I Was Only A Casual Fan Of King Of The Hill, But Critics’ Reactions To The Revival’s ‘Humor And Heart’ Have Me Logging Into Hulu

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As a die-hard cinephile, I can’t contain my excitement! The long-awaited comeback of Hank Hill is officially on the 2025 TV schedule. It’s been 15 years since we last saw King of the Hill, and I must say, the wait has been worth it. Picking up where we left off in 2010, Season 14 finds Hank and Peggy back in their hometown of Arlen, Texas, after spending several years abroad in Saudi Arabia. Catching up with old friends, they’re ready to reacquaint themselves with the familiar sights and sounds of good ol’ Texas. As for our boy Bobby, he’s living his dream as a chef in Dallas! Can’t wait to see what adventures await this beloved family!

The majority of the initial cast members are back for the comeback, such as Mike Judge portraying Hank, Kathy Najimy as Peggy, and Pamela Adlon as Bobby. However, modifications were necessary for voice actors who have unfortunately passed away. Despite being a casual watcher during its 13-season stint on Fox, I usually favored shows like Futurama or The Simpsons. Yet, these reviews have piqued my interest to re-explore this series, as I find myself older and a parent now.

How about we check out the reviews for season 14 of “King of the Hill”, now that you can watch it on Hulu by subscribing to their streaming service?

Critics Love Bobby’s ‘Moving Upgrade’ In The Revival

1. Bobby’s journey is both captivating and heartwarming, showcasing the remarkable growth of a young man navigating adulthood.
2. The evolution of Bobby throughout the series is nothing short of extraordinary, with Pam Adlon delivering a stellar performance that perfectly captures his transformation.
3. From comedic relief to complex adult struggles, Bobby’s character arc is one of the most compelling aspects of this show, and Adlon’s voice acting brings it to life brilliantly.

  • Adlon’s voice remains identical to how it was when Bobby was 11, which often proves unsettling. – Chris Bennion, The Telegraph
  • Bobby, of all people, gets the most unassumingly moving upgrade: Once the show’s nasally punching bag, he’s now an earnest, hard-working young adult with a raspy, sugar-dipped twang. He’s still weird, but he’s no longer just comic relief. – Paul Attard, Slant
  • The Hills’ son, Bobby, was once a chubby, geeky misfit. Happily, he has been given an upgrade that feels at once generous, eccentric and earned. – Phil Harrison, The Guardian
  • Pamela Adlon nails Bobby’s sweet naïveté as he deals with cultural backlash, work-life balance, and unrequited love. – Ben Sherlock, ScreenRant
  • Adlon is now a TV auteur in her own right post-“Better Things,” but Bobby’s high-pitched rasp — miraculously intact post-puberty — remains a touchstone of many childhoods spent watching reruns. – Alison Herman of Variety

King Of The Hill Revival Stays True To Its Legacy Amid Changed Political Climate

In the fifteen years since “King of the Hill” stopped airing new episodes, there’s no question that the world has undergone significant changes. So, as we look forward to its reboot, one might wonder how it will tackle the political commentary it was renowned for. According to critics, this is a point of concern.

  • King of the Hill’s approach to topicality isn’t loud or moralizing. Hank isn’t always right, and the series finds humor and heart in how he learns, however begrudgingly. That willingness to let him sit with his discomfort is part of what makes this revival feel so true to the show’s legacy. – Paul Attard, Slant
  • Mike Judge’s and Greg Daniels’s writing perspective is evident here: Hank longs for an old, moderate America that couldn’t always agree, but could at least accept shared terms of reference within which they could argue. – Phil Harrison, The Guardian
  • As naive as that may sound in a world where so many self-evident rights and wrongs are being routinely, dishonestly evaluated and reevaluated, the series elevates simple truths in ways that are downright inspirational. – Ben Travers, IndieWire
  • I wasn’t sure how this character would play in 2025, since government conspiracies have become a much more serious issue in today’s climate, but Dale and his ridiculous theories are still just as hilarious as ever. – Ben Sherlock, ScreenRant

Overall, Critics Have High Opinions Of King Of The Hill Season 14’s ‘Fresh Perspective’

The comeback of King of the Hill appears to be well-received by critics, boasting a flawless 100% “Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 33 reviews. Discover their assessments of the new episodes and the reasons behind them:

  • Chris Bennion of The Telegraph, 4/5 stars: After a lumpy start, the show – and the Hills – soon slots nicely into the groove, with the timeline bringing fresh perspective on familiar characters. Hank’s sense of uselessness in retirement is handled beautifully, while watching Bobby carve out his own sense of what it is to be a man is an emotional experience for seasoned viewers.
  • Paul Attard of Slant, 3/4 stars: Fourteen seasons in, King of the Hill hasn’t reinvented itself so much as it’s settled deeper into its own skin. It’s still a show about propane, propane accessories, and the minor humiliations of suburban life. But it’s also about how people learn without the need of grand gestures, and maybe even grow a little, one awkward interaction at a time. That these characters can change without losing their essence might be the show’s subtlest magic trick.
  • Phil Harrison of The Guardian, 4/5 stars: Hank, Peggy and the gang are back in a changed America. It’s nuanced, subtly political, poignant TV – and there’s never been a better time for its focus on tolerance.
  • Ben Travers of IndieWire, B+: Season 14 isn’t just a revival for the sake of a revival; it’s a reminder that times change, but values don’t; that compassion, decency, and common sense still have a place in America, so long as we make room for them, and that adhering to those principles yields a much better life than clinging to outdated ideas of what America and Americans are supposed to be.
  • Ben Sherlock of ScreenRant, 8/10: Most sitcom revivals feel stale and unnecessary, but King of the Hill season 14 is the rare reboot that lives up to the original series, justifies its existence, and feels exciting and new.

Reading these reviews could potentially transform me from a casual observer into an ardent enthusiast. However, I should probably put aside my writing about it temporarily, in order to fully immerse myself.

As I lazily lean back in my chair, laptop cooling down beside me, I happily reach for the remote. With a satisfying click, I turn on the TV, ready to immerse myself once more in the world of King of the Hill. Guess what? All 10 episodes from its 14th season are now streaming on Hulu! Can’t wait to catch up on some good old-fashioned Hill family adventures.

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2025-08-05 23:09