King of the Hill/A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Clown

A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Clown
Season 10, Episode 5
Airdate	December 4, 2005
Production Number	9ABE16
Written by	Christy Stratton
Directed by	Kyounghee Lim
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King of the Hill — Season Ten

A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Clown is the fifth episode of the tenth season of King of the Hill, and the one hundred ninety-first episode overall.

Starring: Mike Judge (Hank Hill), Kathy Najimy (Peggy Hill), Pamela S. Adlon (Bobby Hill, Clark Peters, Alejandro), Brittany Murphy (Luanne Platter), Johnny Hardwick (Dale Gribble), Stephen Root (Bill Dauterive)

Special Guest Voice: Paul F. Tompkins (Professor Twilley)

Also Starring: Dennis Burkley (Principal Moss), Ashley Gardner (Reverend Stroup, Leza), David Herman (Boris), Ashley Johnson (Emily), Jonathan Joss (John Redcorn), Breckin Meyer (Joseph Gribble), Lauren Tom (Miss Dilworth, Connie Souphanousinphone)

Plot Overview

In order to quell his comedic urges, Hank lets Bobby enrol clown school. However, the teachings of the professor makes Bobby question his comedic instincts.

Meanwhile, everyone plays kickball in the street when a stray ball wanders into the alley.

Notes

Stinger Quote

• Hank: I thought I smelled corn and this confirms it.

Seen, But Not Heard

• Boomhauer

• Dooley

Music

• Salt-n-Pepa - "Push It"

Trivia

Allusions and References

• The episode title is a play on the 1916 James Joyce novel A Portrait Of The Artist As A Young Man.

Memorable Moments

• Hank gets stopped outside the auditorium by Emily. She spots someone running the hallway and orders Hank to stay while she deals with them. Hank complies, but after a moment he questions aloud, "What am I doing?" and proceeds to enter.

Goofs

• Twilley takes out his phone and dials up Hank's phone at Strickland Propane, but there's no indication how he had the number.

• Hank seems surprised about Twilley being a professor despite Bobby referring to to Professor Twilley earlier.

• When Bobby is seen backstage watching the cheerleaders, he's not seen wearing the dog ears he has on a moment later when Hank sees him.

Quotes

• Reverend Stroup: And that is how Jesus taught us not to borrow things from people, then destroy them, then pass them off as missing.

• Peggy: Our son can make people laugh. Some call that a gift. I do as well.

• Hank: But Bobby can't go to college. He's 13.

Luanne: Sometimes you don't have to be college years old. There was a kid in my history class that was 12. I liked him. Whenever I would answer a question in class, he would laugh. I went to his birthday party.

• Bill: You know, I had a picture of a clown above my bed growing up. I thought it was God for the longest time.

• Dale: I've done extermination for three different Bozos. Nice guys, but do not get them started on gay marriage.

• Bobby: I'll start studying these right away. Uh, wait. This one's not in English.

Twilley: You're welcome.

• Bobby: I sit at the table, yet my proper position is by your feet. What manner of scamp am I?

Luanne: I really don't understand what is happening.

• Bobby: Everyone in the school will be there since we get out of class for it. Even the janitors get to come.

Twilley: I have always wanted to bring classic clowning to the children of Arlen. The janitorial staff will be a bonus.

• Bobby: The old "pencil in the can" bit. Always funny. Don't know why.