The fact that bothThe Great Northseason 5, episode 17 andBob’s Burgersseason 15, episode 15 pulled off the same fun animation trick proves just how much the shows complement each other. The news thatBob’s Burgersseason 16is officially happening is great for fans of the Belchers, but the show’s perfect replacement series may not be so lucky. According toTVInsider,The Great Northseason 5 might be the animated family sitcom’s final outing as the show has not yet been renewed for a sixth season as of June 2025.
It would be a shame if the series came to an end so soon, asThe Great Northis the perfectBob’s Burgersreplacementfor viewers who have already caught up on the earlier show. Created byBob’s Burgerswriters Wendy Molyneux and Lizzie Molyneux-Logelin,The Great Northfollows Nick Offerman’s single father, Beef Tenderloin Tobin, as he keeps his unconventional family out of trouble in the small Alaskan town of Lone Moose. The Tobin family consists of Beef’s eldest son Wolf, Wolf’s wife Honeybee, his sister Judy, Judy’s younger brother Ham, and the family’s youngest child, Moon.
Bob’s Burgers Season 15 Episode 15 and The Great North Season 5 Episode 17 Both Include Alternate Animation Styles
The Bob’s Burgers Casino Heist and The Great North’s Comet Kiss Fable Were Animated Differently
InBob’s Burgersseason 15, episode 15, “The Lost City of Atlantic,” andThe Great Northseason 5, episode 17, “Serendipi-Beef Adventure,”the two shows proved just how much they have in common by both attempting interludes with alternative animation styles in the same week. Early on in “Serendipi-Beef Adventure,” Moon explained the Lone Moose myth of two adventurers who fell in love after their boats crashed under a pair of passing comets.
In the closing credits of “The Lost City of Atlantic,” the creators ofBob’s Burgersreimagined the episode’s distinctly un-glamorous casino heist in that slinky, angular animation style from ‘60s cartoons likeThe Pink Panther.
The show’s art style shifts to one inspired by early DisneySilly Symphoniesshorts like “The Skeleton Dance” and “Steamboat Willie,” while one of the ship’s captains bears a striking resemblance to Popeye. Meanwhile, in the closing credits of “The Lost City of Atlantic,” the creators ofBob’s Burgersreimagined the episode’s distinctly un-glamorous casino heist in that slinky, angular animation style from ‘60s cartoons likeThe Pink Panther. This sequence, in contrast, owed more to Frank Tashlin or the iconic Al Hirschfeld.
Bob’s Burgers Season 15 Episode 15 and The Great North Season 5 Episode 17 Prove Both Shows Share A Vital Trait
The Two Shows Retain Plenty of Ambition Despite Their Longevity
Both of these alternatively animated sequences were a weird, quirky extra touch that a lot of other shows wouldn’t bother with, and thus the two gags proved just how much bothThe Great NorthandBob’s Burgersowe their success to going the extra mile creatively. In terms of plot, “The Lost City of Atlantic” already offers viewers a self-contained story involving Linda’s discovery of a long-lost half-aunt, a daring casino heist, and Bob and the kids amusing themselves in a casino.
“Serendipi-Beef Adventure” was an ambitious episode ofThe Great Norththat elegantly tied together Beef’s fear of the passing comets, Moon’s first crush, Ham and Judy’s search for a secret stash of drugs, and Wolf and Honeybee’s trip to an elderly care home with Aunt Dirt.
While thequirky guest stars ofBob’s Burgersare often a big part of the show’s appeal, “The Lost City of Atlantic” succeeded by taking the show back to basics. Similarly, “Serendipi-Beef Adventure” was an ambitious episode ofThe Great Norththat elegantly tied together Beef’s fear of the passing comets, Moon’s first crush, Ham and Judy’s search for a secret stash of drugs, and Wolf and Honeybee’s trip to an elderly care home with Aunt Dirt.
Why The Great North Is Perfect for Fans of Bob’s Burgers
The Alaska-set animated Sitcom Shares The Show’s Warm Sense of Humor
BothThe Great NorthandBob’s Burgerswould have delivered enjoyable episodes even without these extra animated flourishes, meaning the interludes felt like pure creative fun instead of an attempt to pad out thin storylines. WhileBob’s Burgersseason 15 has borrowed fromThe Simpsonsfor some of its earlier storylines, “The Lost City of Atlantic” proved the show isn’t short of inventive plots of its own.
In the same vein,“Serendipi-Beef Adventure” showed thatThe Great Northis a natural successor toBob’s Burgersin terms of style and tone. LikeBob’s Burgers,The Great Northcombines a warm sense of humor, character-centric storytelling, and moments of inspired creative play to create a memorably original animated family sitcom.
