King of the Hillwas born when Mike Judge, enjoying the success ofBeavis and Butt-Head, and Greg Daniels, a writer forThe Simpsons, came together to create a new animated series. Judge had an idea for a low-key satire set in suburban Texas. By the time it was unceremoniously canceled and replaced by Fox, it was the second-longest-running animated series in primetime TV history, having lasted 13 seasons. While it never received the same acclaim as innovatorsThe SimpsonsandSouth Park, in its own quiet way, it was just as groundbreaking. Here’s howKing of the Hillchanged television.
Revealing Class Struggles
Traditionally, most mainstream television series depictedAmerican familieswith middle or upper-class lifestyles. While the core Hill family was secure and happy, they were clearly working class, and many ofKing of the Hill’s other characters had trouble making ends meet. In the very first episode, Hank’s niece Luanne is forced to move in and spends much of the series working to become independent.
Yes, the show was a comedy, with difficult situations sometimes played for laughs, but it never mocked the poor, instead choosing to humanize them and shed light on their real struggles. In fact, the rich and powerful were more likely to face criticism, with their extravagance, wastefulness, and exploitation exposed. Later, shows likeThe Middleand the animatedBob’s Burgerswould take up the mantle, butKing of the Hillproved it could work.
Related:These Are Some of the Best Movies About Class Consciousness
Challenging Politics
King of the Hillwas not afraid to tackle political issues or call out politicians by name. The series debuted at a time when the 24-hour news cycle had come into its own and American voters were increasingly polarized in their views. But while some episodes challenged post-Reaganconservatismand blind patriotism on the right, others pointed out the emptiness of idealized leftism. Hank has trouble supporting both Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, for different reasons.
Nevertheless, it’s notable that both conservatives and liberals claimed the show validated their positions. And that’s the point. The writers, directors, and producers were observant enough to expose the hypocrisy of politicians of all stripes. There’s no shortage of shows with political messages today, but most are overt and heavy-handed, so it would be nice to see a return toKing of the Hill’s subtlety.
Predicting Conspiracies
More than any other character, especially at the time of its premiere,King of the Hill’s Dale Gribble was a caricature. An over-the-top conspiracy theorist, Dale was paranoid not just about the government and guns, but also weather, computers, sports, andthe moon landing. At the time, it was funny to most viewers. Hank stayed loyal to his misguided friend, doing his best to limit any real damage from Dale’s schemes. But as the years passed, this kind of delusional thinking went mainstream, moving beyond pro-gun, anti-government sentiments to belief in bizarre and convoluted plots, and not just on the political right. Sadly, as with Dale, many Americans have exchanged healthy skepticism for mistrust in almost everything and everybody.
Breaking Stereotypes
For a show that started most episodes with four white men drinking in an alley,King of the Hillseemed surprisingly determined to feature other characters that would increase diversity and unexpectedly break stereotypes. John Redcorn is not a drunk; he is a successful masseur and musician, in large part because Native American voice actor Jonathan Joss pushed for a more complex character.
Laotian next-door neighbor Kahn is no quiet pushover; he is in control and not afraid to call out his white neighbors on their ignorance. And though he was voiced by white actor Toby Huss,King of the Hillwas actually awarded by the Media Action Network for Asian Americans for promoting positive representations of Asians in American culture, unlike the controversy surrounding the handling ofApu inThe Simpsons. Diversity and representation are talked about a lot these days, but it’s remarkably hard to find a series that does it as well asKing of the Hilldid by the end of its run.
Confronting Gender Roles
If there’s one thread running through the entirety ofKing of the Hill, it’s Hank’s relationship with his son Bobby. Especially early on, Hank often complains “that boy ain’t right.” But it seems he eventually, reluctantly comes to accept that Bobby has interests very different from his own. The series explored gender roles long before it became fashionable. Bobby takes home economics and a self-defense class for women, likesdog dancing, wears a cape, and puts on magic and prop comedy shows, while Luanne proves she can box and is a capable auto mechanic. More subtly, but just as importantly, Hank treats his wife Peggy as a partner and best friend, always supporting her as she explores many possible careers.
Related:The Most Empowering Women Characters in Disney Animated Movies
Encouraging Understanding
Ultimately, what was lost whenKing of the Hillwas canceled in 2009 was a show that not only entertained different types of people but also, actuallybrought people together. More bipartisan than nonpartisan, the show welcomed both those who identified with the characters they saw and those who laughed and applauded as those characters were forced to confront and adapt to a changing world. It may have started as a satire, but the series showed that a conservative Texas family could be admired for its belief in honesty and hard work. It also showed those same characters opening up, inviting in neighbors and new friends, embracing, not hiding from a world they now understood a little better.
