Bob and Margaret (1993–2001) User Reviews

It's amazing how two incredibly dull people make for a cute cartoon series.

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 25 May 2019]

"Bob and Margaret" hasn't been seen on American television in nearly 20 years. Fortunately, I recently found the series on Tubi*--a channel you can find on an Amazon Fire or Roku device. And, after watching a few episodes, I came to realize that I still liked this show very much.

The show generally has a very mundane plot...with husband/wife team Bob and Margaret having some relatively dull adventures. Yet, despite this, the show IS interesting and it does a lovely job of poking gentle fun at these nice dullards. In just about every way, this show is NOTHING like shows like "Family Guy"...which thrives on its complete lack of realism and "Bob and Margaret" thrives on the normal.

Overall, the quality of the animation is decent, the laughs droll and the show one that kids would probably hate but middle age folks appreciate because the couples' adventures are so 'normal'...that is until they are banished from the UK in the beginning of the third season!

*FYI--The episodes on Tubi are NOT shown in the correct order. This generally is not a problem but can be at times. Look at the IMDB list and follow that order to see them as they should be viewed.

Thank You Tubi

[ryleilove · 8/10 · 18 November 2022]

I recently found Bob and Margaret on Tubi and I absolutely love this show. I am from the US but have always enjoyed UK entertainment and this is one of my top faves. Bob and Margaret are relatable and I love their chemistry.

The show is hilarious to me because of their dull experiences, witty comments (for example they come home from a dinner and the dogs are trying to get Margaret's attention and she says something along the lines of "Mommy's had a very dull evening with some very dull friends".... I thought it was hilarious). I also love every time Margaret flips like her evening with Neil and Myra - that is my favorite episode. I genuinely enjoy this.

It's funny because there's a review from June of 2022 that says EXACTLY how I feel. The show went downhill for me when they moved to Canada. It lost its spark and doesn't feel the same. I didn't find myself laughing at many of the episodes, or enjoying them for that matter. Every time I watch (which at this time I am hooked and have been watching consistently for almost two months) I only watch the first two seasons.

I wish they would have given at least two more seasons in UK before moving so I'd have 4 whole seasons to enjoy. I sometimes wish they'd bring this show back picking up where it left off but the story being they moved back to the UK...or if the stay in Canada maybe just better episodes.

I'm an American and I too loved this show.

[srsuppes · 20 July 2005]

This is not a matter of ethnicity. I feel it's a matter of intelligence. You have to understand sarcasm and irony to enjoy this series. I agree South Park is pretty weak, but no less tiresome than Monty Python. I'm not comparing them, simply stating that both can get old pretty fast. Bob and Margaret is a sophisticated, eclectic, sardonic comedy series. My wife and I can't wait for this series to come out on DVD. It is a slice of life that we can sit back and laugh at someone else's problems, and compare them to our own, with a sense of humor. Definitely worth enjoying if you can find it. It's too bad this series was not received well by the masses, it doesn't have the slap-stick, easy to digest fell of some of the other comedies that people mindlessly ingest.

FUNNY...

[cheritabellcbell · 9/10 · 19 October 2018]

If you like Seinfeld you will love this . Same kind of humor.

I adore these two

[lopezpatricia-06139 · 10/10 · 26 August 2021]

I can watch and rewatch Bob n Marge and it never gets old. Such talent with Alison snowdon.

Bob and Margret's Day Off

[the_moody_youngest · 2/10 · 14 October 2006]

This show is so dull! I is very unfunny and totally stupid, whenever it comes on I want to punch the screen and break it, i hate it that much! It is so dumb and stupid.

People don't know the meaning of comedy. They make up a totally original comedy and turn it into this! Lame s***. And a waste of your time. I think this show deserves like 2.2 stars out of ten. Maybe even less then that because I hate this show.

So don't waste your time watching this show because you WILL fall asleep and this show is irritating and narcissist! It thinks it is funny by trying to be funny when it isn't funny at all, it is just a total bore! and I hate it a lot!

From Shannon with NO love

EXTREMELY FUNNY and INTELLIGENTLY WRITTEN!!!

[anitatanky · 6 December 2002]

Wow, I must say that I was shocked to see that the majority of my fellow Yanks, who commented on the series, had mostly negative things to say about it. I don't know about them, but I certainly "dug" the cartoon. How I wish it was on DVD, but at least it is on VHS since Comedy Central isn't showing it anymore. I could totally relate to this series: Reluctantly going over an acquaintance's house, taking a cheap bottle of wine, being bored, longing for home; Going to a supermarket and getting out of the line you were in to get in one that seemed faster just to be held up for eons of time; so forth.

I miss watching this show. It was a Sunday night ritual for me. It depicted a typical couple in many ways. While I've always loved the Simpsons and find South Park humorous, Bob and Margaret is indeed different, but in a unique way and it is very good! I'd hate to think fellow sitcom enthusiasts from other parts of the world think most Americans lack the depth and open-mindedness to get this kind of humor due to what a few of them wrote on IMDB. Many of my friends and co-workers (also fellow Yanks) enjoyed it also. Any more fellow Americans wish to make a positive comment about the show?

