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King of the Hill

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I know a lot of people who are into animated sitcoms that aren't too high on King of the Hill. Granted it's not as off-the-wall and caustic as The Simpsons or Futurama, but I think people overlook just how well this series has developed. Perhaps not so much in its current incarnation, but that can be said of all TV series that start to run their course.

 

You'd think a sitcom devoted to a "hillbilly" family from Texas would be a mishmash of hackneyed redneck jabs and retread George Bush jokes, but as much as they make fun of Texican stereotypes, it's done with some even-handed cynicism and commentary on both sides of the socio-political fence, as well as a lot of heart, intelligence, and wit. Lots of subtle wit.

 

Take for example "Bobby Slam", the episode where Hank's less-than-athletic son Bobby tries out for the wrestling team. His gal pal Connie also tries out, to the chagrin of the chauvinistic coach and the majority of the male population of Arlen, Texas. Hank's slovenly neighbor Bill quips that women's wrestling is only acceptable in pudding.

 

Cut to a few scenes later, where Connie's mother Minh and Bobby's sexy cousin Luanne are practicing wrestling manouevers for Connie. It turns out while Hank and his buddy are in the alley drinking beers, Bill is watching the women's grappling exhibition with googly eyes and a stirred libido. But, unlike his counterparts, he's not drinking beer. What is he doing?

 

He's eating pudding.

 

Now that's brilliant.

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Guest JohnnySwift

I have to agree with the Peggy Hill hate. All in all though I watch King of the Hill fairly regularly, since Fox has it on either directly before or after the Simpsons, but only one episode stands out as one that I truly enjoyed. The episode where Bobby takes women's self defense and goes around kicking everyone in the groin. "I don't know you...That's my purse etc" good stuff :cheers:

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Guest SP-1

I think one of my favorite quotes ever is from that show.

 

Hank: "I didn't know there was a new meat wagon in town . . ."

 

Bobby: "Of course you didn't, OR YOU WOULD HAVE TAKEN ME!"

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Guest Salacious Crumb

The show really has Bobby and Peggy overkill now. I enjoyed the show a lot more when Hank was the focus.

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I too understand the Peggy hate. She's obnoxiously misinformed about how smart she is, but I like how eventually she's always taken to task for it.

 

As for Hank being too whipped... well, life imitates art. Show me a married man who isn't whipped (and who also isn't abusive towards his wife) and I'll brand you a liar. Even the best of us have fallen prey to the power of She, especially the "'til death do us part" variety. ;)

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life imitates art

I know more than one parnoid redneck who dislikes the government, I know a person who mumbles when talking, the comedy club is in Arlington, etc...

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The show has it's moments. Some episodes are great, some aren't.

 

But far and away, the single best line from the show is on the one where Hank is accused of renting (and not returning) a porn tape.

 

Hank: "Ok, are you calling me a liar, or is the computer? Because I wanna know who's ass to kick."

Video Store Clerk: "I'm not calling you a liar, sir."

Hank: "Ok, where's the ass on this thing?"

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I HATE HATE HATE Peggy, not funny AT ALL. Just annoying.

 

But Hank is awesome. I love in the episode where Bobby is in Of Mice and Men, and Hank says:

 

"Get used to this sound." *one clap* "Because you'll be hearing a lot of it."

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Guest wrestlingbs

They've toned down on Peggy a little. She's not so much as obnoxious and ignorant as she was.

 

Here's one of my favorite lines from the dog-dancing episode:

 

Bill: Oh, Hank! Isn't dog-dancing the best thing in the world?

 

Hank (straightfaced): Yes. Yes it is.

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Honestly, I never could watch the show because Hank reminds me too much of Beavis & Butthead character Tom Anderson.. only not as funny.

 

"Large fries, pie, large coffee.. got me good buddy?" - genius.

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Guest OctoberBlood

I love King of the Hill. I rank it higher than Futurerama, and I'm a sci-fi whore.

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Guest Salacious Crumb
The real stars of the show are the other characters like Dale, Boomhower, Bill, Joseph, Konnie.

What about Kahn? Gotta love the racist neighbor.

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I'm watching the volunteer fireman episode right now...Hank is at his best when surrounded by idiots. This is one of the best shows ever.

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It's weird, I never considered myself a fan of the show, but every time I'm flipping through the channels and it's on syndication, I am almost always drawn to the humorous dialogue and the awesome characters. And I also find that the episodes with little to no Peggy are the best.

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Khan & Min are great but are not on the show as often as Khan Jr. The one episode about the country club membership was a classic. Hank as the only white member of the (G)arland Country Club was a study in racism from another perspective.

 

"Who wants a picture with Mr. Hank Hill"

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I agree, King of the Hill is totally underrataed in the scheme of 90s/00s cartoons.

 

It's brilliant stuff, its funny, has a ton of social commentary, and has a lot of heart and emotion.

 

America would be a better place i everyone watched King of the Hill and learned from it.

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Episodes centering on Hank and/or the fellas = good

 

Episodes centering on Bobbie = decent, for the most part

 

Episodes centering on how Peggy Hill is a strong woman who doesn't take shit from anyone = bleh

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Khan & Min are great but are not on the show as often as Khan Jr.  The one episode about the country club membership was a classic.  Hank as the only white member of the (G)arland Country Club was a study in racism from another perspective.

 

"Who wants a picture with Mr. Hank Hill"

"If you don't mind me saying, your wife is SUPERHOT!"

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It's weird, I never considered myself a fan of the show, but every time I'm flipping through the channels and it's on syndication, I am almost always drawn to the humorous dialogue and the awesome characters. And I also find that the episodes with little to no Peggy are the best.

Ditto.

 

I haven't seen too many shows, but my favorite line from what I have seen was when that young chick was in beauty school and wanted to dye Hank's hair. Hank refused and the chick said Ronald Reagan had his hair dyed. Hank responed something like, "If he did it was to protect us from the communists."

 

Lauged for 5 minutes afterward...

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Guest Just J

Peggy has her moments but the subtile stuff on the show is what makes it for me.

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I loved that fireman episode. Especially when they asked Boomhower about it and everyone spoke like he did and he was very clear and deep "Dang guys...shut up."

Oh and the tornado episode was classic for Dale going "Alright tornado.......5 years ago you took my shed!" *hail startings hitting the windshield* "AHH! I give up! Call back your dogs of war!"

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