On May 17th, 2024, Bobby Hill’s voice actress, Pamela Adlon, revealed that the King of the Hill revival was in production. Later, actress Grey DeLisle leaked a photo of Chef Bobby on October 25th. Sources have confirmed that the image was displayed at the show’s revival wrap party. Now, the King of the Hill cast presented Season 14’s updated intro at Austin’s ATX TV Festival. The sequence leaves enough clues about what has happened since the original series.
Nine Years Later in Arlen
Show creators Mike Judge and Greg Daniels informed the press that Hank Hill’s new venture will take place nine years after the original 13 seasons. Since the revival’s leaks, fans were left with a Bobby crumb trail from Adlon and DeLisle on what this new season has in store. DeLisle’s photo came with his character bio, confirming he studied the culinary arts and works at Robata Chane. However, Hank isn’t pleased with Bobby cooking over hot charcoal. His deleted photo bio described it as “the most filthy and unholy of barbecue fuels.” Adlon’s interview with MovieWeb established that “that boy ain’t right” will be 21 this season.
Animation Magazine shares more details about King of the Hill‘s return alongside Hulu’s intro reveal on May 30th. Within those nine years, the Hills moved out of Arlen. This is supported by the Arlen shuttle during the sequence. Hank later accepted a new propane-related job in Saudi Arabia, hoping to save for a retirement fund to provide for his wife, Peggy, and himself.
While the Hills were gone, a temporary resident had moved into their home. Texas also experienced the COVID-19 Pandemic. Dale Gribble, Jeff Boomhauer, Bill Dauterive, and the unnamed neighbor can be seen wearing protective masks outdoors. And for unknown reasons, Dale decides to run for mayor. Hank and Peggy later returned to Arlen to reconnect with their friends and family.
What’s very charming about Season 14’s intro is that viewers see everyone growing older. We see Cotton’s wife, Didi carrying a toddler Good-Hank. Joseph actively helps Dale promoting his election campaign while supervising him. And the most heartbreaking moment is Joseph and Connie saying their goodbyes to Bobby.
Dale Gribble Stays in Season 14
Part of the original King of the Hill cast has reprised their roles for their revival season. Yet many fans wondered who would voice the skeptic Dale Gribble. His original voice actor, Johnny Hardwick, passed away on August 8th, 2023. He was reported to have died in his bathtub in his Austin home. The Travis County Medical Examiner later announced Hardwick’s cause of death is left undetermined for his CT-scan revealed he suffered from moderate decomposition. This made it impossible to rule it as a natural disease or an abnormal dysfunction.
Variety gathered that Hardwick returned alongside Judge, Adlon, Stephen Root and Lauren Tom. He was excited for the show’s return and happily recorded lines for their favorite conspiracy theorist and pest exterminator, only later to be left unfinished. Not wanting to leave the revival in animation limbo, Tony Huss decides to fill in for the remaining episodes. Huss has been voicing with the original King of the Hill cast since 1977 as Hank’s neighbor, Khan Souphanousinphone, and his father, Cotton Hill.
Judge, Daniels, and the production crew have prepared a tribute image for Hardwick in Episode 6 for this season. Without his portrayal and writing contributions, Dale Gribble would not be seen as one of the show’s most memorable characters. King of the Hill’s 14th season will be airing this summer on Hulu starting on August 4th.
