"We are the voices of Tina Belcher, and Linda Belcher on BOB'S BURGERS. Dan Mintz and John Roberts here, AUA."

There was a Bob's Burger parody on Archer, is there any plans for an Archer parody on Bob's Burger?

clearly we have to do something. the world demands it. there's a perfect way to do it, but we just haven't thought of it yet.

I just watched that episode. I found it hilarious being a fan of both shows. I would love to see a crossover episode with something similar in the Bob's Burgers universe.

Video

It's episode 1 of Archer's 4th season, which as of yesterday is streaming on Netflix.

What? I had no idea, thanks!

me neither!

John: How on Earth did you channel my wife perfectly when voicing Linda? It's eerie.

I'm under the bed

Tina is my spirit animal. Can you record my voice mail message?

Edit: Tina is now my voice mail and I am forever indebted to Dan Mintz. I could not be more excited.

Edit 2: I am at work now without a way to record the message but I'll give it a go when I'm at home.

sure

REALLY?! I'm so excited I could touch a butt!

I guess Private Message me? I don't know exactly how that works

Question for Dan: How do you channel your inner Tina? Question for John: Are Linda's little quirks based off of anyone from real life?

My inner Tina is pretty close to the surface, so it's pretty to easy to channel. She has kind of a zen quality of being in the moment with whatever she wants at that moment, so I just try to clear my head of distractions and focus on that one thing.

I don't have a question. I just want to say you guys are nailing the tone of the show. It's always straight, without the characters being in on the joke. It's something a lot of comedies are missing these days. It reminds me of early seasons of the Simpsons.

thanks! sincerity in comedy is underrated and under-used.

What do you think is the best Burger-of-the-Day joke on the chalkboard?

can't pick a favorite but i love long, sweaty ones, like "the cauliflower's cumin from inside the house burger (comes with cauliflower and cumin)"

Molestor burger comes with candy!

first and best????

Dan, do you have a fetish for strong, firm butts, just as Tina does? I only ask as I'm a butt connoisseur...

haha not more than normal I don't think

Will Tina ever win over Jimmy Jr.?

I hope so! But Loren will have to decide.

they are star crossed. it's always gonna be complicated. - william shakespeare

Hey Dan! Where did you come up with Tina's moan? Was it your idea? Or did it come from someone else?

I don't remember exactly, but for the Hamburger Dinner Theater episode Loren needed Tina to do a stage fright sound and I tried a few things and that was the sound he liked. Since then I noticed that I make the sound myself when I'm nervous sometimes but I don't remember if I always did it and that's where the sound came from or if I started doing it after doing it for Tina.

For Loren: Did you intentionally write Andy and Ollie as successors to Walter and Perry?

yes. i won't deny it. it was straight up theft, though i like your word "successors" much better. we wanted them to be their own little fellas too though, and we wouldn't have done it if we didn't think they were worthy as their own characters.

I'd also like to add that the Silverman sisters absolutely nail these roles.

crush them. and then nail the crushed pieces.

This is one of the funniest shows on TV, do you all find it just as funny?, or is it just work for you?

it's like working in a coal mine if coal was something that made you laugh.

I do! Best job eva!

Thanks so much!! It's hard for me to hear my own voice so it's a weird experience watching the show, but I really enjoy the scenes I'm not in.

One of my favorite things about the show is the genuine affection the Belchers have for each other. Was that a conscious decision, or did it just evolve?

That was all Loren making sure the characters were grounded.

How is it working with H Jon Benjamin?

It's a roller coaster ride of emotions!

if roller coasters went really slowly and took lots of breaks to go to the bathroom.

Jon Benjamin is one of my favorite people. He actually is the one who got me this job by recommending me to Loren.

Hey, Dan! Are you aware that alt model Exning Suicide got a tattoo of Tina?

No, that's awesome!

I'm a huge fan! Not really a question, but John, I had a mindblowing moment about 15 minutes into the first episode of Bob's Burgers when I realized where I recognized your voice: your youtube videos! My siblings and cousins and I still quote "Christmas Tree" and "Mother's Day" endlessly. You managed to capture our mothers far too well. Thanks for making me laugh since middle school!! p.s. who wants bailey's?

Thank you! Who's hungry?

Hi Dan John and Loren!

Ridiculously huge fan of the show, I have re-watched every episode several times as they just keep getting funnier. My husband and I even dressed up as the Belchers for Halloween, kids included!

My question to each of you would be, what's your favorite episode? Explain yourself!

Thanks guys! Keep doing what you do.

Topsy, but I can't explain why.

Can you get Netflix to add more seasons?

they add seasons slowly for some reason. i think YOU probably have the most power in that relationship. more than us anyway. demand more episodes. but you know, nicely.

When Tina and Louise grow up, do think they are they going to be like Linda or more akin to Bob?

--Gene is obviously a law unto himself.

Gene will be like Linda. Louise like Bob. Tina will have her own show.

