'Bob's Burgers: Human Flesh' Review

"Bob's Burgers" finally premiered on Fox on Jan. 9. Wedged between "The Simpsons" and "Family Guy," "Bob's Burgers" centers on the Belcher family who operate a burger joint together. The dysfunction is clear as the father, Bob, calls his children bad employees and concedes that free labor is all he can afford.

The first episode takes place on Labor Day weekend as Bob Burgers celebrates its re-re-re-opening following a series of mishaps, including a rodent infestation and fire. This weekend is extremely important because the restaurant makes a great deal of money from the tourists.

Unbeknownst to Bob, it is also his wedding anniversary. His wife, Linda, keeps fishing around hoping he has romantic surprise for her.

Instead of a surprise anniversary party, they get a visit from the health inspector because their daughter started a rumor the restaurant uses corpses from the neighboring mortuary. One of the inspectors is Linda's old flame and he is particularly harsh on Bob. The restaurant must prominently display a huge sticker warning it might be serving human flesh.

The family argues as the business suffers. Bob's self-doubt ultimately leads the family to bond and exchange kind words.

The junior health inspector realizes his co-worker is being unfair and the two perform a test to prove the burgers do contain corpses. Before they remove the warning sign, a bus of adventurous diners arrives and insists on trying the human burgers. Bob charges them a premium price. Then he unveils his improved kissing technique as an anniversary gift for his wife.

Bob's Burgers Human Flesh Review
I felt compelled to change the channel, but kept watching and the show got better. The jokes and the children, mostly Tina and Louise, need work.

The jokes about autism and child molesters are not funny. Like most puns, the awkward jokes almost feel as though the writers are making the joke simply for the sake of doing so, not in pursuit of entertaining others.

The personality quirks of the three children are too similar. Play up their individuality instead of distributing the same type of gross jokes between them. For example, instead of changing the menu to include a child molester special, the youngest child, Louise, should have made a more age-appropriate choice. Sure, she is smart, but why not play up the cute, naïve factor as well? It is what differentiates her from the rest of the family.

Eldest child Tina is socially awkward, but so much so that there is no sympathy or compassion for her. Add something beyond her gross quirks.

There are tiny glimmers of "King of the Hill" with the offbeat, but loveable, family-oriented characters. However, the show is too quick to go to over the top "Family Guy" type humor. "Bob's Burgers" shows promise, but needs to pick a voice or find a way to meld the two without disappointing viewers already weary of Fox's revolving door attempt at animation domination.

The first episode is currently available on the Fox website.

"Bob's Burgers" airs Sundays at 8:30 pm ET on Fox.