Hank Hill Appreciation Thread

[slunken]

"New Cowboy on the Block"
November 16, 2003
The thrill of an ex-Dallas Cowboy moving onto the block is lost on Hank when the one-time hero breaks neighborhood rules.

"The Incredible Hank"
November 23, 2003
Peggy overdoes it when she secretly slips Hank a testosterone supplement to combat his work-related stress. But he feels great, until he finds out.

"Flirting with the Master"
November 30, 2003
A Latin TV star hires Peggy to come to his home in Mexico to tutor his kids, but Peggy senses his interest is not entirely academic.

"Livin' on Reds, Vitamin C and Propane"
December 14, 2003
Hank and Bobby take an 18-wheeler to Arizona, with Dale, Bill and Boomhauer as stowaways. Truckers are voiced by country-music stars George Strait, Brad Paisley, Travis Tritt and Trace Adkins, with Deana Carter as a waitress.

"My Hair Lady"
February 15, 2004
Arlen's hottest new haircutting team is Luanne and Bill, who charms the ladies by pretending to be gay.

"Cheer Factor"
March 7, 2004
Peggy's aggressive approach as cheerleading coach brings football wins, and a hearing when one routine is deemed offensive. Peri Gilpin plays a rival coach.

"Apres Hank le Deluge"
March 21, 2004
During a flood, Hank's position as emergency-shelter team leader is usurped by Bill when Hank is drafted to watch over a fragile dam.

"Daletech"
March 28, 2004
Hank's father becomes part of a civilian police patrol, usurping Dale's self-proclaimed title of neighborhood protector.

"How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Loved the Alamo"
April 18, 2004
Ignorance of the Alamo in Bobby's Texas History class prompts Hank to help organize a reenactment, but the author's version is revisionist.

"Girl You'll Be A Giant Soon"
April 25, 2004
Luanne helps Hank protest a grilling competition that bans propane; Peggy negotiates to see an infamous murder site.

[Order 66]

yeah i thought "my hair lady" in particular was weird... like didn't the 'ghost' of buckley tell luanne she wasn't meant to be a hair stylist so she went to communit college. it was one of the most pivotal moments in the character's development and then for that one episode they completely forgot about it.

it'd be like if on the next breaking bad episode walt was a high school teacher again

[slunken]

at the beginning of my hair lady she quits community college.

[slunken]

there are a few overlooked story arcs: bobby never being on a team (for example he joins the football team for the first time a few times) and luanne moving across the street and down a little. after the episode with andy dick its only referenced one other time in a single frame: you can see her laying out by the pool.

[Order 66]

still though i thought it was a kind of flippant how they handled it. kind of like 'nevermind all that lol'

i don't care too much though it was still a funny episode. i need to rewatch the show soon, i forgot alot of those episodes exist. and i usually notice something new with every viewing

[slunken]

Originally Posted by Order 66

still though i thought it was a kind of flippant how they handled it. kind of like 'nevermind all that lol'

i remember what she said to peggy was something like "today in college i learned that i don't want to be there" lol

[Trotskilicious]

i liked the show okay, i mean i'd catch an ep every now and again

[slunken]

