Dr. Daedalus
07-03-2004, 09:16 PM
Don't think this has been done yet, so I'll ask: What are your top ten favorite and least favorite King of the Hill episodes?
Here are my faves:
1) High Anxiety- Part 2 of the two-parter where Debbie Grund accidentally shoots herself while trying to kill Buck. Some classic moments where Hank accidentally smokes pot, the two sheriffs exchange insults with each other, and everyone jumps to huge conclusions. One of the best 2-parters.
2) A Fire Fighting We Will Go- The gang of four accidentally burn down the fire house. More comedy than usual, which works well with the goofy premise. Boomhauer's flashback with the other characters talking fast like him was classic.
3) Hank's Bad Hair Day- Hank must pay $900 for a haircut, and Bill gets fired as an Army barber. Highlights include the disgruntled old barber (played by Brian Doyle-Murray) and Bill's long rant to Hank.
4) Peggy's Fan Fair- One of the best Peggy-centered episodes, which has a lot of country guest stars used to their fullest, like the golden days of The Simpsons. Plus Hank's suspicion against Peggy is a great dramatic moment.
5) Nine Pretty Darn Angry Men- A parody of 12 Angry Men, except they're debating a new lawnmower. Great comedic writing, and it's sweet whenever Hank stands up to Cotton.
6) Junkie Business- Generates some genuine tension as to how Hank's going to get out of the situation of having to keep a drug addict at Strickland Propane. Some classic lines, too: "Sorry Hank, I suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder. If I get out of this chair, Garth Brooks is gonna die."
7) 'Twas the Nut Before Christmas- Probably the funniest Bill-centric episode, as he gets carried away in the Christmas spirit and foolishly makes friends with a two-bit thug. Best moment in the episode is when Hank yells to a drunk Bobby, Connie, and Joseph: "YOU, YOU, YOU! GO HOME NOW! I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS CHRISTMAS CRAP! BILL!"
8) Chasing Bobby- I'm not usuallly one for drama-heavy KOTH episodes, but this one's special. Hank is fearful that his trusty truck will soon kick the bucket. It's the tense father-son relationships in this episode that make it a winner. Definitely deserved an Emmy.
9) Hillennium- One of the most positive Y2K episodes of any show ever. Instead of going the grim route like Family Guy and Simpsons (granted, "Da Bomb" was hilarious), it gave a story of hope and made some good points along the way. Not particularly hilarious, but it doesn't need to be- it stands well enough on its own.
10) Sleight of Hank- Hank annoyingly tries to figure out a magic trick that Peggy was involved in. Lots of humorous wordplay, and the fighting between Peggy and Hank towards the end is fairly realistic in that they no longer remember what started the fight. A fairly strange resolution (so they kick each other and suddenly it's all OK? "Loosen up, Bobby."), but a very watchable episode.
Honorable Mentions: -Happy Hank's Giving- The Hill family is stuck in the airport on Thanksgiving. A lot like a Seinfeld episode (especially something like "The Parking Garage" or "The Restaurant"), and very realistic in its depiction of Murphy's Law.
-Hank's Dirty Laundry- Classic situation of Hank being accused of something he never did, and having to go to unreasonable lengths to prove his innocence (in this case, renting a porno video). Has some hilarious lines.
-Ho Yeah!- Oblivious Hank takes a prostitute around town. The third act, with Hank and company trying to outrun an Oklahoma City pimp, is priceless. "Hey, he ran a red light- you can't do that!"
-Return to La Grunta- Hank being raped by a dolphin=comedy gold. You wouldn't think so, but trust me, it's hilarious.
-A Beer Can Named Desire- Hank goes to the Super Bowl to throw a football through a life-sized Alamo beer can. Meanwhile, Bill tries to find out which of three women is his cousin. Classic New Orleans jokes in this one, and Bobby in a Cajun suit is priceless.
-Joust Like a Woman- Alan Rickman did an excellent job as the snooty Renaissance actor, and lots of 17th century/21st century custom differences are explored here.
My 10 worst episodes:
1) Pigmalion: Basically, the plot consists of Luanne being wooed into being this pig plant processor's girlfriend. Peggy suspects something's amiss, but Hank is quieted by sports blooper videos and a hot air balloon ride (in an out-of-character moment). Anyway, Luanne has a fight with Peggy and goes to live with this pig guy- it turns out he's a nutbar who dyes Luanne's hair red and puts her in the same farm dress every day. His ultimate goal is to have Luanne marry another guy while he wears a pig costume so all three can live happily ever after in the same vein as a marketing campaign from years ago. So the climax is Luanne and the pig guy in a processing factory on a conveyor belt- the pig guy ends up getting stabbed in the head with an item on the conveyor belt and dies. Now that synopsis alone is crazy enough, but the episode could've been a winner if it had taken it in humorous directions. But it doesn't. Instead, it opts to just be weird and strange, with only ONE laugh in the entire thing: A line from the pig guy, yelling a sentence in German like Hitler. And it takes Luanne forever to come to her senses and ditch the nutjob, but by then it ends in a surprisingly dark fashion (the only death I can think of in KOTH's history was Debbie Grund) that feels out of place and awkward. When I got done with the episode, I actually said "What the (insert F word here)?!" It didn't feel like a KOTH episode- it had no charm, little wit, and the "perfectly innocent stranger is not who they seem" has been done before, and more successfully.
