Two of television’s quirky and energetic families came back to screens for the end of this summer. The long-awaited Season 14 of King of the Hill premiered on Hulu Monday, August 4th, following the premiere of Cartoon Network’s The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball on July 28th. In each show, the Wattersons and Hills face brand new challenges as part of the brand new world they’re exploring.
Embracing the New Normal
The new season of King of the Hill picks back up with our beloved Hill family as they return to Arlen, Texas, from Saudi Arabia. Hank Hill, a classic, mild-mannered Southern father, navigates a new world where views of once-fringe characters, such as his conspiracy theorist neighbor Dale Gribble, have become mainstream in the Hill family’s absence.
Gumball’s world of Elmore, introduced in the original series The Amazing World of Gumball, has a younger audience. The bright and fantastical colors and goofy storylines are engaging to viewers starting at a younger age, so the writers are not as pressured to acknowledge the real world. However, creator Ben Bocquelet challenges the commentative skills of the show to approach a tense social climate with classic silliness.
Changed Cast in a Changing World
Season 14 is a continuation of The King of the Hill’s tangible universe, which is very rooted in reality. A large part of the reason for the season’s success in maintaining its fictional voice is the return of co-creators Greg Daniels and Mike Judge, who also voices Hank Hill. The show’s cast is like a family, according to Variety.
Real-life changes in this circle account for the most important differences between the show’s first 13 seasons now, since several beloved cast members are missing. Show veteran Toby Huss replaced Johnny Hardwick as Dale, for example. Other notable losses to the cast include Brittany Murphy, Jonathan Joss, and even Tom Petty.
Gumball, in fitting with its existing tone, attacks social issues more gently and humorously. Although the show is enjoyable for children, the subtle humor gives an edgy aspect to the show that older viewers can also enjoy. The show, which garnered a name change, is arguably even more frank in its humor following this new iteration.
Not Just Nostalgia
2025 has been the year of edgier cartoon sitcom reboots so far, a slight deviation from the nostalgia-fueled reboots of 2023. The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder continued the early 2000s Disney Channel cartoon in a reboot series. The third season premiered on Disney+ last Wednesday.
2023 also saw the beginning of a new reboot for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with the new film, Mutant Mayhem. This began the Point Gray Productions reboot of the beloved turtles, which was followed by a TV show, Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. This, as well as The Proud Family, picks up where they left off and rides on the nostalgia of their audience.
Although the shows were handled differently, Gumball and King of the Hill both have a major nostalgia factor for their respective audiences, and the love for their characters contributes greatly to their success. They exist as both solid homages to their former selves, as well as forward-facing iterations of their strong foundation.
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