King Of The Hill - Season 1 [DVD] [1997]

But this underrated (in the UK) series never really attempted to be a Simpsons me-too but was presented as an animated sitcom / drama that takes a wry look at Texas life through the eyes of a comically bizarre bunch of characters. It takes a couple of episodes to get you into the setting and the characters but once you're in you're hooked!

If you enjoy holidaying in the states then you will love this series as it really puts you in an American frame of mind. Bung on an episode and you can taste the cold beers and barbequed steak (just make sure they're not cooked on charcoal - it's the devil's fuel!).

The episodes included are:

Pilot - A group of people are lead to believing that Hank is an abusive father and husband. They try to take Bobby away to live with another family.

Square Peg - When Peggy is recruited to teach sex ed, Hank insists Bobby not go. First appearance of Stewart Dooley (the red-haired kid with the deep voice) and the Strickland Propane building.

The Order of the Straight Arrow - On a camping trip, the crew accidentally kills a whooping crane (an animal nearing extinction.)

Hank's Got the Willies - When Hank catches Bobby playing his prized guitar with a piece of cheese (mimicking a comedy act he saw on TV,) Hank realizes he needs to get his son golfing to take his mind off comedy.

Luanne's Saga - Buckley, Luanne's boyfriend, dumps her. Hank and the guys try to set her up with an all-American type guy, but she falls for Boomhauer instead. This episode features the first, and certainly not the last appearance of Chuck Mangione. Also featues the first appearance of Luly's Cafeteria, and the first look inside Boomhauer's house.

Hank's Unmentionable Problem - Hank becomes constipated, and is forced to try various methods of curing it. First episode in which Peggy is seen playing Boggle.

Westie Side Story - A family of Laotians moves into the neighborhood. Through an odd twist of events, the neighborhood thinks the new neighbors have butchered and eaten Ladybird, the Hill family dog. First appearance of Kahn, Minh, Kahn Jr. (AKA Connie), and Doggie.

Shins of the Father - Hank's father, a World War II veteran with no shins, visits the Hill household. Bobby begins to mimic his downright rude behavior on a regular basis. First appearance of Didi, and the first non-flashback appearance of Cotton Hill.

Peggy the Boggle Champ - Peggy takes Hank to Dallas for a Boggle championship. Once there, Hank ditches her and goes with the guys to a lawnmower convention.

Keeping Up With Our Joneses - Hank catches Bobby smoking a cigarette, and forces him to smoke a whole carton. Before long, the entire Hill family is addicted to nicotine. My favorite episode of the first season.

Plastic White Female - Bobby is invited to a boy and girl party, and to prepare for the possible kissing, he practices on Luanne's plastic hairstyling practice head.

Hank The Company Man - Hank must go to extremes to please a potential propane customer. First appearance of Buck Strickland, though he is drawn in a much more crude fashion than in later seasons. Also the first appearance of M.F. Thatherton.

King of the Ant Hill - When Hank tells Dale his services as an exterminator are no longer needed, Dale uses fireants to destroy Hank's new lawn.