Over the last few years there have been many primetime animated shows trying to get the attention of audiences, and perhaps snag some viewers from one of the most successful, “The Simpsons.” Many lasted only a short time, and most never made it past a first or second episode. In 1997, Mike Judge, the creator of “Beavis and Butthead”, tried his hand at the mainstream market. This news was initially met with the same reaction by two opposing audiences. Fans of “Beavis and Butthead” thought the show would be awful because the network would rein Judge’s work in. People who hated “B and B”, also thought the show would be awful because there was no way Judge could create anything good. Well, they were both wrong weren’t they? Ten years ago, “King of the Hill” proved itself to be a mainstream hit almost immediately. Based on Judge’s experiences growing up in Arlen, Texas, the show is still running strong in 2005.

The series revolves around propane salesman Hank Hill, his family and friends, and their life in a small Texas town. The humor is sharp and sarcastic, and as seemingly ridiculous as some of the storylines may be at times, it is amazingly truer to life than many might think.

Viewers who don’t live in small towns more than likely find the stories to be extreme exaggerations, however those of us who live really close to ‘small town Texas’ can easily identify with the characters and lifestyles, all the while nodding our heads in a collective recognition of East Texans. All of us know a ‘Bill’, the friendly goof, or a ‘Boomhauer’, the guy so laid back that you can never understand what he’s saying. To say that propane, boggle tournaments and lawn tractors constitutes a way of life is not too far off the mark. Actually I understand that some of the real people of Arlen take offense at the series, stating (as clearly as they can) that it misrepresents their way of life. Suuuurrrrre it does (wink wink).

A couple of years ago Fox released the 1st and 2nd seasons onto the DVD market, and I’m pleased to report they seem to be planning on finally releasing the rest. I was kind of wondering if they were ever going to continue, since it took a full year to release of the 3nd season, but this week marks the street date for Season 5. Where the first season only had 13 episodes and we were allowed only a cursory introduction to the characters, the second season ran a full 22 episodes and the creative team was able to flesh them out and really explore their relationships. Most notably that of Hank and his son, Bobby. This is a kid with issues and Hank seems fully unprepared to deal with most of them. The 3rd season increased the number by another three, bringing the tally to 25 episodes. The 4th season evened out at 24. For some reason we slipped back down to 20 for season 5.

So far, I don’t believe the series has had a weak season, the 5th is no different. Looking over some of the episodes in this new set, I remembered some of them as being notch above what the series had done to date. Many of the episodes had a strong serious tone mixed in with the East Texas humor.

Much like “The Simpsons”, “King of the Hill” has also been known to attract some great actors who want to lend their voices to characters in the series. This season we saw (heard?) the likes of the late John Ritter, Brendan Fraser, Terry Bradshaw, Renee Zellweger, Ryan Phillipe, Ellen Barkin, Snoop Dog (arf arf), Paul Giamatti, and even former Texas Governor Ann Richards. There’s just something about wanting to be a part of a good quality show.

Since the 3rd and 4th seasons were such strong ones, I was surprised to find that the sets had dropped back down to 3 double-sided discs (the 2nd season was a 4-disc set). The 5th Season is set up the same way. It turns out that part of what’s missing is special features. Where the 1st and 2nd season sets had a bunch of them (character commentaries and the like), there are none to be found on these last two sets. I imagine it was a cost-cutting maneuver, if the sales of prior sets were low, but it is still a little disappointing not getting to hear Peggy Hill commenting about the goings-on in a particular episode.

Though the series has lasted several years now, it still tends to be underrated by critics and audiences alike. Most considered it to be simply ‘that show that followed The Simpsons’, but those who really take the time to watch it realize it could easily stand on its own as the entertaining and funny show that it is. It is currently finishing up its 10th, and as I understand it… final season.

Episodes:
The Perils of Polling
The Buck Stops Here
I Don’t want to Wait For Our Lives to Be Over, I Want to Know Right Now, Will it Be… Sorry Do Do Doo Do Do Do…
Spin the Choice
Peggy Makes the Big Leagues
When Cotton Comes Marching Home
What Makes Bobby Run?
‘Twas the Nut Before Christmas
Chasing Bobby
Yankee Hankie
Hank and the Great Glass Elevator
Now Who’s the Dummy
Ho Yeah!
The Exterminator
Luanne, Version 2.0
Hank’s Choice
It’s Not Easy Being Green
The Trouble with Gribbles
Hank’s Back Story
Kidney Boy and Hamster Girl: A Love Story

Starring the voices of: Mike Judge, Kathy Najimy, Pamela Segall, Brittany Murphy, Stephen Root, Johnny Hardwick
Extras: None
Specifications: Full Screen (1.33:1), English Dolby Surround, Spanish Dolby Surround
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: 5/3/2005
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website
Or if you’d like to find out a little about the real Arlen, Texas check this site out.

We'll give King of the Hill: Season 5 a B.