DAILY DIRT: Welcome home Al Bundy, Hank Hill and Fred Flintstone

Daily Dirt for Saturday, May 17, 2025

Three of our favorite shows from the past are all returning in animated form … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,286 of The Daily Dirt.

1. They’re ba-a-a-ack. Well, almost.

Three of the most popular television programs from years ago will be returning to the small screen (all in animated form) in the not-too-distant future. All are in production, but no specific date(s) have yet been released for their official returns.

“Married … with Children” will have a slightly new name, “King of the Hill” will have a slightly new approach and “The Flintstones” will have slightly evolved. Here’s how we see the new approach to these shows and how we rank these concepts:

Gold medal: They’re “Still Married … with Children” will return, this time as an animated series. The original “Married … with Children” was a provocative sitcom that focused on the dysfunctional Bundy family. Several attempts had been made to revive the popular sitcom, but all fell through. The plot of “They’re Still Married … with Children” is yet to be announced, but the reboot will likely follow the same storyline as the 1987 show. The original cast will be reprising their roles in the animated reboot. That means the return of Ed O’Neill, Katey Sagal, Christina Applegate and David Faustino.

Silver medal: Fox’s hit animated series “King of the Hill“ was one of the network’s most popular shows in the late 1990s. The show focused on the Hill family and their patriarch, Hank Hill, a propane salesman who lived in Arden, Texas. The revival’s plot hasn’t yet been revealed except that it will feature a 15-year time gap from when the show ended. The time jump will be essential in keeping the show fresh as viewers will get to see the Hill children when they are older. Most of the original cast, including Mike Judge, Kathy Najimy, Pamela Adlon and Johnny Hardwick, will reprise their roles in the reboot.

Bronze medal: “The Flintstones” are returning to animation with two upcoming projects: a new animated movie titled “Meet The Flintstones” and an adult-oriented animated series called “Bedrock,” according to media sources. “Bedrock” will be a sequel to the original “Flintstones” series and is being produced by Fox Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation. 

2. Did you know (Part 365)

• That the development of “The Flintstones” was influenced quite heavily by Jackie Gleason’s “Honeymooners”.
• That the Flintstones’ iconic theme song did not arrive until the program’s third season.
• That original titles for the show were “The Flagstones” and “The Gladstones”.
• That Ed O’Neill’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is, fittingly, in front of a shoe store.
• That in an episode of “King of the Hill,” Bobby Hill had a Bart Simpson doll on his bookshelf.

3. If you’re ever in a disagreement with someone and in need of the ultimate comeback, try this:

“You’re not the dumbest person on the planet, but you sure better hope he never dies.”

Steve Thought O’ The Day — Where do hamsters live other than a pet store? I’ve never really seen one in the wild.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. He’s getting his own animated series entitled “Steve Eighinger: Hamster Hunter”.