When "The Simpsons" first aired in the late '80s, it revolutionized the way people thought of animated families and satire. However, nearly 30 years later, it seems that people have done very little to try to change the formula.
That's what makes Fox's "Bob's Burgers" so unique; the Belcher family from "Bob's Burgers" lies at the perfect intersection of believable, humorous, and progressive. This is because the main characters from "Bob's Burgers" avoid the same tired tropes that characters from other shows seem to fall into so much. They are ultimately unique in new and exciting ways.
Bob Belcher.
Bob is the father of Belcher family. Unlike other cartoon fathers, he has a clear consistent dream throughout the course of the series: to see his restaurant succeed. To this end, he works hard every day to try to bring in more and more customers.
He's not stupid like other animated dads (e.g. Homer Simpson, Peter Griffin, Stan Smith, etc.), but rather, shows a more realistic side of what it means to be a parent. He makes mistakes too, but ultimately does what is best for his family, and allows his children to be who they are. He may not like his kids' shenanigans, but he still allows them to express themselves creatively and personally.
Linda Belcher.
Linda Belcher may be the mom of the family, but she's a lot more than just Bob's wife or the kids' mom. She has dreams and passions and isn't afraid to pursue them. Whether it be sailing or synchronized swimming, Linda's interests make her an important character within her own right.
Unlike other shows, where the mother plays the straight-faced, logical foil to the husband, Linda is quirky and very distinctly her own character, with entire episodes devoted to her own storyline. But, most importantly, Linda is able to strike the perfect balance between her role in the family and her aspirations, ultimately always making the selfless decision for the good of her loved ones.
Tina Belcher.
It's no wonder that Tina Belcher has become a sort of cultural icon; her character is unapologetically unique and unlike anything seen in the genre before. She loves erotic fan fiction, zombies, horses, and most importantly: butts. She's relatable because she doesn't make excuses for the things she likes, no matter how weird they may seem. Her humor is deadpan, and she wears her heart on her sleeve, which ultimately makes the viewers root for her even more.
Unlike the eldest daughters in other cartoons (e.g. Meg Griffin, Hayley Smith, etc.) who are shoved under the rug or are only secondary characters, Tina Belcher is able to stay relevant without having to say much. And because her parent's don't try to police her blossoming, albeit awkward, sexuality, she reminds us all of a younger and more innocent time.
Gene Belcher.
While Gene, the middle child of the Belcher clan, may suffer from typical middle-child afflictions, he is unique in how he expresses himself. He is often seen tagging along with Louise or Tina on their adventures, and usually takes on more of a sidekick role. But he has his own passions as shown through his little electric keyboard that he carries around with him everywhere. Furthermore, Gene is on a constant journey of self-discovery.
From his obsession with a Bigfoot mask to his occasional self-identification as female, Gene represents a struggle for identity that many in our generation can identify with. And part of what makes this show so revolutionary is the way in which Bob and Linda interact with Gene. Rather than correct Gene on how he expresses himself, his parents encourage Gene's his unique behavior; in one episode, Linda has Gene write all of the music for her show when she decides to put on a dinner theater at the restaurant. In the end, Gene may be the middle child of the show, but he doesn't let that define who he is.
Louise Belcher.
Louise is the youngest child of the Belcher family, and some would be quick to draw parallels between her and Stewie Griffin. After all, they're both manipulative, calculating, and have an understanding of the world around them that is beyond their years. But what makes Louise special is that she's not unbelievable. She's not some evil genius/inventor with an accent entirely different from the rest of her family; she's just a little girl who has her own quirks who has realized that she's going to have to go after whatever she wants herself.
She is naturally domineering over her two older siblings -- something you typically don't see in shows with families -- and knows how to use people for her own benefit. It seems that if anything, Louise is the personification of the control that youngest children have over their families, and because of this, she is easy to identify with and understand.
