The Hills have returned from their eight-to ten-year work venture in Saudi Arabia and are now settling back into the only home they’ve ever known: Arlen, Texas. In Season 15 of “King of the Hill,” Hank Hill—the former assistant manager of Strickland Propane, where he devoted his life to propane and propane accessories—and Peggy try to enjoy retirement but still find themselves caught up in the same familiar shenanigans we saw the last time television’s favorite married couple shared the screen.
It’s been a 15-year gap since the legendary series, created by Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, came to its conclusion after premiering on Fox in 1997. No, this isn’t a reboot—it’s a continuation of the story. Our characters are older, a few are wiser, and the only real difference is that now it’s on Hulu. And they casually drop an F-bomb here or there. A little weird, but I love to see it.
The Hills Return
The Hills officially returned last year with their 14th season, which felt like a nice catch-up with all the characters we’ve grown to know and love on Rainy Street. At the same time, it served as a hilarious introduction for new viewers who may not be familiar with the show’s iconic original run, which spanned over a decade.
The Gribbles, the Souphanousinphones, Bill Dauterive, and Boomhauer—right across the alley on Milton Street—it all feels just right. But the alleyway has always been the heart and soul of this tight-knit community, bringing these humorous characters together over an Alamo Beer, with plenty to complain about but only a few words to say:
“Yup.”
“Mhmm.”
Beginning a New Chapter
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it—and that rings especially true for this newest season of “King of the Hill.” What has kept fans obsessed with the show over the years is, quite simply, Hank: the hardworking everyman struggling to find a way to bond with his son, Bobby, all while being dumbfounded by the asinine decisions of those around him. Getting roped into all kinds of situations by his friends and neighbors only brings out more of the short-fused Texan’s frustration, making for some of the most unforgettable moments in this animated sitcom.
Those familiar traits are still very much present, but in a world that’s constantly changing—and with a man who’s pretty much stuck in his ways—Season 15 naturally brings modern conversations and everyday issues to the forefront.
Though some things remain the same, we now live in an age of smartphones, electric vehicles, and AI, so many of the jokes play on the fact that most of the cast are now senior citizens. Changes in the environment and the body are all happening simultaneously. Saying goodbye to one chapter and beginning another, accepting the hand life has dealt, and learning to roll with it are just a few of the themes explored this season—not only through the Hills, but across the entire cast.
Growing Relationships
For some, the transition into a more mature stage of life comes gracefully. For others, it’s far more complicated. Eventually, everyone reaches a breaking point, forcing them to confront their emotions head-on and take control of their lives.
One thing I particularly enjoyed was the change in tone between Hank and Bobby whenever they spoke to each other. Bobby is no longer the awkward, goofy kid who loved practical jokes and had some rather unusual hobbies. He’s now a grown man with a successful Japanese-German fusion restaurant, Robata Chane, and is finally dating his longtime sweetheart, Connie Souphanousinphone. As an adult, Bobby commands a level of respect from his father that he never had as a child—a far cry from the days when Hank would so often dismiss him as “not right.”
Outside of introducing his parents to the modern world and navigating the ups and downs of his relationship, Bobby has turned out to have a pretty great life despite the doubts that once surrounded him.
New Actors Take Some Roles; Past Performances Mourned
Since the return of the Hills, we’ve sadly lost several members of the original cast. Absent from this season are both Luanne Platter and Lucky Kleinschmidt, following the deaths of Brittany Murphy (“8 Mile,” “Just Married”) and Tom Petty. Rather than recast either role, the series respectfully retires both characters.
Dale Gribble is now voiced by Toby Huss following the passing of Johnny Hardwick, and for the most part, he nails it. John Redcorn has now been portrayed by two different actors throughout the series. After the death of Victor Aaron in 1996, Jonathan Joss stepped into the role and became the voice most fans came to know. Following Joss’s tragic passing, we are fortunate that he had pre-recorded his lines before his death, allowing him to leave behind one final performance as the lead singer of Big Mountain Fudgecake and Nancy’s headache healer.
Not every casting change was the result of a death. In an effort to cast the role more authentically, Toby Huss stepped down as the voice of Kahn Souphanousinphone, with comedian Ronnie Chieng taking over the role for the revival.
A New Pet Enters the Fray
Saying goodbye is never easy when a character rides off into the sunset, never to be seen again. A farewell to a beloved pet can evoke those same emotions. Ladybird, the ever-loyal bloodhound, has finally been caught by Father Time, leaving an empty space in the Hills’ home.
In an attempt to fill that void, the Hills foster a new dog named Caesar Salad, who comes with a unique set of rules and challenges. This new addition to the household offers the patients, comfort, and understanding. While the Hills have rescued Caesar Salad from an uncertain fate, he, in turn, reminds them what it is like to have a loyal canine companion and helps ease their loneliness. Addressing this, there’s an episode that truly allows Hank to open up for what I believe is the first time in the show’s history. It’s not played for laughs, at least not to any great extent. Instead, it presents the genuine expression of a man experiencing something human.
Plenty of Humor to Be Found
The series knows its audience, and every episode this season delivers laughs, insights, and gut-busting moments of embarrassment. There’s still plenty of humor to be found in watching these characters coexist and interact with one another. It’s definitely worth watching, and if you can’t wait for the next episode, it’s easy to binge the entire season in one sitting.
“King of the Hill” Season 15 is available to stream on Hulu.
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