King of the Hill Comes Home

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After being away for quite some time due to Hank’s work overseas in Saudi Arabia with his propane-related skills, Hank and Peggy Hill have returned to their hometown of Arlen, Texas. This isn’t only because King of the Hill is making a comeback on Hulu; it’s simply where they belong. The new season, airing all ten episodes starting August 4, finds them readjusting to modern-day America as they settle back into their old lives.

Greg Daniels, one of the show creators, mentioned that they enjoyed the concept of his absence lasting for some time, and the most typical Mayberry-like refuge for a family would be an Aramco base, symbolizing an idealized version of suburban America. They had been in Saudi Arabia and upon their return, they had missed out on numerous contemporary cultural shifts.

Ever since King of the Hill aired its series finale during Obama’s first year in office, we’ve seen an influx of tech entrepreneurs, apps, cancel culture, booming boba and poke restaurants, two presidencies of Donald Trump, and a pandemic. It’s a whirlwind of events, and it seems our old friends Dale, Bill, and Boomhauer – the regulars at the Alamo beer joint – have had to face this turbulent time without their buddy Hank.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=R189-YSWvsY

Mike Judge, the other co-creator of King of the Hill, notes that since the series ended, there’s been an abundance of new topics for Hank to voice his disapproval on. Today in Arlen, Hank finds himself puzzled by electric scooters, drones, and ride-share manners, yet despite being perplexed and grumpy about certain modern advancements, he remains more level-headed than many of his townsfolk.

For example, Dale Gribble, known for his radical views on the old show, now seems like an average voter. In the words of Saladin K. Patterson, the new showrunner, “In reality, there are more extremes than what Dale portrays now.

As a devoted cinephile, I’ve always admired Hank for his balanced perspective – he was the embodiment of common sense, skillfully navigating the dramatic extremes presented on screen. However, since his departure, it seems the nation has undergone significant transformations that have shifted what once stood as the middle ground into something quite different. In essence, Hank’s middle position is no longer the center we once knew.

In my perspective, “King of the Hill,” during its original run, was highly appreciated for its insightful and balanced portrayal of our beloved nation, America. It delved into the lives of blue-collar workers, growing up in suburban areas that lean purple, and explored small ‘c’ conservatism. (And let me tell you, it was incredibly hilarious!) The creators of the revival are eagerly embracing the challenge of testing Hank’s seemingly outdated moderation against today’s political landscape. However, if you’re curious about how Hank cast his votes in the last three elections, I’m afraid that’s not something the show will be revealing. According to Daniels, the series has never been about politics, but rather the cultural differences that exist among us.

Daniels clarifies, the series is distinctively unique, focusing on characters who inhabit this particular alleyway. It’s a comedic exploration of these characters, rather than a late-night talk show. Please note that due to the animation process, it doesn’t aim to follow current news events. Instead, it delves into the richness of its characters and culture.

According to Patterson, we found it more effective to concentrate on subtle, relatable aspects rather than overt satire or unnecessary commentary. He explains, “It’s less about, ‘Ah, I get what they’re trying to say here.’ This is a conservative perspective, this is a liberal one. It’s simplistic and predictable, isn’t it?

In the course of the production, Arlen has undergone certain alterations. The voice actor for Dale, Johnny Hardwick, regrettably passed away during filming, having completed some recordings prior to his death. Since Dale is a key character, Patterson assures that they made a decision that the audience, along with Dale’s fans and Johnny, will find satisfactory. Brittany Murphy’s character, Luanne, as well as Tom Petty’s character, Lucky, were scripted to have relocated – an action typical of couples. Following the impact of “The Problem With Apu”, a new actor has been chosen to voice Kahn Souphanousinphone, Hank’s Laotian-American neighbor, replacing Toby Huss in this role.

One notable transformation is that Bobby Hill, who was once a child character, has now grown up into a 21-year-old man. He’s let go of his dream to be a world-renowned prop comic and instead, he’s settled in Texas as the co-owner of a unique Japanese-German Hill Country fusion BBQ joint in Dallas. This location allows him to visit his parents whenever they move back into their old family home. Despite these changes, Bobby still retains his distinctive voice, with Pamela Adlon reprising her role. The adjustments made to the voice performance are minor and subtle.

The part of the revamped series that Daniels was most eager about was witnessing Bobby’s growth. Although Hank remains central to many storylines, it could be argued that the younger Hill character has become the emotional core of the show. As Daniels puts it, “The main character is often the one with the highest stakes.” While Hank’s life seems stable, Bobby’s life appears more uncertain. This resonates particularly well today as young people face greater challenges in trying to establish a life comparable to that of their parents.

According to Patterson, he was eager to discover how the ‘That boy ain’t right’ mindset would transform with Hank, given that Bobby has grown up. He believes there will be some entertaining moments when they don’t see eye to eye, but now, Hank must respect Bobby as a mature adult.

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2025-05-30 18:54