Since debuting in 2011, Bob’s Burgers has been a consistent hit for FOX. And it’s easy to see why, as there’s hardly an episode that doesn’t either hit hard emotionally, feature an excellent original song, or a combination of the two. Really, the music alone acts as a character.
And, speaking of characters, one other aspect of Bob’s Burgers that works is the eclectic nature of its guest stars. This means the guests’ individual talent is just how well each major guest character is written. They all stand out, in other words. It’s just that some stand out more than others…and those are the big names that follow! Stream Bob’s Burgers on Hulu.
10 Patton Oswalt as the Moody Foodie
Season 2, Episode 7 – “Moody Foodie”
“Moody Foodie” follows a local film critic who gives Bob’s Burgers a less-than-stellar review. And, as the perfectionist that he hopes to be, Bob takes issue with this. And, as his frustration reaches a boiling point, he kidnaps the aforementioned foodie.
Patton Oswalt Was a Perfect Casting
Comedian Patton Oswalt is nothing if not a pop-culture aficionado. And, as he’s knowingly shown in Reno 911!, he can be a bit arrogant about his tastes. So, who better to play a Moody Foodie who will jump to the defense of Tin Cup?
9 Jeffrey Tambor as Captain Flarty
Season 3, Episode 4 – “Mutiny on the Windbreaker”
The third season of Bob’s Burgers is about as good as the middle-class-focused show can ever get. And, while it mostly kept the quintet in the restaurant, every now and then, it changes the locale. The best example of that is the utterly rewatchable “Mutiny on the Windbreaker.”
A Charming Reunion
Just as Bob’s voice actor, H. Jon Benjamin, worked with Arrested Development‘s Jessica Walter on Archer, he also worked with Arrested Development‘s Jeffrey Tambor in Bob’s Burgers. Tambor brings a certain disconnection from reality to Captain Flarty’s speech, and it works like a charm. It’s also hilarious when he gets fully distracted by his pet capybara: Kiki.
8 Bob Odenkirk as Chase Kaminsky
Season 3, Episode 7 – “Tinarannosaurus Wrecks”
“Tinarannosaurus Wrecks” is both a great Jimmy Pesto episode (whose new voice actor has proved to be a natural fit), and an example of how Bob’s Burgers can plant legitimate villains in an otherwise accessible and pleasant tone. The narrative follows Tina and Bob as the latter lets the former test drive his car in a parking lot. And, very, very slowly, she hits another car. Jimmy Pesto’s car (in other words, the worst possible car to hit).
Bob Odenkirk Is a Great Slimy Lawyer
And, yet, when that contemptible individual is voiced by Bob Odenkirk, it’s hard not to care about the guy a bit. Even if he engages in insurance fraud as often as he draws breath. But that’s who Chase Kaminsky is… a complete con artist with no ethics and a super recognizable voice.
7 Fred Armisen as Tommy
Season 3, Episode 11 – “Nude Beach”
When heartbroken health inspector Hugo Habercore (one of Bob’s Burgers’ best side characters) leaves his position for a nudist colony, Bob feels like his place of business is finally safe from harassment. But, in comes Tommy Jaronda, an inspector whose true passion is putting out incredible amateurish music. So, in other words, Bob just can’t win.
What Made Fred Armisen’s Casting Perfect?
Fred Armisen is top-notch at selling blind optimism. And Tommy Jaronda is nothing if not an optimist, at least when it comes to how he feels the public will receive his so-called songs. That said, he’s also willing to frame Bob with a bag of mouse poops, so his extremely sexual (in a way that brings up memories of Steve Carell in The 40-Year-Old Virgin describing bags of sand) songs aren’t the worst thing about him.
6 Jon Hamm as O.T.: The Outside Toilet
Season 3, Episode 15 – “O.T.: The Outside Toilet”
Gene Belcher, Bob’s Burgers‘ resident unconventional feminist icon, has a soft heart. Whether it’s another person, an animal, or, yes, a talking toilet, he wears his heart on his sleeve. A take on E.T., this episode of Bob’s Burgers is one of the more heartfelt Gene-centric episodes of Season 3, if not the very best.
Hamm Does a Perfect Job… as a Toilet
Hamm plays the titular toilet, and it’s a riot to hear his iconic voice computerized…while he speaks as an electronic toilet. That said, Neil Flynn of Scrubs fame is also dynamite as Max Flush, the criminal who stole O.T. to begin with, and now has Gene’s name. Can Gene get the toilet to safety in time? And will the toilet really be safe from Gene’s butt? No, to the second question.
