Movies

‘King of the Hill’ Returns in First Revival Clip

BBG News

Contrary to humans who grow older, fictional characters like Bart Simpson and Homer remain stuck in specific stages of their lives. For instance, Bart has been a fourth-grader for many years, while Homer’s baldness hasn’t changed much over that same period (considering he started out with very few hairs).

It’s intriguing to see how characters in an animated television series grow older, just as we’ve witnessed with the revival of King of the Hill on Hulu. The main duo, Hank and Peggy Hill, are now at retirement age, while their adorable son Bobby has grown up and is now in his twenties. This illustration perfectly captures that transformation.

The show, developed by Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, first aired on Fox back in 1997. Over the course of 13 seasons and more than 250 episodes, it maintained its run despite not quite reaching the same level of widespread popularity as its previous slot-mate, The Simpsons. Both Judge and Daniels are once again involved as executive producers in the revamped series, with Saladin Patterson taking on the role of showrunner.

Initially unveiled in 2023, this reboot is exclusively available via streaming platforms. Hulu has recently unveiled the opening sequence for the upcoming season, swiftly summarizing the elapsed years since King of the Hill was last aired to bring us up-to-speed on the lives of the Hills in just 30 seconds. Check out the clip below:

Here is the new season’s synopsis:

After spending several years working on a propane job in Saudi Arabia to amass their retirement savings, Hank and Peggy Hill return to their hometown of Arlen, Texas, finding it transformed. They rekindle friendships with Dale, Boomhauer, and Bill during this time. Simultaneously, Bobby is fulfilling his culinary aspirations as a chef in Dallas and relishing his twenties alongside old schoolmates Connie, Joseph, and Chane.

Hulu’s new season of King of the Hill premieres on August 4 on Hulu.

10 TV Revivals That Were So Bad They Ruined Their Original Shows

1. Arrested Development (Netflix, 2013)

Initially airing on Fox from 2003 to 2006 and lasting three seasons, the quirky family sitcom “Arrested Development” garnered a dedicated fanbase. Some aspects of the show seemed ahead of their time, as its intricate storylines might have thrived better on streaming platforms rather than cable. This is likely why Netflix, a dominant player in streaming, revived the series for two more seasons in 2013 and 2018. Regrettably, these new seasons could not replicate the original’s success. The issue lay in Season 4, which undid the near-perfect ending of Season 3, leading to widespread criticism for its disjointed feel. In response, editors released a revised version that presents the storyline in chronological order, suggesting that the original production may have been flawed.

2. The X-Files (Fox, 2016)

In the late 1990s, The X-Files was one of the most revolutionary TV shows, generating immense interest when it returned in 2016 for a tenth season, which was branded as an “event series.” However, Fox’s two-season revival had its merits, but overall, it seemed that The X-Files had lost its appeal to keep viewers engaged. Additionally, the show made significant changes to the original plot, making it a confusing watch for devoted fans. Sometimes, it’s better to let certain series remain as fond memories of nostalgia.

3. The Odd Couple (CBS, 2015)

The television series “The Odd Couple,” modeled after Neil Simon’s play of the same name, was a charming sitcom that aired on ABC in the 1970s for five seasons. The story revolved around two divorced men with contrasting personalities who lived together, despite their differences. Over the years, several adaptations have emerged, but one notable version is CBS’s 2015 reboot featuring Matthew Perry as Oscar and Thomas Lennon as Felix. However, during its three-season run, “The Odd Couple” failed to resonate with critics, who eventually found the characters’ antics repetitive and even irritating. Repeating the same formula without any change? That’s a clear example of insanity.

4. Gossip Girl (HBO Max, 2021)

The initial airing of “Gossip Girl” was famous for numerous aspects – its fashion-forward ensembles, contemporary soundtracks, and the first-world dilemmas of its characters that attracted a passionate fan base. Following its conclusion on The CW in 2012, HBO announced plans to produce a spin-off continuation of “Gossip Girl”, much to the joy of fans. Regrettably, the attempt at updating “Gossip Girl” for Gen-Z fell flat. It appears that the soapy teen themes of “Gossip Girl” are not as appealing to today’s younger generation, who prefer shows like “Euphoria” – emotionally resonant and equally visually striking.

