Today is the 70th birthday of David Hasselhoff, “The Hoff”. And I thought it would make a nice birthday present to him (as if he would ever see this!) to induct him into the Television Crossover Hall of Fame as a member of the League of Themselves. (Especially since his buddy K.I.T.T. was inducted two weeks ago as the July 2022 showcase.)
THE HOFF
From Wikipedia:
David Michael Hasselhoff (born July 17, 1952), nicknamed "The Hoff", is an American actor, singer, producer, television personality, and businessman. He has set a Guinness World Record as the most watched man on TV. Hasselhoff first gained recognition on ‘The Young and The Restless’ (1975–1982), playing the role of Dr. Snapper Foster. His career continued with his leading role as Michael Knight on ‘Knight Rider’ (1982–1986) and as L.A. County Lifeguard Mitch Buchannon in ‘Baywatch’ (1989–2000). He also produced ‘Baywatch’ from the 1990s until 2001 when the series ended with ‘Baywatch Hawaii’.
He was a celebrity cast member on the eleventh season of ‘Dancing with the Stars’ which increased in ratings by 36% from the previous year and served as a judge on NBC's ‘America's Got Talent’ from 2006 to 2009. In 2011, he joined the ‘Britain's Got Talent’ judging panel, as the additional fourth judge.
Hasselhoff became a judge on ‘Britain's Got Talent’ in 2011 alongside Amanda Holden, Michael McIntyre and Simon Cowell. However, Hasselhoff was axed after only one series on the show and was replaced by David Walliams.
Hasselhoff and his daughters, Taylor-Ann and Hayley, starred in a reality series on A&E called ‘The Hasselhoffs’. The series launched on December 5, 2010, and focused on Hasselhoff's attempts to resuscitate his career and launch his daughters onto the Hollywood stage. (On December 10, 2010, A&E confirmed in a statement that, after airing just two episodes, ‘The Hasselhoffs’ had been canceled.)
Here are the shows in which Hasselhoff either appeared as himself or was mentioned by TV characters in other shows which verify the existence of his televersion in Earth Prime-Time… and perhaps in other TV dimensions as well.
David Michael Hasselhoff (born July 17, 1952), nicknamed "The Hoff", is an American actor, singer, producer, television personality, and businessman. He has set a Guinness World Record as the most watched man on TV. Hasselhoff first gained recognition on ‘The Young and The Restless’ (1975–1982), playing the role of Dr. Snapper Foster. His career continued with his leading role as Michael Knight on ‘Knight Rider’ (1982–1986) and as L.A. County Lifeguard Mitch Buchannon in ‘Baywatch’ (1989–2000). He also produced ‘Baywatch’ from the 1990s until 2001 when the series ended with ‘Baywatch Hawaii’.
Hasselhoff has also worked as a talent show judge on television shows such as ‘America's Got Talent’ (2006–2009) and ‘Britain's Got Talent’ (2011).
He was a celebrity cast member on the eleventh season of ‘Dancing with the Stars’ which increased in ratings by 36% from the previous year and served as a judge on NBC's ‘America's Got Talent’ from 2006 to 2009. In 2011, he joined the ‘Britain's Got Talent’ judging panel, as the additional fourth judge.
Hasselhoff appeared as a contestant on season 11 of ‘Dancing with the Stars’. His professional dance partner was Kym Johnson. On September 21, 2010, they were the first couple eliminated from the competition.
Hasselhoff became a judge on ‘Britain's Got Talent’ in 2011 alongside Amanda Holden, Michael McIntyre and Simon Cowell. However, Hasselhoff was axed after only one series on the show and was replaced by David Walliams.
On February 24, 2014, he opened his own 10-week talk show in Sweden on TV3, in English. A similar show was later recorded in Finland, premiering on Sub on April 2, 2015.
On New Year's Eve he performed again at the Brandenburg Gate, arriving late because his plane was diverted to Hannover.
Hasselhoff and his daughters, Taylor-Ann and Hayley, starred in a reality series on A&E called ‘The Hasselhoffs’. The series launched on December 5, 2010, and focused on Hasselhoff's attempts to resuscitate his career and launch his daughters onto the Hollywood stage. (On December 10, 2010, A&E confirmed in a statement that, after airing just two episodes, ‘The Hasselhoffs’ had been canceled.)
In 2014, UK channel Dave announced that it had commissioned ‘Hoff the Record’, a sitcom series in which Hasselhoff plays a fictionalized version of himself. The series started airing on June 18, 2015.
Here are the shows in which Hasselhoff either appeared as himself or was mentioned by TV characters in other shows which verify the existence of his televersion in Earth Prime-Time… and perhaps in other TV dimensions as well.
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
O’Bservations:
So far, this show – and ‘The View’ – are the only talk shows which have had their televersions inducted into the TVXOHOF. It wasn’t just that they were often mentioned in other shows, but they were fictionalized in the storyline of episodes as well. That’s why they’re both included.
However, TVXOHOF member Johnny wasn't hosting that night. Fellow hall member Joan Rivers had the honors. (Hasselhoff was in good company - Carson wasn't there for the one chance to be with the Beatles.)
Santa Barbara
Diff'rent Strokes
- Hooray for Hollywood: Part 2 (1984)
Kids Incorporated
Moone Boy
O’Bservation:
The series takes place in Northern Ireland in 1989. The Hoff was seen at the Berlin Wall as it comes down.
