Aging up the characters in the ‘King of the Hill’ revival was not only easy, it was ‘a relief’

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Back in the day, I, a dedicated cinephile, found myself swapping my beloved Fox Body Ford Mustard with its roaring V8 heartbeat for a humble white minivan – quite the shift from muscle car to mom mobile!

“It was when I became a mom and I said, ‘I cannot go down like this,’ ” Adlon says.

As a passionate cinephile, let me tell you about my unique car transformation. I decided to give it a bold makeover with flames, a menacing skull up front, and intricate pinstripes. During my meeting with the artist for the automotive paint job, I was captivated by a totem in his studio – a petite, golden resin figure of Bobby Hill, the lovable adolescent character I portrayed on the animated series “King of the Hill” for an impressive 13 seasons and a grand total of 259 episodes on Fox.

In a chat about the show’s revival, Adlon took out a sculpture from her bookshelves and tenderly held it, referring to Bobby. Adlon doesn’t merely associate with aspects of the kind, passionate character she voiced; she embodies Bobby Hill.

“I just couldn’t believe it,” Adlon says. “This is my own bust. That’s me. It’s f— me!”

Review

‘King of the Hill’ and ‘Gumball’ are back, and I tell you what, it’s about time

Two much-loved animated shows, “King of the Hill” by Mike Judge set in Texas and “Gumball” from Ben Bocquelet’s fantastically peculiar world, are making a return following a lengthy break, now airing on Hulu.

Bobby, the son of Hank (Mike Judge) and Peggy Hill (Kathy Najimy), residents of Arlen, Texas, has gained significant popularity in recent years through memes and viral videos on social media platforms, with phrases like “That’s my purse, I don’t know you!” becoming well-known catchphrases.

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but feel touched when I see the impact this film has made on its audience. It’s like watching a little guiding light shine through the darkness, and I’m humbled to have played even a small role in it. Truly, I am smitten by its charm; I adore it, I genuinely do.

In a revival of the beloved series “King of the Hill,” Adlon along with the main cast are back for a 10-episode 14th season airing on Hulu, starting Monday. The story takes us back to Arlen (and America) that has undergone significant changes since our last visit, as characters have aged approximately ten years. Hank and Peggy have retired and returned to Texas following a job stint in Saudi Arabia related to propane. Bobby, now 22, is the chef of a Japanese-German fusion restaurant. With it being 2025, many aspects have evolved, such as ridesharing services, encounters of microaggressions, gender-neutral public restrooms, and goat therapy sessions.

It’s no exaggeration to say that the cast members of “King of the Hill” have a deeply personal connection with the show. The original run and subsequent episodes of this animated series not only provided sharp, satirical commentary on American culture but also managed to be kind and compassionate. Moreover, it established unforgettable, perhaps even iconic, roles for three of the main female characters in “King of the Hill.

Adlon, Najimy, and Lauren Tom, who portray Connie Souphanousinphone and her mother Minh, all cite the show’s enduring quality and impact on their lives as reasons for returning. Together with co-creators Judge and Greg Daniels, and new showrunner Saladin K. Patterson, the cast took up a significant task in modern television: resurrecting a cherished series without compromising its initial charm.

‘The best job I’ve ever had’

Jiminy, the actress who portrays Peggy Hill with kindness yet a tendency to be overly confident, recalls vividly her tryout for “King of the Hill” nearly three decades back.

“I was pregnant with my daughter,” she says, “so I will never forget that time in our lives.”

At the outset, Najimy and the ensemble were uncertain if the show would prove successful. However, she mused, “With this exceptional script and well-crafted roles for female characters, which can sometimes be scarce, I couldn’t help but feel optimistic.

In contrast to many sitcom families from the ’90s, including when “King” first aired, and still observed in some modern cases, Hank and Peggy don’t play the roles of a bumbling husband and an attractive but dimwitted wife exchanging barbs – instead, they are equals who hold mutual respect for each other and have successfully raised their son.

In a charming manner, Najimy notes, “They engage in heated arguments and friendly competition, yet their deep affection for one another is palpable – a sight that truly rejuvenates me.

In the latest series, Peggy encounters several challenges: playing the fictional spouse of Bill, Hank’s friend (portrayed by Stephen Root), handling a concealment issue concerning a local library and bedbugs, and grappling with the feelings that come with an empty nest.

The writer acknowledges that Najimy played a significant role in making Peggy come alive during the initial series. In other words, we had limited material for Peggy initially but Najimy’s performance brought her character to life effectively.

When Kathy began portraying the character, there was something unique about her delivery as a self-assured yet frequently misguided individual – and this is what sparked our inspiration. We began crafting the story around this, and thus, Peggy came to life,” he explains.

Naima expresses her gratitude for the fact that the narratives remain centered around characters, even as they explore or critique contemporary society.

Najimy expresses admiration for the creators and writers, stating, ‘It’s quite challenging to resurrect something, but they’ve managed it beautifully, almost miraculously… It’s been my finest professional experience.’

