"It Ain't Over Till The Fat Neighbor Sings" is the one hundred-eighty-sixth episode of King of the Hill. It was first aired on May 15, 2005. The episode was written by Etan Cohen, and directed by Julius Wu. David Herman and Chris Barrie guest star.
Summary[]
Bill joins an all-male chorus that monopolizes his time and puts his military career at risk after he uses up all his vacation and sick leave days for rehearsals and tours. Meanwhile, Peggy and Bobby get caught up in a game of Pong.
Plot[]
After falling asleep in the living room, Bill awakens to a loud noise in his bedroom and finds the roof has collapsed right onto his bed, which could have killed him had he been sleeping in it. The next morning with the guys, Hank lightly scolds Bill for not listening to him about getting his roof fixed but Bill, facing an existential crisis, believes the destroyed roof is a sign from above about needing to find his life's purpose.
Hank takes Bill to the church to find something for Bill to do. Although Reverend Stroup makes clear signs of flirtation toward Bill, he ignores her completely when he hears the Harmonaholics singing in the next room. He manages to catch the group as they are about to leave, and asks if he can join them. Bill is later dropped off in the alley by the Harmonaholics, and he announces to the guys that he was accepted in the group.
Although the guys do not like the idea of Bill being part of an all-male singing group, they decide to support him and Hank goes so far as to stop Dale from insulting Bill from that point on. Over a short montage, Bill is seen spending a great amount of money on matching choir clothes, and using his sick and vacation days at work so he can practice and perform.
After seeing Bill and the group perform, Bill reveals that he's used up all his off days and money to prove his loyalty. Hank becomes concerned hearing this, as he realizes the amount of trouble Bill could get into if the United States Army found out that he has been lying to them. When Bill returns to work, his superior informs him that General Murray will be on the base that evening for a haircut. Bill right away tries to excuse himself from the task, but he is unable to since he has no leave days remaining, and that nobody else is available to cover for him. He is warned to be present to cut the general's hair, or else he will be considered AWOL. Despite the direct warning, Bill leaves work early to join the Harmonaholics for a show in Dallas.
As Hank, Dale, and Boomhauer drink in the alley, Bill's boss, Captain Hart, arrives and asks if they know where Bill is. Hank claims that Bill should be at work after their talk, but Hart replies that Bill is missing and will be court-martialed and dishonorably discharged if he is not back in time to cut General Murray's hair. Hank becomes angered, realizing Bill has decided to be with the Harmonaholics; he determines that it is up to himself, Dale and Boomhauer to find Bill and bring him back to Fort Blanda before Bill gets into trouble. Needing help to find the Harmonaholics, the guys go to one of their volunteer staff members. They learn of the show in Dallas and go there, despite knowing it means sacrificing a football game which they have tickets to attend. Hank also advises the staff member to quit the volunteer group and get a decent job.
They manage to get to the television station that the Harmonaholics are scheduled to appear at, and find Bill before they perform. Even after Hank allows Dale to aggressively insult him (though with no swearing), Bill still refuses to leave the group. Hank is finally able to get through to Bill when he points out how the Harmonaholics have asked Bill to sacrifice so much for them, but have not done the same for him. Bill finally sees the reality of things and leaves the Harmonaholics. He is able to get back to the base to meet General Murray, and learns that he will not get his hair cut by anyone but Bill, causing Bill to realize he always had his true purpose in life.
Meanwhile, Peggy and Bobby get enthralled with a game of electronic Pong. The two become deeply competetive with each other, to the point they both pass out playing against each other.
Characters[]
- Hank Hill
- Peggy Hill
- Bobby Hill
- Bill Dauterive
- Dale Gribble
- Jeff Boomhauer
- Captain Hart
- Karen Stroup
- Luanne Platter (non-speaking)
- Kris
- Joe
- Otto
- Larry
- Brian
- General Murray
- PBS host (voiced by Mike Judge)
- Nancy Gribble (mentioned)
- Dawson (mentioned)
- Lenore Dauterive (indirectly mentioned)
Stinger Quote[]
The Harmonaholics make multiple sound effects and funny noises.
Trivia[]
- The episode title is a pun on the phrase "It ain't over till the fat lady sings."
- Rev. Stroup's attempt to come on to Bill as he falls under the spell of the Harmonaholics foreshadows their eventual relationship in "The Passion of the Dauterive" in Season 11.
- In the Season 4 episode "Hank's Bad Hair Day", Bill continues his barber duties by being disguised as a pinball repairman in an empty building. However, in this episode, he's back in the barber building and is even shown surrounded by several other barbers.
- When Bill is depressed, Hank states that the last time Bill was so gloomy was when Hank spent Christmas pulling his head out of the oven. This is referencing the Season 3 episode "Pretty, Pretty Dresses" where Hank is seen pulling Bill's head out of the oven (as well as trying to stop him from committing suicide in other ways).
- This is the second time PBS was mentioned in the series, the first time being "The Arrowhead", and one of PBS's studios appeared in this episode.
- The following songs are sung by the Harmonaholics in this episode:
- "Singin' in the Rain" by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown
- "Happy Together" by The Turtles
- "Who Put the Bomp (in the Bomp, Bomp, Bomp)" by Barry Mann
Gallery[]
| Season 8 | Season 9 | Season 10 |
A Rover Runs Through It · Ms. Wakefield · Death Buys a Timeshare · Yard, She Blows! · Dale to the Chief · The Petriot Act · Enrique-cilable Differences · Mutual of Omabwah · Care-Takin' Care of Business · Arlen City Bomber · Redcorn Gambles With His Future · Smoking and the Bandit · Gone With the Windstorm · Bobby On Track · It Ain't Over Till The Fat Neighbor Sings | ||