King of the Hill, the brainchild ofMike JudgeandGreg Daniels, is celebrated for its unique humor. Set in the fictional town of Arlen, Texas, the series follows the Hill family and their quirky neighbors, showcasing small-town American life.
The following episodes are ranked based on several criteria, including the strength of the narrative, character development, cultural impact, and the cleverness of the humor. Longevity in the cultural zeitgeist and the episode’s ability to resonate with viewers across different generations also play a critical role in determining the best episodes. With the recent success of Season 14,this list ranks the very best episodes of the series from its original run, showing what makesKing of the Hillan enduring classic.
5"Pigmalion"
Season 7, Episode 9 (2002)
The Halloween-themed episode starts with Peggy taking her niece Luanne to an entrepreneurship lecture at the Learning Annex of Arlen. The much olderspeaker-slash-pork magnate Trip Larsen(Michael Keaton) is attracted to Luanne, much to Peggy’s distaste. When Peggy suspects Larsen of ill intentions, Luanne and Hank think she’s just overreacting. But when Luanne leaves the Hills for the Larsen Estate, she discovers something sinister.
“Pigmalion” isn’t just dark because of its pig factory-inspired thriller. The episode resonates becauseit addresses the issue of older, seemingly more successful men targeting younger, less experienced women. This was the case between Larsen and Luanne. While her husband is swayed by Larsen’s “hospitality,” being a fellow woman, Peggy already knew he was bad news from when Larsen asked Luanne to come to his home for an “interview.”
4"Goodbye Normal Jeans”
Season 7, Episode 4 (2002)
Thanksgiving’s around the corner! When Peggy accidentally stains Hank’s trusty jeans in the washing machine, Hank grows sulky. Thankfully, with the help of his Home Economics teacher, Bobby manages to fix Hank’s beloved jeans. Not only that, Bobby knows how to clean the entire house with the right tools and cook grand dishes. But Peggy, who’s always done the housekeeping, doesn’t seem to like getting her spotlight stolen.
“Goodbye Normal Jeans” is an episode full of nuance and gender double standards. At first glance, Peggy comes off as petty for being upstaged by her own son. But that’s not the issue. The real issue is that all this time, Hank has never complimented Peggy for all the work she’s done on the house. Whereas when Bobby does it, he fishes out all the praise. If a woman does the chores, it’s normal. But when a guy does it, it’s commendable.
3"My Own Private Rodeo"
Season 6, Episode 18 (2002)
Dale and Nancy (Ashley Gardner) are about to renew their wedding vows. Nancy wants to invite Dale’s estranged father, Bug, to the event. But after what Bug did to Nancy on their wedding night, Dale doesn’t want anything to do with him. Upon Nancy’s insistence, Hank and his friends visit Bug at his rodeo to deliver the invite. But this particular rodeo looks a little strange to them.
“My Own Private Rodeo”subverts stereotypes by having the gay Bug work at one of the most manliest places in Texas: a rodeo. Although Bug presents himself in an effeminate manner, he also knows how to tackle a wild animal. But theessentialKing of the Hillepisodeends on a sweet note when the even more masculine Dale is accepting of his father’s sexual orientation, without any compromise.
2"And They Call It Bobby Love"
Season 3, Episode 2 (1998)
You never get over your first girlfriend. Bobby falls head over heels with Marie (Sarah Michelle Gellar), a senior two years above him. Bobby thinks it’s true love. But in reality, Marie only sees him as a comedic farce to make her and her fellow senior friends laugh. When Marie gets put off by how infatuated Bobby is with her, she breaks off the relationship.
It’s safe to say that most audiences could relate to how Bobby feels — the sting of a first heartbreak, the perils of moving on, the drive to get back at his ex.“And They Call It Bobby Love” sees Bobbyexperiencing one of the most crucial coming-of-age experiences in his tween life. And while Hank is typically the one to intervene and help Bobby out of his many crises, it is Bobby himself and only himself who learns how to get over his past crush. —Dyah Ayu Larasati
1"Of Mice and Little Green Men"
Season 6, Episode 14 (2002)
Dale finally figures out who Joseph’s (Breckin Meyer) real father is — sort of. In a father-son switcharoo, Hank trains Joseph for his lacrosse tournament, while Dale helps Bobby out with his play. By the end of it, the two dads realize they don’t actually know their sons’ interests. Dale comes to the conclusion that his son is part-alien, which scares off Joseph and prompts him to run away.
Considering Dale’s penchant for alien conspiracies, “Of Mice and Little Green Men” sounds like an unserious episode. But extraterrestrial beings aside,it’s refreshing to watch the tough guy Dale break down his walls for Joseph, pleading for his son to come back home. Plus, it’s fun to watch one of the few rare episodes where Hank and Bobby are the rational ones.
King of the Hill
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