Bobby Hill (King of the Hill)
Encyclopedia
Robert Jeffrey "Bobby" Hill is a character on the animated series King of the Hill
and is voiced by Pamela Adlon
. Bobby is the only child of Hank
and Peggy Hill
.
) and a "ladies man". Bobby displays a natural talent as a marksman
, shown in "How to Fire a Rifle Without Really Trying" and "To Kill a Ladybird". Bobby is generally very passive and is occasionally a victim of bullies. However, Bobby speaks out on issues concerning love.
. Bobby is not talented as an athlete or a craftsman like his father is. As a result, Hank doubts his masculine identity and normalcy, tacitly and with side-of-the-mouth remarks. often lamenting "That boy ain't right." Bobby is saddened by his father's lack of appreciation for the arts and his comedy routines. The two struggle to find common interests. However, Hank and Bobby find common interest in Texas, meat, propane, shooting and golfing, among other things as the show progresses. Despite differences, Hank and Bobby have a close relationship. Bobby considers his father as his hero.
states that he "might be the most complex, fully formed kid in TV history."
, they described Bobby as the "anti-Bart" (referring to Bart Simpson
) while discussing how other characters have tried to "claim Bart's place of honor."
Voice actress Pamela Adlon
received highly positive reception for her portrayal of Bobby. She received an Emmy for her role in the episode "Bobby Goes Nuts
", the only actor in the series to have won one. IGN
editor Talmadge Blevins quotes a line spoken by Bobby, "That's my purse! I don't know you!", describing it as one of the "most memorable lines ever uttered on television."
In 2002, TV Guide
ranked Bobby Hill number 48 on its '50 Greatest Cartoon Characters of All Time' list.
King of the Hill
King of the Hill is an American animated dramedy series created by Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, that ran from January 12, 1997, to May 6, 2010, on Fox network. It centers on the Hills, a working-class Methodist family in the fictional small town of Arlen, Texas...
and is voiced by Pamela Adlon
Pamela Adlon
Pamela Fionna Adlon is a Jewish-American actress, voice actress, and producer. She is sometimes credited as Pamela Segall, Pamela S. Adlon and Pamela Segall Adlon...
. Bobby is the only child of Hank
Hank Hill
Henry Rutherford "Hank" Hill Age 50 animated series King of the Hill. Hank lives in Arlen, Texas and works at the fictional Strickland Propane selling propane and propane accessories. Hank's voice is provided by series creator Mike Judge. The Economist named Hank Hill as one of the wisest people...
and Peggy Hill
Peggy Hill
Margaret J. "Peggy" Hill is a fictional character in the American animated series King of the Hill.-Biography:Peggy is the matriarch of the Hill family, and the wife of series protagonist Hank Hill. She wears rimless glasses and is generally seen wearing cut-off blouses and culottes...
.
Biography
Robert Jeffrey Hill, nicknamed Bobby, is 4 feet 11 inches tall and overweight. Bobby is a school-aged boy who enjoys comedy, music, dance and socializing with his friends, Joseph Gribble and Connie Souphanousinphone. Although at times Bobby is seen as odd by his parents and peers, he maintains a remarkable talent with people, particularly with girls, who find him cute and entertaining. Using these talents, Bobby aspires to be a prop comic like his hero "Celery Head" (a parody of Carrot TopCarrot Top
Scott Thompson , better known by his stage name Carrot Top, is an American comedian known for his bright red hair, prop comedy, and self-deprecating humor.-Early years:...
) and a "ladies man". Bobby displays a natural talent as a marksman
Marksman
A marksman is a person who is skilled in precision, or a sharpshooter shooting, using projectile weapons, such as with a rifle but most commonly with a sniper rifle, to shoot at long range targets...
, shown in "How to Fire a Rifle Without Really Trying" and "To Kill a Ladybird". Bobby is generally very passive and is occasionally a victim of bullies. However, Bobby speaks out on issues concerning love.
Father-Son-Relationship Theme
Many episodes focus on the development of the relationship between Bobby and Hank, a double actDouble act
A double act, also known as a comedy duo, is a comic pairing in which humor is derived from the uneven relationship between two partners, usually of the same gender, age, ethnic origin and profession, but drastically different personalities or behavior...
. Bobby is not talented as an athlete or a craftsman like his father is. As a result, Hank doubts his masculine identity and normalcy, tacitly and with side-of-the-mouth remarks. often lamenting "That boy ain't right." Bobby is saddened by his father's lack of appreciation for the arts and his comedy routines. The two struggle to find common interests. However, Hank and Bobby find common interest in Texas, meat, propane, shooting and golfing, among other things as the show progresses. Despite differences, Hank and Bobby have a close relationship. Bobby considers his father as his hero.
Character Development
The London Free PressLondon Free Press
The London Free Press is a daily newspaper based in London, Ontario, Canada.The London Free Press began as the Canadian Free Press, founded by William Sutherland in 1847. It first began printing as a weekly newspaper in 1849. In 1852, it was purchased for $500 by Josiah Blackburn, who renamed it...
states that he "might be the most complex, fully formed kid in TV history."
Reception
In their book "Abnormal Child Psychology", authors Eric J. Mash and David Allen Wolfe discussed the misconception that eating sugar contributes to ADHD. Certain media portrayals, including the events surrounding Bobby in the episode "Peggy's Turtle Song", are noted. In the book "People of the century" by CBS NewsCBS News
CBS News is the news division of American television and radio network CBS. The current chairman is Jeff Fager who is also the executive producer of 60 Minutes, while the current president of CBS News is David Rhodes. CBS News' flagship program is the CBS Evening News, hosted by the network's main...
, they described Bobby as the "anti-Bart" (referring to Bart Simpson
Bart Simpson
Bartholomew JoJo "Bart" Simpson is a fictional main character in the animated television series The Simpsons and part of the Simpson family. He is voiced by actress Nancy Cartwright and first appeared on television in The Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night" on April 19, 1987...
) while discussing how other characters have tried to "claim Bart's place of honor."
Voice actress Pamela Adlon
Pamela Adlon
Pamela Fionna Adlon is a Jewish-American actress, voice actress, and producer. She is sometimes credited as Pamela Segall, Pamela S. Adlon and Pamela Segall Adlon...
received highly positive reception for her portrayal of Bobby. She received an Emmy for her role in the episode "Bobby Goes Nuts
Bobby Goes Nuts
"Bobby Goes Nuts" is the 105th episode in the FOX animated television series King of the Hill, and was broadcast as the 6th season premiere. This episode is rated TV-PG for offensive language and violence .-Plot:...
", the only actor in the series to have won one. IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
editor Talmadge Blevins quotes a line spoken by Bobby, "That's my purse! I don't know you!", describing it as one of the "most memorable lines ever uttered on television."
In 2002, TV Guide
TV Guide
TV Guide is a weekly American magazine with listings of TV shows.In addition to TV listings, the publication features television-related news, celebrity interviews, gossip and film reviews and crossword puzzles...
ranked Bobby Hill number 48 on its '50 Greatest Cartoon Characters of All Time' list.