A quietly, and something screaming, hilarious animated sitcom

[Patsy-9 · 22 February 2002]

I can understand why some people don't like Bob and Margaret. It is a remarkably cerebral cartoon that's occasionally fairly serious in tone, occasionally a real downer, and where nearly every episode breaks down on some level to a debate of the finer points of ethics.

Consider, though, that all of the above can also apply to Seinfeld.

It helps to have a certain familiarity with British culture. That there are people out there like Margaret's parents, who barely acknowledge their daughter and her accomplishments, and profusely thank Bob for "taking her off their hands," and who wouldn't dare ask for something as presumptuous as food. Or Canadian culture - that the vulgar and obnoxious cousins Cookie and Melvin occasionally strike depressingly close to home.

As for the move to Canada, it doesn't particularly matter. Even in London, Bob and Margaret were forever alien in anything they attempted to do. Making them literal aliens is a reasonable next step.

Fantastic, brilliant writing.

[ronunsworth · 13 March 2006]

We tuned in to Bob and Margaret not knowing quite what to expect. This was a breath of fresh air. Some of the situations they have found themselves in has happened to us and doubtless many more couples. This is what endears the couple to the viewer. It all comes from brilliant writing. I can't understand why Bob and Margaret hasn't been snapped up by a major channel and aired in a prime time spot. It would go down a storm and be near to top ratings. Simpicity, pathos and humour is the best tonic I know and top marks to this charming cartoon for bringing a little joy into our lives. Long may it run, I hope that they will make several more series as we become accustomed to their lives.

Brilliant

[sh33na · 6 March 2004]

This was brilliantly written and executed. Sadly, only the first two years were worth the effort. Someone had the not-so-great idea to move the characters and change the voice. Who's in charge? Dumb move. One of the best things about this series was the way they presented two professional childfree characters. As this becomes more and more the norm in our culture, it's a shame that there aren't more shows like this that can poke fun at both the childed and the childfree - and do it without being cruel to either. Two good seasons was not enough. This is a show that could be done again. I, too, would like to have the episodes on DVD. Let's hope they aren't lost forever.

I fell in love with Bob & Margaret!!!!!!!!!!!

[bandcrsh · 11 August 2003]

This was the best show on television. I fell in love with Bob & Margaret(I am in love with Dorothy from "The Wizard of Oz",now). My favorite episode was the Supermarket. The most shocking episode was when they were at the gym and they knocked a player unconscious with a badmitten birdie. I give this show **********out of**********.

LOVE this show!!

[quiltwater · 26 February 2006]

As a Yank originally from New England (Massachusetts), I thoroughly appreciate and adore British humor. Very similar to what I grew up with. Unfortunately, I have only seen Season 1 of this show on video, and watch it over and over. My daughter and I love Bob and Margaret. Even though it is not gut-splitting funny, it has a charming, hit-home humor. For the more sophisticated taste. Would love to see Season 2, at the very least. Haven't had a chance to view the last two seasons but even with all the negative reviews, I would still like to see for myself. Any chance Seasons 2, 3 and/or 4 on video or DVD? I would think it worth a view.

Funny Show

[lawandorder72 · 6 November 2003]

This show doesn't hit you over the head with funny...it's sublime. Like most good British comedy. My only regret is that Bob Fish was replaced in the third series...

If you don't get British humour, you just don't. But if you do...I highly recommend this show.

come on you yanks!

[twinstar-2 · 22 November 2000]

reading the comments for this show really show that Americans can just be so crude. British television is a different kind of humour - often it's a chockful of sarcasm and wit. it is an aquired taste, and it takes brains and attention to get it. unlike easy jokes on the Simpsons, King of the Hill, and South Park. just because it's a cartoon doesn't mean it has to be "cartoon funny". i love the Simpsons, and others mentioned too, but for different reasons. "Bob and Margaret" is a proper sitcom and i love it.

big ups the UK!

I'm not surprised so many Americans hate this show...

[White Dolphin · 14 January 2001]

...just like the person before me said: this show has sophisticated humor. I mean South Park, come on. How many times can you laugh at "Oh My God they killed Kenny!". South Park is ok. But Bob and Margaret is way way better and much funnier. Of course I don't expect you yanks to understand it. British humor is way different than American humor. This show is full of sarcasm and wit. Realistic characters. It's a great social parody and it doesn't need potty humor to get laughs. I laugh much harder watching Bob and Margaret than South Park. The animation and humor is brilliantly thought out... I personally think it would be a crime to take this off the air. It is one of the few animated shows made for adults that has class.

"Wit and Intelligence"

[csicilia · 5 July 2003]

Bob and Margaret are the 'living' proof that a story-line is more important than anything. This series should be called "Wit and Intelligence" instead of Bob and Margaret. What a difficult task! To make you really LAUGH showing you no other thing but normal neurosis in a couple of very normal lives! Gee! I don't get the people who criticize Bob and Margaret here. I bet you that they adore the fact that 'Seinfeld' is about nothing, because Seinfeld is American, but they just hate another product that can be so successful worldwide as Bob and Margaret (and which also deals with "nothingness") because is foreign! Sorry, people, I know two things: If you wrote against Bob and Margaret there are two options: a) You are not intelligent, so, it's OK you wrote against it. b) You ARE intelligent, but you hate yourself and your weaknesses and you are just incapable of laughing at them so you hate this show because it reminds you of them. It's OK too! Bob and Margaret is pure genius! Kudos to a series that REALLY REALLY REALLY could be renamed "Wit and Intelligence"!!!!!!!!

