Joseph John Gribble (born September 29, 1985) is Dale and Nancy's son, Bobby Hill's best friend, and the Tom Landry Middle School football team quarterback. His biological father is John Redcorn.

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Description

Joseph John Gribble is the best friend and neighbor of Bobby Hill. John Redcorn is his biological father, whom he closely resembles; his conception was the result of the 15-year affair between John Redcorn and Joseph's mother, Nancy Hicks-Gribble. Joseph was conceived while Dale was out investigating the Marfa Lights, leading Dale to conclude in one episode that aliens actually impregnated Nancy.

John Redcorn occasionally visits Joseph-- a running gag in early episodes was that whenever Joseph or Dale would mention their relationship as father and son, John Redcorn would appear. In the episode where Dale takes Joseph on his first deer hunt, John Redcorn appears to present Joseph with a hunting knife given to him by his father, and to impart some wisdom about respecting nature and thanking it for the gift of the deer he would slaughter. At one point, he also gives Joseph a ceremonial headdress. Despite all this, Dale seems to have no idea that Joseph is not his biological son and neither does Joseph (attributing Joseph's coloring to a Jamaican grandmother), and he and Joseph enjoy a very close relationship. In "Spin the Choice", it is implied ambiguously that Nancy finally did tell Joseph, as she takes him aside saying "it's time we talked". Then Joseph tells John Redcorn he knows they are both "alike". Even though its implied Joseph knows, he still calls Dale 'Dad' and looks up to him, later telling everyone he feels guilty being a descendant of "white men" (possibly assuming the others don't know)

In early episodes, Joseph acts a typical American teen, usually quite bright and resourceful. But he often goes on at length about Dale's conspiracy theories and responding to things with a nasally "Uh-huh!" Normally, he hangs out with Bobby and often relies on him when needs to go ask a girl out. However, he also hangs out with Bobby in order to know more about Luanne Platter, whom he develops a crush on as he is thrust unceremoniously into puberty. Occasionally, he attempts to get closer to Luanne, even if Bobby does not feel comfortable with it. He and Connie Souphanousinphone have shared only a few romantic moments; they held hands when they and Bobby were lost in The Caves; they shared a kiss after Joseph went through puberty, and Connie agreed to go to the middle school dance with him when she was angry with Bobby. Though Connie seems mostly disgusted and annoyed by Joseph, he has admitted to Bobby that he was in love with her. Connie did have feelings for Joseph. This was only mentioned once and never brought up again. As of that point, she never really sees Joseph in a romantic light again.

In later seasons, Joseph's age shows, as he climbs violently into puberty with a growing mustache, and grows 6 inches. Eventually Joseph starts acting quite odd and dim-witted, not to mention clumsy. He also becomes increasingly athletic, as he gets involved in a lacrosse team as the star player and even the school's football team as quarterback; in home he is seen body building. Though Dale is proud of Joseph's fitness, he is also fearful of him. Also, along with this growth spurt appears to have become dumber, as before he used to be sensible and focused, but after will often shout out disturbing ideas: an example being where a fellow student told him about his fruit in his lunch, he suggests they "burn it". It is later suggested he is a pyromaniac, as in a counseling session stating at some points he just wished to burn things burning Hank Hill's lawn in the episode "Hank Gets Dusted" and enthusiastically wanting to shadow Hank at Strickland Propane during the eight grade shadowing fair at school. Joseph's pyromania is also mentioned in the episode "It Ain't Over Til' the Fat Neighbor Sings" when Bobby stated he was going to give Pong to Joseph for him to burn. In the series, Joseph is shown to have a girlfriend named Lori, but the relationship ended when she broke up with him in the episode "When Joseph Met Lori, and Made Out With Her In The Janitor's Closet" due to him not wanting to have sex, which is ironic considering his weirdly obsessive attitude about women.

Despite that John Redcorn has a very sexy vibe and is very appealing to women, Joseph's personality gets in the way as he acts more like Dale. They both believe the conspiracy that Nancy was impregnated by aliens. A running joke is how much more Joseph has in common with Dale than John Redcorn. And this is something that Redcorn finds especially infuriating. However in "Spin The Choice", it is implied that Joseph knows his true father's identity, but may be putting on an act for Dale.

Design

In early seasons, Joseph wears a pale green t-shirt, white shorts, white socks, and teal shoes with black lacing. In later seasons, he wears a pocketed blue t-shirt, brown shorts, white socks, and teal shoes with white lacing, although in some of the later episodes (such as Kidney Boy and Hamster Girl: A Love Story), he is wearing a pocketed pale green t-shirt and white shorts (sometimes with blue shoes instead of teal shoes).

Episode Appearances

Season 1

Season 2

Season 3

Season 4





Season 5

Season 6

Season 7

Season 8

Season 9

Season 10

Season 11

Season 12

Season 13





Gallery





Trivia

Joseph has been in 82 episodes total in King Of The Hill.





Quotes

Pilot When Bobby and Joseph are doing hank impressions.

"I'll tear you a new one."

To Spank, with Love When Bobby, Joseph, and Peggy are gardening.

"Your mom is as cool as most peoples dads."

Naked Ambition When Bobby and Joseph are outside looking at Luanne.

"I got a monkey on my back and it wants to see Luanne naked."

'Twas the Nut Before Christmas When Bobby,Connie, and Joseph are drunk.

"Look at the stars, they're just so many of them."

Bobby Goes Nuts When Joseph gives advice to Bobby before he goes into the detention room.

"My dad says when you are in a jail type situation.

The best thing to do is take out the tallest guy there. That way you establish who's boss right from the get go. Or you can just hang yourself with your pants, he said that's another way to go."

Of Mice and Little Green Men When Dale tells Joseph he's an alien.

"You missed my damn try-outs and you're calling me self absorbed?

The Incredible Hank When Hank and Joseph cross paths in the alley.

"Sup."

Après Hank, le Deluge When Bobby and Joseph are in the school hallway.

"Hey lets go into the girls locker room. And stand where naked girls have stood."

Mutual of Omabwah When Dale and Joseph are selling bee venom.

"Oh my head hurts, but now it doesn't."

Business Is Picking Up When Joseph goes to Hank's display.

"Hey Mr. Hill, I want to do propane."

Grand Theft Arlen When Joseph is helping Bobby exercise.

"Grab the bar you sissified lady snot."

Four Wave Intersection When Hank asks Joseph to go home.

"Uh I can't take it in my house. My dad has heat cranked all the way up. He said something about fighting fire with fire. But it wasn't working for me."

The Courtship of Joseph's Father When Dale won't let Joseph in the house.

"I forgot what you looked like."

Strangeness on a Train When Bobby, Connie, and Joseph are coming up with what to do.

"We should pee in places where pee isn't supposed to go."

Bwah My Nose When Bobby and Joseph are cheering on their dads at practice.

"Awesome folding dad, really square. Dude I can't do it."

Just Another Manic Kahn-Day When Bobby and Joseph find hank's old records.

"Dude, the computer this goes in must be huge."