Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for King of the Hill season 14, episode 6.Longtime fans ofKing of the Hillmay have picked up on the revival’s not-so-subtle jab at FOX for canceling the original series 15 years ago. The originalKing of the Hillran for 13 seasons from 1997 to 2009. It had a somewhat rocky development - a season 11 episode was meant to be the series finale before FOX ordered two new seasons - but it was getting great ratings.
Despite the show’s success,King of the Hillwas canceled in season 13.KotH’s ratings were good but declining, and FOX reportedly wanted to make room for theFamily GuyspinoffThe Cleveland Show, which premiered in late 2009. It was an unexpected end toKing of the Hill, and the cancellation hasn’t been forgotten - or forgiven - in theKing of the Hillrevival.
King Of The Hill Making The Joke Is New For The Show
InKing of the Hillseason 14, episode 6, Bobby briefly discusses his wish to be on a cooking show titled “King of the Grill,” a less-than-subtle play onKotH’s title. Chane Wassanasong then clarifies that “King of the Grill” was “that Texas cooking show that FOX stupidly canceled 15 years ago.” Chane was clearly talking about FOX’s “stupid” decision to cancelKing of the Hill.
“King of the Grill” is a funny joke on its own, but it also marks a change forKing of the Hill.King of the Hillhas always been a very grounded series, but “King of the Grill” is a very meta joke playing on the show’s own history.KotHdoesn’t usually go for meta, self-referential jokes likeSouth Parkdoes, but season 14 changed that.
The Revival Is Not Afraid To Make Changes
The meta “King of the Grill” joke isn’t the only wayKing of the Hill’s revival has changed parts of the original formula. For instance, in its original run,King of the Hillwas one of the few adult animated shows that refrained from profanity, but the revival includes several curse words. There was alsoBobby’s controversial sceneinvolving Peggy hearing him having sex.
Those changes highlight one of the reasonsKing of the Hillseason 14 works so well as a revival: it isn’t afraid to change. Characters have gotten older, rules about profanity and meta jokes have been relaxed, andKing of the Hillseason 14 feels like an evolution of the original show, not just a continuation. The revival has something new to add toKing of the Hill, and it’s because of those changes.
King of the Hillseason 14’s changes also fit with the main theme of the entire series.KotHhas always been about growth, whether it’s Hank learning to broaden his horizons or trying to understand Bobby’s point of view. Now,King of the Hillhas taken its own advice and decided to grow and change a bit behind the scenes.
