Honestly, walking back into Arlen after fifteen years felt weirdly like coming home, but the house had definitely been remodeled. When Hulu finally dropped King of the Hill Season 14 in August 2025, the biggest question on everyone’s mind wasn’t about Hank’s retirement or Bobby’s new career as a chef in Dallas. It was about the man in the orange hat.
Dale Gribble.
We all knew things would be different. The world has changed so much since 2009 that Dale's brand of paranoia almost feels like the evening news now. But there was a heavy shadow over the character because of the tragic passing of Johnny Hardwick in 2023. Fans were terrified. How do you do Dale without Johnny? Well, the revival handled it in a way that was surprisingly respectful, even if it took a few episodes to get used to the "new" sound.
The Tragic Recasting of Dale Gribble
Let’s get the hard part out of the way first. Johnny Hardwick didn't just voice Dale; he was Dale. He was a writer, a producer, and the soul of that character’s twitchy, cigarette-stained energy.
When Hardwick died, production on Season 14 was already in full swing. Because of that, we actually get a bit of a hybrid season. If you’re watching the episodes and thinking, "Wait, he sounds like himself... mostly," you aren’t crazy. Hardwick had already recorded lines for six of the ten episodes before he passed. Specifically, he’s the voice you hear in episodes 1 through 3, and then again in 5 through 7.
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Then came the transition.
Hulu tapped Toby Huss to take over. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s a legend in the King of the Hill universe, originally voicing Cotton Hill and Kahn Souphanousinphone. Taking over Dale was a massive gamble. Fans are protective. But Huss pulled it off by leaning into the way Dale’s voice would have naturally aged over a decade. He starts as the primary voice in episode 8, and by the finale, you almost forget you’re listening to a different person.
Why Dale Gribble is the Secret Winner of the Time Jump
The revival picks up about eight to ten years after the original finale. Hank and Peggy are back from a long stint in Saudi Arabia, and they find an Arlen that looks a lot more like the world we live in today.
Basically, the "conspiracy theorist" trope has moved from the basement to the mainstream, and Dale is loving it.
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Mayor Gribble?
One of the wildest reveals in King of the Hill Season 14 is that Dale actually served as the temporary Mayor of Arlen. He calls the COVID-19 era the "pan-dumbic," and apparently, his brand of "preparedness" actually made sense to people for a few months. He’s not just a guy with a radio show in a basement anymore; he’s got a Substack. He has a Patreon for his extermination business where people pay him for "unfiltered" pest control advice.
- The Substack: He uses it to track "Jub," the alleged secret brother of George W. Bush.
- The Influence: For the first time, Dale has an audience that actually listens to him, which—hilariously—makes him even more paranoid because now he thinks his followers are government plants.
- The Relationship: Despite the time jump, Dale still hasn't realized John Redcorn is Joseph’s father. Some things are just sacred.
How Season 14 Handled the "New" Dale
The show didn't ignore the voice change. They leaned into the idea that Dale's health—years of smoking and breathing in bug poison—had finally caught up to his vocal cords. It’s a bit meta, but it works.
In episode 7, titled "Any Given Hill-Day," there’s a moment involving a book-burning (classic Arlen) where Dale’s cigarette accidentally starts a fire. It’s the last episode featuring Hardwick’s voice, and the show ends with a beautiful "In Loving Memory" tribute. It felt like a clean break.
The writers, led by showrunner Saladin K. Patterson, made a smart choice. They didn't make Dale a political caricature. It would have been so easy to turn him into a modern political stereotype, but they kept him focused on the weird stuff. He’s still chasing aliens and high-fiving the "Beastman" in the woods. He’s still Dale.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Revival
A lot of fans thought the show would be a complete reboot. It’s not. It’s a continuation.
The stakes feel higher because characters like Luanne and Lucky have been "retired" from the show out of respect for Brittany Murphy and Tom Petty. This puts more weight on the remaining core four: Hank, Bill, Dale, and Boomhauer.
Dale’s evolution in Season 14 is actually the most complex. While Hank is struggling to understand why Bobby wants to cook fusion food instead of selling propane, Dale is struggling with the fact that he's actually successful. He’s making money. He’s a "thought leader" in the fringe community. Watching Dale Gribble navigate "clout" is easily the funniest part of the new season.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're diving into the revival, keep these things in mind to get the most out of the experience:
- Watch Episode 7 First: If you want to say a proper goodbye to the original voice, pay close attention to "Any Given Hill-Day." It's the emotional peak of the season for long-time fans.
- Look for the Easter Eggs: Dale’s new basement setup is packed with references to old episodes, including a framed photo of the "alien" he thought fathered Joseph.
- Appreciate Toby Huss: Don't go in looking for a perfect 1:1 imitation. Appreciate how Huss captures the cadence and the nasality that makes Dale feel authentic to the character's aging process.
The revival proves that as long as there’s a fence to stand behind and a beer to hold, Arlen will always have a place for a guy who thinks the moon is a hologram.
Next Steps
To fully appreciate the transition, compare the audio between Episode 3 and Episode 10 of Season 14 back-to-back. You’ll notice how the writing bridges the gap between the two voice actors by focusing on Dale’s signature frantic energy rather than just the sound of his voice.