"King of the Hill" (1997) TV series 1997-????

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Creators:

Greg Daniels
Mike Judge

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | unknown

Release Date:

12 January 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Comedy | Drama

Plot:

Show about a rigid redneckish propane salesman with a good heart and wacky friends and family.

Plot Keywords:

Texas | Propane | Beer | Suburban Life | Actor Playing Himself

Awards:

Won 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 7 wins & 40 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Tue. Nov. 10	10:00 PM	TOON	Girl You'll Be a Giant Soon	#8.18
Tue. Nov. 10	10:30 PM	TOON	The Redneck on a Rainy Street	#8.21

Cast

Mike Judge	...	Hank Hill / ... (254 episodes, 1997-2009)
Kathy Najimy	...	Peggy Hill / ... (254 episodes, 1997-2009)
Pamela Adlon	...	Bobby Hill / ... (254 episodes, 1997-2009)
Johnny Hardwick	...	Dale Gribble / ... (253 episodes, 1997-2009)
Stephen Root	...	Bill Dauterive / ... (253 episodes, 1997-2009)
Brittany Murphy	...	Luanne Platter / ... (230 episodes, 1997-2009)
Toby Huss	...	Kahn Souphanousinphone, Sr. / ... (144 episodes, 1997-2009)
David Herman	...	Buckley / ... (143 episodes, 1997-2009)
Ashley Gardner	...	Nancy Hicks Gribble / ... (121 episodes, 1997-2009)

Runtime:

30 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

UK:12 (some episodes) | Australia:PG (some episodes) | USA:TV-14 | Australia:M (some episodes) | Denmark:15 | Australia:G (some episodes) | UK:PG (some episodes) | UK:U (some episodes) | USA:TV-PG (some episodes) | Argentina:16 | Singapore:Unrated (with warning)

Company:

Deedle-Dee Productions

Trivia:

This show features the last television appearance of John Ritter, who reprised his role as Eugene Grandy (supplying the voice), the junior high school teacher during season 8. The episode was "Stressed for Success" which was broadcast on May 2, 2004.

Goofs:

Factual errors: In many of the shots of Game Boys and video game controllers, the buttons are on the wrong sides.

Quotes:

Bobby Hill: You know, if I did something like this you'd punish me. Maybe I should be able to punish you.
Hank: Well okay, Son. What's my punishment? Am I grounded?
Bobby Hill: That's too easy. You cannot mow the lawn for one week.
Hank: Aw come on, Son, it was an accident.
Bobby Hill: You wanna go for two?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Dinner for Five: (#4.9)" (2005)

Soundtrack:

Yahoos and Triangles

A remarkable creation

After "Beavis & Butthead" (which I loved), I was really surprised what an affectionate portrait Mike Judge put together. I know well how ripe Texas rednecks are for satire (being a native Texan), though the target is SO easy, it would get a bit tiresome to watch it week after week for years. Hank Hill turned out to be a realistic redneck: worshipful of tradition, fearful of variety and progress, but not really quite as conservative as he thinks he is. My parents are very much like that, too. As I've watched the series, I've been tickled by different characters at different times: first Bobby (almost zen in his bizarre but internally consistent individuality), then Hank's buddies (where the sillier satire comes in), then Hank himself (eternally thwarted by life, but always strong and loving in the end). Lately, Peggy's outrageous ego has me laughing the most. Since this is more like a regular sitcom than "The Simpsons" is, I doubt it will hold up as long, but for now I love it. "King of the Hill" may be the most realistic portrait of Texans ever seen on TV. In response to previous complaints: 1. While Texas does have many citizens who are members of ethnic minorities, the area of the state in which the show is set (NW Texas--best reckoning has Arlen based on Abilene or San Angelo) has very few of them. 2. If one finds the show boring, one need only change the channel.