‘Bob’s Burgers’: Gene Gets a Chance to Shine on Stage
Warning, this article contains spoilers for the newest episode of Bob’s Burgers. When it comes to the Belcher children, it’s usually Tina and Louise who get the spotlight. Season 10 of Bob’s Burgers has constantly mixed up typical character dynamics and story lines. In a rare episode, “All That Gene” gives Gene a chance to shine.
Gene auditions for a local play in ‘Bob’s Burgers’
“All That Gene” is a really good episode of Bob’s Burgers. From the start, the show puts an emphasis on Gene’s flair and love for performing. While Linda encourages this, Bob voices that he prefers when Gene performs in their apartment instead of noisily in front of customers.
Teddy informs the Belchers that there is a part in a local play production of A Potluck In The Grass by Alabama O’Callahan. Linda immediately volunteers Gene. Linda takes him to the theater and they meet Donovan, the director of A Potluck In The Grass.
Gene auditions for the role of Quiet Eli, but his unconventional personality loses him the role. Linda tries to reassure Gene that he did great, but he feels like a failure.
Linda agrees to sell tickets for the show
In the Bob’s Burgers episode, Linda makes a deal with Donovan. Even though it’s already tech week for the play, the theater has only sold seven tickets. Linda agrees to help the show sell out and says she will be a stagehand if Gene gets the part.
In season 4’s “Gene It On,” Linda tried to relive her cheerleading dreams through Gene even though he had no real interest in cheerleading. “All That Gene” shows Linda to be much more encouraging, as Gene actually enjoys performing and likes the idea of being in the play.
Eventually, Linda’s scheme is discovered. This also crushes Gene and causes him to doubt his talents. Because of Linda’s over-the-top support, Gene has never really questioned himself before. After all, his mom told him he was a better singer than Adele.
Gene rises into the spotlight in ‘Bob’s Burgers’
Because all of the adults in the cast of A Potluck In The Grass were hooking up according to Mr. Ambrose, everyone except Gene gets the flu. Linda reassures Donovan that she was not able to sell any tickets so it doesn’t matter. He then tells her that the show is sold out.
Linda wonders how, but it turns out Tina and Louise took it upon themselves to sell the tickets for the show. In exchange, Bob promised the two they can continue to make fun of his love handles for another month. Tina and Louise sold the tickets to residents of a nursing home who will be bused in to the show.
With Gene being the only available actor, Linda encourages him to be himself. It turns out, that’s exactly what the crowd wants. Gene’s performance wows the sold-out audience of elders and restores his confidence.
