Series Synopsis: Set in the fictional Arlen, Texas, the original series followed the life of Hank Hill, an enthusiastic seller of propane and propane accessories; his wife, Peggy, local Boggle champ and substitute teacher; and their son, Bobby, who defied any expectation his father had for a son. Hank’s friends – conspiracy theorist Dale, military barber Bill, and cool but inarticulate Boomhauer, along with Peggy’s friends Minh and meteorologist Nancy, and Bobby’s friend Connie helped the Hills navigate a changing world.
The season 14 revival picks up several years after we last saw the Hill family - Hank and Peggy Hill are now retired and return to a changed Arlen after years of working in Saudi Arabia; and Bobby is 21 and living his best life while navigating adulthood as a chef in Dallas.
King of the Hill Reunites at ATX TV Fest!
Fans in Austin, Texas got a Sneak Peek at the Highly Anticipated Revival,
Coming to Hulu on Monday, August 4, as well as some backyard BBQ!
The stars reminisced on favorite moments from the original 13 seasons and shared behind the scenes stories, as well as teasing what audiences can expect in season 14. Quotes below.
Pamela Adlon on fans’ love of Bobby & the show: “It's surprising now because it’s so embedded. My youngest is 22 and she binged the entire series. She is a ‘King of the Hill’ hardcore fan.” She continues: “Our fans are our bible. Y’all are so to the detail, like microscopic, and so I would never second guess.”
Toby Huss on taking over for Johnny Hardwick: “Johnny was one-of-a-kind and a wonderful fellow.” He continued: “I’m not trying to copy Johnny...I guess I’m trying to be Johnny. He laid down a really wonderful goofball character...he had a lot of weird heart to him and that’s a credit to Johnny. So all I’m trying to do is hold on to his Dale-ness. We love our guy Johnny and it’s so sad that he’s not here.” Mike Judge also added: “Johnny Hardwick is in six episodes. He's still going to be in the show.”
Lauren Tom on the reunion and revival: “We all grew up together when we started and coming back has just felt like a giant reunion,” Lauren continued: “I can’t wait for you guys to see it because every time somebody speaks you’re like, ‘Huh there is my long lost relative I haven’t seen in decades’ and every person that comes on the stage gives you a little lift.”
Mike Judge on the show’s authenticity: “We lived in Richardson, Texas right outside of Dallas in the late 80s/early 90s. I remember seeing ‘Do the Right Thing’ and thinking, even though I’d never been to Brooklyn, this feels real. Why can’t someone do that for our little neighborhood? You hadn’t seen anything like that - where it was just observational, regular people. And I just kept thinking about that - and it being grounded and observational.”
Pamela Adlon on her favorite moments: “I remember somebody referring to it as a cartoon, and I always thought this was my television building block for being a writer. I learned how to let things breathe and it really formed me as a writer. Even though I never was a writer on ‘King of the Hill,’ now that I'm a writer and a filmmaker, it really shaped me…it still feels very pinch me. We all feel that way but it really resonates for a reason because it's so grounded.”
Greg Daniels on his favorite episode: “When Hank stopped Peggy from going through with the beauty pageant and kind of carried her off like the end of ‘Officer and the Gentleman’...I don’t know why, but that’s one of my favorites.”
Greg Daniels on Brittany Murphy: “I would also say, to give the compliment back to the actors, one person I learned so much from, who is no longer here, is Brittany Murphy who never read it the way you thought it was going to be read. I couldn’t imagine anyone else playing Luanne.”
Mike Judge on bringing the show back now: “When it clicked for me is when we talked about aging the characters and the idea of Hank going to Saudi Arabia for a propane gig to retire off of - and because it’s just such a grounded show, it seemed like they would be older.”
Pamela on hearing that the revival may happen: “I mean every couple of years Kathy [Najimy] would send me this thing and be like ‘Did you see this thing?!’ and it would be rumblings on a chat page or something to bring it back….and so I never get gassed up until it’s real. Even at Sketchfest, [which was] the best feeling and experience, I was like, ‘It’s never going to happen,’ because it’s too big of a dream I guess.”
Toby Huss on the revival: “I came back because it was like I miss my friends. I miss my friends in real life, but I miss my cartoon friends. We used to have crazy adventures, and I want to have more adventures with them.”
Saladin K. Patterson on joining the franchise: “It’s clearly a great honor. I’ve had the privilege of being friends with Mike and Greg and also being fans of them at the same time. After ‘The Wonder Years,’ I told myself I wouldn’t do legacy properties again. Then they said ‘King of the Hill’ was available. I learned nothing.” He continued: “It was the opportunity to join a family I had always watched from afar.”
King of the Hill is BACK with ALL episodes available to stream now on Hulu, including the all-new, critically acclaimed Season 14. After more than a decade, Hank, Peggy and Bobby Hill have returned for Season 14 of the beloved animated series – and like Hank Hill to propane, fans are captivated.
