What is the trick behind a good sitcom reboot? Do you go all in on nostalgia like Fuller House? Or do you go in a different direction like Arrested Development? Returning to Hulu August 4th, King of the Hill acknowledges the past while also telling the continuing stories of Hank Hill and his friends.
The decision to not rely entirely on the past but stay true to its characters makes it one of the best TV show reboots ever done.
Relationships have always been at the heart of King of the Hill. Episodes with Hank trying to handle his overconfident wife Peggy or trying to figure out how to relate to his son Bobby were some of the best of the series. This attention to characters extended throughout the entire show. Bobby and Connie’s relationship, the Gribbles, and Bill’s mental health were all explored.
The ten episodes coming to Hulu do a great job of focusing on character. Everyone is older so priorities have changed. For example, Hank is no longer worried about how Bobby will turn out. But there is still something of a gulf between them. The younger Hill still wants to make his dad proud. There are also some great episodes involving Bill. The best part of the new King of the Hill is seeing what has become of Joseph Gribbel.
As the trailer points out, fifteen years has passed, which means there is a lot that Hank has to get used to. For many rebooted shows the whole premise is bad jokes about “internet machines” and “Tik Tak”. It is as if the characters have been frozen since their series initially ended. Seemingly oblivious to any change that has happened, they are like Fry when he first wakes up 2999- just without any of the charm or humor.
King of the Hill does not shy away from older characters not quite grasping today’s technology. As anyone over the age of twenty will attest, it does not take long to start worrying about change. It is just not made to be the focal point here. Instead, the show focuses on what it always has been about – growth. Mixing the right amount of heart, nostalgia, and laughs, Hulu’s King of the Hill is a welcome addition to the show’s legacy.
King of the Hill returns to Hulu August 4th.
