At the King of the Hill reboot’s San Diego Comic-Con panel, showrunner and executive producer Saladin Patterson took the stage alongside co-creators and executive producers Greg Daniels and Mike Judge, the latter also voices Hank Hill.
"It was important in the show, the world has changed a little bit since Hank and Peggy have been gone," Patterson said. "Casting has changed a little bit too since Hank and Peggy have been gone, as far as, actors fit the characters that they're portraying."
They were joined by cast members Kathy Najimy, Pamela Adlon, Nicole Tom, and Toby Huss for a lively discussion about the series’ return.
The King of the Hill SDCC panel included a full screening of the show's second episode, in addition to a Q&A session with the show's voice cast and creative team.
Interesting details revealed during the panel include [via IGN]:
- Bobby’s restaurant, Robota Chane, is based in Dallas and is owned by his old childhood rival Chane Wassanasong and Chane’s father, Ted
- When Hank and Bobby choose to enter a beer brewing contest, Hank and Peggy take a trip to a nearby craft brewery to explore the growing popularity of trendy "fruity" beers. As expected, Hank finds the flavors revolting and remains fiercely loyal to his beloved Alamo beer.
- Joseph is still Bobby’s closest friend and now cruises around in the same Jeep that once belonged to his biological father, John Redcorn.
- Nancy and John Redcorn make an appearance at the beer competition, and it seems they’re still romantically involved. Naturally, Dale remains completely oblivious to their relationship
- Pamela Adlon, the voice of Bobby, shared that in the reboot, Bobby never went to college and is currently facing challenges trying to make it as a chef. Meanwhile, many of his former high school friends and classmates have found greater success, adding to Bobby’s sense of falling behind.
- Peggy and Hank managed to get through 15 years living in Saudi Arabia thanks to a manufactured "American" suburb designed specifically for workers employed by Hank’s company.
- Lauren Tom, who voices Connie, revealed that she's, "practicing ethical non-monogomy"
- During the fifteen years that Peggy and Hank lived in Saudi Arabia, Dale Gribble ran for mayor of Arlen and won.
"After years working a propane job in Saudi Arabia to earn their retirement nest egg, Hank and Peggy Hill return to a changed Arlen, Texas to reconnect with old friends Dale, Boomhauer and Bill. Meanwhile, Bobby is living his dream as a chef in Dallas and enjoying his 20s with his former classmates Connie, Joseph and Chane."