Yep.”: What People Are Saying About the King of the Hill Reboot

King of the Hill

Yep.”: What People Are Saying About the King of the Hill Rebootboot

When King of the Hill originally aired in 1997, it quickly set itself apart from the louder, more absurd animated comedies of its time. Unlike Family Guy or South Park, King of the Hill thrived on dry humor, slow pacing, and characters that felt surprisingly real—quirks and all. Now, nearly 15 years after its finale, the Hill family and their neighbors are returning to TV, and the world is buzzing with opinions.

The reboot premieres August 4, 2025, on Hulu, and while many were skeptical at first, recent trailers and early critic reviews have shifted the tone of the conversation. So what exactly are people saying about this long-awaited return to Arlen, Texas?

A Divided Start: The First Look Controversy

When Hulu first teased the King of the Hill reboot with a poster and character concepts in May, the internet was... not kind.

Dale Gribble—conspiracy theorist, bug exterminator, and Texan through and through—was shown holding a vape and wearing a VR headset. Fans recoiled. How could Dale, the man who thought fluoride was a mind-control chemical, willingly participate in modern trends?

“Absolutely no shot Dale uses VR,” one fan posted on X (formerly Twitter).“This ain’t my Dale,” another chimed in.Others expressed concern that the reboot was about to fall into the trap of turning its characters into caricatures of current-day stereotypes.

Critics, too, were cautious. The fear was that the show might compromise its identity in the name of modern relevance. Would it abandon its subtlety for flashy references? Could Hank Hill—proud, propane-loving everyman—function in a post-COVID, tech-saturated world?

 Reassurance Through the Opening Credits

Then came the full opening credits, released just a few weeks later. Suddenly, the tide began to turn.

The familiar banjo tune played. The alley scene returned—this time with characters aged up and subtly updated. Hank looks slightly older. Bobby is a young adult. COVID masks briefly appear, grounding the reboot in real-world history. The tone remained quiet, heartfelt, and self-aware.

“We are so back,” one fan wrote after seeing the intro.“This is how you do a reboot. I’m crying,” said another.

The reaction was so dramatically improved that Chron ran a headline declaring the reboot had “won back fans” with a single nostalgic-yet-modern video. In a world of chaotic reboots (Velma, anyone?), King of the Hill was suddenly being hailed as a blueprint for how to do it right.

The Characters: Older, Wiser, Still Weird

 Bobby Hill: From Goofball to Gourmet

The most universally praised change in the reboot is Bobby Hill’s evolution. Now 21, Bobby is a successful executive chef specializing in Japanese-German fusion cuisine in Dallas. Critics say this is where the reboot shines brightest—treating Bobby’s growth not as a punchline, but as a heartfelt arc.

“It’s the most emotionally satisfying part of the revival,” says RogerEbert.com.“You can still hear the innocence in his voice, but now it’s paired with competence and purpose.”

Longtime fans of Bobby’s sensitive, artistic soul feel seen. His relationship with Hank—always a central tension of the series—has matured. There’s still disconnect, but now it’s layered with mutual respect.

Hank Hill: The Moral Compass We Still Need

Hank hasn’t changed much—and that’s exactly the point. While the world has moved on to TikTok trends and digital chaos, Hank’s commitment to doing what’s right (even if it’s awkward) grounds the show.

“Hank is the dad America needs,” says Entertainment Weekly, who gave the reboot an A–.“He’s still muttering ‘I tell you hwhat’ under his breath while trying to make sense of gender-neutral bathrooms and overpriced lattes.”

Hank's struggle to adjust isn’t played for cheap laughs. It's more about dignity in discomfort—watching a man try to understand a world he doesn’t belong to, but still wants to care for.

 Dale Gribble: The New Voice & the Great Divide

After voice actor Johnny Hardwick passed away in 2023, fans knew replacing him would be controversial. Enter Toby Huss, stepping into the role with reverence and care.

Some fans still find it jarring—Dale’s iconic nasally tone is hard to replicate—but others are praising the sensitivity with which the transition is handled. Critics stress that the writing retains Dale’s chaotic charm while giving him just enough space to evolve.

Still, Dale vaping and using VR continues to be debated in Reddit threads and comment sections. Is it growth? Or a betrayal of his character?

Boomhauer’s Voice: Slowed Down, Stirring Debate

Voiced by Mike Judge, Boomhauer now speaks more slowly—a nod to aging, perhaps, or just a creative tweak. While some fans see it as realistic, others find it less charming.

“It doesn’t hit the same,” writes one Redditor.“It’s like you pulled Boomhauer out of a coma and asked him to recite Shakespeare.”

It’s not a deal-breaker for most, but it’s emblematic of a larger tension: how far can you push characters forward before they stop being themselves?

Legacy, Grief, and the Missing Voices

Three major characters from the original run will not appear in the reboot due to the tragic passing of their voice actors:

• Brittany Murphy (Luanne Platter)

• Tom Petty (Lucky)

• Jonathan Joss (John Redcorn, who passed away just weeks before the premiere)

Their absence is felt. Critics have noted that while the show never sensationalizes these losses, it allows for quiet moments of acknowledgment. It’s not just a revival—it’s also a memorial.

“There’s a kind of beautiful sadness underneath it all,” notes Processed Media.“It’s not just about bringing something back—it’s about how we hold onto what we’ve lost.”

Themes: Aging, Identity, and a Changing America

Unlike many reboots, King of the Hill doesn’t try to recapture lightning in a bottle. It evolves. It asks harder questions.

• How does a Texan father deal with his queer, creative son becoming successful in a liberal city?

• What does patriotism mean in a country that feels unrecognizable?

• What do neighbors owe each other in a time of digital isolation?

These aren’t punchlines. They’re questions—ones the show allows to linger without needing a neat resolution.

Fan Consensus: A “Reboot Done Right”

Across social media and Reddit, the general sentiment is one of surprise and respect. A few skeptical holdouts remain, but even they admit the reboot has “earned a shot.”

“It feels like slipping into an old flannel,” one fan posted.“It’s not trying to be cool. It’s trying to be real again.”

Final Thoughts: Not Just a Return, but a Reflection

The King of the Hill reboot doesn’t reinvent itself with explosions or slapstick. It returns like a neighbor knocking on your door—not to sell you anything, but to sit on the porch and talk.

It asks: what does it mean to stay true to yourself as the world changes around you?

And in doing so, it reminds us why we loved Arlen, Texas, in the first place.