Bobby and Connie all grown up

In one of the fresh plot twists, Bobby gets a chance to rekindle an old flame from his Dallas days with Connie, his childhood crush. Watching how their relationship unfolds across the 10 episodes is undeniably heartwarming and fulfilling in the series’ comeback.

Initially, when portraying adult versions of their characters on the series, Adlon and Tom were tasked with figuring out how to age their characters alongside the showrunner and creators. At a certain point, modifying their voices through technology was an option under consideration. However, they ultimately opted to make the necessary vocal changes themselves.

Beyond giving voice to Connie, Lauren Tom also lends her voice to her mother Minh on “King of the Hill.”

Lauren Tom not only voices Connie but also her mother Minh on the show “King of the Hill” as credited by Mike Judge and Disney.

In a heartwarming plot development, Bobby revives his old feelings for Connie, his long-time crush from childhood, as depicted in one of the most fulfilling narratives (by Mike Judge/Disney).

Tom joked that as Connie is now in her twenties, which is around his emotional age, it made writing for her simpler for him; he found it easier because of this similarity. In other words, it was a comfort for him to depict her as older.

Before taking on roles in “Futurama,” “Teen Titans Go!”, and “Rick and Morty”, Tom’s initial venture into animation was as the leading role in “King of the Hill”.

In a natural and easy-to-understand manner, Adlon expressed that Bobby’s transition into manhood needed to be rooted in an authentic performance with a slight modification: “I just made a small adjustment,” Adlon explained, gesturing with her hand for emphasis, “to help him explore more of the masculinity associated with maturity.

When the new season starts, Connie will be in an ethically non-monogamous relationship and has a partner; Tom remarks that she’s ‘exploring her freedom and individuality,’ in a sense.

As Bobby, Adlon interjects, “Well, I don’t wanna talk about that.”

Patterson, known for his roles in shows like “Frasier” and the recently popular “The Wonder Years” remake, shares that the actors skillfully developed deep, beloved characters over a span of 27 years through their performances.

For Bobby, “Pam’s actions are incredibly unique and seemingly enchanting,” Patterson expresses. “It’s clear that viewers are drawn back to this series in search of that same charm. We shouldn’t attempt to change what isn’t faulty. Let Pam carry on with the captivating magic she creates for Bobby Hill.

In response to Tom’s task of portraying two roles, Patterson comments, “During our scenes involving Minh and Connie, she’s not just providing two different voices, but also skillfully depicting all the complex emotions and intricacies that define a mother-daughter bond.

Living in 2025 … and beyond?

The makers and stars emphasize that ‘King of the Hill’ hasn’t always been overtly political, even though it takes place in a conservative region and portrays a family that appears traditional.

In 2025, it appears that one cannot remain neutral, and the latest season of “King” premieres merely two weeks following “South Park’s” harsh critique of President Trump and his administration. The new season of “King of the Hill,” however, focuses on various contemporary issues such as misogynist seminars for men, cultural appropriation in the food industry, and persisting negative attitudes towards divorce in several cultures, among other themes.

The actors and creative minds behind the show acknowledge their admiration for “South Park,” but they emphasize that “King” approaches topics in a distinctly unique manner.

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‘It seems like the timing for ‘South Park’s’ return couldn’t be more fitting. The premiere episode takes an unsparing approach towards Paramount, CBS, and President Trump, making some pretty harsh comments.’

Tom suggests, “What the world requires is someone to bring about change dynamically.” He continues, “And not just any change, but one that’s infused with more compassion, understanding, and consideration. A blend that strikes a harmonious note between firmness and inclusiveness.

At present, it appears that this moment is ideal, a unique opening or chance when many are expressing surprise and bewilderment at all the happenings around them, as Adlon puts it.

The judge describes “King of the Hill” as a soothing influence amidst the discord. Many people share that they find comfort in watching it before bedtime, and the judge has no objections to this practice.

It’s uncertain exactly how long we’ll continue to enjoy their soothing presence, as the duration of their stay in terms of providing new episodes isn’t fully defined yet. However, Season 14 kicks off with all ten episodes ready for viewing from the get-go.

Is it likely that there will be additional seasons of “King of the Hill”? While the cast has stated they’ve been filming episodes past this current batch, Hulu has not officially confirmed if the show will continue for a 15th season or beyond.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve got to say that the acclaim for this 14th season is simply off the charts! It’s earning nothing but rave reviews from critics, and not just any praise – it’s got a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. One critic even went as far as calling it the greatest TV revival ever made. That’s quite a statement, but after watching it myself, I have to agree!

It’s been immensely satisfying for the team behind “King” to witness the successful reuniting of their crew, who have been recording separately due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as they bring “King of the Hill” back onto our screens after a considerable absence.

Tom expresses that he found it reassuring to read the initial episode and notice the writing remained equally powerful as the original. He felt a sense of comfort, remarking, “Ah, we’re in capable hands.

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2025-08-04 13:31