As I have mentioned before, my time in front of the television is devoted pretty much 95% to sports programming. When I do venture out and watch something different I usually tune into COPS, the news, or the History Channel.
One type of television genre I never really liked that much as a kid or an adult is cartoons. I don’t have much of an imagination and I am much more into non-fiction programming. However, there is one cartoon that I have great admiration for.
I am a big time “King of the Hill” fan. Whenever possible, I try to catch an episode on Cartoon Central at the eleven o’clock hour. It’s funny, I have ran into a lot of people who think the show is garbage. On the other side of the coin, I also know the program has a large following. In case you have never heard of King of the Hill, all you really need to know is that it is an adult cartoon centered on a family of four living in the mythical town of Arlen, Texas. The family lives a typical life surrounded by neighbors and relatives.
The first reason why I love King of the Hill so much is because of the stereotypes. Man, they are hilarious. The show really holds nothing back. They stereotype Asians, Natives, African-Americans, and Mexicans. Of course, the biggest stereotype is of the common white man. The show relies on generating laughs off of a white trash type culture. Hank and his three friends (Dale, Boomhauer, and Bill) stand outside by a fence each day and drink beer. Part of the charm is that the stereotypes really are not presented in a controversial or degrading way in a fashion like “Southpark” might portray them. Well, I guess I should say some of the stereotypes on the show are portrayed in kind of a degrading way, otherwise they really wouldn’t be that funny. But my point is that it does not go as far or as tasteless as “Southpark” does. Whereas Southpark is just blunt and in your face with their type of humor, King of the Hill is much more subtle and clever.
Another reason why I am a big fan of King of the Hill is because of the characters. There are so many colorful, funny, well developed characters in the show. So many of them you can point at and say “Hey! I know someone exactly like that!” I mean let’s get real here, who doesn’t know someone who fits Boomhauer to a T? Everyone has had that person in their life who you can’t understand because they talk so fast and add so much jibberish to their speech that you kind of just humor by nodding your head at (Side Note: Sometime, put on closed captioning when Boomhauer talks. The closed captioning will display everything he is supposed to be saying). Or who does not know someone like Con? Or what about Dale? I have met numerous paranoid, conspiracy-theory wackos in my lifetime. Then there is Hank’s father, Cotton. Everyone has that family member who is senile/bush league who will go on forever telling war stories. I could keep going with characters who I enjoy…John Red Corn, Nancy Gribble, Stuart McDoodle, LouAnne, Mr. Strickland, etc. Such a great cast! I do admit that I am not a Peggy fan, however. She annoys me in both her actions and her voice. I hate shows that focus on her.
Moving on, I really enjoy King of the Hill because of how relevant and up-to-date the episodes are. The shows focus on current events and actual real life people. I truly believe King of the Hill is by far the best at “cartooning” celebrities. I think this is partly the case just because the characters in the show look like normal human beings. No “Simpsons” weirdness or “Southpark” cutouts or “Family Guy” messed up eyes and mouths. Not only are the celebrity guests depicted in a very believable way, they are always funny.
Now I know I could have just included him in with my character paragraph, but I kind of pinpoint this guy as a whole separate reason for me liking the show so much. I am talking about Hank Hill. In the whole world of cartoons, I don’t think there is a character who is more powerful, humble, and relatable as Hank. He definitely makes that show and holds everything together. Hank is a man of integrity who understands hard work and reflects all the traditional interests and ideals of the typical guy. What is not to like about a guy who is fair to everyone, loves football and propane, is a family man, enjoys throwing back cold ones, and who is not afraid to take a stand for a view that is unpopular but right. If there is any cartoon character who I look up to, it is Hank Hill.
Finally, I am so gung ho about “King of the Hill” because most episodes have an actual message and convey emotion. Yes, I will admit to tearing up a few times while watching the show. Some of the endings really do just hit you. The joking ends for a second and everything comes together and a meaningful message is sent. King of the Hill is created as a cartoon for adults that is intended to make them laugh but there is so much more to it. Issues such as treating the elderly with dignity, respecting different cultures, enjoying the holidays with family, making the most out of a bad situation, helping out people in dire need, and conflict resolution are all themes that are covered in the show. Sometimes it helps to be reminded of common life lessons through an unconventional, lighthearted medium such as a cartoon. King of the Hill does just that.
Well of course my inspiration for this blog tonight was the fact that I was watching King of the Hill. I needed a few laughs in the middle of this busy week. Sadly, the show has long since gotten over since I started to write this post. Because the show has concluded, I think that is my cue to wrap up this installment of “Don’t Blink.” If you share a love for King of the Hill like I do or have a favorite KOTH episode, please let me know. Until my next blog post, be sure to keep your girlfriends and wives away from John Red Corn. Don’t Blink.

[slunken]

started watching again.

[bye june]

Me too, I really enjoy this show.