'King of the Hill' Democrats?

NY Times ^ | June 26, 2005 | MATT BAI

[neverdem]

If you watch a lot of cable news, by now you've probably heard someone refer to a bloc of voters known as '' 'South Park' conservatives.'' The term comes from the title of a new book by Brian C. Anderson, a conservative pundit who adapted it from the writer Andrew Sullivan, and it refers to the notion that Comedy Central's obscene spoof of life in small-town America, with its hilarious skewering of liberal snobbery, is somehow the perfect crucible for understanding a new breed of brash and irreverent Republican voters. In truth, aside from its title, Anderson's book has very little to say about ''South Park'' itself; it's really just a retread of the argument that the mainstream media is losing its grip on world domination, marketed rather cynically to appeal to the same red-state radio hosts and book clubs that make so many right-wing polemics best sellers.

If politicians and pundits are really so desperate to understand the values of conservative America without leaving their living rooms, then they should start setting the TiVo to record another animated sitcom, which Anderson mentions only in passing and which, despite its general policy of eschewing politics, somehow continues to offer the most subtle and complex portrayal of small-town voters on television: ''King of the Hill,'' on Fox. North Carolina's two-term Democratic governor, Mike Easley, is so obsessed with the show that he instructs his pollster to separate the state's voters into those who watch ''King of the Hill'' and those who don't so he can find out whether his arguments on social and economic issues are making sense to the sitcom's fans.

For those who have somehow missed ''King of the Hill'' during its nine-year run, here's a lightning-quick primer: It revolves around a classic American everyman, the earnest Hank...

[Mr. Blonde]

The people I know who think it is funniest are those who have actually been to Texas or live there. People who haven't just don't get it. I guess to really laugh at the show you have to be able to say, "I remember meeting that guy."

[RockinRight]

I disagree. Mike Judge himself is a conservative I think. It doesn't poke fun the way "All in the Family" did.

BTW, his son will come around. He's just a rebellious and somewhat effeminate kid but he'll learn the truth.

[rabidralph]

I like to think of Peggy as the cartoon form of Laura Bush...without the bad spanish and hairbrained schemes.

[Tanniker Smith]

Funniest Hank Hill line: "Butane is a bastard gas."

I think I've seen maybe two episodes of the show over the last 10 years although I've heard a bit from folks all over the country. I don't know why I don't watch it, maybe it's the way the characters are drawn, I don't know.

Anyway, I'm constantly hearing about these great lines that Hank Hill comes out with. Anyone know where there might be a compilation of these on the Net somewhere?

Thanks

TS

[RockinRight]

I didn't see it mentioned but Luanne is voiced by Brittany Murphy who has been very supportive of our troops around the world.

Did someone say Brittany Murphy?"

[KC_Conspirator]

The Times is in hot pursuit of a trend that doesn't exist.

They are looking for the next "Soccer moms" of the 90's. Right not we have "South Park Republcans" and "NASCAR dads".

[KC_Conspirator]

Those people don't vote against Democrats because Democrats haven't sold their policies well enough. They vote reflexively against people whose leaders clearly hate their religion and their lifestyle.

That is very well put. Your remarks about the ignorant and haughty book "What's a Matter with Kansas" is correct too.

[Tanniker Smith]

I wouldn't say it's a trend yet, but if you read the article, you'll see that the governor of North Carolina actually polls (and separates results) based on whether or not those polled watch the show. And he claims that he is seeing trends in it.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

Hank on Ronald Reagan: "I Still Miss Being Able to Vote for that Man."

PEGGY: Did a woman judge ruin the Supreme Court? HANK: Yes, and that woman's name was Earl Warren.

No way in hell he's a democrat.

[Skywalk]

Uh, you've never watched King of the Hill, have you?

Seriously, your analysis was 'tripe'(did you mean to say type) and just because something isn't ridiculous in how it portrays something dramatically or comedically or doesn't only praise or ONLY lampoon doesn't make it pro-something else.

