30 'King Of The Hill' Facts That T.V. Lovers Can Enjoy!

Anusuya Mukherjee
Oct 11, 2023 By Anusuya Mukherjee
Originally Published on Feb 10, 2022
The only animated sitcom that has lasted longer than 'The Simpsons' is 'King of the Hill'. Learn more  'King of the Hill' facts!
?
Age: 3-18
Read time: 5.7 Min

'King of the Hill' provided humor, wit, and satire to television audiences from 1997-2009.

The Fox sitcom is an animated series that addresses fundamental real-world issues. It was repeatedly referred to as 'the Mike Judge cartoon that wasn't Beavis and Butthead'.

It started in 1997 and had a fine sense of satire, which many people found hilarious. This hand-drawn series ended after 13 seasons due to decline ratings and it ended with Bobby quitting the team. Read on to know more about 'King of the Hill'.

Facts About 'King Of The Hill'

'Yahoos And Triangles' is the name of the title track of 'King of the Hill'. Mike Judge was seeking a theme tune for his program in 1997 and the management of an Arizona band, The Refreshments, urged the group to send some tracks to him. The band's choice to submit an instrumental tune performed throughout soundchecks paid dividends. Read ahead to know more facts.

  • At a performance in Wichita, Kansas, they taped a recording for one of those tunes, 'Yahoos and Triangles', and invited fans to 'scream and shout as high as you can' so the band 'might wind up obtaining this television series title track'.
  • Mike Judge drew inspiration for the fictional town of Arlen, Texas, from his memories as a kid.
  • The show is set in the fictional hamlet of Arlen, yet it is inspired by a real Texas town; Richardson, a Dallas suburban neighborhood. Until Tom Petty got recruited, Lucky was made to appear as 'Tom Petty without the success'.
  • The producers thought that they had to at least attempt to get Petty to try out after John Altschuler penned Lucky and depicted him in that type of glowing manner.
  • 'King of the Hill', luckily for them, was one of the performer's favorite programs. Petty reportedly referred to Lucky as a 'philosophical idiot'.
  • The character of Hank Hill is inspired by the novel 'The Death Of Common Sense' by Philip K. Smith. The author of 1995's 'The Death Of Common Sense', was interviewed by the film's scriptwriters.
  • Howard claims that legislation and bureaucracy force people to renounce their rational thinking and exist and converse with one another in dread.

What is 'King Of The Hill' about?

The 'King of the Hill' was produced by Mike Judge (Beavis & Butthead) and Greg Daniels (The Simpsons and Saturday Night Live). Read to know more.

  • He illustrated the lifestyles of gasoline salesperson Hank Hill, substitute Spanish teacher Peggy Hill, their son Bobby, Peggy's sassy but delightful niece Luanne, and their various relatives and friends in the Texas town of Arlen in the USA.
  • Following the popularity of MTV's 'Beavis & Butthead', Fox hired Mike Judge to a contract and requested him to produce an animated sitcom to broadcast alongside 'The Simpsons' on the channel's roster.
  • Judge came up with a rudimentary concept for a Texas-set sitcom, which his team and Fox managers advised he expand out with the aid of an experienced comedy writer. He met up with Greg Daniels and together they went to Texas to familiarize him with the entire series.
  • Daniels accepted, but he added a few things; including Cotton Hill and Luanne, as well as the idea that Dale was indeed a conspiracy theorist whose spouse was unfaithful.
  • Judge and Greg Daniels created a 'pencil test' instead of a pilot episode. Hank Hill (voiced by Judge) sold Fox execs on developing a sitcom on his experiences in this film.
Mike Judge's second major animation success after 'Beavis and Butthead' was 'King of the Hill', which mocked the middle-class lifestyle.

Facts About The Cast

Learn about some facts about the cast.

  • The series was pitched into the head of Fox. Rather than spending nine months animating the pilot script, Mike Judge and Greg Daniels had their hero present his family to the channel in a 'pencil test'; It was successful.
  • Two series finales took place. 'Lucky's Wedding Suit' was scripted and filmed as a legitimate series finale, finishing with Lucky and Luanne's marriage and settling across the road from the Hills, after Fox essentially terminated the program through its tenth season.
  • The channel changed its minds, granting 'King of the Hill' additional three seasons.
  • In 'King of the Hill', Boomhauer is the most enigmatic figure. Even though he is a member of Hank's main circle of brew pals and features in almost every episode and season, nothing is understood regarding him. His initial name and occupation aren't disclosed till the final season (Jeff and Texas Ranger, respectively).
  • He often talks in a quick Texas gravelly voice full of filler words like 'dam ol',' making him nearly hard to comprehend. He's a one-of-a-kind creature that could only have sprung from life.
  • 'King of the Hill' voice actors included Andy Samberg, Pamela Adlon, Kathleen Najimy, Brittany Murphy, and Stephen Root.
  • Daniel Stern, the 'Home Alone' actor, and storyteller of 'The Wonder Years' was given the role of chain-smoking conspiracist and pest Dale Gribble, and he turned it down.
  • Producers sent Stern off because he demanded too much pay. Around the same time, Greg Daniels attended a comedic event in Los Angeles.
  • After that, Johnny Hardwick, a Texas-born comic, took the stage and shared anecdotes about his family and background. After his performance, Daniels promised him a position as a scriptwriter on 'King of the Hill.'
  • Hardwick auditioned for Dale after joining the cast, and of course, landed the role, which was his first acting role.

Inconsistencies In The Show

Inside the 'King of the Hill' world. Fox authorized a sequel about the main character of the Mexican soap opera in 2001.

  • The series was not picked up since the channel suddenly realized they didn't want to telecast a program in which a pastor kills innocent people.
  • According to the series' official explanation, 'A macho, renegade priest joins forces with a young stock trader and ex-nun to kill the heroin dealer, who killed his favorite altar boy.
  • Also, 'Lucky's Wedding Suit' was scripted and filmed as a legitimate series finale, finishing with Lucky and Luanne's marriage and settling across the road from the Hills, after Fox essentially terminated the program through its tenth season.

Did You Know...

  • Luanne Platter is a fictional character based on a genuine Texas supper dish. Luby's, a Texas café restaurant, has a 'Luanne platter', which includes an entrée, a roll, and a side dish.
  • The establishment 'Luly's' was referenced in King of the Hill' as a parody of Luby's. Stephen Root had a hard time voicing his characters due to the different personalities of Bill and Buck.
  • Nancy Gribble, Cotton Hill, and Luanne Platter are just a few characters Greg invented. For the final seasons of the sitcom, director and screenwriter Altschuler worked as a supervisor.
  • His most enduring contribution was Luanne's shady lover and eventually spouse, Lucky Kleinschmidt. The program, which starred a propane salesman, became one of the most popular animated series.

We Want Your Photos!
We Want Your Photos!

We Want Your Photos!

Do you have a photo you are happy to share that would improve this article?
Email your photos

More for You

See All

Written by Anusuya Mukherjee

Bachelor of Arts and Law specializing in Political Science and Intellectual Property Rights

Anusuya Mukherjee picture

Anusuya MukherjeeBachelor of Arts and Law specializing in Political Science and Intellectual Property Rights

With a wealth of international experience spanning Europe, Africa, North America, and the Middle East, Anusuya brings a unique perspective to her work as a Content Assistant and Content Updating Coordinator. She holds a law degree from India and has practiced law in India and Kuwait. Anusuya is a fan of rap music and enjoys a good cup of coffee in her free time. Currently, she is working on her novel, "Mr. Ivory Merchant".

Read full bio >