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King of the Hill was revolutionary in many ways, namely for adult animated comedies. Far less uproarious than The Simpsons or later series Family Guy, the show’s more sophisticated characters and deadpan humor showed what the medium could do for older-oriented “cartoons.” It also changed the game when it came to celebrities voicing characters on these shows.
One episode in particular did this by having country singer Randy Travis not only voice himself, but be a major part of the story. This was one of several examples of celebrities lending their vocals to King of the Hill, as well as a character study for Peggy Hill. Here’s how Randy Travis stealing one of Peggy’s songs made for one of the series’ best episodes.
Peggy’s Fan Fair Pitted Peggy Hill Against Randy Travis
The 84th episode of the series, “Peggy’s Fan Fair” has the Hill family traveling to a country music event in Nashville. Beforehand, Peggy had come to believe that country singer Randy Travis had stolen a song she submitted, with the lyrics being based on her growing up with large feet. Even her husband Hank doesn’t believe this, especially after she gives the singer an accusatory punch in the face. Afterward, she conspires to rain hell on Travis, which accidentally results in his trailer being knocked into a nearby body of water.
Hank swims in and saves him, but the action causes Peggy to be seen as a potential threat to Randy Travis. Taste-testing a Brown Betty that she made for Travis, Hank proves that, while she might be a bit high and mighty, Peggy isn’t dangerous. Of course, his wife is further vindicated when Travis goes on stage to talk about how he was the one who saved Hank, causing the Hill patriarch to want to give him his own decking. The episode showcased the lengths to which Peggy’s narcissism went, all the while still standing by her and showing that, in some cases, her “delusions” may have some truth to them. For even the most ardent Peggy haters, “Peggy’s Fan Fair” is something of a favorite.
Randy Travis Was One of Several Celebrities On King of the Hill
This iconic episode of King of the Hill had numerous celebrity voice actors beyond the main cast, most of whom played themselves. Besides Randy Travis, big names such as Ronnie Dunn, Wynonna Judd, Charlie Daniels and even Garth Brooks voice their fictionalized incarnations, and none of it feels particularly forced or inorganic. Something that could have easily become an auditory game of “spot the country singer” instead feels natural.
Vince Gill — a country music singer himself — also voiced Assistant Pastor Larry in the episode, as well as Boomhauer’s singing voice in another. Other examples of the many times celebrities have voiced other characters in King of the Hill include Jeff Goldblum as a pyramid scheme con man, and Bernie Mac as the similarly named repairman Mack. ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill even showed up in a future episode as a distant cousin of Hank’s, much to the latter’s chagrin. Many of these appearances gave King of the Hill an authentic Texas flair, all while presenting celebrity voice acting in a way that wasn’t trite or gimmicky. Unfortunately for Peggy Hill, the best example of this involved her life story being stolen.
“Peggy’s Fan Fair” and King of the Hill as a whole can be streamed on Hulu.
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