The Muppets:
Saturday Night Live
O’Bservation:
As the anchor of “Weekend News Update” on the long-running sketch show, MacDonald spent weeks setting up The Hoff’s appearance on the show. Every WNU had one story about Hasselhoff in connection to how the fans worship him in Germany. All of these screenshots leading up to the pay-off would end with: “Which once again proves my theory that the Germans love David Hasselhoff."
It culminated with this 1994 episode....
Norm MacDonald:
David Hasselhoff:
Thank you! Thank you very much! [laughs at all the applause] My recent world tour was an incredible experience. I went to twenty-one countries in just fifteen days and I’ve got some amazing stories to tell. In Japan, for instance-instance, I was invited to the state dinner at the Emperor’s Palace. What I didn’t know was the emp–
Norm MacDonald:
Hey! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Hang on a second. Did you just say Japan?
David Hasselhoff:
Yes, I did.
Norm MacDonald:
Yeah, well, no offense, you know, but I don’t think anybody cares about Japan. Why don’t you, ah, why don’t you focus on the countries where you’re, you know, you’re popular?
David Hasselhoff:
Oh. Well, in China we had an incredible experience. The entire cast of “Baywatch” was invited to the Great Wall where hundreds of thousands of Chinese people were chanting in unison, ”Baywatch, Ba–”
Norm MacDonald:
Whoaaaaa, whoaaa. Wait, wait. Chinese people?
David Hasselhoff:
Yes, of course.
Norm MacDonald:
Look, why don’t we skip China? In fact, rule out all of Asia.
David Hasselhoff:
Okay, okay. Well, I mean, what do you want to hear about? I mean, I’ve got some great stories from all over the world.
Norm MacDonald:
Oh, yeah? I was thinking, you know, ah, some place where you’re especially popular, you know, like in, uh, Europe.
David Hasselhoff:
Oh! Well, in Italy–
Norm MacDonald:
Northern Europe, Northern Europe!
David Hasselhoff:
Oh, I got you. I got you. Okay. I got you. There’s one country that they absolutely love me — Norway.
Norm MacDonald:
Norway?! What, are you crazy?! They like everybody in Norway! Nobody gives a damn about Norway! What the hell’s wrong with ya?
David Hasselhoff:
Look, ah, what’s going on here? I’ve never seen you like this.
Norm MacDonald:
Well, ahhhh, to tell you the truth, you know, I didn’t want to be the one to bring it up but, uh, what about Germany? I mean, how do the- how do the Germans feel about ya?
David Hasselhoff:
Well, on this trip, we actually didn’t stop in Germany–
Norm MacDonald:
I don’t care about your stupid trip!! Look, just tell me how you would characterize– in one sentence — the way Germans feel about you.
David Hasselhoff:
Well, I’ve always been fortunate to get a very positive response from the Germans–
Norm MacDonald:
Oh, my God! This is no time for false modesty! We’re runnin’ late, we gotta wrap this thing up! Do Germans love you?
David Hasselhoff:
Well, “love” is an awfully strong word…
Norm MacDonald: [hand to head]
Oh, listen, David, uh… Let’s say a guy had a theory, all right?
David Hasselhoff:
All right.
Norm MacDonald:
A theory that he’s devoted several years of his life to. And let’s say he has a lot of evidence to back up this theory of his.
David Hasselhoff:
All right.
Norm MacDonald: [puts a large pile of documents, file folders, etc., on desk — Hasselhoff is stunned]
Now, don’t you think it would just be common courtesy to help that guy out, you know, and not – not ruin his life?
David Hasselhoff:
Listen, I don’t know what you want me to say here, pal.
Norm MacDonald:
Oh my God, here, I’ll write it down.
[searches his pockets for a pencil, finds one, scribbles something on a piece of paper and gives it to David]
Here! Say this!
David Hasselhoff: [puzzled, reads from paper]
”Germans love me.”
[Camera pans quickly from Hasselhoff to a beaming MacDonald who addresses the camera.]
Norm MacDonald:
Which once again proves my theory: Germans love David Hasselhoff!
[Cheers and applause.]
And that’s the news! See you next time. Thank you, David. [fusses with his pile of documents]
David Hasselhoff: [waves good-bye]
Auf wiedersehen! [?], meine liebe! Auf wiedersehen! Auf wiedersehen!
O'Bservation:
You are missed, Norm.Very Important Pennis
- Very Important Pennis: Part 2 (1996)
Action
- Mr. Dragon Goes to Washington (1999)
Just Shoot Me!
The Kumars at No. 42
Meet the Hasselhoffs
The Hasselhoffs
- Hoff the Record (2010)
- Addiction (2010)
Attack of the Show!
- Original Series Finale (2013)
Newsreaders
- Band Names-R-Us; Put Me in Coach (2014)
- Jellyfish Sting Clinic; David Hasselhoff (2015)
Unusually Thicke
- Walk of Shame (2014)
NCIS: Los Angeles
O’Bservation:
The suspect was hoping to get cosmetic surgery so that he would look like The Hoff. (The doctor did say the photo was just a guideline....)
Hoff the Record
- The United Nations (2015)
- The Movie (2015)
- The Horror (2016)
- Finance (2016)
- Wedding (2016)
- Divorce (2016)
- Rehab (2016)
The View
Nightcap
Young Sheldon
TOONIVERSE
Close Enough
- So Long Boys/Clap Like This (2020)
BORDERLANDS
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004)
O’Bservation:
This exists in both the Cineverse and in a Borderland which combines live-action with animation.
SpongeBob SquarePants
- SpongeBob's Big Birthday Blowout (2019)
ALT. TOOBWORLDS
The West Wing
- 20 Hours in L.A. (2000)
Welcome to the TVXOHOF, Hoff!
Happy birthday!
