Bob's Burgers is chock full of hilarious running gags that give viewers something to look forward to in every episode. Starting late in the first season, the exterminator van featured in the intro is the writers' opportunity to drop great dad jokes on the audience, and get them ready for the episode.
While the puns are usually groan-worthy, they are also quite clever in their own way, and make subtle references to popular culture. After over 200 episodes in the series, some of the exterminator van puns have lived on as legendary gags from the show.
"No More Mr. Mice Guy"
While the phrase is a common piece of collective vernacular, "No More Mr. Nice Guy" has also entered in the realm of popular culture as well. "Ear-sy Rider" sees Bob dismayed when his restaurant is wrecked by a motorcycle gang. Meanwhile, Louise begins to lose her touch with reality when her trademark bunny ears are stolen.
What makes the van pun so funny is that it not only makes a reference to the famous song by Alice Cooper, but it also subtly references the episode. Like the song, Louise plots an elaborate revenge plan which pushes her over the edge of rationality. Though not all the van puns synced up with their episodes, some did so to perfection.
"Stuart-A-Little-Less Exterminators"
Not without its darker moments of comedy, Bob's Burgers has never strayed away from gallows humor with the van puns. "Mazel Tina" sees the infinitely quotable Tina in an awkward spot when she isn't invited to Tammy's Bat Mitzvah. Though she is hoping to put it behind her, she is forced to attend when Bob is called on to cater the event.
While the pun may have little to do with the plot of the episode, it is one of the darkest examples of the writers' humor. Obviously referencing the classic children's character Stuart Little, an anthropomorphic mouse that is adopted by a human family, the show envisions a darker spin on the story. For such a throw away gag, the sinister joke sticks with the audience throughout the entire episode.
"LaVermin Shirley"
Bob's Burgers is known for its many great pop culture references, and occasionally they go retro with their nods to other properties. The episode "Tinarannosaurus Wrecks" has Bob attempting to teach Tina how to drive. While practicing in a parking lot, Tina manages to hit the only other car there, and must then lie to the insurance agent in order to keep Bob out of trouble for letting an underage person drive.
Referencing the classic sitcom Laverne & Shirley, the episode's van pun is a bit of a thinker. Cleverly using the word vermin to simulate the word "and", its meaning isn't obvious until the words are said out loud, and it sounds like the name it is parodying.
"Sense & Sense-A-Kill-A-Flea Pest Control"
Some jokes are clever, while others are so groan inducing that they almost go all the way around to being hilarious. "Roller? I Hardly Know Her!" sees Gene heartbroken when his best friend Alex ditches him in order to be a girl's roller dance partner. Also, Bob, Linda, and Teddy go overboard when they begin to suspect that someone is casing the restaurant.
Most of Bob's Burgers' reference are rather low-brow, but in the van pun they found a chance to reference classical literature. There is very little connection between Jane Austen's novel and the plot of the episode, but it is still one of the best dad jokes the show ever made.
"Rats All Folks!"
Nothing is better than the original, and the original van pun was funny enough to stick around for a dozen episodes before being replaced. Being featured in every episode for a significant chunk of the first season, viewers became attached to their first van pun, and it is an integral part of the Bob's Burgers fandom.
The joke works on many levels and is not only a funny pun that spins the classic phrase, but it subtly references the fact that Bob's restaurant seems doomed. Though it was eventually swapped out for new jokes, there is something to be said for the pun that started it all.
"Dale's Dead-Bug"
Greatness recognizes greatness and in the episode "Aquaticism", Bob's Burgers made a reference to another classic animated series. The episode sees the children attempt to devise a plan to save the local aquarium, while Linda teaches Bob all about her customer service skills.
The van in the introduction to the episode is taken directly from King of the Hill, and is in fact Dale Gribble's signature work truck. Though a crossover episode has yet to materialize, it was still hilarious and heartwarming to see a reference to the classic cartoon series in Bob's Burgers. Also, it is fun to speculate that the two series actually exist in the same universe.
"Bohemian Rats-Squishy Pest Control"
While the show features many hilarious running gags, the writers put special care in the recurring puns that appear throughout the series. "The Hawkening: Look Who's Hawking Now!" sees Bob and Louise's plan to host a screening of their favorite film in jeopardy when the star of the movie backs out of his appearance.
The van pun is equal parts gross and hilarious, and makes a reference to one of the most famous songs of all time. Obviously a spin on Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody", the exterminator van uses clever wordplay to spoof the song. Not necessarily the most appetizing thing to see in front of a restaurant, the episode's van pun is particularly funny.
"Are You There Bug? It's Me, Margaret The Exterminator"
Drawing inspiration from all areas of popular culture, occasionally the exterminator van puns are a deep cut. In the episode "Motor, She Boat", Bob and Tina participate in a father/daughter cardboard boat race. Meanwhile, Linda takes the other kids to a fire station open house and gets a little too comfortable.
While the episode features many underrated moments that aren't talked about enough, it is also filled with great puns. Not only is the title a pun, but the exterminator van references the classic Judy Blume novel Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. The character in the book struggles with becoming a teen, and in a lot of ways, Margaret from the book is in very similar predicaments to Tina from Bob's Burgers.
"Rats What She Said Exterminators"
The humor on Bob's Burgers ranges from clever pop culture references, all the way to low brow humor, and everything in between. The episode "Every Which Way but Goose" sees Tina form an unhealthy friendship with a goose after not being asked to the school dance. Also, Linda attempts to help Gayle get a date using a dating app.
Not every joke on the show has to necessarily be the smartest, and the "That's What She Said" reference is a refreshing piece of levity. The phrase, which denotes unintended double entendre, is associated with juvenile humor, and was used to perfection in The Office. On Bob's Burgers, it was definitely enough to elicit a fair amount of chuckles from viewers who were caught off guard by its inclusion in the show.
"We're Gnat Gonna Take It!"
Sometimes simplicity is the best when it comes to comedy, and the simplest jokes are often the funniest. "Bridge Over Troubled Rudy" finds Louise obsessed with Rudy's exploding model bridge, while Mort tries his best to teach Bob, Linda, and Teddy how to meditate properly.
Most of the van puns feature spins on common pests like rats and other creepy crawlies. The episode's van pun uses the odd spelling of its pest for the most effective joke. Parodying the Twisted Sister song "We're Not Gonna Take It!", the pun rolls effortlessly and requires very little thought. That simplicity and absurdity of the pun is what makes the joke so memorable.