5 Kumail Nanjiani as Skip Marooch
Season 5, Episode 5 – “Best Burger” and Season 6, Episode 19 – “Glued, Where’s My Bob?”
Bob Belcher is always put-upon. His family’s a mess and his business is doing even worse. He can’t ever get a win, even when it seems like he’s secured a win. Take, for instance, the second cameo appearance from Kumail Nanjiani‘s successful chef character, who gives Bob the chance of a lifetime only for his slightly-awful children to glue his tail end to a toilet seat.
What Role Did Nanjiani Play?
Skip Marooch, expert chef and unlikely ally to his competitor: Bob. Nanjiani appeared in two episodes, with the first focusing around a burger-making contest. Skip won that contest, but still respected Bob’s talent and went to the Belcher’s restaurant afterwards. That’s the kind of sweet action that makes Bob’s Burgers Bob’s Burgers. And, during his second cameo, he tries to help Bob out with a mainstream magazine. But, as mentioned… toilet.
4 Steve Buscemi as Tom Innocenti
Season 6, Episode 8 – “Sexy Dance Healing”
Featuring the return of Jairo (Jon Glaser), one of Bob’s Burgers’ most underrated characters, “Sexy Dance Healing” is one of Season 6’s best and most nostalgic episodes. When Bob slips in front of Jairo’s new business, he enlists the help of a lawyer who loves to make a stretttttttch of conversations when he’s paid by the hour, not the victory.
Buscemi Is a Great Fit for a Lawyer
Steve Buscemi is great at conveying an impressive intellect. Or, at the very least, a slick tongue. And, like Randall Boggs in Monsters, Inc., Tom Innocenti is very much a combination of those two factors. That said his clearly-oft-utilized phrase of ‘If you don’t sue, shame on you.’ is fairly misguided at best. That said, it’s pretty obvious he has no actual respect for the law, considering he takes Jairo on as a client after Bob, for the exact same case. Not to mention the fact he hilariously called Jairo his ‘favorite client’ as Bob is standing right there.
3 Wanda Sykes as Sofa Queen
Season 6, Episode 9 – “Sacred Couch”
When Louise, agent of chaos, saws off the leg of her family’s old couch, it’s time for a replacement. After all, she and Bob had been wanting a new seating spot for ages. And, considering Linda is so obsessed with the Sofa Queen and her catchy commercials, when would the better time be?
Wanda Sykes Was a Perfect Addition
No one is better at bringing the combination of a harsh, knowledgeable tone with a comedic slant than Wanda Sykes. Like in Curb Your Enthusiasm, she has a way of dominating scenes even more than the respective project’s protagonist. As the kind-hearted (but even more business-savvy) Sofa Queen, she’s right in her element.
2 Paul Rudd as Jericho
Season 6, Episode 17 – “The Horse Rider-er”
As hilarious as your aunt is, as charming as your uncle is, and as lovable as your parents are… there’s still no one quite as endearing as Paul Rudd. And, as Tina’s imaginary horse Jericho, Rudd’s casting is iconic in Bob’s Burgers. Jericho’s a good boy, one who supports his human and, when faced with the concept he might lose her, is absolutely devastated (no one can pathetically belt out the name ‘Tina’ quite the same way as Rudd).
What Made Paul Rudd’s Presence so Special (What Always Makes Rudd’s Presence so Special)?
“The Horse Rider-er” is an adorable episode. Tina and Jericho’s dynamic feels wholly organic and does so while being an animated comedy featuring a fictional teen girl and her even more fictional horse. It’s a treat of a narrative, and Rudd makes Jericho an entity that feels at home in any home, and makes everyone else feel just the same.
1 John Oliver as Ian Amberson
Season 7, Episode 10 – “There’s No Business Like Mr. Business Business”
Just as Linda is the ultimate mom, she’s also the ultimate sister. That said, she often gives in too easily to her absurd sibling’s sillier and more expensive impulses. But, signing Mr. Business up to be the face of Chef Cat cat food wasn’t a silly impulse, even if it was an expensive one. Too bad, at the first sign of Mr. Business being slightly uncomfortable, Gayle ruins the whole thing.
John Oliver Was a Delight as Ian Amberson
John Oliver plays Ian Amberson, pet agent for Pets Pawsitive Pet Agency. Amberson managed the previous spokes-cat, and had a lot of faith in Mr. Business being the perfect replacement. But when Mr. Business attacks Amberson (with his screams of “Take the show! Take the shot!”), things go south very quickly.
