Alley Talk: King of the Hill S01E01 “Pilot”

Alley Talk: King of the Hill S01E01 “Pilot”

The first episode of King of the Hill does an excellent job at introducing characters, showing the small town, all while tackling a down-to-earth problem.

SerfaSam

King of the Hill holds a special place in my heart. I might not have been there to see it when the show originally aired in January of 1997, in fact it wasn’t until my high school year of school that I properly discovered it, but since then, it’s been a staple in my television diet. It’s something of a comfort show to watch at night or on a down day.

I’ve probably rewatched the entire series a dozen times over the years, often as I’m falling asleep. I love how layered the jokes are, the development of the characters and their arcs, and how each episode tackles some dilemma or moral issue with just the right amount of charm. All the fun kicks off in the Pilot, so let’s talk about that.

Straight away, the opening scene is packed full of jokes while also perfectly setting up the characters. Hank is the clear leader, Boomhauer is incomprehensible, Dale is a conspiracy nut who is a bit of an idiot, and Bill is slovenly and just kinda there.

As for the jokes, we get treated to the classic of learning what “FORD” stands for, despite Dale butchering the punchline. Then there’s the outlandish analysis by Hank that his truck needs leadership in order to function which then promptly ties in the pride of an all-American car manufacturer with a rather embarrassing moment for George Bush. “Detroit hadn’t felt any real pride since George Bush went to Japan and vomited on their auto executives.”

I love the idea that FORD was able to feel a sense of pride over the USA President vomiting on the Prime Minister of Japan. As if the act was done by the president on behalf of North America’s greatest car manufacturer.

The scene also positions King of the Hill as existing in the real world with real people. The buddies talk about the latest episode of Seinfeld, with Boomhauer summarizing it as, “It’s just a show about nothin’.” An astute observation but also a meta reference to King of the Hill’s own focus on being an a show about an everyday American family, experiencing everyday American things and problems.

Of course, the Pilot goes on to introduce the rest of the cast. Bobby is listening to a practical joke cassette. Hank is obviously unimpressed, but the fact he questions where Bobby recorded it is hilarious to me. While somewhat underdeveloped, Peggy is there to help facilitate communications between her husband and son while also highlighting how proud she is of her family.

We’re also treated to a brief look at the town of Arlen itself. The Mega Lo Mart, which features prominently throughout the series, is the classic, massive corporation shopping center that enters a town and inevitably puts smaller businesses out of commission. It’s here that the main crises of the Pilot begins, with someone thinking Hank has a temper, which he does, though it quickly spirals out to Bobby potentially being taken away by Child Protective Services.

As a whole, the King of the Hill Pilot does a tremendous job at introducing viewers to a brand new set of characters, while establishing individual motivations, and setting up a small community with plenty of backstory to dig into. The only thing missing? A scene of the four guys standing in the alley talking.

From The Chatty
  • reply
    April 12, 2023 10:08 PM

    King of the Hill is great. Let’s talk about the first episode that aired back in 1992.

    Read more: Alley Talk: King of the Hill S01E01 “Pilot”

    • reply
      April 12, 2023 10:14 PM

      Last year I decided to watch it all from the start and realized that I had actually seen every episode. I thought catching it off and on TV meant I missed a bunch of episodes but it was maybe 2-3 episodes in the first 8 seasons as far as I made it.

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        April 12, 2023 10:53 PM

        It's such a phenomenal tv series. That's while you managed to see so many episodes while it was in normal syndication.

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      April 13, 2023 3:38 AM

      i started watching it occasionally a few months ago and so far, it's been consistently very good!

      i never watched it when it aired because it looked bad to my teenage self, and the french dub that was airing also sounded terrible

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        April 13, 2023 7:25 AM

        Did they use Quebecers to get that redneck feel?

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          April 13, 2023 9:19 AM

          yup it was that deep qc accent very classy.

          it doesnt mean anything though, the simpsons were also locally translated and that was great. but i always felt it was dumb on koth.

          tbh it was airing after something else i watched and i never made it past like 1-2 minutes. it also might have been awesome. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ in this case i enjoy the original vo. disney movies in qc french for life though lol

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        April 13, 2023 9:20 AM

        I need to know what French boomhauer sounds like now

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          April 13, 2023 10:58 AM

          haha its probably on youtube, try "Henri pis sa gang" 🙄🙄

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      April 13, 2023 5:02 AM

      1992? Seems a little early, I could have sworn I was a teenager when that show came out

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        April 13, 2023 5:07 AM

        It started in 1997

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        April 13, 2023 9:19 AM

        Yea it definitely came out after Beavis and Butthead, and that didn’t start till 93

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        April 13, 2023 2:04 PM

        Yeah whoops, I hit the wrong key when I was writing! Thanks for the catch :D

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      April 13, 2023 5:39 AM

      We have talked about the remake coming with all of the surviving case under Mike Judge's oversight and Greg Daniels writing, yes?

      https://deadline.com/2023/01/king-of-the-hill-revival-hulu-original-cast-returning-1235245072/

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      April 13, 2023 6:01 AM

      Ah tell you hwhat!

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      April 13, 2023 7:06 AM

      Obligatory, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HISi-3BXtA8

      Crazy how it all ends up.

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      April 13, 2023 7:17 AM

      Overall I enjoy it but man there are a lot of meh episodes, and Peggy is just the worst character to ever exist in anything.

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        April 13, 2023 7:20 AM

        i disagree entirely, she is hilarious and simpsons level quotable

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        April 13, 2023 8:20 AM

        Peggy rules. what is wrong with you.

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        April 13, 2023 8:25 AM

        That's what makes her so great.

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        April 13, 2023 8:55 AM

        [deleted]

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        April 13, 2023 9:12 AM

        In my opinion, the day after Thanksgiving is the biggest shopping day of the year. Hoo-yah!

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        April 13, 2023 2:09 PM

        I can see how you might think Peggy is the worst character, but I echo what others have said, she's got depth to her, conflicted by her love of Bobby but also her jealousy and her desire to be good at something. Her constant wanting to excel seems to be tied to her mother. Great character.

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      April 13, 2023 9:17 AM

      Like all anime, it’s better with the subs than the dub

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        April 13, 2023 1:58 PM

        I have some Japanese dubbed King of the Hill episodes that I enjoy late at night.

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