In one of King of the Hill’s final episodes before the comedy’s 15-year hiatus, a Canadian family moved in next door to Texas residents Hank (Mike Judge) and Peggy Hill (Kathy Najimy) for the summer. As staunch patriots, Hank and his buddies — Dale Gribble (Johnny Hardwick), Boomhauer (Judge), and Bill Dauterive (Stephen Root) — weren’t pleased about the development, but Hank insisted that they treat the foreign visitors with respect. “We’re Americans,” he told them. “We’re the world’s welcome mat. It doesn’t matter if they’re from Canada, Laos, or God forbid, California. Right now, they’re from Rainy Street, and it’s our patriotic duty to show them what good neighbors are all about.”
A lot has changed in the 15 years since Fox canceled King of the Hill — both for the characters in the fictional town of Arlen, TX, and for the America that Hank Hill holds so dear. The once-foundational concept of patriotism is now a source of vitriolic debate, and the idea that the US should be “the world’s welcome mat” is anathema to many of those who identify as conservative in 2025. King of the Hill’s long-awaited, fantastically funny 14th season allows Hank to confront our new reality without sacrificing his steadfast dedication to truth, civility, and propane. Sharp and heartfelt as ever, the Emmy-winning animated comedy from Mike Judge and Greg Daniels is back right when America needs it most.
Mike Judge/Disney
Connie Souphanousinphone, Bobby Hill, and Chane Wassanasong on ‘King of the Hill’
After spending the last several years in Saudi Arabia — where Hank worked as an assistant manager (propane and propane accessories division) for Aramco — the Hills return to a Texas they barely recognize. “Are we still in Amsterdam?” Hank wonders, as he and Peggy walk past all the luxury retail shops in the Dallas airport. All-gender bathrooms, electric vehicles, Boba Tea restaurants, no left turns to reduce carbon emissions — it’s all new to the Hills, and Hank, for one, isn’t sure he likes it. “What happened to this town?” he groans, driving by a sign for “Goat Therapy” and a billboard offering legal services for victims of microaggression.
At least his alley pals have retained their signature eccentricities. Affable (and unintelligible) ladies’ man Boomhauer is now a father-figure to his girlfriend’s anxious son, Luke Jr.; conspiracy theory enthusiast Dale dabbled in politics before declaring himself “an election-denier denier”; and lonely, loyal Bill coped with Hank and Peggy’s absence by becoming one with his bed and binge-watching Netflix. Joining the group for beers on occasion is Brian Robertson (Keith David), who rented the Hills’ home while they were away and really thinks they should consider solar panels. The Hills’ adorably earnest son, Bobby (Pamela Adlon), is now 21 years old and the head chef at Robata Chane, “a traditional Japanese barbecue with a fusion of flavors and techniques from the German traditions of the Texas hill country.”
As always, King of the Hill mines its comedy from day-to-day life in Arlen. Peggy and Hank are now retired, and many of the new season’s storylines stem from the couple’s search for ways to occupy themselves. Hank and Bobby brew their own beer; Peggy needs an MRI for a pickleball injury, but the machine gives her panic attacks; Boomhauer tries to maintain his perfect rating on a TaskRabbit-style app called ChoreChimp (!). Bobby reconnects with childhood crush Connie Souphanousinphone (Lauren Tom), though he must compete for her affections with Chane (Ki Hong Lee), the obnoxious son of Robata Chane investor Ted Wassanasong (Kenneth Choi).
When King of the Hill does take on more fraught issues of the day — cultural appropriation, the manosphere, misinformation, surveillance culture, online shaming — it does so with its signature blend of insight, sly humor, and silliness. (“Obama was born in Hawaii — that’s reason enough to not vote for him without making stuff up,” huffs Hank, arguing with a birther he encounters at the George W. Bush Presidential Library.)
Mike Judge/Disney
Hank Hill, Brian Robertson, Boomhauer, and Dale Gribble on ‘King of the Hill’
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The writing is evocative and intelligent, and season 14 delivers more laughs-per-episode than most current comedies. The wordplay, like a karaoke bar called A Lone Star is Born, is beyond reproach. Longtime fans are rewarded with delightful Easter eggs (two words: shin jelly), callbacks to classic episodes, and the continuation of running gags. (Yes, Dale’s wife, Nancy, voiced by Ashley Gardner, and John Redcorn, voiced by the late Jonathan Joss, are still… very close.)
Even at his lowest, when changing social mores and fractious public discourse leave him frustrated and dismayed, Hank Hill maintains an unwavering belief in the promise of our nation. “It’s gonna be okay,” he tells Peggy. “America is still the best god-dang country on Earth.” I tell you what, King of the Hill just might be the most inspirational show of the year. Grade: A-
All 10 episodes of King of the Hill premiere Monday, August 4 on Hulu.
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