5. Knight Rider (NBC, 2008)

Multiple efforts have been made to resurrect the popular ’80s show “Knight Rider,” featuring David Hasselhoff as Michael Knight, a character who piloted a state-of-the-art car. The latest revival took place in 2008, starring Justin Bruening as Mike Knight (Michael Knight’s son). Despite Hasselhoff making an appearance in the pilot, he never reappeared on the series, which was soon cut from 22 episodes to only 17. In the end, the 2008 version of “Knight Rider” turned out to be a time-consuming endeavor that failed to captivate either critics or viewers.

6. Charlie’s Angels (ABC, 2011)

Following the massive popularity of the original “Charlie’s Angels” series in the 1970s, ABC attempted a revival in 2011. The cast included Annie Ilonzeh, Minka Kelly, and Rachael Taylor as the renowned trio of angels. Unfortunately, this new version of “Charlie’s Angels” failed to hold viewers’ interest, leading ABC to cancel it after only four episodes. The final episode, originally scheduled for airing, was never broadcast on ABC. Despite the series receiving a poor response from audiences, Paul Lee, boss at ABC, wasn’t completely disheartened. He stated to The Hollywood Reporter, “I don’t believe we managed to bring this franchise to life, but I think our attempt was strong.

7. Heroes Reborn (2015, NBC)

As a fan who eagerly followed the supernatural saga “Heroes” on NBC from 2006 to 2010, I was initially excited about the continuation with “Heroes Reborn.” This spin-off series still featured ordinary people discovering extraordinary powers, but it fell short in comparison. The storyline felt overused and shallow, lacking the depth of supernatural displays that made the original so captivating. Unlike many other shows on this list, “Heroes Reborn” was always conceived as a standalone miniseries. It’s disappointing that this separate series seemed to diminish the intriguing foundation laid by the original series.

8. Fuller House (2016, Netflix)

The television series “Full House” fulfilled its role during its 8-season broadcast on ABC. Although it was not acclaimed by critics, the show garnered consistent high viewership due to its heartwarming sentiments and cherished characters. Yet, its predictable storylines and obvious life lessons didn’t seem suitable for streaming platforms, where viewers anticipate a slightly more intellectually engaging content. Netflix’s “Fuller House” had an advantage in having most of the original cast throughout its 5-season run, with exceptions being Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. It also flipped the gender roles in the series’ initial concept, which could have introduced fresh elements. Unfortunately, it failed to do so. Like its predecessor, “Fuller House” employed similar jokes and heartwarming scenes, but this repetition felt tired from the beginning.

9. MacGyver (CBS, 2016)

The original “MacGyver” series, played by Richard Dean Anderson, was popular due to its DIY appeal and creative problem-solving without excessive violence. The reboot on CBS starting from 2016 had a different feel compared to the original, with Lucas Till taking over as MacGyver. Instead of being a lone genius, he became part of a team of skilled operatives. Critics noted that the reboot felt more generic and commercialized, like a spinoff called “MacGyver: Impossible.” – USA Today

This version aims to convey the same information in simpler language and with a focus on clarity while maintaining a natural flow.

10. Cupid (2009, ABC)

In a turn of events, when ABC presented series creator Rob Thomas with the prospect to revisit his prematurely ended series “Cupid”, he grasped the opportunity but unfortunately steered it off course. Contrary to expectations, the original 1998 series featured Jeremy Piven as Trevor Hale, a man convinced he is Cupid, while Paula Marshall portrayed his psychologist, Dr. Claire Allen. Despite being cut short, “Cupid” was unable to recapture its former success in its remake. The revamped show kept the same narrative structure, with Bobby Cannavale stepping into the role of Cupid and Sarah Paulson playing Dr. Claire McCrae. Regrettably, it only managed to air seven episodes, a significantly shorter run compared to the first version’s lifespan on television.

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2025-05-30 19:55

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