WhileBob’s Burgerspromised the family a pet twice in season 15 and reneged both times, this repetitive twist proved surprisingly effective.Bob’s Burgersseason 16’s renewalmeans that the show must attempt to avoid one complaint that has plaguedThe Simpsonsfor years. As of 2025,The Simpsonsis the longest-running scripted primetime American TV show in history.
As such, it is hardly shocking that viewers often complain about the show’s repetitive storylines. Some 23 years ago,South Parkalready parodied the show’s ubiquity when season 6, episode 7, “Simpsons Already Did It,” saw the characters complain that the titular show had already explored every conceivable storyline. By this stage,The Simpsonsitself was mocking its redundant plots.
In season 11, episode 13, “Saddlesore Galactica,” Comic Book Guy complains that the Simpsons had already bought a horse after Homer publicly proposed this plot line. WhileMarge’s season 36 deathproves thatThe Simpsonscan still shock audiences from time to time, for the most part, the show has embraced the inevitable repetition that comes with its longevity.
Bob’s Burgers Season 15 Episode 16 Promised The Belchers Would Get Ulysses The Tortoise
They Gave It To The Right Person
AlthoughBob’s Burgersis a far younger show thanThe Simpsons, the series has still managed to handle repetitive storylines with grace in season 15.Bob’s Burgersseason 15 episode 15 brought backthe show’s secret weapon by focusing on the family’s financial straits, a storyline that could have felt over-familiar but instead ended up moving and effective.
In an even more audacious example,Bob’s Burgersseason 15 got away with using the same twist twicein two episodes that arrived only months apart. In season 15, episode 16, “The Shell Game,” Mr. Fischoeder set up an elaborate day of contests to see who would inherit his 100-year-old pet tortoise, Ulysses, when Fischoeder died.
Although Felix, Mr. Fischoeder’s ex Bailey Cornwallis, John Oliver’s amoral animal agent Ian Anderson, and another heartless rich friend of the landlord were all in the running, Mr. Fischoeder confided in Bob that he wanted him to win. Tina, Louise, and Gene ensured this would happen by stuffing dandelion leaves in Bob’s shirt, so the tortoise grew attached to him.
As a result, Mr. Fischoeder almost signed his tortoise Ulysses over to Bob, but Bob’s Burgerseventually gave Ulysses the right character in “The Shell Game.” Although she loudly complained about the pet, Mr. Fischoeder’s housekeeper Inga secretly loved the tortoise and had already cared for him daily for years. As a result, she ended up as Ulysses’s rightful guardian.
Bob’s Burgers Season 15 Already Promised The Family Another Pet
The Belchers Almost Adopted A Puppy In Episode 9
It was surprising that “The Shell Game” came so close to giving the Belcher family a pet, only to snatch it away at the last second. However, what made this even more unexpected was the fact thatBob’s Burgershad already offered viewers another spin on this same plot earlier in season 15. To make things even weirder, this outing followed the same basic plot.
WhileBob’s Burgerscan be daring at times, it seemed unlikely the show’s Christmas special would kill off a puppy.
In episode 9, “Dog Christmas Day After Afternoon,” the Belchers came across a lost puppy on Christmas. Unfortunately, Gene is the first family member to meet the puppy, and he inadvertently poisons the dog by feeding it chocolate. WhileBob’s Burgerscan be daring at times, it seemed unlikely the show’s Christmas special would kill off a puppy.
Bob’s Burgersis available to stream on Hulu.
As such, it was no surprise when the family found the puppy and saved it from poisoning in time. However, what was surprising was the owner tracking the puppy down and reclaiming it, as it was a gift for his daughter. Until this twist,it seemed like the Belchers were getting a new dog in “Dog Christmas Day After Afternoon.”
In both storylines, the family was almost certain to gain a new pet, but a last-minute twist intervened and ensured that this didn’t become a reality. While this might sound bleak, both episodes instead proved that the family is perfect as it is. Much likeBob’s Burgers’ perfect replacement showThe Great North, the series follows a quirky, atypical family.
The families ofAmerican Dad,The Simpsons,Family Guy, andSolar Oppositesall have pets, making the Belchers a rare cartoon sitcom family without one. It is worth holding onto that distinction for its own sake, but this also fits the characterization of the family more broadly for several reasons.
The Bob’s Burgers Season 15 Double Fakeout Worked Because It Proves A Point
The Belcher Home Should Be Kept Pet-Free
Bob’s Burgersseason 15 is right to stop the Belchers from getting a pet, whether it is a tortoise or a puppy. The family’s life is chaotic enough as is, and the show has enough characters to explore in its current setup. Already, season 15 has had to sideline Gene for more stories that focus on Tina and Louise.
Tina’sBob’s Burgersseason 15 standalone episode was superb, but this plot only worked because viewers got to see storylines focused on her siblings and parents in the preceding and proceeding episodes.
As such, a new family member would not necessarily add anything to the show’s lineup, but it would give the series less time to focus on its existing heroes.Tina’sBob’s Burgersseason 15 standalone episodewas superb, but this plot only worked because viewers got to see storylines focused on her siblings and parents in the preceding and proceeding episodes.
It is a rare and positive thing for lower-income families to receive some representation on television, and the sad reality is that many households can’t afford to keep pets.
There are also in-universe practicalities to consider. The Belcher are a large family living in a small apartment and, in various episodes, Linda and Bob both admitted they can’t afford a pet. It is a rare and positive thing for lower-income families to receive some representation on television, and the sad reality is that many households can’t afford to keep pets.
Until a time when every viewer of the show can afford one, it is nice to seeBob’s Burgersrepresenting the working-class struggle by acknowledging the reality of pet expenses. As such, season 15 raising the possibility twice, only to then dismiss it both times, was a fitting, clever storytelling decision.
WhileBob’s Burgerssister showThe Great Northalso chronicles the lives of a blue-collar family without a pet, that Alaska-set animated sitcom doesn’t command as big an audience as the earlier hit. As such,Bob’s Burgersis filling an important role by focusing on working-class American family struggles with plots like these.
The Belchers getting a pet may not seem like a big deal to some viewers, but for real-life families, it is a major investment and commitment. As such,Bob’s Burgersseason 15, episode 16’s twist was justified, despite how repetitive it may seem.