2) Transnational Amusement Presents: Peggy's Magic Sex Feet- Lots of jokes bomb in this one, and the plot runs out of steam after only half of it.
3) Hank and the Great Glass Elevator- After the initial hilarity of the first act (especially Hank succumbing to mooning in the elevator), the plot drags when Bill hooks up with the governor.
4) Bill of Sales- Peggy and Bill go into the salesman business together. Not a very strong outing, with little pacing. The concept of Peggy motivating Bill by insulting him is unique, but it's too little, too late.
5) The Son Also Roses- This episode alone shows how soft Hank has gotten in some of the later episodes. Hank would NEVER want Bobby to be a gardener in earlier seasons; he'd be against it for most of the episode and save Bobby from embarrasment at the end (much like "Husky Bobby").
6) Peggy Hill: The Decline and Fall (2)- Just a very unpleasant episode overall- Peggy spends all of it laying down or in agony, and the new baby cries for lots of it. And the ending feels too easy.
7) Arrow Head- A decent concept, and the professor is voiced with delightful snotiness, but the episode drags on and on. Really needed a decent subplot for this to work.
8) Pretty, Pretty Dresses- If you watch it strictly for the psychology of Bill's problems, it's fine, but as a comedy, it utterly bombs. The first time I watched it, I hated the episode. It has since gotten better on subsequent viewings, but it's a pretty depressing Christmas episode.
9) The Exterminator- Not a bad episode per se, but a lot slower moving than usual. For act 2, think the movie "Office Space" (which is appropriate because Mike Judge wrote/directed that). Rarely makes me laugh, though the episode has a hilarious Dale line: "Have sex on the desk? Sure!"
10) Of Mice and Little Green Men- The characters in this episode walk the fine line of being just plain stupid. Come on, Joseph and Dale would HAVE to figure out what's been going on all this time. Joseph looks NOTHING like Dale, and with John Redcorn over ALL the time, I mean jeez. This episode came close to insulting my intelligence, though a few smatterings of comedy bits somewhat saves it. Somewhat.
Whew, that was a load of work! So what are YOUR 10 favorite and least favorite KOTH episodes?
Here are my faves:
1) High Anxiety- Part 2 of the two-parter where Debbie Grund accidentally shoots herself while trying to kill Buck. Some classic moments where Hank accidentally smokes pot, the two sheriffs exchange insults with each other, and everyone jumps to huge conclusions. One of the best 2-parters.
2) A Fire Fighting We Will Go- The gang of four accidentally burn down the fire house. More comedy than usual, which works well with the goofy premise. Boomhauer's flashback with the other characters talking fast like him was classic.
3) Hank's Bad Hair Day- Hank must pay $900 for a haircut, and Bill gets fired as an Army barber. Highlights include the disgruntled old barber (played by Brian Doyle-Murray) and Bill's long rant to Hank.
4) Peggy's Fan Fair- One of the best Peggy-centered episodes, which has a lot of country guest stars used to their fullest, like the golden days of The Simpsons. Plus Hank's suspicion against Peggy is a great dramatic moment.
5) Nine Pretty Darn Angry Men- A parody of 12 Angry Men, except they're debating a new lawnmower. Great comedic writing, and it's sweet whenever Hank stands up to Cotton.
6) Junkie Business- Generates some genuine tension as to how Hank's going to get out of the situation of having to keep a drug addict at Strickland Propane. Some classic lines, too: "Sorry Hank, I suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder. If I get out of this chair, Garth Brooks is gonna die."
7) 'Twas the Nut Before Christmas- Probably the funniest Bill-centric episode, as he gets carried away in the Christmas spirit and foolishly makes friends with a two-bit thug. Best moment in the episode is when Hank yells to a drunk Bobby, Connie, and Joseph: "YOU, YOU, YOU! GO HOME NOW! I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS CHRISTMAS CRAP! BILL!"
8) Chasing Bobby- I'm not usuallly one for drama-heavy KOTH episodes, but this one's special. Hank is fearful that his trusty truck will soon kick the bucket. It's the tense father-son relationships in this episode that make it a winner. Definitely deserved an Emmy.
9) Hillennium- One of the most positive Y2K episodes of any show ever. Instead of going the grim route like Family Guy and Simpsons (granted, "Da Bomb" was hilarious), it gave a story of hope and made some good points along the way. Not particularly hilarious, but it doesn't need to be- it stands well enough on its own.
