Hogan Knows Best
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| Hogan Knows Best | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Reality |
| Running time | 30 Minutes |
| Creator(s) | N/A |
| Starring | Hulk Hogan Linda Hogan Brooke Hogan Nick Hogan |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original channel | VH1 |
| Original run | July 10, 2005–present |
| No. of episodes | 21 (to date) |
Hogan Knows Best is an American reality television show, centered around the family life of professional wrestling legend Hulk Hogan (Terry Bollea), and often focusing on the Hogans' raising of their children, and on Hulk Hogan's attempts to manage and assist in his children's burgeoning careers. The series premiered on July 10, 2005 with a 1.9 (cable Nielsen rating), representing the largest audience for a VH1 premiere ever. It began airing on CMT in early 2006 and also airs on TMF and MTV in the UK, TVtropolis in Canada, MTV Italia in Italy (in English with Italian subtitles), MTV Central in Germany and Austria (in English with German subtitles), VH1 and MTV Portugal in Portugal (in English with Portuguese subtitles).
The show was originally pitched and offered to Hulk Hogan prior to his famous WrestleMania X8 "Icon vs. Icon" match with The Rock in 2002, and would chronicle Hogan's return to World Wrestling Entertainment after the demise of World Championship Wrestling and surgery on both of his knees, but Hogan refused. However, after later seeing the success of pop stars such as Hilary Duff and Britney Spears, Hogan accepted a deal to do the show as a way to help promote daughter Brooke's singing career.
Contents |
[edit] Cast
- Hulk Hogan is represented on the show as a strict and protective father, in particular with regards of the opposite sex being anywhere near his daughter, Brooke. On more than one occasion, he has schemed ways to spy on her when hanging out with guys. However, because of a competition involving finding the right boyfriend for Brooke, Terry wanted to win so badly that he actually encouraged Brooke to be together with the boy he chose for her. His career as a wrestler has taken its toll on his body, including weak knees and an artificial hip replacement, though he still works out in order to maintain his physique. In an effort to conceal his baldness, he always wears a hat or bandana.
- Linda Hogan is Hogan's wife. An ardent animal lover, she temporarily took a baby chimpanzee into the house in one episode, and seriously considered adopting it. Of she and Hulk, she is the more lenient parent. She has serious reservations about Hulk returning to the ring, and about her son contemplating a wrestling career.
- Brooke Hogan is Hulk and Linda's teen-age daughter whose often at odds with her parents over issues such as dating, living her life like a normal teen-aged girl, and privacy. An aspiring pop music singer, she recently produced a new song to kick off her career, and signed a $1.3 million contract when she turned eighteen years old[citation needed]. Hulk's nickname for her is "Brook-teeny."
- Nick Hogan is Hulk and Linda's son, who is two years younger than Brooke. Nick is always up to his antics. Although Nick and Brooke have an amicable relationship overall, there are moments when they take pleasure in tattling and getting one another in trouble. Nick aspires to be a professional wrestler, though his father has encouraged him to take acting lessons in order to improve his sense of showmanship. Nick also is involved in race car driving for Dodge. He is now a professional drifter. He got his Formula Drift license in 2006.
[edit] Recurring themes
- The family keeps over thirty pets, including dogs, cats, birds, chinchillas, and their affinity for animals has been the source of conflict of more than one episode.
- The cast often talks to the audience.
- A close-knit family, they often end episodes by assembling into a huddle as a way of signifying that they are a team.
- Promoting Brooke's attempts to become a singer.
[edit] Seasons
[edit] Season One
- 1.1 Brooke's First Date
Original air date: July 10, 2005
Hulk reluctantly allows his 16-year-old daughter Brooke to go out with a 22-year-old friend of his son Nick, but only after putting a GPS tracking device on Brooke's car. Even this isn't enough, however, when Nick "remembers" details of the friend's nipple rings, parties, and trips to nude "gay" beaches.
- 1.2 Nick's Girlfriend
Original air date: July 17, 2005
Hulk laments the amount of time Nick is spending with his new girlfriend, Ashley, and attempts to stir up trouble by introducing him to another girl. Later, the whole family freaks out when condoms are discovered in Nick's room.
- 1.3 Brooke's Big Break
Original air date: July 24, 2005
Hulk tries to arrange a meeting between Brooke, an aspiring pop singer, with a manager in an attempt to further her career. He has some success, and later brings the family to the Grammy Awards to interact with music industry personalities.
- 1.4 WrestleMania
Original air date: July 31, 2005
WWE Chairman and former boss Vince McMahon invites Hulk to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Hulk agrees, but Vince asks Hulk to return to the ring during WrestleMania 21. His family is concerned by this event, because of Hulk's many career injuries, and worry that he will want to return full-time. The appearance goes well, and the family goes backstage to witness their dad's transformation into The Hulkster.