The show is funny because, politics aside, characters like Dale and Bill are FUNNIER than showing 2-3 guys with normal families and no dysfunction)

[Skywalk]

If the libs want a show, why not Family Guy liberals?

The show is voiced and written by a liberal(not an insanely leftist type, so he fits more with the modern Democrats) who makes jokes about Republicans while still being able to mock its own characters and politics.

[weegee]

...it refers to the notion that Comedy Central's obscene spoof of life in small-town America, with its hilarious skewering of liberal snobbery, is somehow the perfect crucible for understanding a new breed of brash and irreverent Republican voters. In truth, aside from its title, Anderson's book has very little to say about ''South Park'' itself; it's really just a retread of the argument that the mainstream media is losing its grip on world domination, marketed rather cynically to appeal to the same red-state radio hosts and book clubs that make so many right-wing polemics best sellers.

1970s punk (before it had a name) was also a backlash against Liberal political correctness/totalitarianism.

IT'S BA-A-A-A-CK!!!

Who wants to be a stinky hippie? Who wants to stand in the street protesting? Who wants to eat wheatbran, ricecakes, and tofu burgers?

The commie mind control IS NOT working. No matter how much they try to dominate the youth culture and tell them it is "uncool" to vote Republican.

[weegee]

North Carolina's two-term Democratic governor, Mike Easley, is so obsessed with the show that he instructs his pollster to separate the state's voters into those who watch ''King of the Hill'' and those who don't so he can find out whether his arguments on social and economic issues are making sense to the sitcom's fans.

"HOW CAN I LIE TO THEM, TODAY?"

Notice he's not interested in hearing if they AGREE with him, just if they are swallowing what he wants to push on them.

[SERKIT]

Homer Simpson to his TV: "Lousy Democrats!"

[weegee]

...yet, like a lot of the basically conservative voters you meet in rural America -- and here's where Democrats should pay close attention -- Hank never professes an explicit party loyalty, and he and his buddies who sip beer in the alley don't talk like their fellow Texan Tom DeLay.

WHAT DUMMYCRAP.

Hank met Bush and shook his hand. The writers gave the candidate a "weak" handshake but we all know who Hank dashed back to America to vote for.

He was embarassed about mooning Ann Richards but I don't think it had to do with honoring her as a "good" Democrat so much as rude behavior to a former governor and a lady, regardless of party.

And for the record, Arlen is north of Houston (why else would they drive to Houston so Cotton's wife could give birth? There ARE hospitals near other towns). Ditto with strip joints.

When they go to Austin and Dallas it is a day trip (I think it was an overnight stay to visit the Dallas training in Oklahoma).

Oh they can claim that it is "near" Austin or even Dallas but it is in the Humble area. Too far to drive back from Mexico on election day otherwise...

Only the Houston Comical and liberals hate Tom DeLay down here. Not to say we are all "rah rah" but it just is NOT an issue or concern except the looney left.

[weegee]

For instance, Easley told me that Hank would never support a budget like the one North Carolina's Senate recently passed, which would drop some 65,000 mostly elderly citizens from the Medicaid rolls; Hank, after all, has pitched in to support his own father, a brutish war veteran, and he would never condone a community's walking away from its ailing parents.

Aren't Veterans covered by additional benefits for their service?

Wouldn't Hank feel like a heel if he turned his back to his own father?

It's like the parents who say that it's not their job to feed their kids (that money is for cigarettes and cable tv).

Priorities and budget.

Hank's no tax and spend liberal.

[weegee]

BUMP

[weegee]

Perhaps you should sent that on a postcard to the NYet Times. Let their commie editors ask why this Blair wannabe didn't actually watch episodes of the show before shooting his trap off.

[weegee]

This is probably some revenge from New York. Hank Hill got outraged when he caught Bobby reading a New York Times Sunday insert. Bobby had to explain that he was only looking at an ad for a comedy workshop summer camp, not the articles.

[weegee]

Well Petah from The Family Guy sure resembles Michael Moore. Perhaps they should have looked at that liberal clan...