15 Years Later, ‘King of the Hill’ Just Took a Shot at One of the Worst Decisions FOX Ever Made

The new King of the Hill revival is absolutely brilliant. The show’s recently released fourteenth season did not just hit a home run out of the park, but a grand slam. Season 14 is filled with clever in-jokes that longtime fans recognize and greatly appreciate. One such reference occurs in Season 14, Episode 6, “King of the Grill.” The episode hilariously references how the FOX Network cancelled the show over fifteen years ago. It’s time to unpack one of the best meta-gags and references of King of the Hill Season 14.

‘King of the Hill’ References the Show’s Cancelation in Season 14

Image via Disney/Mike Judge

The title of Season 14, Episode 6, “King of the Grill” refers to a fictional, in-universe cooking show. Of course, it’s not a coincidence that its title is similar to that of the series. During the episode, Bobby Hill (Pamela Adlon) voices his interest in competing in the reality show, believing the promotion would benefit his restaurant, Robota Chane. Bobby asks his business partner, Chane Wassanasong (Ki Hong Lee), if he remembers the old cooking show, called “King of the Grill?” Chane takes the meta-joke even further as he responds, “That Texas cooking show that FOX stupidly cancelled fifteen years ago?” Chane’s joke is comedically ironic since that is basically what happened with King of the Hill when the series originally ended in 2009!

FOX Cancelled ‘King of the Hill’ Over 15 Years Ago

The Fox Network actually did cancel King of the Hill over 15 years ago at the end of its thirteenth season. Although FOX did not provide an official reason for cancelling King of the Hill, the following season, the show was replaced by the Family Guy spin-off, The Cleveland Show, on FOX’s animation block. The Cleveland Show never enjoyed the success or staying power of its animated contemporaries, and many fans likely felt that the network made a poor choice in cancelling King of the Hill when the show was still producing quality storylines and at its creative peak. King of the Hill also won two Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Animated Program. Chane’s line about FOX cancelling the series is not unusual for animated revivals of series that previously aired on FOX. Futurama loves making jokes about its multiple cancellations, such as the “BOX Network” gag in the episode, “Futurama Returns,” clearly meant as a jab at the FOX Network cancelling the show years earlier.

Chane’s line likely feels validating for longtime King of the Hill fans, with the show’s recent return, and perhaps they think the show never should have gone off the air in the first place. That said, the fifteen-year gap did allow for the narrative time-jump, as the series picks up years after the original series finale, “To Sirloin With Love.” Bobby’s experiences as a young adult provide some of the best storylines in the new season. Additionally, series co-creator and star Mike Judge held no hard feelings about the show’s cancellation by FOX in 2009. Before the series finale aired, Mike Judge told The New York Times, “I actually think it’s probably a good time to stop. Then again, I kind of wanted to stop six or seven years ago, and I felt like it got really good after that.” The executive producer continued, “At the same time, I would prefer to quit while we’re ahead rather than run it into the ground.”

‘King of the Hill’ Was Almost Cancelled After Season 11

Image via Hulu

Season 13 was not the first time King of the Hill faced cancellation from the FOX Network. Originally, the series was meant to end after the Season 11 finale, “Lucky’s Wedding Suit.” An ending was even filmed, marking the episode as the series finale. As reported by The San Francisco Chronicle in January 2007, King of the Hill’s ratings and viewership had suffered from being preempted by NFL football coverage on the FOX Network. However, the show was given a reprieve and granted two more seasons, culminating in its eventual series finale in 2009. To Judge’s point, he was ready to stop King of the Hill years earlier, but he noted how the series continued to improve after he originally wanted it to end. Now that the series is finally back in 2025, that continues to be the case.

The ‘King of the Hill’ Revival Has Already Been Renewed by Hulu

Image via Hulu

The good news is that the King of the Hill revival has already been renewed for a fifteenth season. Season 14 has received an incredible reception from viewers and critics alike, scoring 98% on Rotten Tomatoes. Hulu ordered two seasons for the revival, similar to the return of Futurama. Streaming viewership for the revival has also been spectacular. Variety reports that the Season 14 premiere, “Return of the King,” drew 4.4 million views in its first seven days of release, making it the most-watched adult animated season premiere across Hulu and Disney+. King of the Hill once again proves that it has a strong and loyal following who will tune in for the antics of Hank Hill (Judge), Bobby, and the Rainey Street gang.

Chane’s joke serves as an amusing reminder for the fans who were angry about the FOX Network axing the show after Season 13. Ultimately, now that King of the Hill is back and better than ever, the fans get the last laugh. The strong viewership and reviews for Season 14 prove that the show has not lost a beat in its fifteen-year hiatus, and fans are eager to see more of Hank, Bobby, and Peggy as they enter new chapters in their lives. Season 15 does not yet have an official release date, but audiences can expect another home run for the iconic animated series.

All fourteen seasons of King of the Hill are available to stream now on Hulu in the U.S.

King of the Hill

Release Date

1997 – 2010-00-00

Network

FOX, Hulu

Directors

Tricia Garcia, Adam Kuhlman, Dominic Polcino, Gary McCarver, Anthony Lioi, Jeff Myers, Allan Jacobsen, Shaun Cashman, Klay Hall, Ken Wong, Ron Rubio, Tony Kluck, Wes Archer, Matt Engstrom, Anthony Chun, John Rice, Michael Dante DiMartino, Monte Young, Brian Sheesley, Julius Wu, Lauren MacMullan, Yvette Kaplan, Steve Robertson, Pat Shinagawa

Writers

Jim Dauterive, Kit Boss, Dan McGrath, Paul Lieberstein, Jonathan Collier, Christy Stratton, Etan Cohen, Garland Testa, Norm Hiscock, Johnny Hardwick, Rebecca May, Tony Gama-Lobo, Peter Huyck, Dan Sterling, J.B. Cook, Alan Freedland, Alan R. Cohen, Brad Walsh, Joe Stillman, Jon Vitti, Paul Corrigan, Judah Miller, Murray Miller, Sivert Glarum

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  Mike Judge

  Hank Hill / Boomhauer (voice)

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