- 1.5 Romantic Getaway
Original air date: August 14, 2005
Hulk and Linda take a vacation, leaving Brooke and Nick under the care of former wrestler and friend "Nasty Boy" Brian Knobbs.
- 1.6 Hogans Versus City Hall
Original air date: August 21, 2005
The Hogans take on the city council after a neighbor complains about their pets.
- 1.7 Hulk's Hobbies
Original air date: September 4, 2005
With years on the road wrestling, Hulk has always had an outlet for his energy and aggression. Now that he's home, he's bored and driving his family nuts. So Linda, Brooke, and Nick all try to find Hulk a hobby.
[edit] Season Two
- 2.1 Brooke Breaks Away
Original air date: March 19, 2006
Fed up with the craziness of the household and her family's constant interference in every aspect of her life, Brooke pleads to go on a trip to LA or Miami. Instead, she is allowed to spend the weekend with a friend at the nearby family beach house while Hulk and Linda promise to respect her privacy. But Hulk's overprotective gene acts up immediately and he begins spying on her every move. When he finds something he's not supposed to, family tensions erupt.
- 2.2 Kids Get A Reality Check
Original air date: March 26, 2006
Hulk and Linda are tired of Brooke and Nick's carefree spending and their lack of help around the house. In an effort to teach the kids a sense of responsibility and show them the value of a dollar, Hulk lands them jobs at the local diner.
- 2.3 Family Vacation
Original air date: April 2, 2006
It's time for the annual Hogan family vacation to Key West. Hulk and Linda are used to the family sticking together, but now the kids are older and want to ditch mom and dad. Hulk and Linda give them a few hours to tour the streets after Nick promises to watch over his sister. But Brooke goes off to the beach by herself and doesn't check in with the family. Hulk and Linda fret about Brooke's disappearance and the fraying family ties. Hulk will do anything to bring the family back together, even if it means going to a drag show!
- 2.4 Nick Gets The Bug
Original air date: April 9, 2006
Nick has always admired his Dad's career in the wrestling ring. While at a WWE show, Nick gets a first hand lesson from some world class wrestlers and asks Hulk if he can get into the family business. After Dad shows him the tricks of the trade, Nick gets the bug and pushes Dad to set up a real match. Linda and Hulk fear what might happen to a 15 year old in the ring. So Hulk diverts Nick by showing him the importance of showmanship and signs him up for acting lessons.
- 2.5 Hogans Go Hollywood
Original air date: April 16, 2006
Through Hulk's business savvy, the entire Hogan clan gets cast in a movie –– Little Hercules in 3D. Hulk plays the Greek God Zeus. Nick, now interested in an acting career, plays a leading villain. Linda is a sexy secretary and Brooke performs a song at a high school dance. They're all in the limelight, but things aren't perfect on the set. Brooke attracts the attention of an older man and choreographs a risque dance routine. So Hulk needs to spend more time watching over her than working on his own lines.
- 2.6 Anniversary Surprise
Original air date: April 23, 2006
Hulk and Linda are celebrating 23 years of marriage and Linda wants to mark the occasion by taking ballroom dancing lessons. Hulk reluctantly agrees but walks out on Linda when she jokingly insults his technique. He becomes even more incensed when she continues to go to class without him. Can the children reconcile the couple before the big anniversary date?
- 2.7 The Hogan Boyfriend Test
Original air date: April 30, 2006
Brooke is practicing her songs for a big showcase at a Miami nightclub and she asks Jerry, a fellow touring musician, to come to Florida to help her prepare. But it seems that Jerry is more than just a friend. Hulk gets worried he may no longer be the main man in Brooke's life. So he decides to put Jerry through various tests of manhood to see if he's Hogan material.
- 2.8 Twilight of A God
Original air date: May 7, 2006
Hulk's wrestling career is winding down and it takes more than ever to stay on top, including nerve injections to reduce pain in his back and laser treatments to keep a youthful look. After a particular bloody match, the family begs Hulk to find a new way to make a living. Hulk decides to try the corporate route, doing commercials, endorsing energy drinks and creating a new product where he can finally make peace with a lost opportunity from his past.
- 2.9 Rent-A-Guru
Original air date: May 21, 2006
Linda's feeling lethargic and overweight and thinks she needs advice beyond Hulk's "train hard, say your prayers and eat your vitamins." She hires a new age guru to visit the house and give all the Hogans a healthy lifestyle makeover. The guru tries to replace all the items in the Hogan refrigerator and helps cleanse the property of "hungry ghosts." But when the guru suggests colonics for everyone, Hulk decides he's had enough and schemes with the rest of the family to break free of the guru's hold.
