Debuting in 1997, King of the Hill was our first exposure with what is practically a new universe: that belonging to Texan family man Hank Hill. When the show first came out, it was obvious that this wasn’t like any other animated series I had seen previously. Built on its nuanced characters, dead-on social commentary and understanding of the American heartland King of the Hill stood apart from anything else at a time when all popular animation seemed to be clever only by being stupid.
Creating and Producing King of the Hill
King of the Hill was born from Judge’s previous work, cult favorite Beavis and Butt-Head. Although this was a great demonstration for showcasing Judge’s unique sarcastic and satirical humor, he understood that it would be wise to try out an asinine yet more humanistic story. Together, the two teamed up with gengtoto writer/producer Greg Daniels to craft a show that would bottle the spirit of small-town America-warts and all.
Behind the scenes, Judge and Daniels took a painstaking approach to developing the characters as well as heaving that formed them. From devoted Hank Hill to quirky Peggy and rebellious Bobby, each member of the Alley family had been given a depth and complexity sure to endear characters with viewers. Attention to detail also applied to the setting, with Arlen, Texas playing its own character and reflecting a deeper aspect of American life.
Character Study: King of the Hill
Whether led by the return of Hank Hill into your life or it was just their time to come back at you, one thing that King of the Hill never lacked (at least in until final eras of its run) is complex-rich figures within a world. At the heart of the show was Hank Hill, a propane salesman who reflected his dour working-class father in just about every way – well-adjusted and largely content with most aspects of life (save for those few related to his family). Hank’s inflexible values and his inability to square them with a society that was swiftly transforming were the force behind much of its most heartfelt storylines.
The supporting cast were equally charming, full of vibrancy and idiosyncrasies. Hank’s well-intentioned but outspoken (and often in accord with the wrong side) wife, Peggy was a perfect mirror for Hank as his son Bobby wandered through adolescence between adorable naivety and…well…plain old embarrassing teenage boy antics.
The rotating cast was even more filled Than the Alley family using their wacky neighbors and friends, out of snake in-the-grass Dale Gribble to loyal Monthly Bill Dauterive. These characters were not just ways to enrich the heart and minds of those watching, but heroic questions about an America within which is diverse.
King of the Hill and Culture
In addition to its fantastic humor, King of the Hill was also known for deeply insightful social commentary. The showrunners expertly explored themes of community, family and the changing face of America in a nuanced way that handled difficult topics with aplomb but also dealt with humanity.
King of the Hill explored this dynamic through the lens of Hank and his family, illustrating how difficult it can be to ground one’s self in a world filled with contrasting values. The show involved Hank Buck struggling to come to terms with his conservative values in an increasingly liberal world populated by the people who surrounded him and environmental concerns, gender roles end globalization which gave King of the Hill a well rounded portrayal society on that skin.
The reach of the show soon spilled offscreen and into societal discussions involving America’s metamorphosis. The show seamlessly wove humor and poignancy into the everyday lives of its characters, a tone that resonated strongly with viewers who related to their multiple points-of-view.
Written by Jack Kincaid: The Continued Appeal of King of the Hill
King of the Hill has become a long-term show and it remains as funny today as when episodes first started airing all those years ago. As the television and popular culture landscapes have shifted somewhat over time, the Alley family escapades continue to string viewers along for laughs with never-ending reruns and on-demand streaming services introducing it’s charm every day anew.
A large part of King of The Hill’s continued longevity has been its ability to walk the line between humor and heart, never shying away from capturing the complexity (and banality) which makes up much our existence. Show creators like Mike Judge and Greg Daniels had their collective fingers on the pulse of the American mind, making Storylines that were so interrelated with those watching them in a deeply personal way.
In fact, it is this commitment to realism that has kept the programme at its peak for so many years. King of the Hill has never wavered from rendering Arlen with a loving attention to detail, and an honest eye towards Texas ethos that feels authentic enough to live in, just as much at home resting its weight on the lives of Hank Hill’s Alley family.
What King Of The Hill Inspired In Animated Sitcoms
The reverberation of King of the Hill throughout adult animated television cannot be overstated. King of the Hill was an innovative program that radically redefined traditional genre tropes and allowed a fresh wave of animated series with depth, intelligence, characterisation, satire-mockery realism to emerge.
Its effect is visible in the emergence of other critically praised shows, such as FX’s Archer, even Comedy Central’s South Park and Adult Swim’s Rick and Morty. King of the Hill is one in a group of comedies that have adopted a smarter, more complex style – think sharp satire meets character-driven humor with emotional depth and an aptitude for mining real-life drama.
Furthermore, the continued love for King of the Hill from both fans and a new generation of creators has encouraged more to reinvigorate animated comedy with fresh ideas that cater well in front or behind-the-scenes. Some of the best adult comedies have emerged in years following FRIENDS – all with an animation version and a objective look at human beings.
The Best King of the Hill Episodes and Moments
During its thirteen season run, King of the Hill produced a number of iconic moments and unforgettable episodes that helped to solidify it in television lore. And from the slapstick shenanigans of the Alley clan to quietly powerful takes on family, community and personal growth, its scribes regularly mixed lightning-paced comedy with heart-wrenching drama.
“Peggy’s Headache” is one of the memorable episodes that highlighted how cleverly it dealt with heavy subjects. This week Peggy’s battle with a killer migraine was used as an extended metaphor for the difficulties of having it all – being wife, mother and career woman – along with societal expectations female execs face every day. This mixture of laughter and tenderness struck a chord with viewers, further establishing King of the Hill as one show that was adept at merging hard-earned laughs and reflection. If you like reading this article then please consider reading our article about Solyanka.
