King of the Hill Season 14: Hank Hill Tackles 2025, and It’s a Dang Ol’ Riot

Y’all, grab a cold Alamo beer and settle into the alley, because King of the Hill Season 14, dropped on Hulu like a propane tank off a delivery truck, is back to remind us that Arlen, Texas, is still the heart of America’s awkward, hilarious soul. After a 15-year hiatus, Mike Judge and Greg Daniels have resurrected Hank, Peggy, and a grown-up Bobby Hill to navigate the wild, wild west of 2025. And let me tell ya, this revival is funnier than Dale Gribble trying to explain 5G conspiracies to a Roomba. It’s got heart, it’s got laughs, and it’s got Hank muttering “I tell you what” while staring down a gender-neutral bathroom like it’s a rogue propane regulator. Here’s my 1000-word take on why this season is a triumph, with just enough spice to keep you chuckling.

Picture this: Hank Hill (voiced by Mike Judge, still sounding like he gargles gravel and integrity) and Peggy (Kathy Najimy, chipper as a PTA meeting on steroids) have been living in Saudi Arabia, where Hank’s been slinging propane like a desert nomad for Aramco. They return to Arlen, Texas, expecting to slide back into their suburban groove, only to find their sleepy town has been infected by the 2020s. There’s electric scooters littering the streets, vegan Girl Scout cookies, and—Lord help us—all-gender bathrooms. Hank’s face when he encounters one in the premiere episode, “Return of the King,” is like watching a man discover his lawnmower’s been replaced by a Roomba. “Are we all-gender?” he asks Peggy, and I swear I snorted my sweet tea.

The time jump—about eight years in Arlen’s world—is a bold move. Bobby Hill (Pamela Adlon, still stealing scenes like a kid sneaking brisket) is now 21, running a Japanese-German fusion restaurant called Robata Chane in Dallas. He’s taller, a smidge more mature, but still the same Bobby who’d rather do prop comedy than mow the lawn. The rest of the gang’s back too: Dale (voiced by Johnny Hardwick for half the season, then Toby Huss after Hardwick’s passing), Bill (Stephen Root, sadder than a rained-out BBQ), and Boomhauer (Judge, still mumbling like he’s auditioning for a speed-talking contest). The show doesn’t miss a beat, slipping back into its low-key, character-driven groove like Hank sliding into his favorite recliner.

What makes Season 14 a hoot is how it balances the show’s classic, dry humor with just enough 2025 absurdity to keep things fresh. This ain’t South Park throwing Molotov cocktails at culture; it’s King of the Hill sipping a beer while side-eyeing the chaos. The premiere leans a bit hard into Hank’s fish-out-of-water grumbling—think “vegan kids these days” vibes—but by episode two, “The Beer Story,” the writers find their footing. Hank and Bobby face off in a homebrewing contest, and Hank’s realization that his son’s craft IPA is better than his Alamo swill is both hilarious and oddly touching. “See, he knows more about certain things than I gave him credit for,” Hank admits, poking fun at his own stubbornness. I laughed so hard I nearly dropped my phone in my chili.

The mid-season episodes are where the comedy shines like a freshly polished propane tank. Episode five, “New Ref in Town,” has Hank discovering a love for soccer—yes, soccer—to the horror of his alley buddies. Dale, convinced Hank’s been brainwashed in Saudi Arabia, kidnaps him in a scheme so unhinged it’s peak Gribble. “You’re a Saudi plant!” Dale yells, waving a tinfoil hat like it’s a UN resolution. The episode’s climax, where Hank defends his love for the offside rule, is comedy gold—dry, sincere, and just absurd enough to make you spit out your coffee.

Then there’s episode seven, “Any Given Hill-Day,” where Peggy’s free lending library gets infested with bedbugs, sparking a Facebook-fueled neighborhood meltdown. Peggy’s oblivious confidence—Najimy nails her “I’m the smartest woman in Arlen” energy—leads to a riot of passive-aggressive posts and one-liners that feel ripped from your HOA’s group chat. It’s the kind of grounded, observational humor that made the original run so relatable, updated for our social media hellscape.

The heart of King of the Hill has always been its characters, and Season 14 doesn’t mess with the formula. Hank’s still the straight man, grumbling about Wi-Fi-enabled grills but learning to adapt for the people he loves. His interactions with Bobby, now an adult, are the season’s emotional core. Seeing them bond over beers in episode two is like watching your dad finally admit you’re not a total screw-up. It’s moving, but not sappy—Hank’s too practical for that.

Bobby’s glow-up is the revival’s boldest swing, and it lands. Adlon’s raspy, sugar-dipped voice keeps him lovable, even as he navigates dating and running a restaurant. His storyline with Connie Souphanousinphone (Lauren Tom), who’s now in an open relationship, is both funny and poignant. Bobby’s still got that wide-eyed optimism, but he’s learning to adult, and it’s a joy to watch. Some fans on X grumbled about Connie’s arc, calling it a betrayal of her character, but I think it fits—she’s grown up too, and the show doesn’t judge her for it.

The alley gang is in top form. Bill’s a bedridden recluse after a COVID-fueled breakdown, and Root’s performance is so pathetic it’s practically Shakespearean. Boomhauer’s still chasing ladies and mumbling gibberish, but his attempt at stepdad life adds a fresh twist. Dale’s paranoia, now supercharged by the QAnon era, could’ve been a minefield, but the writers keep him absurdly lovable rather than a caricature. The transition from Hardwick to Huss is smooth, and episode seven’s dedication to Hardwick hits right in the feels.

New characters, like Keith David’s conservative neighbor Brian Robertson, add flavor without stealing the spotlight. Some X posts griped that Brian feels pointless, but I disagree—he’s a foil for Hank, showing how Arlen’s evolved while Hank was away.

What sets this revival apart is how it avoids the nostalgia trap. It doesn’t coast on “remember when” vibes or pander to culture wars. Instead, it’s King of the Hill as it always was: a show about decent people navigating a weird world. The animation’s sharper but still minimalist, like a Norman Rockwell painting with better shading. Some fans on X called it stiff, but I barely noticed—the writing’s too good.

The show tackles modern issues—men’s rights groups, social media pile-ons, even pronouns—with a light touch. When Hank buys “Caramel Delites” instead of Samoas because it’s “more sensitive,” he shrugs and says, “It’s nice to be nice.” It’s not preachy; it’s just Hank being Hank. The season’s ethos, as Hank puts it, is about finding common ground without being a jerk, and in 2025, that feels like a dang ol’ miracle.

King of the Hill Season 14 is a masterclass in reviving a classic without screwing it up. It’s funny, heartfelt, and true to its roots, with enough modern twists to keep it fresh. Sure, the premiere’s a tad heavy-handed, and some voice changes (like Kahn’s, now Ronny Chieng) take adjusting to, but by episode three, you’re back in Arlen, laughing like it’s 1998. Critics agree, with Rotten Tomatoes giving it a perfect 100% from 29 reviews, and fans on X mostly love it, despite a few naysayers calling it “woke slop.”

This season’s a love letter to fans and a welcome mat for newbies. It’s Hank Hill, still selling propane and propane accessories, reminding us that decency and a good laugh can still cut through the noise. So, fire up Hulu on August 4, crack open a beer, and enjoy the best dang revival of 2025. I tell you what, it’s worth every minute.

King of the Hill Final grade: Dang ol A+