I’m not even sure how I stumbled across The Great North—probably one of those aimless Hulu scrolls when you just want something light and fun to pass the time. But from the very first episode, I was hooked.
Right away, I could tell this show had the same creative fingerprints as Bob’s Burgers.
Sure enough, The Great North is brought to us by Wendy Molyneux and Lizzie Molyneux-Logelin (two longtime Bob’s producers) along with Minty Lewis (Regular Show), and it’s animated by the same Bento Box studio. So, if you’re a Bob’s Burgers fan like me, this feels like slipping into a comfy pair of slippers—but with a furry Alaskan twist.
The Great North follows the quirky Tobin family living in the fictional town of Lone Moose, Alaska. The patriarch, Beef (voiced by the ever-gruff and ever-charming Nick Offerman), is trying to raise his kids in the rugged north while keeping the family together and thriving.
Every episode is its own mini “adventure,” and I love that the titles reflect that, with names like “Curl Interrupted Adventure” or “Romantic Meat-Based Adventure.” It’s little details like that that make the show feel so self-aware and endearing.
What makes the Tobins so lovable is the same thing that makes the Belchers so great: they’re odd, they clash, they get into totally bonkers situations—but they genuinely love each other. That sweetness underpins the whole series and gives it real heart.
And don’t even get me started on the pop culture references. I laughed out loud when a cover band called The John Mayors showed up—yep, all the band members are mayors.
But the best surprise of all? The daughter Judy (voiced by Jenny Slate) has an imaginary friend: Alanis Morrissette. And yes, it’s actually voiced by Alanis. I almost fell off the couch with delight.
Another thing I didn’t expect? The music is so good! The theme song is an earworm in the best way, and there are original songs sprinkled throughout the episodes that are both hilarious and catchy. I binged all five seasons and can confidently say the musical bits are one of the biggest highlights for me.
While there are still a few remaining episodes to be released for season five, fans (myself included!) are eagerly waiting to hear whether we’ll get a season six. Fingers crossed.
If you’re in the market for something comforting, funny, and delightfully weird—The Great North is worth checking out. Especially if, like me, you’ve already rewatched Bob’s Burgers a dozen times and need something that scratches the same itch while offering something new.
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