LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- FOX isn't done with "King of the Hill" just yet.
Network and studio sources have confirmed that between two and six installments of the series will serve as its official swan song next season.
The news marks the latest chapter in the show's tumultuous golden years. Originally capped at 202 episodes - "Lucky's Wedding Suit," the last episode produced during said run was conceived at the time as a series finale - FOX subsequently ordered two additional 20-episode production cycles (BABE and CABE) before asking for a final lap of 13 episodes (DABE) in April of 2008.
FOX will have aired 253 of the 255 total episodes after its current 13th season wraps on May 17, leaving two still yet to air.
It's understood however that producer 20th Century Fox Television kept the show in production for four additional episodes (DABE14-DABE17) bringing its actual total to 259.
The network nevertheless has yet to license those extra episodes, meaning as few as two or as many as six could air next season. Regardless, all of the completed installments will definitely turn up on DVD.
The situation mirrors the much-ballyhooed 13th episode of "Dollhouse" as well as the two "Final Break" episodes of the departing "Prison Break," both of which FOX has yet to commit to airing.
"Dollhouse" and "Prison Break" are also produced by 20th.
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