Season 14 picks up with the Hill family years later — a little older, a little grayer, but still trying to make their way in the world with decency and the hijinks we expect from adult animation.
The new season features a cavalcade of characters from the original series (eccentric, odd and oblivious as ever) and the welcome return of Arlen, Texas, the fictional North Texas suburb that the Hill family calls home.
References to DFW are abound, with callouts for UTD's Erik Jonsson School of Engineering (where Bobby’s love interest, Connie Souphanousinphone, goes to school) and SMU both getting mentions. Most of the series takes place in Arlen, which was inspired by Garland, Richardson and their surrounding suburbs, or in Bobby Hill’s Dallas-based restaurant, “Robata Chane.” Even so, the show is never afraid to tiptoe out of the suburbs or Bobby’s Japanese-German fusion eatery to give viewers a glimpse of Big D itself.
Although King of the Hill may tweak the names of real-world locations or merely allude to them, any true Dallasite will recognize these spots for what they are.
Here's a list of real-world analogs for places the Hill family visits in Season 14. If you caught something we missed, let us know!
DFW Airport - Episode 1, “Return of the King”
The season begins with Hank and Peggy Hill returning from an extended stay in Saudi Arabia, where Hank took his love of propane (and propane accessories) to the next level, working with Saudi Aramco. They exit the plane and arrive at Terminal D (Gate D3) of DFW Airport, where Hank falls to his knees and kisses the ground, thankful to be back home in his beloved Texas. You could, theoretically, recreate the scene by paying for an international flight to get access to the terminal, but maybe stop short of kissing an airport floor.George Bush Library at SMU - Episode 3, “Bobby Gets Grilled”
In the third episode of the season, Hank and Peggy take a trip to the George W. Bush Presidential Center with their friends and neighbors, the Gribbles. While we can come up with a laundry list of criticisms to lob at Bush’s tenure as president, conspiracy-minded Dale Gribble takes things to the extreme, hijacking the tour to spout his own bizarre ideas. It gives Hank a newfound appreciation for the importance of historical accuracy, and reminds the rest of us that George W. Bush has a presidential library in Dallas. No one talks about that much.AT&T Stadium - Episode 7, “Any Given Hill-Day”
Later in the season, Hank, Bobby and Bobby’s then-girlfriend, the free-spirited Willow, attend a fantasy football training camp for the Dallas Cowboys. Now, the show technically labels this space “Dallas Stadium,” but the resemblance to AT&T is notable. Jerry Jones’ office (actually located at the team’s facility at The Star, though he does reportedly have a suite at AT&T Stadium) has a significant role to play, so in the King of the Hill universe, “Dallas Stadium” may also be drawing on elements of Ford Center. Without giving the game away, Willow has a score to settle with Jones, and takes her revenge by doing something many fans of the team have probably dreamed of over the years to Mr. Jones’ desk.Medical City Dallas - Episodes 9 & 10, “No Hank Left Behind” & “A Sounder Investment”
Technically, the hospital that the characters visit is called Central Medical Dallas, but the establishing shots are so clearly inspired by Medical City Dallas that this is one of the most easily recognizable real-world locations featured in this season. Honestly, we wish we could make some jokes here, but the show makes Medical City seem pretty nice. It is effective, efficient and family-friendly in its mission to treat patients. And it gives Bobby two opportunities to support the women in his life and grow as a character.Meyerson Symphony Center - Episode 10, “A Sounder Investment”
Early in the final episode of the season, Bobby and Connie attend a performance of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in D major at the Meyerson Symphony Center, home of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. The performance puts them to sleep, but sophistication has never been what makes the characters in King of the Hill so lovable.We have always been drawn to their inherent goodness, though (even when it is layered beneath cartoonish antics), and seeing North Texas through their eyes. Dallas has never been sillier or more sincere than the version conjured by King of the Hill, and for that alone, we're grateful we get to inspire one of the best adult cartoons ever made.
