'Twas the Nut Before Christmas

'Twas the Nut Before Christmas
Air date	December 17, 2000
Written by	John Altschuler & Dave Krinsky
Directed by	Jeff Myers
Episode guide
Previous	What Makes Bobby Run?
Next	Chasing Bobby

'Twas the Nut Before Christmas is the ninety-second episode of King of the Hill. It was first aired on December 17, 2000. The episode was written by John Altschuler and Dave Krinsky, and directed by Jeff Myers.

Synopsis

Bill opens a Christmas village in his yard for the holiday. Hank is relieved that Bill hasn't gone into another seasonal suicidal tailspin, as in "Pretty, Pretty Dresses." But Bill is so entranced by the magic of the holiday that he keeps it going long after Christmas is over.

His Christmas spirit gets the attention of a single mother with two children, which would be a fantasy come true for Bill. However, he also gets the attention of a teenage slacker who plays on Bill's emotions. Bill sees him as a "wayward waif" and a surrogate son. It's clear to everyone else that the youth is using Bill for money and alcohol; this leads to Bobby, Connie and Joseph getting buzzed in the bounce house Bill set up. Bill however, refuses to believe this. Bill eventually does come to his senses and convinces Wally, the slacker, that he's better off enlisting in the military than going to jail.

Stinger Quote

• "Valet of the Dales is not responsible for lost or stolen articles." - Dale
• "Did he find an adorable way to peel out on my lawn?" - Hank ("What Makes Bobby Run?" DVD Release Only, Fools!)

Characters

• Hank Hill
• Peggy Hill
• Bobby Hill
• Luanne Platter
• Dale Gribble
• Joseph Gribble
• Jeff Boomhauer
• Bill Dauterive
• Kahn Souphanousinphone
• Connie Souphanousinphone
• Wally (cameo)
• Marilyn (cameo)
• Sam (cameo)
• Emma (cameo)
• Arlen Midget (cameo)
• Poster Worker (cameo)
• Unnamed Woman (cameo) - She is the voice of Kathryn Harrold.

Goofs

• When Hank catches Bobby, Connie and Joseph drinking in the jumping house, he tells them to go home. In one shot, there is a basketball in front of the jumping house when the children are putting their shoes on, but when they walk away, it's mysteriously in Joseph's hands.

• When Hank is confronting Bill about Wally, Bill's gloves are red in one frame and pink in the rest.

Trivia

• The episode's title is a pun and a reference to the classic and beloved Christmas poem, "Twas' the Night Before Christmas."
• Hank had his belt sander warranty card in his pocket when he found it at Bill's. This implies Hank carries his warranty cards with him everywhere (and doesn't keep them in his wallet).