10) Sleight of Hank- Hank annoyingly tries to figure out a magic trick that Peggy was involved in. Lots of humorous wordplay, and the fighting between Peggy and Hank towards the end is fairly realistic in that they no longer remember what started the fight. A fairly strange resolution (so they kick each other and suddenly it's all OK? "Loosen up, Bobby."), but a very watchable episode.
Honorable Mentions: -Happy Hank's Giving- The Hill family is stuck in the airport on Thanksgiving. A lot like a Seinfeld episode (especially something like "The Parking Garage" or "The Restaurant"), and very realistic in its depiction of Murphy's Law.
-Hank's Dirty Laundry- Classic situation of Hank being accused of something he never did, and having to go to unreasonable lengths to prove his innocence (in this case, renting a porno video). Has some hilarious lines.
-Ho Yeah!- Oblivious Hank takes a prostitute around town. The third act, with Hank and company trying to outrun an Oklahoma City pimp, is priceless. "Hey, he ran a red light- you can't do that!"
-Return to La Grunta- Hank being raped by a dolphin=comedy gold. You wouldn't think so, but trust me, it's hilarious.
-A Beer Can Named Desire- Hank goes to the Super Bowl to throw a football through a life-sized Alamo beer can. Meanwhile, Bill tries to find out which of three women is his cousin. Classic New Orleans jokes in this one, and Bobby in a Cajun suit is priceless.
-Joust Like a Woman- Alan Rickman did an excellent job as the snooty Renaissance actor, and lots of 17th century/21st century custom differences are explored here.
My 10 worst episodes:
1) Pigmalion: Basically, the plot consists of Luanne being wooed into being this pig plant processor's girlfriend. Peggy suspects something's amiss, but Hank is quieted by sports blooper videos and a hot air balloon ride (in an out-of-character moment). Anyway, Luanne has a fight with Peggy and goes to live with this pig guy- it turns out he's a nutbar who dyes Luanne's hair red and puts her in the same farm dress every day. His ultimate goal is to have Luanne marry another guy while he wears a pig costume so all three can live happily ever after in the same vein as a marketing campaign from years ago. So the climax is Luanne and the pig guy in a processing factory on a conveyor belt- the pig guy ends up getting stabbed in the head with an item on the conveyor belt and dies. Now that synopsis alone is crazy enough, but the episode could've been a winner if it had taken it in humorous directions. But it doesn't. Instead, it opts to just be weird and strange, with only ONE laugh in the entire thing: A line from the pig guy, yelling a sentence in German like Hitler. And it takes Luanne forever to come to her senses and ditch the nutjob, but by then it ends in a surprisingly dark fashion (the only death I can think of in KOTH's history was Debbie Grund) that feels out of place and awkward. When I got done with the episode, I actually said "What the (insert F word here)?!" It didn't feel like a KOTH episode- it had no charm, little wit, and the "perfectly innocent stranger is not who they seem" has been done before, and more successfully.
2) Transnational Amusement Presents: Peggy's Magic Sex Feet- Lots of jokes bomb in this one, and the plot runs out of steam after only half of it.
3) Hank and the Great Glass Elevator- After the initial hilarity of the first act (especially Hank succumbing to mooning in the elevator), the plot drags when Bill hooks up with the governor.
4) Bill of Sales- Peggy and Bill go into the salesman business together. Not a very strong outing, with little pacing. The concept of Peggy motivating Bill by insulting him is unique, but it's too little, too late.
5) The Son Also Roses- This episode alone shows how soft Hank has gotten in some of the later episodes. Hank would NEVER want Bobby to be a gardener in earlier seasons; he'd be against it for most of the episode and save Bobby from embarrasment at the end (much like "Husky Bobby").
6) Peggy Hill: The Decline and Fall (2)- Just a very unpleasant episode overall- Peggy spends all of it laying down or in agony, and the new baby cries for lots of it. And the ending feels too easy.
7) Arrow Head- A decent concept, and the professor is voiced with delightful snotiness, but the episode drags on and on. Really needed a decent subplot for this to work.
8) Pretty, Pretty Dresses- If you watch it strictly for the psychology of Bill's problems, it's fine, but as a comedy, it utterly bombs. The first time I watched it, I hated the episode. It has since gotten better on subsequent viewings, but it's a pretty depressing Christmas episode.
9) The Exterminator- Not a bad episode per se, but a lot slower moving than usual. For act 2, think the movie "Office Space" (which is appropriate because Mike Judge wrote/directed that). Rarely makes me laugh, though the episode has a hilarious Dale line: "Have sex on the desk? Sure!"
10) Of Mice and Little Green Men- The characters in this episode walk the fine line of being just plain stupid. Come on, Joseph and Dale would HAVE to figure out what's been going on all this time. Joseph looks NOTHING like Dale, and with John Redcorn over ALL the time, I mean jeez. This episode came close to insulting my intelligence, though a few smatterings of comedy bits somewhat saves it. Somewhat.
Whew, that was a load of work! So what are YOUR 10 favorite and least favorite KOTH episodes?