The Mind-Blowing Secret Behind Bob's Burgers Character's Eternal Youth Revealed
Uncover the mystery behind the timeless characters of Bob's Burgers in this intriguing theory: Does a painting hold the secret to their eternal youth? Dive into the animated sitcom's meta nod and discover why the painting theory may not be as convincing as it seems
One theory behind Bob's Burgers suggests a possible explanation for why the characters never age. In the realm of cartoons, it is a common occurrence for characters to remain the same age indefinitely. This phenomenon is rarely questioned, as it is understood that cartoons operate in a different reality. Bob's Burgers, like many other shows, adheres to this tradition.
Despite being on the air since 2011, the characters in Bob's Burgers have not aged and show no signs of doing so. This arrangement works seamlessly because cartoon characters do not experience physical aging like their real-life counterparts, allowing the series to continue as long as necessary. As long as the writers continue to generate innovative ideas and the fans remain engaged, there is no need to conclude the story. Unlike TV shows featuring live actors, cartoons like Bob's Burgers do not require their characters to undergo significant development over time, enabling them to endure for years without the passage of time becoming a concern. However, one theory suggests that there may be a genuine explanation for the perpetual youthfulness of these characters.
Theory: No One In Bob's Burgers Ages Because Of A Painting
The Reddit theory, shared by a now-deleted account, proposes that the key to the characters' lack of aging in Bob's Burgers season 3, "An Indecent Thanksgiving Proposal," lies in a particular event. In this episode, Mr. Fischoeder persuades the Belcher family to masquerade as his own family, with Bob assuming the role of his chef, all in an effort to win back his former love interest, Shelby Schnabel. As a token of appreciation, Louise selects a painting depicting her family with Mr. Fischoeder as the father figure. She hangs the painting on the wall and remarks, "now this portrait will grow old for me, and I'll stay nine forever." According to the theory, the painting possesses mystical qualities that transform the fabric of the universe, allowing Louise to remain perpetually nine years old, and enabling life to progress without repetition, akin to the concept of Groundhog's Day.
Why The Bob's Burgers Painting Theory Doesn't Hold Up
The theory is plausible considering the fact that Louise remains perpetually young in the world of Bob's Burgers. As pointed out by a Reddit user in response to the initial post, if anyone were to have the resources to commission a magical painting, it would be Mr. Fischoeder, given his immense wealth. Furthermore, this theory suggests that the painting is aging on behalf of Louise, effectively freezing time for her and potentially impacting other characters as well. If this holds true, it could explain why none of the other characters age either.
The painting in Bob's Burgers seems to reflect a reality where aging exists, unlike the show's actual universe. This explains why Louise was so determined to have it as her prize. If she knew about its magical powers, it's no wonder she wanted to bring it home and harness its capabilities.
However, the theory that the painting stops aging is solely supported by Louise's comment in the Thanksgiving episode. It is never mentioned again in the series, and there is no other evidence to support this idea. Furthermore, an episode in season 8 titled "Are You There Bob? It's Me Birthday" contradicts the theory. In this episode, Linda and the kids plan a last-minute birthday party for Bob, indicating that he does age, even if his appearance remains the same. If Bob has a birthday, it suggests that the other characters also age, even if it is not explicitly shown in the series. The presence of multiple holiday episodes in Bob's Burgers also implies the passage of time in their universe. Considering all of this, the theory regarding the painting's effect on aging cannot hold true.
Bob's Burgers' Painting Scene Is A Meta Nod To An Animated Sitcom Trope
Louise's comments during the Thanksgiving episode probably did not relate to the painting's supposed magical qualities. Rather, the quote was a playful reference to the fact that cartoon characters never age, regardless of how long their show continues to air. The Simpsons, for instance, has been on the air since 1989, spanning 36 seasons, yet none of its characters have displayed any signs of aging. Bart and Lisa are still portrayed as children, and even their younger sister Maggie has remained a baby for almost 34 years. As intriguing as the premise of Bob's Burgers theory may be, it ultimately contradicts too many established facts to be considered true.
