Yep.

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Approximately 15 years after Fox stopped airing it to create space for a spinoff of “Family Guy”, Mike Judge and Greg Daniels’ “King of the Hill” is coming back on Hulu, bringing Hank, Peggy, and Bobby Hill into a world that has significantly changed from what they left. This revival presents a challenge since many old shows are being reintroduced these days (even “Scrubs”), but the results aren’t always positive: for every successful “Will & Grace” comeback, there are several disappointing attempts like the new “Frasier”. The main issue with these revivals is that they can feel eerie, attempting to evoke fond memories but often triggering uncomfortable questions instead: What exactly was it about the original that I liked? Was it ever good, or were my previous standards different? Has the show’s style aged gracefully? Has mine? Given its everyday setting and a central character who embodies traditional values (“Why would anyone do drugs when they could just mow a lawn?”), “King of the Hill” seems uniquely equipped to provoke these questions. Fifteen years is a long time, especially in an era where things seem to be moving rapidly. This makes it even more surprising that the return of “King of the Hill” isn’t merely good; it’s the best-case scenario for a nostalgia revival.

In this new season, I find myself stepping back into the world of “King of the Hill,” a show that’s always been about feeling out of sync with the modern times. This 14th season, returning on August 4, humorously amplifies this theme to reaffirm its core concept. The first of ten episodes finds Hank and Peggy readjusting after retirement, Hank from his propane advocacy work in a time-frozen company town for Aramco in Saudi Arabia, and Peggy returning from an extended stay there. This is the show’s fun, exaggerated way of explaining its prolonged absence and the Hills’ confusion upon returning to a Texas that has evolved with Ring cameras, smartphones, and the gig economy. (Rest assured, such technology isn’t foreign to Saudi Arabia.) Hank struggles with the two-way rating system in ride-shares and is puzzled by gender-neutral restrooms, asking Peggy, “Are we all-gender?

Revisiting “King of the Hill,” set in the small-town Texas environment, now feels significantly weightier than before, given the cultural shift that has occurred since its original run. Back then, it was three years after the introduction of the iPhone, two years before Twitter’s widespread use, and five years before Donald Trump’s appearance at Trump Tower. In this light, returning to a realistic animated sitcom like “King of the Hill” carries an additional impact. Characters such as Dale Gribble, who is paranoid and obsessed with conspiracy theories, resonate more deeply in today’s world that has been shaped by QAnon, viral misinformation, and the phenomenon known as Epstein brain.

Instead of initially appearing light-hearted and simple, the show offers a more intricate and rebellious perspective upon closer inspection. Its humor is derived from keen observations rather than direct satire, less harsh than other creations by Judge, such as “Idiocracy” or “Silicon Valley”. Unusually for a network animated series, the original version of King of the Hill offered a realistic glimpse into the life of Hank, a man who adores Reagan and conservative values, without portraying him as either an ideal or a joke. The same goes for Arlen, a community rich in texture and diversity, populated by suburbanites, eccentrics, immigrants, and characters like Bill Dauterive who fit into their own unique categories of sad-sack individuals. “King of the Hill” enjoys poking fun at Hank and the residents of Arlen, but never at their expense, and while Hank may often do what’s right, it’s not because the show endorses his worldview blindly. Instead, he is simply trying to be a good person in his own way.

As the new chapter unfolds for this revival, the expansive essence of the pilot episode, penned by Judge, Daniels, and Saladin K. Patterson as its showrunner, gradually fades away. The series then effortlessly resumes its usual course. By the second episode, Hank and Bobby butt heads over conflicting beer ideologies. As the season progresses, Dale becomes convinced that Hank’s sudden fascination with soccer is the result of a mind-controlling manipulation reminiscent of the “Manchurian Candidate.” By the end, Hank encounters the manosphere, baffled and taken aback by the existence of such ridiculous, aggressive masculinity. It’s classic “King of the Hill,” offering a blend of absurdity and emotional authenticity that remains timeless and perfectly relevant.

A significant factor contributing to the smooth operation is the majority of the original voice cast’s return, with Hank being portrayed once more by Judge, whose crisp pronunciations remain as precise as before. You may recall him from his role as an incompetent pharmaceutical executive on Adult Swim’s critically acclaimed show, Common Side Effects, which he and Daniels also produced. Kathy Najimy and Pamela Adlon reprise their roles as Peggy and adult Bobby, both delivering strong performances. However, some changes were inevitable, including those tinged with sorrow. Johnny Hardwick, who originally voiced Dale, passed away in 2023 during the recording of this season; he is now voiced by Toby Huss. In a similar turn of events, Ronny Chieng takes over the role of Kahn Souphanousinphone, who was previously voiced by Huss. Brittany Murphy, who played Hank and Peggy’s niece Luanne Platter, passed away near the end of the original run, and Tom Petty, who portrayed Luanne’s boyfriend turned husband Lucky Kleinschmidt, died from an accidental overdose in 2017. Neither Lucky nor Luanne appear in this new season, and the show does not explicitly address their absence, save for a poignant song reference. Additionally, while Jonathan Joss reprises his role as John Redcorn in these episodes, the tragic events of this year cast a somber shadow over the entire season. Watching King of the Hill now carries a subtle undercurrent of loss.

Revival series often prompt us to grapple with the passage of time. The revival of Frasier on Paramount+ fell short because it struggled to blend its traditional elements with modern aspects, resulting in a disjointed spectacle that seemed outdated compared to the progressing world. In contrast, And Just Like That… seems to fare better by embracing the aging process (and possibly its own absurdity). King of the Hill, being an animated show, can circumvent some of these issues, but it doesn’t escape change; despite the familiar rhythm, it’s not the exact same series. Characters like Peggy and Connie have aged visibly, and Bobby, once a college-skipping kid at the heart of Hank’s concerns, is now a grown man who runs a Japanese-German fusion restaurant. The evolution of Bobby’s character might be the revival’s most compelling aspect. For years, he was the curious, goofy child that fueled Hank’s paternal worries (“That boy ain’t right”). Now, we see him as a young man grappling with his identity, which makes the scenes of Hank and an adult Bobby sharing beers incredibly poignant.

The return of “King of the Hill” feels surprisingly organic, largely due to Hank’s traditional nature. He’s never been in sync with contemporary culture, which means he’s timeless rather than outdated. However, it’s the emotional heart that gives the revival its lasting appeal – a soft, endearing quality that permeates Hank, his family, and their hometown of Arlen. In this aspect, “King of the Hill” shares similarities with another beloved American symbol that has resurfaced: James Gunn’s “Superman,” now playing in cinemas. Both characters embody classic American archetypes whose values – truth and justice being as much a part of Hank Hill’s ethos as they are Superman’s – seem quaint in our rapidly spinning world. Both series question, “What happens when your moral compass was established in a different era?” Gunn’s superhero seeks answers amidst cosmic adventures, while Hank finds his answers the way he always has – by standing in an alley, sharing beers with friends, and quietly persevering.

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2025-07-26 03:54