I've been wanting to write a post like this for some time now. I think Mike Judge's King of The Hill is an under-appreciated gem and it's near the top of my favorite show list, so why not try to compile the top ten episodes of this series?
I'll admit that this is very subjective and a fair number of fan favorites probably are missing from the list, but it's a good baseline for any newcomers to start with. Honestly, I think the main problem with this show is that people didn't really understand what it was going for. Either way, it ended up having a thirteen season run - not too shabby for an animated sitcom.
Keeping Up With Our Joneses [s01e04]
There are some quality episodes in the show's first season, but there's just something about this episode I love. It's almost like the writers were just getting comfortable with King of The Hill's brand of subtle humor.
Jumpin' Crack Bass (It's A Gas, Gas, Gas) [s02e03]
Hank Hill's good intentions are sometimes not enough to offset how oblivious he is to his surroundings. This episode has him accidentally buying drugs from someone he believes is selling fishing bait. Surprisingly enough, the crack makes excellent bait and Hank starts catching tons of fish. It may seem extremely random, but it succeeds at being an excellent storyline.
A Firefighting We Will Go [s03e10]
While there's really not much to what's happening in this episode, the narrative is awesome. One of my favorite scenes from this and, possibly the entire series, is where each of the guys explains what happened when the fire station burned down from their point of view. This could have been a horribly boring scene, but the hilarity of everyone's individual perspectives makes it great!
Escape From Party Island [s03e17]
I don't know that this episode would make it to a lot of people's "best of" list when it comes to King of The Hill, but I absolutely love this one. Hilarity always ensues when you use the fish out of water routine.
Hanky Panky (Part 1) [s04e13] / High Anxiety (Part 2) [s04e14]
The story arc that unfolds over these two episodes is quite memorable. As usual, there are several different events that tie together in various ways. It just feels like this episode came while this series was at the top of its game. Highlights from these two include Hank's paranoia and overreaction to the "cigarette", Mrs. Strickland's advances towards Hank, and Peggy's ridiculous rebranding of Sugarfoot's barbeque. Fair or not, I'm counting this two-parter as a single entry on this list since they rely on each other to be complete.
The Exterminator [s05e14]
There are plenty of great episodes focusing on Dale Gribble in this series, so it's challenging to really pick just one for this top ten list. I went with season five's "The Exterminator," because, again, the fish out of water formula proves to make for memorable and hilarious stories. Seeing the character of Dale try to adapt to a standard 9-5 office job is incredibly funny. As stated, there are tons of great episodes centering on Dale, so this just edged by as the one that made my list.
Be True To Your Fool [s07e19]
I always enjoy the episodes that reach back a bit into the history of the characters and show you flashbacks of their old antics. A lot of episodes shed some new light on or add depth to a well-established character. This episode (along with several others) show that no character in the show may have changed more than Bill. His pathetic nature is certainly hilarious, but these flashback episodes do a lot to make the audience sympathize with Bill. It's these sort of episodes that showcase the "heart" of the show and what, many times, makes it stand apart from its peers.
The Witches of East Arlen [s07e23]
David Cross guests as a stereotypical "twenty-something super-nerd living in his mom's basement" in this episode named Ward. As with many of the one-off characters who appear throughout this series, Ward is very memorable and has some of the episode's best lines. Hank's oblivious nature towards Bobby's tarot card purchase for the first half of the episode is another highlight for me. Know when to hold 'em, Ace.
Mutual of Omabwah [s09e08]
This episode, for me, is a highlight of the later seasons. There are just so many funny bits that ultimately come together in the final alley disaster scene.
Grand Theft Arlen [s11e08]
I may be including this one due to my personal bias towards everything related to video games, but this episode is excellent! I wouldn't mind playing Pro-Pain if someone developed it.
So, there it is. My longest post in ages about a show probably very few people on Ventilation even care for. I've been meaning to make a top ten list for quite a long time though, so why not share it with the fine folks of the internet? Again, this list is entirely subjective.
How do you feel about these episodes? How do you feel about this show? Love it? Hate it? Leave some comments!
Mood: I Got Blistas On Me Fingas
Tags (beta): television, top ten
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I've never been a regular viewer of this show, but I've always enjoyed the episodes and clips that I have watched. If The Simpsons represents a fork in the prime time cartoon road then King of the Hill took a right while Family Guy took a left. Younger me followed Family Guy, but I imagine that, if faced with the same choice today, I would have taken a right.
Plus Mike Judge, amirite?