'King of the Hill' set in Richardson? (Dallas, Austin: live, area)

[MaryS80]

I have always heard it was based off of Garland. Mike Judge lived in both Richardson and Garland and I believe by his own accounts it's based off of Garland. I've lived in Garland or Rowlett for 24 of my 28 years and I can honestly say there is some basis of truth to it. As others have said you would be more likely to find this type 15-20+ years ago.

I remember growing up here how seriously people took their lawns. It at times was almost competitive, there used to be a company called Chemlawn that did brisk business spraying herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers on peoples yard. Myself, something called Chemlawn does not sound appealing.

As for the characterizations, they are dated but at one time there were people like that. I can recall people so conservative they bordered on politically correct. You can still find a few around, but many have moved out further east. I wouldn't necessarily say that KOTH projected a negative image. The characters were never hateful of bigoted. It represents people who I guess you could say are the antithesis of being cosmopolitan, or as my best friend who is like a 5th generation Dallasite puts it, "there's nothing wrong with being good old country."

If anything it shows how transplants have changed the culture here. Dallas has grown by leaps and bounds in 30 years. It could be a lot of places in north central Texas. Even now in little pockets far outside even exurbia you can find placed like Arlen.

[Saintmarks]

Haven't had this much fun reading thru a thread in a while.

It is obvious to me that Arlen is an amalgam. It is a smaller town surrounded by rural areas (think Greenville, Waxahachie, Cleburne) within a decent driving distance of Dallas. Doesn't seem to be as close in as Richardson.

However it does have some things that a closer in suburb would have, larger mall, Tom Landry Middle School, etc that have been mentioned that a town further out might not have. The rear alleyway housing development is more akin to suburban areas than towns further out as well.

The thing that I would disagree with is the notion that the characters are uneducated hillbillies. Even tho Hank works in a "blue collar" propane business and has the good ol' boy thing going on, he is well spoken and has a vocabulary consistent with someone who has done at least some level of higher education. Peggy teaches school (even tho it seems she is more like an aide than a full fledged teacher) so that means she would have some sort of degree. Bill seems to come from wealth in Louisiana.

Many people I know (myself included) have occupations that are below their degrees. A sign of the times and the reason some here (momof2, mind if I reference you here?) object to the villification by some on this thread of the real Texans that this series does a pretty good job of portraying.

[perticusrex]

I love KOTH. I was disapointed it wasnt picked up by another network after its cancellation. I think most people know at least one or two characters on the show who remind them of someone they know in real life. (Personally I know quite a few 'Octavios' )

I am not sure what town/city/suburb it is emulating, because there are so many conflicting stories though Garland being the one Ive read most about; I do notice how every major city (and Mexico!) is like an hour away! LOL: Remember how quickly Hank and his buddies got back and forth from Mexico to buy tainted Alamo beer or when Peggy accidently took home a Mexican child on a field trip because her Spanish is so horrible? Seemed like they made those trips in one afternoon!

[Debsi]

Originally Posted by pepper131

I also know someone who talks just like Boomhauer.

Me too! I love King of the Hill. I also drink beer in my backyard.

[TexasNC]

personally i thought it was the park cities....lol....just kidding. no seriously, my very first thought was that it was Allen in the 1980's when i heard the name "Arlen".

i remember watching KOTH when i lived in North Carolina and it just made me laugh b/c so many of the stereotypes, accents, culture, slang, landmarks were just how i remembered growing up in Texas

when i saw the "Whataburger" sign/restaurant on the show i busted out laughing, man i miss those burgers! my NC friends couldn't understand why i would laugh or react the way i did. They didn't "get it" but i guess you just have to grow up in Texas to understand how simplistic, stereotypical yet 'real' this cartoon really is.

as for the town, looking at it from a 2009 perspective, i would say it reminds me of a south or east, NE, type Texas town similar to a Waxahachie, Tyler or Greenville TX. Somewhere a bit far out but not too too far from DFW.

however, I can see how it might relate back 20-25 yrs ago in Richardson or Garland in taking some of those characteristics, like the Whataburgers, alley-ways in the back of the house and basing them into a cartoon. maybe the town doesn't "look" like the area as of 2009 but definitely the people and neighborhoods were similar. I can see Richardson in the 1980's, maybe not North Richardson per se, but central and southern areas or neighborhoods in Richardson/Garland where very much similar to Arlen. Working class families, ranch style homes, good ol'boys. remember you have to think back 15-25 yrs ago. many cities, or neighborhoods were like this, Lewisville, Carrollton, Allen, Plano etc. maybe not overall an "Arlen" but certain areas within them there were pocket neighborhoods like this many of these areas.

20-25 yrs ago, some of these areas of N Dallas were not desireable to live in nor what they are today as upper & affluent middle classes. I remember when NOBODY would dare move, live or venture up to Frisco, it was bubbaville, necks' and farms....lol. Now look at it.

[ETex2]

I remember reading several years ago in an interview with Mike Judge that "Arlen" is a purely fictional town, but the name is a combination of Garland, Arlington, and Allen. The neighborhood is typical of many residential neighborhoods in each of those towns, with the rear entry garages, etc..

Sad to see it go, since in recent years it had become better as each year passed. I loved the recent show about the Canadians.

[pepper131]

Originally Posted by ETex2

Sad to see it go, since in recent years it had become better as each year passed. I loved the recent show about the Canadians.

Oh No!
I missed the show with the Canadians. I'll have to search for it. I'm from Michigan originally....I'll bet it's really hilarious!!

[Lakewooder]

The McMansion episode was hilarious - Hank was trying to grill burgers in the backyard - "dang turret shadow!"

Dusty Hill of ZZ Top once 'guest-starred' as Hank's uncle. Of course we KNOW where he really went to high school. We used to have a lot more of the "Arlen types" here back in the day...

[Grainraiser]

As long has we have YouTube laughing at King of the Hill is only a click away. My favorite was when everyone thought Hank was a pimp LOL!

[perticusrex]

Originally Posted by pepper131

Oh No!
I missed the show with the Canadians. I'll have to search for it. I'm from Michigan originally....I'll bet it's really hilarious!!

Hulu - King Of The Hill: Uh-Oh Canada - Watch the full episode now.