Bob's Burgers Fans, Discover Your New Animated Love: The Great North
Bob's Burgers Fans, Discover Your New Animated Love: The Great North
For fans of the beloved animated sitcom Bob's Burgers, there's a hidden gem that's been quietly gaining a dedicated fanbase over its five seasons. Say hello to The Great North. With a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score, this warm, witty, and wonderfully weird series is the perfect companion for those who love the heartfelt humor and quirky charm of Bob's Burgers.
Similar Yet Unique: The Great North's Brand of Family-Driven Comedy
Created by the Molyneux sisters and Minty Lewis, The Great North shares a similar brand of humor with Bob's Burgers, blending everyday conflicts with a dash of absurdity. The show centers around the Tobin family, living in the Alaskan wilderness and navigating life's ups and downs with a heartwarming blend of humor and sincerity.
While the Tobin family might feel familiar to fans of the Belcher clan, they are not mere carbon copies. Each character brings their unique personality to the table. Beef Tobin, the family's patriarch, channels Bob Belcher’s steady resilience, while Judy, the Tobin's middle child, mirrors Tina's dreamy eccentricity. The youngest Tobin, Ham, carries Gene's boundless enthusiasm, making him instantly lovable.
The Great North and Bob's Burgers are not just similar in characters but also in their approach to storytelling. Both shows derive their comedy from compassion, with weirdness rooted in emotional truths. However, The Great North never merely copies; instead, it expands on this shared worldview, using its unique Alaskan setting to fuel its storytelling.
More Than Just Background: Alaska's Role in The Great North
In The Great North, Alaska is not just a setting; it's a character in its own right. Its vast wilderness, small towns, and everyday strangeness fuel the storylines while offering a stark contrast to Bob's Burgers' bustling seaside town of Seymour's Bay, New Jersey. Here, the characters' inner lives take center stage, set against the backdrop of the open Alaskan spaces.
Music also plays a significant role in both shows. In The Great North, songs are used to express emotions, especially Judy's hopes and anxieties. However, instead of theatrical bursts, The Great North opts for more heartfelt, introspective vibes, giving each episode its surprising emotional punch.
Not Just a Copy: The Great North's Perfect Rotten Tomatoes Score
A perfect Rotten Tomatoes score might sound like a gimmick, but in the case of The Great North, it is a reflection of something real. Critics consistently praise the show for maintaining its high quality over its five seasons. The writing is strong, the actors are delightful, and the show is surprisingly emotionally grounded.
Good reviews counter the idea that The Great North is just a copy of Bob's Burgers. Reviewers point to the show being distinctively more positive, with its brand of humor not only new within the adult animation genre but also very successful. The Great North stands out for its ability to explore characters' emotions without resorting to sentimentality, and for its willingness to broaden its themes and avoid repeating the same story formulas.
The Great North Episodes to Start With
For new viewers looking to delve into The Great North, there are a few standout episodes to begin with. For fans of Tina Belcher's creative longing, Judy's "art crisis" arc in Season 4's "Excess Cabbage Adventure" is a must-watch. Ham's emotional journey in Season 5's "Anchor Ham Adventure" offers a wealth of sincerity and introspective arcs that one rarely encounters in secondary characters. And Beef's quieter breakdowns, such as in Season 4's "Any Court in a Storm Adventure," offer insight into how he handles stress through control and emotional strain.
Wholesome Animation Still Wins: The Success of The Great North and Bob's Burgers
In a time when gritty dramas and high-concept storytelling dominate the scene, the success of The Great North and Bob's Burgers points to a prevailing trend of wholesome, low-stakes comedy. Their low-stakes conflicts become the shows' narrative power, with relatable problems such as creative blocks, identity questions, family misunderstandings, and small-town mishaps driving the plot.
At the heart of their success is an unwavering commitment to character-driven storytelling, sincerity, and witty humor. In a streaming landscape driven by constant novelty, these shows stand out. Their emotional layers make them suitable for different age groups to watch together, giving their stories long-lasting resonance. Ultimately, their success proves that optimism and sincerity are still necessary and that wholesome animation is still relevant and essential in a crowded media landscape.
Where to Watch
Ready to dive into the comforting world of The Great North? You can stream the show on Disney+, Hulu, and FOX One. And if you want to revisit the Belcher family's antics, Bob's Burgers is currently streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.