Although Zach Galifianakis now plays a major recurring role inBob’s Burgers, the legendary comedian’s history with the series is surprisingly complicated.Bob’s Burgersseason 16’s renewalmeans viewers can look forward to many more adventures from the Belcher family at the eponymous establishment. Less zany thanThe Simpsonsand less obscene thanFamily Guy,Bob’s Burgershas carved out a niche as the more grounded and heartwarming, although still consistently silly and funny, animated family sitcom.
If anything,King of the HillandBob’s Burgersshare as much creative DNA as the show has in common withFamily Guyor The Simpsons. That said, whereKing of the Hillhas an understated, deadpan comedy style, the humor ofBob’s Burgersis a lot goofier and more playful. This is perfectly epitomized in the Fischoeder brothers, two absurdly wealthy dilettantes who are Bob’s landlord and his ludicrously immature brother.
Zach Galifianakis Played A One-Off Character Before Becoming A Regular Guest Star
The Hangover Star Appeared In Season 3’s “God Rest Ye Merry Gentle-Mannequins”
Although Zach Galifianakis’s whiny Felix Fischoeder is as instantly recognizable as Kevin Kline’s suave, unhinged Calvin Fischoeder, he isn’t the first character thatThe Hangoverstar played in the long-running series.Zach Galifianakis played anotherBob’s Burgerscharacter before appearing as Felix Fischoeder, and he was a surprisingly similar one-off guest star. Chet, the guy in love with a mannequin, only appeared in season 3, episode 9, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentle-Mannequins.”
Throughout the story of this festive special, Chet’s love of the mannequin won over the Belcher kids, while Bob grew increasingly frustrated with this unreasonable, irascible intrusion on his holiday season. Eventually, even Bob warmed to Chet’s unconventional love story and helped Galifianakis’s character retrieve his beloved mannequin from an adult store. However, a killer twist ending revealed that the family’s well-meaning charity was misplaced since Chet wasn’t a homeless drifter as they assumed, but rather a wealthy slacker who was briefly between dwellings.
Zach Galifianakis’s Second Bob’s Burgers Role Is Much Bigger
Felix Fischoeder Appears In Countless Episodes
As Chet, Galifianakis nailed the mixture of vulnerability and memorably irritating personality quirks that would go on to define Felix Fischoeder’s role inBob’s Burgers. Since so manyepisodes ofBob’s Burgersfocus on Tina, Louise, and Gene, it took a while for Felix to make an impression on viewers.Felix is arguably a straightforward villain in the early seasons ofBob’s Burgers, even almost killing his brother in the season 4 finale.
Galifianakis manages to balance the spoilt petulance of Felix with the character’s disarming naivety, making him somewhat likable despite how grating he can be.
However, like Calvin, he grows on viewers over time and eventually becomes more sympathetic than anticipated. Felix even has a lead role inThe Bob’s Burgers Movie, where both he and Calvin are falsely accused of murder when a body is found buried beneath Bob’s restaurant. In this storyline and many more, Galifianakis manages to balance the spoilt petulance of Felix with the character’s disarming naivety, making him somewhat likable despite how grating he can be.
Zach Galifianakis’s Two Bob’s Burgers Characters Are Strangely Similar
Chet and Felix Fischoeder Are Both Naive and Self-Centered Adult Children
IfBob’s Burgershas an advantage overThe Simpsons, it is that the series constantly returns to the same set of guest stars instead of constantly introducing new characters. As a result,Bob’s Burgershas established a reliable set of supporting characters that viewers want to hear more from, even if many of them are comically flawed. Teddy might be irritating and Fischoeder may be outright villainous at times, but it is hard to imagine the series without them.
Chet and Felix are also both naive, self-centered adult children who are somewhat sympathetic despite themselves.
Similarly, Felix’s role in the show arguably proves how muchBob’s Burgershas perfected the formula that helped shape Chet. Chet and Felix are also both naive, self-centered adult children who are somewhat sympathetic despite themselves, and both turn out to be super-rich. However,Bob’s Burgersmanaged to make Galifianakis’s second character from the series into a regular recurring guest star by giving viewers a chance to get to know him, flaws and all, over the years.
