Summary

• Beavis and Butt-Head and King of the Hill were almost connected through a familial connection between Hank Hill and Tom Anderson.
• The crossover idea would have enriched the backstories of both shows' characters and created a shared universe.
• The logistical barrier of the shows airing on different networks and belonging to different companies prevented the realization of the crossover.

King of the Hill crossover. The former follows two socially awkward, heavy metal-loving teenagers whose misadventures revolve around their lack of social norms and fascination with adult content. Known for its satirical commentary on society, the series became a staple of 1990s pop culture, pushing the boundaries of what could be shown on television at the time. Its blend of humor and critique earned it a dedicated fanbase, as well as controversies for its perceived influence on youth behavior.

King of the Hill, another creation of Mike Judge, in collaboration with Greg Daniels, debuted in 1997 and offered a stark contrast to Beavis and Butt-Head. This series focuses on the likable Hill family, led by patriarch Hank Hill, a propane salesman in the fictional town of Arlen, Texas. Known for its more nuanced, character-driven humor, King of the Hill explores themes of family, work, and American identity with a more subtle and sophisticated touch. In that respect, it's hard to believe that there was almost a Beavis and Butt-Head and King of the Hill crossover.

Judge's Beavis And Butt-Head/King Of The Hill Crossover Idea Was A Familial Connection Between Hank & Tom

Mike Judge once entertained an intriguing crossover idea between his two hit shows, suggesting a familial connection that could have linked the worlds of Beavis and Butt-Head and King of the Hill. According to Judge, the concept revolved around Hank Hill, the everyman protagonist of King of the Hill, being the son of Tom Anderson, the cantankerous neighbor frequently tormented by Beavis and Butt-Head. Judge explained (via THR):

At one time, I thought Hank Hill was Tom Anderson’s son.

This connection would have offered a fascinating narrative bridge between the two series, potentially enriching the backstory of both sets of characters and creating a shared universe that fans of both shows would appreciate. However, despite the creative potential of this idea, especially as Hank and Tom look alike, it ultimately remained unexplored.

While Judge could have linked the two shows in a unique and unexpected way, he concluded that the crossover was a nonstarter due to the shows airing on different networks, with Beavis and Butt-Head on MTV and King of the Hill on Fox, and belonging to different companies. This logistical barrier prevented the realization of a crossover that would have merged the distinct comedic landscapes of Judge's creations, leaving fans to only imagine what could have been if Hank Hill had indeed been the offspring of Tom Anderson.

The King Of The Hill Revival Is Confirmed

The possibility of a King of the Hill revival has been a topic of discussion and anticipation for years, starting with a reveal in August 2017 that Mike Judge and Greg Daniels had engaged in talks about it with Fox executives (via aged King of the Hill characters, imagining an older version of Bobby Hill. By March 2020, Daniels teased fans with the confirmation that they had a solid idea for the reboot (via Pop Culture). He stated:

We do have a plan for it and it's pretty funny. So maybe one day.

The anticipation for the revival grew when writer Brent Forrester revealed in March 2021 that negotiations were underway to bring back King of the Hill (via Animation Magazine), hinting at a reboot featuring "aged-up characters." This momentum led to the formation of Bandera Entertainment by Judge and Daniels in January 2022, with the revival of King of the Hill being among its initial projects. However, Fox Entertainment president Michael Thorn confirmed in September 2022 that the series would not return to Fox due to the network's preference for full ownership of its shows (via CBR).

Nevertheless, on January 31, 2023, Hulu officially ordered the revival of King of the Hill, bringing back Judge, Kathy Najimy, Stephen Root, Pamela Adlon, and others to reprise their roles. Despite the deaths of Brittany Murphy and Tom Petty, the revival plans to address the absence of Luanne and Lucky, with the specifics still under wraps. Stephen Root mentioned in May 2023 that the revival would indeed include a time jump, presenting an older Bobby Hill.

Additionally, while Chris Hardwick was confirmed to return as Dale Gribble, his untimely death in August 2023 left a void. It was later disclosed that Hardwick had completed recording for "a couple" of King of the Hill revival episodes before his ing, ensuring his presence in the series' eagerly awaited return.

Watch King of the Hill on Hulu

Watch Beavis And Butt-Head On Paramount+

Sources: Variety, Rotten Tomatoes, Pop Culture, Animation Magazine, CBR