Vic Hitler

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Vic Hitler was a fictional character who appeared in three episodes of the third season the TV series Hill Street Blues (season 3, episodes 17-19). He was played by character actor Terry Kiser.

[edit] Plot

Arrested for a minor crime, Vic amuses the police officers at the precinct house with a seemingly endless string of one-liners. When he is forced to give his name, however, most of the officers find that their laughter has immediately ceased and they all find excuses to slink away quietly.

Detective J.D. LaRue, still taken with Vic's gift for comedy and always with an eye open for a potential money-making idea, talks to Mr. Hitler, who reveals that he had promised his grandfather never to forsake the family name. Vic also notes, erroneously, that the more famous Hitler was actually born with the name Schickelgruber, indicating that a perfectly good name has been spoiled. (It was in fact his father that changed his last name from Schickelgruber, and Hitler actually was born with that surname.)

J.D. feels that Mr. Hitler's talents can make a greater impression than his name, and he books him in a seedy comedy club, though, to be on the safe side, the comedian's name has been altered to Vic Hitler, Jr., in order to de-emphasize the offending portion.

On stage, however, Vic almost immediately falls asleep, microphone still in hand. A quick cut finds him waking up later on in the club's green room, where he reveals to J.D. that, in addition to suffering the handicap of his family name, he also suffers from narcolepsy. J.D. is crushed at the thought of having a narcoleptic comic on his hands until he realizes the potential "hook" on a theater marquee: "Vic Hitler – The Narcoleptic Comic!"

The character is never seen again, although at Andy Renko's wedding in the final episode of season four, J.D. refers to his outrageously loud tuxedo jacket as "Vic Hitler's final legacy".