After two seasons spanning from 2019 to 2021, Fox’s adult animated comedy Bless the Harts concluded its 34-episode run in June of 2021. Co-created by and starring Kristen Wiig, much of the appeal of the show is its hospitable Southern charm and endearingly relatable characters as they struggle to make a living in North Carolina.
What makes the characters so compelling are the downhome working-class lifestyles, unbreakable family bonds, unforgettable personality quirks, and droll interactions with one another. Jenny Hart (Wiig), her daughter, Violet (Jillian Bell), and mother, Betty (Maya Rudolph), lean on each other in the most trying times of their life.
Louise Culp
It’s said that a story is only as good as its villain, and in the case of Bless the Harts, Louise Culp (Emily Spivey) adds a level of dramatic tension as Jenny’s cruel and condescending boss who indeed bolsters the story. Louise’s memorable catchphrase “Doot-dih-dih-doo!” every time she enters a scene is both hilarious and obnoxious at once, making her an unforgettable mainstay on the show.
Despite being harsh to Jenny and her fellow employees, Louise is shown to care for her workers and the Harts in general. Louise becomes even more sympathetic when her neglectful husband, Daniel (Richard Blomquist), dies in season 2.
Peter
As Wayne’s (Ike Barinholtz) lovably dimwitted and clumsy co-worker, Peter (David Herman) provides some of the biggest laughs on the entire show. Herman is also one of the longest-tenured actors on King of the Hill, further connecting the two animated Fox series beyond the inclusion of the iconic Mega-Lo Mart store featured in both.
Although he provides comic relief with his slow-reacting, on-the-nose observations, Peter is always there for Wayne in his time of greatest need, either as a co-worker or a friend to lean on.
Crystalynn Poole
Although she appears in just a handful of episodes, Crystalynn Poole (Mary Steenburgen) makes a lasting impression as Betty’s hilariously vindictive archenemy with decades of rivaled hatred shared between them. The time Crystalynn tricked Betty out of a pair of Ugg boots on Black Friday proves how sneaky and conniving she really is.
Betty and Crystalynn’s bitter rivalry increases as the series progress, providing endless amusement throughout the series. Even when they briefly team up to bring down Marjune (Holly Hunter) in season 2, they hysterically go right back at each other’s throat afterward.
Randy
As Greenpointe’s infamous village fool prone to outlandish theories, the mullet-wearing Randy (Drew Tarver) is easily one of the most well-written and performed characters on the show. When Randy isn’t capturing everyone’s attention by making loud, overdramatic entrances, he’s trying to convert them to his Satanic religion. Alas, it doesn’t work so well in the Bible belt.
Randy’s offbeat silliness and severe flights of fancy make him extremely endearing, particularly when he tries to be friendly but ends up annoying his fellow citizens. He’s so out of place with his religious views that one can’t help pray for his soul.
Brenda Clemmons
One of the most compelling aspects of the show is the tender relationship between Jenny and her coworker and best friend, Brenda (Fortune Feimster), the ultra-assertive and back-talking Last Supper waitress who can’t control her impulsive demeanor.
While Brenda has some of the funniest quotes on the show, it’s her bond with Jenny that is so special. Their Christmas work shift together opened Jenny’s eyes to how lucky she has it compared to Brenda. Later, in “My Best Frenda,” their bond is further solidified when the ladies of Greenpoint try to get Jenny to sever ties with Brenda, only for Jenny to refuse and stick up for her friend.
Jesus Christ
Kumail Nanjiani gives a wise and hysterically irreverent turn as Jesus Christ, the deified vision who appears in Jenny’s imagination to give her sage advice on how to navigate the ups and downs of life in Greenpoint.
It’s the subversion of the character in as religious a setting as Greenpoint that makes the character so sharply written, no to mention waggishly played by Nanjiani. Jenny conjures Jesus into her mind to help guide her out of misery and into the light, but his advice is often poor and unhelpful. But he also keeps Jenny humbly grounded as well, giving him a spiritual presence on the show the help to balance the protagonist.
Wayne Edwards
With a big heart, a kind soul, good intentions, and a willingness to do whatever makes Jenny happy, her boyfriend Wayne Edwards is the absolute salt of the earth. His inner monologues reveal a relatable conflict about being a good parent, and his insecurity about never being as good as Jenny’s rich ex-boyfriend makes him as rootable as can be.
Although Wayne can be clumsy and incorrigible at times, his heartfelt bond with Violet proves his strong father-figure qualities that increase his overall trustworthiness. More than anything, it’s Wayne’s loving dedication to constantly win Jenny’s heart that makes him so likable.
Violet Hart
Jenny’s artistically talented daughter Violet is also a stereotypical sullen teenager prone to ironic outbursts and sarcastic cynicism. Despite her prickly demeanor and unimpressed vocal tone, Violet’s actions prove she really loves her family, making her one of the most complex and well-rounded characters of all.
When Violet isn’t spending time drawing, the precocious teen shows off her softer, kinder side when she hands out with her best friend Oscar (David Brito). Beyond her complicated relationship with Jenny, Violet’s genuine bond with her stepdad Wayne provides some of the most unexpected emotional moments on the show.
Betty Hart
Maya Rudolph delivers a side-splitting performance on the show as Betty Hart, Jenny’s irascible harridan of a mother who constantly meddles in her affairs. With Kristen Wiig’s longtime fellow SNL alum and Bridesmaids co-star, the comedic timing between Jenny and Betty is the best part of Bless the Harts.
Betty’s sassy outbursts and inability to think before she talks put her in many precarious situations, which she often tries to connive her way out of. Betty’s cheap moneymaking scams by falling in public places and exploiting retail return policies balance her virtuous religious upbringing in a way that makes her a fully dimensional character.
Jenny Hart
SNL star Kristen Wiig is the heart and soul of Bless the Harts, emitting pure pathos and salient humor as a single mother dealing with a teenage child, widowed mother, insecure boyfriend, sarcastic best friend, multiple jobs, and relentless visions of Jesus Christ.
A huge part of Jenny’s sympathetic nature comes from running out on her rich fiance on her wedding day. Rather than marrying for money and living a life of leisure, Jenny follows her heart knowing the difficulty that lies ahead. By choosing the righteous path, Jenny not only honors her religious upbringing but also serves as an aspirational role model for her daughter Violet.
