After a run of fourteen seasons, King of the Hill is stepping down from its throne.
Fox officials confirmed the venerable animated series will end its long run during the 2009-10 season, which it is scheduled for thirteen episodes.
The program, created by Mike Judge, was about a propane salesman living in Texas with his wife Peggy and his son Bobby, along with niece Luanne and his three hapless buddies. Judge (who also created the controversial Beavis & Butt-head for MTV) voiced the lead character, Hank Hill in a voice similar to the Tom Andersen character on Beavis.
Hill debuted on January 12, 1997 and became a big success, but instantly faltered when it moved to Tuesday nights during the 1998-99 season, when it went up against ABC’s Home Improvement. Hill moved back to Sundays in the 1999-2000 season, where it has been ever since.
Hill earned $3 million per episode in off-network syndication sales, but the program had been deemed a disappointment for stations, which thus far, has failed to measure up to the syndication success of The Simpsons. Hill is currently in its eighth season in off-net syndication.
Meanwhile, Fox has renewed American Dad for a fifth season, basically ensuring a place for the animated series at the syndication poker table.