Question for Dan Mitz how did you feel when the character of Daniel in the pilot was changed to Tina a teenage girl?

Well at first it felt bad because I thought it meant they were going to recast me, but then when Loren said they were using the same voice I was excited because I knew it would be such a more interesting character.

I've always wondered if Tina was supposed to have Asperger's syndrome or at least some aspie traits. It seems that everything from her groaning, bizarre obsessions (horses and butts), monotone speech, and bluntness are all textbook Aspergers. I know in the first episode there is a joke that Tina is "the worst kind of autistic," but then Bob assures her that she's not autistic. Just wanted to know the official verdict.

Yeah I've wondered that myself. I think she's probably just a little bit on the spectrum.

Will the burger shop ever be successful?

interesting question. we won't do a last season of roseanne thing. that's for sure. but i like to imagine that if bob's was a real restaurant it would find success after a long struggle.

How much of Bob's Burgers is improvised? I love you two, even if you are the menstruation nation.

We usually do everything in three takes and Loren let's us improv after we get the lines down. It's a win-win!

Oohh oohh! I have a question for each of you!

Mr. Mintz. Where did Tina's signature groan come from? Inspiration? Or did it just happen one day and you stuck with it? Also, do we get to see any more Erotic Friend Fiction this season?!?

Mr. Roberts. I LOVE the videos of you on Youtube portraying 'Mom'. Reminds me of my own mother The Christmas Tree in particular. How much of that character went into the personality of Linda?

Thank you so much for doing this AUA!

Thank you! It's a mix of everything! Moms rule!

I love that they incorporated the tree gag into the Christmas episode. I absolutely lit up when they showed it.

The tree! Thanks doll!

Why do you guys have so much chemistry? When watching I feel like Im listening to an actual real life dialogue between two people.

I think this is to Loren's credit. He comes from a sound editing background and pays so much attention to making everything sound like people talking. That's why he likes using improv so much. Even when the improvised line isn't any funnier than what was written, that fact that you're coming up with it while you're saying it makes it sound more natural.

Dan, when I try to imitate Tina's "Uhhhhhhhh" I always end up coughing. Any tips to save my throat?

Keep the back of your tongue back, but not too far back. Does that make sense?

I just tried that and I sounded like a wookiee.

then you're close

Was there a certain type of sound that was needed for Tina's voice? Or did you just go the manly route and it stuck?

Also, proof?

Edit: Do we even need proof for the sidebar AMAs?

Edit: Thanks for the info. All sidebar AMAs have been pre-approved (pre-aproofed?)

I only know how to do one kind of voice, so that's what I did and luckily it worked for the character

[deleted]

me too

John - what was your favorite song to sing on the show?

Dan- what makes zombies so sexy?

I think for Tina, zombies are appealing because they're so open about what they want and you don't have to play games with them.

I read this in Tina's voice.

me too! copying and pasting into a script right now.

I loved Linda's high school reunion songs!

You guys have Kristen Schaal and Eugene Mirmam and do a ton of wacky music, when are Flight of the Conchords going to guest star?

Also John Roberts, can you improv a song about reddit right now?

I'm singing it now can you hear me?

How do you maintain to keep a "straight" voice when the script is hilarious? I went to "Bob's Burgers LIVE" awhile back in Portland, OR and I never noticed that they kept some of H. Jon Benjamin's chuckles in. And also, Loren Bouchard, do you ever think any characters from "Home Movies" would ever pop up on "Bob's Burgers"? Anyways, huge fan of the show and the people involved. Keep up the greatness!

When we're recording you're reading the same thing over and over so it's not that hard, but during the table read, when we read the script for the first time, people laugh during their lines a lot.

Hey John, how much of Linda's awesome personality is scripted and how much is your creative input?

Kirstie Alley writes all if Linda's lines.

Not a question... but Gene's megaphone bit from the first episode always pulls me out of a bad day! "Fart Noise!"

and laser!

Love your show! My girlfriend and I synchronize watch over skype every week. Tina is probably our favorite character, though she often thinks of herself more like Linda. Anyways, for a question:

John Roberts, I never knew the voice behind Linda was a man until I decided to look it up a few weeks ago. How did you even come up with that voice? It is perfect for her. What were your inspirations to become a voice actor?

Dan Mintz, what was it like guest starring for Adventure Time? That is another one of our favorite shows. Did you enjoy using your talents for a kids show?

My mommy! Thank you for watching!

Adventure Time was really fun but so confusing. I thought it was just a kids show, it wasn't until after I went in that I found out it's a really funny show lots of people love, so everything just seemed so random and insane I had no idea what was going on.

Hi Dan! Tina is so hilarious, thanks for bringing a great voice to such a funny character. Has there ever been a time when it was hard for you to get through a taping because something was so funny?

That's so nice of you to say, thanks! There are lots of times when people say offensive things as their characters that would never get on the air and that always makes me laugh. But with voiceover if's so easy to edit around stuff that laughing is never a production problem or anything.

