Mike Judge and Greg Daniels’ revival of beloved animated series King Of The Hillis nearly here, with Hulu having just announced a formal premiere date of August 4 for the series—and given us a look at the title sequence for the new/old show.
There’s a lot to unpack here, in some cases literally, as the title sequence lays out at least some of what’s happened in Arlen, Texas, since the show’s original finale back in 2009. Besides the usual shots of Hank, Boomhauer, Dale, and Bill drinking in the alley, we get quick looks at many of the show’s prominent supporting characters. There’s no sign of Luanne or Lucky, presumably due to the deaths of stars Brittany Murphy and Tom Petty, but we get rapid-fire shots of Joseph, Connie, Kahn, Minh, Nancy, John Redcorn, Didi, and Good Hank (the latter riding on the shoulders of a suddenly puberty-sized Bobby Hill) all making their way across the screen. (Hulu has confirmed, by the way, that Toby Huss will no longer be voicing Laotian immigrant Kahn; Huss will, though, be taking over the role of Dale, after the death of Johnny Hardwick in 2023.)
The big reveal comes about halfway through, though, when an airport shuttle arrives to suddenly whisk the Hills away from Arlen. (According to a press release from Hulu, Hank took a propane job in Saudi Arabia for several years in order to help plump up his and Peggy’s retirement nest egg.) We watch a new guy move in to the house, and even drink out in the alley with the guys, minus Bill, who clearly can’t cope with a Hank-less life. But then COVID hits (you will be shocked to learn that Dale Gribble wears his mask around his neck), and then Dale runs for mayor, and it all seems to go a little quiet… Until the Hills move back in, accompanied by a now-adult Bobby. (Who, per previous reporting, is now working as a fusion chef in Dallas.)
Backed by the familiar theme song from The Refreshments, it’s an invigorating blend of old and new, making it clear that while things may change, the show—always insightful about current events without being obsessively timely—hopefully hasn’t.
