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During the ATX TV Festival in Austin, anticipation for the "King of the Hill" revival was palpable as fans gathered to hear from the creators and cast. Scheduled to moderate the panel, I had the chance to preview the first two episodes of the new series, revealing significant changes: Hank and Peggy are retired, and Bobby has become a successful 21-year-old sushi chef. Among the notable supporting characters, neighbor Nancy Gribble and her secret lover, John Redcorn, played by Jonathan Joss, appear in the second episode. However, Joss was not included in the panel's discussion. The small panel was led by creators Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, joined by actors Pamela Adlon, Toby Huss, and Lauren Tom.

The conversation turned to the late Johnny Hardwick, who had voiced Dale Gribble since the show's inception. Judge and Daniels entrusted Toby Huss, who originally voiced other characters, to take over as Dale. Huss expressed his gratitude and respect for Hardwick's contribution, saying, "We love our guy, Johnny, and so sad he's not here." At this poignant moment, Jonathan Joss unexpectedly rose from the audience and approached one of the microphones, set up for the upcoming Q&A session.

Initially appearing to pay tribute to Hardwick, Joss instead began to address grievances about being prevented from standing near the mic and launched into personal tangents about his home burning down and his ongoing struggles. His impromptu speech left the panel and the audience momentarily stunned, but he finally concluded by emphasizing Hardwick's integral role in creating his beloved character.

Joss' interruption, though unsettling, was handled without intervention from security. After the panel resumed, the audience Q&A was canceled, and the event ended with a promotional stint by Judge and Adlon in character voices. Backstage, the consensus was that allowing Joss to speak was the right decision.

Just two days later, the news of Jonathan Joss' death shocked everyone. The official statement from Judge, Daniels, and executive producer Saladin Patterson extended condolences to his family and friends, celebrating his contributions to "King of the Hill." Contrary to some press reports, Joss was upset about not being on the panel, not being excluded from the new season. Additionally, earlier reports falsely suggested security had stopped him from speaking.

Details surrounding Joss' death remain unclear, with ongoing investigations hinting at a possible hate crime. San Antonio police arrested Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja, Joss' neighbor, in connection with the killing, highlighting a long-standing dispute between them. NBC News noted frequent police interventions at their home labeled as disturbances.

In tribute to Hardwick, "King of the Hill" plans an on-screen acknowledgement in Episode 6. Discussions are underway to determine if a similar tribute for Joss will follow.