Tina, Gene, and Louise are such distinct characters. How did you develop their personalities, quirks, etc.

we borrowed heavily from the actors. best and easiest way to create characters is to cast first, write second. quirk-city.

Do you eat burgers on set?

umami!!!

I'm a 37 year old man who finds the jokes on Bob's Burgers to hit my sweet spot. It's like you know me.

1 - Do you know me? 2 - How much of the writing do the voice actors participate in? 3 - Any recommendations on other tv shows, movies, books, or stand up acts I should check out? (4 - I'm literally grasping at straws still makes me die. Thank you for that.)

We have been watching you for years now. We are starting to write a little bit now starting with Dan's awesome episode next season!

Thanks! Have you seen Loren's other shows like Home Movies? Those are probably closest tonally to the show.

John Roberts, Assuming Linda Belcher is a somewhat of a hilariously crude caricature of your own mother, what does she think of your performance and the character in general?

She loves it!

In real life, is H Jon Benjamin more like Archer or Bob?

more like lucy from the peanuts

So he's a ball thief.

A nut robber.

now i feel bad. he's like bob - a real mensch - but with lucy from the peanuts as a split personality/voice in his head.

he's definitely not at all like Archer

Was it a conscious effort to turn Tina into a potential progressive, feminist icon? I really wish there were a character as brilliantly written as her on TV when I was a kid.

I'm not sure, but I'd so happy she inspires people. Never thought I'd be a feminist icon.

Dan, how many seconds do you think you could prolong Tina's famous groan for?

A really, really long time. The sound uses hardly any air. I've never done it long enough for my lungs to run out.

Are Tina and Dina actually supposed to sound different?

I think Tina thinks they sound different.

Question for Dan: How did your deadpan stand-up style/persona come about? Did you try different styles and that one came out on top or did you hit on that style from the get go?

I think that's just the only style I'd be able to do. I've always had a pretty monotone voice, and then when I'm in front of people I get nervous and it gets even more monotone.

Thanks so much for doing this AMA.

John, years ago you made the video "My Son is Gay?". My [straight] husband & I tried to recreate it shot for shot with the point of view of a woman who thought for many years whose son would be gay & is shocked to see him as straight. Also, all of the props in that video were laying around the house.

We also dressed as Bob & Linda Belcher this past year for Halloween, so no real question, just thanks for being fun & bringing these "ladies" to life.

Edit: Alriiiiiight!!!!!

You guys are fun! Thank you!!!

Hey John Roberts & Dan Mintz ! As a huge Bob’s Burgers fan from Australia I really hope you can answer my questions, it was awesome that H. Jon Benjamin was able to answer my questions a month ago and I’d love to hear from the entire cast, so here are my questions

• What’s the best thing about voice acting for Bob’s burgers?

• Do you guys have any favorite scenes from the series?

• And finally, Can we see many more seasons coming in the near future?

Thank you both for taking time out of your day to give us this opportunity and I hope waking up at 5 am for this AMA pays off, on behalf of this AMA I’d like to commend all of you on your amazing talents and wish you luck on your current and future episodes of Bob’s Burgers and beyond.

Hey thanks! How are things down unda? The best thing is working with amazingly talented people and getting to laugh for a living. Also when people get really into the show. We just got picked up for season 5 so fingers crossed! Thank you!

John, will you be my mommy?

Sure why not

Which character is the hardest to write for?

I just wrote a script and Gene was the hardest to write for, because he makes all these references and I don't know anything about pop culture.

Are any scenes or plots inspired by actual events? I guess the one scene I'm hoping this is true for would be Bob taking Tina to drive a car for the first time...so much time to TURN THE CAR TINA

Edit to add, when I first started watching I never would have thought episodes revolving around Tina would be as great as turned out to be. She definitely grew on me!

I don't know if it was inspired by me, but I go crazy when I drink coffee like Tina.

John - I discovered your youtube videos after becoming obsessed with Linda Belcher, and pieced together that you grew up/lived in my hometown from the references to Plays in the Park and shots of the Macy's. Please tell me we can hang out at Menlo Park together and maybe visit the Cheesecake Factory for some martinis. Do you ever do standup or live appearances?

I'm at Cheesecake factory now come meet me! I usually perform at Joe's Pub in NYC. Thanks!

Question for John (and Loren too)- How much of the Linda character was inspired by John's youtube videos? It seems like the character was written with John's voice/character in mind from the get go. What was the process of creating Linda?

That's what is great about animation. Linda is a totally different character but with the same voice. My mom character was a good starting point. :)

John- Do you enjoy doing all of Linda's singing? Linda's songs are one of my favorite parts of the show!

I do! We have a great time making the songs and I LOVE singing with Megan!

Do you ever break out the voices just to mess with people?

I leave a lot of voicemail greetings as Linda. I charge $1000