Mike Judge’s “King of the Hill” is a rare animated sitcom that treats its characters like real people. Hank Hill is a propane salesman who is mostly funny by accident, and his Texas town Arlen feels specific enough to touch. The writers behind the roundup have found 15 live-action shows and animated series that share the show’s spirit — slightly clueless dads, oddball kids, and towns that feel fully lived-in.
The list leans heavily on Judge’s own work. It includes “Beavis and Butt-Head,” “The Goode Family,” and “The Simpsons,” plus live-action picks like “The Drew Carey Show.” Here is what stands out from the roundup.
Beavis and Butt-Head
Judge created “Beavis and Butt-Head” before “King of the Hill,” and the two shows share a similar sensibility. Both are set in Texas, though the suburb of Highland where Beavis and Butt-Head live is a far cry from Arlen’s comparatively modern streets. The show is cynical about humanity, but Judge’s ability to find humor in ridiculous voices holds up across both series.
Bobby’s delinquent classmate Dooley was clearly inspired by Butt-Head, and Hank Hill’s voice is the same as that of Tom Anderson, the Korean War veteran who never remembers the two teens who trashed his house. All three characters are actually Judge himself. The simple desires to burn things, play loud music, and “score” proved both relatable and mockable.
The Goode Family
After “King of the Hill,” Judge tried the opposite. He went west and created “The Goode Family,” following California liberals instead of a Republican Texas family. It didn’t work for audiences, and it got canceled after 13 episodes. But Judge fans should check it out on DVD or streaming.
Gerald Goode is an extremely politically correct environmentalist academic, and his kids are slightly more pragmatic. What Goode and Hank Hill have in common, aside from Judge’s voice, is that they both like things precisely their way and are easily disgusted. The show cuts down its targets’ moral superiority complex, and it may have cut too deep for its audience.
The Simpsons
“The Simpsons” shares the same expansive cast of eccentric characters built around the central clan. Arlen and Springfield aren’t real places, but they feel like they could be. The show has filled its hometown with a favorite alcoholic clown entertainer, an old sea captain, a cartoonishly evil boss, goofy mascots, neurotic mobsters, a psychotic Scottish groundskeeper, depressed teachers, and caricature-ish restaurateurs.
Bart’s sassiness and Homer’s stupidity used to be the top draws, but now any of the multitude of eccentrics in the Simpson family’s hometown can be put at the center of a compelling story. They may be cartoons, but they remind us of the weirdos we know.
The Drew Carey Show
This is an ensemble show at heart, following four amiable goofball friends in Cleveland. Drew, Lewis, Oswald, and Kate attempt to market their homebrewed, caffeinated Buzz Beer and leave their regular day jobs. Drew suffers at work from overly made-up coworker Mimi and his insane English boss Mr. Wick, who is every bit as unstable as Hank Hill’s boss Buck Strickland.
The core four have a dynamic similar to Hank, Dale, Bill, and Boomhauer, though the show takes a different turn when Drew and Kate start to date. The cast could as easily break into a musical number as play a game of pool.
Comparing the Picks
| Show | Setting | Creator |
|---|---|---|
| King of the Hill | Arlen, Texas | Mike Judge / Greg Daniels |
| Beavis and Butt-Head | Highland, Texas | Mike Judge |
| The Goode Family | California | Mike Judge |
| The Simpsons | Springfield | Fox primetime animation |
| The Drew Carey Show | Cleveland | Drew Carey |
The Live-Action Comparison
- Drew Carey Show: Four goofball friends in Cleveland, including Drew, Lewis, Oswald, and Kate
- The Goode Family: California liberals led by Gerald Goode
- Beavis and Butt-Head: Suburb of Highland, Texas
- The Simpsons: Springfield, a fictional American town
The list is a reminder that even when a show ends, its influence lives on in the work that followed it. The comparison table above captures the range of Judge’s own work alongside other animated and live-action shows. For anyone who loved Hank Hill’s propane salesman dad, the list offers a path back to familiar territory.
See the video the story is built around at TVLine.
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