Brilliant animated sit-com

[ChrisL-9 · 10 February 1999]

In my view this is the best animated series on TV (even better than the Simpsons) and it is probably the best sit-com apart from Frasier. The voices are excellent and I love the dogs.

Quite possibly the greatest animated comdedy ever on television.....

[chester-gray · 26 January 2003]

I am not just saying this because I am Canadian, but Bob and Margaret is by far one of the funniest shows ever on television. It was sad to see it go, and yet the d**mned Simpsons has hung on for so long. There is something about the sense of humour that makes this different from other comedies on TV. All of characters are great, but the funniest characters are probably the dogs, they are so incredibly stupid.

Chester's Rating: *********/10

A comment from a Yank!

[guitarboy654 · 23 June 2001]

Well to please Canadian and British reviewers, I will give a fair review. Of course, unlike South Park, this is sophisticated humor, and of course a lot of Americans don't get it. Well, I could explain in a lot of ways why. For one, we don't usually find this type of material funny, we find it insane. Especially for the episode where the kennel owner is afraid of his mum, who his made of straw. I know a lot of "sophisticated" gentlemen reviewing this are saying that it is much better than Southpark, but i think that I, and many other Yanks, have proof that it's not true. For one, Southpark is still on Comedy Central. Two, the characters on South Park have a little more personality. I admit that Bob and Margaret are quite funny in their uptight British way, but come on, compared to Cartman, they are so one dimensional. Then again, who knows, I could be wrong, after all when I was 5 i never said anything like "Mummy can I have some chocolate biscuits?!" Now I will give the UK credit, they somewhat made a Simpsons of their own. But don't get ahead of yourselves now. This is more like a soap opera, than comedy. But if this is adult humor, I guess it's only funny if you're a British adult, because my mom, who is the mother of 5, and and a major in Mathematics, thinks this show is boring.

You call it witty, I call it pretentious and boring.

[Glorback · 8 February 2006]

This show isn't funny. Did you hear me? I'll say it again, just in case. THIS SHOW IS NOT FUNNY.

Whats that? It has to be funny! It's British! After all they gave us Monty Python and The Office! Therefore, they are incapable of producing bad comedy.

Well looks like a monkey wrench was just thrown into that equation.

Everything about this show sucks. You know, there's a fine line between "subtle" and "monotonous". Now, before you pretentious jerks get on my case, I'll make it very clear that I "get" this show. It really isn't very complicated. But it certainly isn't exciting.

I don't know if there are still new episodes, but if there are, its gotta end.

By the way, just to remind you, this show isn't funny, never was, and I'm beginning to think it never will be. And I definitely won't be sticking around to see.

Great untill......

[saranoone · 21 June 2022]

It was great untill They moved and became like everyone else they were trying to fit in and into with.

It jumped the shark when they moved for me.

The pureness, stillness intimacy intimate moments and quaintness were gone.

It lost it's charm.

Shame.

If they stayed put or didn't leave in such a manner, if they had 20 seasons I would have still watched.

Everything became rushed, forced, and didn't make alot of sense or fit into their dynamics..

I loved the show though. This is a show that came on when I was a teenager.. I think this show becomes more appreciated and relatable to me as time goes on. With age.

It's a shame that it lost it's "life" towards the end.

Wish that it was revived or a special season or a few episodes would come out now.

It would be very interesting to see what they'd be up to now and how life would have been for them.

I'd imagine they would be retired or still working. I wonder if they would make them older or resume where they left off and age them gradually.

Wonder if there would be kids....

Wonder if the babies would still be with them or if they'd make them pass on the show.

I really miss this show.

I hate watching it because it wasn't enough.. It ran out quickly.

I'm Hurt'n!

[None-142 · 21 August 1999]

This has to be by far the worse comedy ever created this late in the 90's. Perhaps if the show were to be created in the eighties might I have a different opinion , but this show is awful. However, there is still time to make improvements, maybe even spice up the show with a new person involved, someone rather optimistic ,someone that will make the show exiting. If not then your looking at this show to fade away faster than the carrier of "Miami Vice!"

Stupid and boring series

[jmgallen · 29 May 1999]

What the hell is this? When this series first premiered on Comedy Central, I did not laugh even once. This has to be their biggest blunder ever. What were the creators thinking? Were they drunk or something when they thought up of this? This has to be the worst cartoon I've ever seen in my life. Hell, the creators might as well have donated the profits from this show to charity.

Comedy Central: please cancel this show

[Op_Prime · 11 January 2000]

This show is tasteless piece of garbage that isn't even close to being funny. Yes, I know South Park can be tasteless too, but it's at least funny. Nothing about this show is good. It should be nominated for worst animated show award. I'm sure it would win. Don't bother asking for improvements people. Ask for it's cancellation.