29 Years Ago, One of the Best American Cartoons of All Time Premiered (And Its New Episodes Are Just As Good)

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I remember when King of the Hill first aired on Fox twenty-nine years ago today. It quickly became one of my favorite cartoons, and honestly, the new episodes are just as good as the ones I loved back then. There have been a lot of great animated shows over the last thirty years, but this one really feels like America, especially the 90s. It was different – a quieter, more relaxed sitcom – and it’s become a huge hit all over the world, telling its stories at a comfortable, unhurried pace.

Today marks 29 years since King of the Hill first aired on Fox, back on January 12, 1997. The show originally ran for 13 seasons and made a successful return last summer after a 15-year hiatus, with the new episodes being just as well-received as the classics. King of the Hill has always managed to strike a perfect balance, and it remains one of the best animated shows in America, even after nearly three decades.

King of the Hill Premiered 29 Years Ago Today

Created by Mike Judge, fresh off the success of Beavis and Butt-Head, and Greg Daniels, who later created The Office, King of the Hill first aired alongside new episodes of The Simpsons and The X-Files. This was a strong period for Fox, and King of the Hill offered a more relaxed pace compared to the popular Simpsons. Set in the fictional town of Arlen, Texas, the show followed a propane salesman and his family as they dealt with a changing world.

Hank Hill worked as the assistant manager at Strickland Propane, selling propane and related equipment. He’s married to Peggy, a substitute Spanish teacher who constantly surprises everyone with her many talents. However, the heart of the show, King of the Hill, was the relationship between Hank and his son Bobby. Bobby was growing up with a personality very different from what Hank had anticipated.

King of the Hill captured a classic American spirit. While Hank Hill is a Texan conservative from the 1990s, the show demonstrates he actually holds onto traditional values from his own childhood. He’s respectful to others, but won’t hesitate to stand up to those who disrespect him. The series also explores his struggles to connect with his son, Bobby, who is growing up in the rapidly changing cultural landscape of the 90s. Hank often feels his son is different from what he expects, and the entire show revolves around his attempts to find common ground and build a relationship with Bobby.

Why King of the Hill Still Rules

Last year, King of the Hill made a comeback with a new season that reimagined the show. Set almost ten years after the original series, Hank Hill is now navigating a changed America in the post-2020 world. The new season successfully captures the heart of the original, as it always focused on Hank adapting to a changing world and either evolving his beliefs or staying true to them.

The latest season reunited most of the original actors and creative team, and successfully showed how the characters had grown and changed. Similar to how the first series captured the spirit of 1990s America, this new version reflects the feel of the 2020s, adapted for a modern streaming audience. The storytelling evolved to keep viewers engaged, while still delivering the experience fans wanted from a revival.

I was really thrilled to hear that Hulu renewed King of the Hill for three more seasons! It’s great because the show will have more time to delve into this fresh direction. What I always loved about the original was how it took its time getting to know the town of Arlen and its people – that’s how we got so many fantastic, memorable moments. It felt like simply spending time with neighbors, and it sounds like the revival will capture that same comfortable feeling.

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2026-01-12 23:10