Holiday-themed sitcom episodes rarely stray from well-worn territory. There’s the inevitable heartwarming message, the obligatory family gathering, and enough saccharine sentimentality to induce a diabetic coma. So I’m surprised by the premise of the upcoming “Bob’s Burgers” Christmas episode, “Dog Christmas Day After Afternoon.”
The Belchers, bless their chaotic souls, are venturing out to admire the neighborhood’s festive light displays. A perfectly normal, almost mundane Christmas activity, one might think. But this is the Belcher family we’re talking about, so naturally, things go sideways faster than you can say “Bah Humbug.” Their innocent little outing quickly morphs into a full-blown rescue mission, and knowing this clan, it’s probably not just one cat stuck in a tree.
The logline is deliberately vague, hinting at a multifaceted rescue operation, which could mean anything from saving a gaggle of misguided carolers to liberating a flock of pigeons from a tangled mess of Christmas lights. Perhaps there’s even a rogue Santa Claus involved. Who knows? The possibilities, while not endless, are certainly plentiful enough to pique my interest.
While “Bob’s Burgers” has a decent track record with holiday episodes, they occasionally veer into the overly sentimental. Let’s hope “Dog Christmas Day After Afternoon” leans more towards the show’s signature blend of quirky humor and relatable family dysfunction, with a dash of holiday spirit thrown in for good measure.
Don’t forget, “Bob’s Burgers” airs Sunday, December 15th at 9 PM on FOX.
