‘Bob’s Burgers’ Serves Up A Surprise Thanksgiving Music Video (EXCLUSIVE)

Bob’s Burgers may not have delivered a full Thanksgiving episode this year, but the creative team behind the show has given Cartoon Brew something to chow down on with the exclusive launch of “Thanksloving,” a standalone animated music video sung by H. Jon Benjamin as Bob, with music and lyrics by series creator Loren Bouchard and Nora Smith.

Directed by Bernard Derriman, Simon Chong, and Tony Gennaro, the video opens with Bob prepping his annual holiday feast before gazing lovingly at the uncooked turkey on the counter. Soon, he slips into a musical fantasy in which he dances with the bird, a sequence Bouchard jokingly describes as “semi-erotic, musical exploration” of Bob’s well-documented love of the late-November holiday.

Unlike the show’s traditional holiday installments, this piece exists purely for fun. “It’s a one-off, and truly just for the fans,” Bouchard says. “We felt bad that we didn’t make a Thanksgiving episode again this year, so we made this… exploration of Bob’s love of cooking turkey.”

Holidays have always held a special place in the series, and Bouchard says that’s not about scoring easy ratings. “Holidays and animation just go together,” he tells us. “Bob’s Burgers and Thanksgiving are an especially ‘cute couple’ because here we have this guy who loves to cook and a holiday that’s all about cooking.”

The musical number also shows off the Bento Box crew’s choreography chops. “Music and animation are a natural pairing, but only if you have a team of artists who can pull off the choreography,” Bouchard notes. “A sexy, giant, dancing turkey is only as good as the animators who give it life and rhythm.”

With its appetizing melodies, tasty lyrics, and enticing turkey romance, “Thanksgiving” should keep Bob’s Burgers fans full until the Belchers return with their next holiday feast.