character
First appearance"Human Flesh" (2011)
Created byLoren Bouchard
Designed byDave Creek[1]
Jay Howell
Voiced byH. Jon Benjamin[2]
Jose Padilla (Spanish)[3]
Rene Sagastume (Spanish)[4]
In-universe information
Full nameRobert Belcher Jr.
GenderMale
OccupationChef and owner of Bob's Burgers
FamilyLily Belcher (mother, deceased)
Robert "Bob" Belcher Sr. (father)
SpouseLinda Belcher (wife)
Significant otherBarbara Bunkley (ex-girlfriend)
ChildrenLouise Belcher (younger daughter)
Gene Belcher (first son)
Tina Belcher (eldest daughter)
RelativesAl Genarro (father-in-law)
Gloria Genarro (mother-in-law)
Gayle Genarro (sister-in-law)
HomeSeymour's Bay, New Jersey
Age46[5]

Robert "Bob" Belcher Jr. is the main protagonist of the adult-animated sitcom Bob's Burgers created by Loren Bouchard for FOX. He is the often stressed, anxious patriarch[6] of the Belcher family and owner of his restaurant Bob's Burgers. He is known for being mild-mannered, pessimistic,[7] and a terrible businessman, often having financial struggles in keeping the restaurant running and paying rent. He has a rivalry with the Italian restaurant owner across the street, Jimmy Pesto, and quarrels with local health inspector Hugo. Bob is a third-generation restaurant owner, and by nature, loves his business and has big ideas for his different burgers (in particular, having a new "burger of the day" for multiple years).[8] He has a strong love for his family, including his wife Linda, and his children Louise, Gene, and Tina Belcher.[9][10]

Background

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In 1967, Bob was born to Robert Belcher Sr. (nicknamed "Big Bob") and Lily Belcher.[11] Bob didn't have a good childhood, losing his mother at age 13, having to work at his father's restaurant "Big Bob's Diner", and envying children that had real toys and playtime.[12] On Christmas of 1984, Bob was kicked out of the duplex after serving "jokey burger specials" and refusing to officially partner with Big Bob.[13]

On September 3, 1998,[14] Bob meets, falls in love with and marries Linda Belcher (née Genarro) at City Hall.[a] At some point, they buy the restaurant and have Tina, followed by Gene, then Louise two years later. The restaurant has its' grand re-re-re opening after a utility pole falls into the glass window of the building, as evidenced in the series' intro and in the series' premiere.

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Bob Belcher has appeared numerous times outside of Bob's Burgers in other shows most notably The Simpsons, Family Guy, Archer and Robot Chicken. In the fourth season episode "Fugue and Riffs", Bob's Burgers crosses over with Archer.

Reception

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Bob has been a generally well-received character, but not to a high degree. Following its release, multiple critics have given their opinions on Bob in The Bob's Burgers Movie. Hollywood in Toto stated that Bob is pushed to the sidelines too much, and not given enough screentime.[15] Scott Tobias of The Guardian liked Bob's on-screen chemistry with Linda, which he believes is well established at the beginning of the show.[16] Glenn Kenny of The New York Times appreciated the "relatively grounded in reality" plot of Bob trying to pay back the bank, as he is a provider for his family and it makes thematic sense.[17]

In her review of the entire franchise, Rebecca Shaw of The Sydney Morning Herald goes into detail about how Bob is not working towards a greater goal, or hoping for wealth no matter how hard he tries. He is simply trying to provide for his family and make sure his kids will have better opportunities as adults.[18] Lenny Burnham of Hardwood and Hollywood's review on season nine, episode seventeen ("What About Blob?") comments on the "fantastic scene" where Linda and Teddy insult Bob.[19] In Chris Cabin's review of season two, he remarks that Bob's straight-man role, small-business-owner status, and melancholy relationship with his wife provides an original outlook.[20]

Notes

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  1. ^ Shown in a photo hanging on the wall in Bob and Linda's room in "Slumber Party".

References

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  1. ^ Blistein, Jon (2021-01-08). "'Bob's Burgers' Character Designer Dave Creek Dead at 42 After Skydiving Accident". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  2. ^ Murphy, Eryn (2020-06-17). "Who Voices Bob on 'Bob's Burgers'?". Showbiz Cheat Sheet. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  3. ^ "Bob Belcher Voices (Bob's Burgers)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  4. ^ "Bob Belcher Voices (Bob's Burgers)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  5. ^ "Are You There Bob? It's Me, Birthday". Bob's Burgers. Season 8. Episode 16. April 29, 2018. The Fox Broadcasting Company.
  6. ^ "Bob's Burgers Movie Cast Guide: What the Characters Are Like in Real Life | Pretty Reel - Father Son TV". fathersontv.one. 2022-07-16. Archived from the original on 2022-09-22. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  7. ^ "'The Bob's Burgers Movie:' A Delicious Movie Guide". Hollywood.com. 2022-05-18. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  8. ^ "Bob Belcher - Bob's Burgers Characters - ShareTV". sharetv.com. Archived from the original on 2022-09-21. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  9. ^ "Bob Belcher - Bob's Burgers Wiki Guide". IGN. 22 May 2013. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  10. ^ "I'm a match to Bob Belcher from Bob's Burgers". www.charactour.com. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  11. ^ Lewis, Nicole (2022-06-04). "Bob's Burgers Movie Just Made Louise's Pink Hat Way More Significant". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  12. ^ "Bob Fires the Kids". Bob's Burgers. Season 3. Episode 3. November 4, 2012. The Fox Broadcasting Company.
  13. ^ "Father of the Bob". Bob's Burgers. Season 3. Episode 6. November 30, 2014. The Fox Broadcasting Company.
  14. ^ "Human Flesh". Bob's Burgers. Season 1. Episode 1. January 9, 2011. The Fox Broadcasting Company.
  15. ^ "'Bob's Burgers Movie' Brings Belcher Clan Back from Creative Abyss". Hollywood in Toto. 2022-05-26. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  16. ^ "'Bob's Burgers Movie' Brings Belcher Clan Back from Creative Abyss". Hollywood in Toto. 2022-05-26. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  17. ^ Kenny, Glenn (2022-05-26). "'The Bob's Burgers Movie' Review: A Breezy, Engaging Summer Refreshment". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  18. ^ Shaw, Rebecca (2022-05-26). "Think adult cartoons are silly? Let me change your mind". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  19. ^ Burnham, Lenny (2019-03-18). "Bob's Burgers Season 9 Review: 9.17: What About Blob?". Hardwood and Hollywood. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  20. ^ Cabin, Chris (2012-03-11). "Review: Bob's Burgers: Season Two". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
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