Series Premiere Review: Bob's Burgers

I had a bad feeling about Bob's Burgers back when I first saw the sneak preview of the show during the premiere televised airing of "The Simpsons Movie" last year. My bad feeling was confirmed while viewing the pilot episode the other night.

This is yet another 'dysfunctional family' animated show that's been added to the Animation Domination line up on Fox. There are now a total of 5 'dysfunctional family' animated series on this one channel, 3 of which were created by the same guy (Seth MacFarlane). I have nothing against this type of show, I love The Simpsons and Family Guy, I'm even warming up to The Cleveland Show. But I feel the market is flooded with this type of show. Can't anybody come up with something different or more original?

But that's a separate issue, lets focus on Bob's Burgers. Where to begin... Lets start off with the animation. Its certainly different, but feels 'lazy' to me. There isn't a lot of imagination put into it. Second is the humor. I didn't find it funny, or even mildly amusing. There were only one or two lines of dialog where I actually laughed. I didn't find any of the characters likeable, or even love-to-hate, they were all annoying.

Overall, I felt that this series probably would have faired better as a comic strip. It feels too bland and lifeless to have been made into an animated series.

The only good thing I can say about Bob's Burgers is its story-driven rather than gag-driven, which is rather refreshing.

Unfortunately I don't have high hopes for this series staying on the air for very long... but then again stranger things have become hits...

What did you think of Bob's Burgers? Comment about it.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween everybody!

The biggest treat of all? Fox and My9 are back!

Now, sugar-high time!

Dude, Where's My TV? NewsCorp vs Cablevision

Normally I love a good conflict; the pain, the passion, the drama; but not when I'm caught in the middle.

I'm sure some of you are aware of the war going on between Cablevision and NewsCorp, who owns channels Fox and My9. NewsCorp wants over 150 million dollars from Cablevision to provide its channels to them. When Cablevision refused and offered to pay them a more fair and reasonable amount of money, NewsCorp not only pulled the plug on the channels, they even blocked Cablevision customers from viewing their free online programming!

Now, neither companies are angels, but I'm afraid I'm going to side with Cablevision in this fight, mainly because of they are the lesser of the two evils.

Let’s look at NewsCorps situation:

• They own two major channels.
• The two said channels are available to watch for FREE over the air.
• The two said FREE channels provided because NewsCorp has a FREE license from the government.
• They already receive over 70 MILLION dollars from Cablevision, and are now asking for a morbidly-obese amount of money without adding any new channels or improved programming

It seems to me that NewsCorp is acting like a schoolyard bully demanding Cablevision's lunch money. I urge Cablevision to not give into NewsCorps outrageous demands. This whole situation isn't fair to the consumers, who are already paying for a free station to begin with, and are going to dish out more because of NewsCorp's greed.

And this is especially unfair to me because I'm going to miss Fringe!! Why can't Fringe be on a more sensible station, like NBC, they never pick fights with anybody (suddenly remembers the Jay Leno/ Conan O'Brian feud) Oops, bad example

Okay, the bottom line is: Cablevision, you got to stand up to Newscorp. You never back down from a bully, even if you walk away with a black eye, at least your pride (and your customers' wallets) will be in tact.

Say NO to NewsCorp and put Fox and My9 back on the air!