- 2.10 Monkey Business
Original air date: May 28, 2006
Linda's love for animals gets the best of her when she learns about a baby monkey in need of a home. Her maternal instincts kick in as she brings the adorable but mischievous monkey into the Hogan home for a trial adoption without Hulk's permission. Once Hulk discovers the monkey, he tries to share his personal space with a primate. But the monkey may be a little too much for all the Hogans to handle.
- 2.11 Nick's Growing Pains
Original air date: June 4, 2006
Nick turns 15 and is eager to get his learner's permit so he can drive legally. But Hulk and Linda worry he is growing up too fast. After getting in trouble with a local cop and staying out past his curfew, Hulk puts the smackdown on Nick's driving dreams. Can Nick work his way back into Dad's good graces?
- 2.12 Brooke Signs A Record Deal
Original air date: June 11, 2006
Brooke Hogan has been furiously recording with many top producers in the music industry in an effort to find the magic mix to get a record deal. But it's been a tough process. Hulk has spent a lot of money paying for all the recordings and networking to get her signed but he's getting dismayed. Finally, Brooke attracts the interest of hot pop producer Scott Storch, who has worked with 50 Cent, Beyonce and Fat Joe. Could Brooke finally have her big break?
- 2.13 Brooke's Video Dreams
Original air date: June 25, 2006
Although Brooke has signed a $1.3 million record deal, her parents continue to micromanage her career. The Hogans buy a new house in Miami and plan to move there to accommodate Brooke's budding career. Hulk and Linda offer dance tips even though Brooke has a hot new choreographer. And they monitor Brooke's diet to make sure she avoids fatty foods even though Brooke says she knows how to take care of herself. When she celebrates her 18th birthday, Brooke decides she wants more of a role in guiding her own career. When she goes into the studio to shoot the video for her first single with the rapper Paul Wall, she's determined to do it her way. Will her parents finally recognize some boundaries?
[edit] Season Three
- 3.1 The Big Move
Original air date: October 22, 2006
There's no music industry in sleepy Clearwater, Florida so the Hogans decide to pick up and move to Miami Beach, where Brooke's record label, studio and producer are located. They pack up their animals, cars and 13 years of memories and trade their castle-like mansion for a sleek Miami Beach abode. But when the Hogans finally survey the new place, they discover that the $12 million house is full of problems, and Hulk and Linda wonder whether leaving Clearwater was such a good move.
- 3.2 Hogans on the High Seas
Original air date: October 29, 2006
The family wants to celebrate Hulk's 53rd birthday so they decide to take him on a surprise cruise. But Hulk throws a temper tantrum because he hates cruise ships. Everywhere he goes he's followed by hundreds of fans wanting to take his picture or get an autograph. Will Hulk have a happy birthday or will he throw the other passengers overboard?
- 3.3 Brooke Faces the Music
Original air date: November 5, 2006
Brooke is spending endless nights in the recording studio and traveling constantly to promote her upcoming album. It's happening too quickly for her to handle. One night in the studio, producer Scott Storch is disappointed with Brooke's performance and questions if she really has what it takes to succeed in the music business. Hulk challenges her to get back on track.
- 3.4 Koshermania
Original air date: November 12,2006
At their old house in Clearwater, the Hogans had problems with their neighbors. But in Miami Beach, they vow it's going to be different. Linda drags Hulk to meet the neighbors but the Hogans don't know what it means when the neighbors say they keep kosher. When Linda demands to throw a block party barbeque, Hulk and Nick must figure out how to find kosher food before the guests arrive in order to avoid another neighborhood controversy.
- 3.5 Brooke's Dating Game
Original air date: November 19, 2006
Linda daydreams out loud about who would make the perfect man for Brooke. Hulk squirms at the idea of Brooke dating, but a conversation turns into a competition as Nick, Linda, and Hulk challenge one other over who knows Brooke the best. Things heat up when each family member invites their idea of the perfect guy to the house.
[edit] Production Information
Throughout the episodes of Hogan Knows Best there is a recurring theme to which his family wants Hogan to abstain from physical wrestling events due to his age, previous injuries, and the threat of a debilitating injury should he continue. This has led Hogan to allow endorsement opportunities to be presented to him on the show.
Hogan has sponsored an energy drink, dubbed "Hulk Energy" which features his likeness and a common energy drink formula and selling point. Hogan has joked on the show that he missed out on an endorsement that would have put the "Hulk" name on the George Foreman Grill and that he lost millions because of it. On the show, Hogan records a voiceover for a radio ad and the entire Hogan family even appears on an infomercial.
