“King of the Hill” returns August 4, 2025, on Hulu. The beloved series picks up years after its original finale.
Hank and Peggy Hill are back in Arlen, Texas, following an extended work assignment in Saudi Arabia. Their son, Bobby, is now 21 and living in Dallas, navigating the world of adulthood.
The reboot is in good hands. Original creators Mike Judge and Greg Daniels are back, this time joined by Saladin K. Patterson.
Familiar voices return: Kathy Najimy, Pamela Adlon, Stephen Root, Lauren Tom, and Judge himself.
Most touching of all, voice actors Johnny Hardwick (Dale) and Jonathan Joss (John Redcorn) recorded lines before their recent passings.
The new season incorporates modern life.
Arlen now has electric scooters and delivery drones. COVID is part of the story. And yes, Dale Gribble is running for mayor.
Cultural Continuity vs. Compromise
One big question looms: does the reboot still feel like King of the Hill? Some longtime fans have doubts.
That said, not everyone is skeptical. Some viewers say the show’s heart is still intact. The humor feels familiar. The town still feels real.
Hank as the Conservative Archetype
Hank Hill has always been a rare figure on television.
He’s a father who believes in rules, responsibility, and doing things the right way. He loves his country, his lawn, and his propane grill.
More importantly, he stays steady while the world spins faster.
In this new version of Arlen, he’s still the same man. Hank’s kind of masculinity is hard to find in media today.
Populism Through Dale Gribble
Dale Gribble’s mayoral run is one of the reboot’s boldest moves.
He was once the show’s comic relief; a paranoid exterminator with endless conspiracies. Now, he’s aiming for political power.
Toby Huss, who voices Dale, said the new version leans into “populist” themes. That shift feels timely.
Hank remains the contrast. While Dale adapts and chases power, Hank stays grounded.
Respect for Legacy
The show also knows how much its past matters.
Johnny Hardwick and Jonathan Joss both recorded before their deaths. Their voices will be part of the new season.
That alone makes the reboot worth watching for many long-time fans.
Contrast with Modern Media
Animation today often leans hard into shock or sarcasm. Shows like “Big Mouth” and “Rick and Morty” break every rule to get a laugh.
King of the Hill still believes in subtlety. It lets characters grow. It doesn’t rush to make fun of faith, family, or fatherhood.
That makes it a standout in today’s TV landscape.
Creator Intent on Balance
This reboot isn’t about pushing a message, it’s keeping the characters honest. Judge and Daniels have said as much. Their focus is on realism, not ideology.
By dropping these characters into modern situations and exploring how they’d respond to today’s world, the show stays smart without becoming preachy.
Reflection of Real America
Arlen looks more like real America than most shows dare to show. Bobby’s move to Dallas reflects a broader story of young adults leaving home for opportunity.
Viewers from towns just like Arlen will recognize what they see. The world changes, but the values that hold communities together still matter.
Family and Masculinity
One of the most interesting changes? Hank is now a father to an adult son.
Bobby’s grown up. He’s working. He has opinions of his own.
Hank won’t always get it right, but he listens. He adjusts without surrendering his standards.
That kind of fatherhood – strong, involved, consistent – deserves more screen time.
With this reboot, it gets it.
You don’t have to agree with everything Hank Hill says, but it’s hard not to admire how he says it: with patience, purpose, and principle.
That’s something modern television (and maybe modern America) could use more of.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
