As developed by Kenneth Johnson (one of the more genre-savvy producers of the era), Hulk was a science fiction show first, with storylines designed to appeal to both adolescent and adult audiences. The format was borrowed from The Fugitive (and a few dozen other shows), but the characterization and pseudo-science of Banner's transformation gave the show a distinct identity, and it ended up running longer than any of the other "superhero" shows, garnering strong ratings for much of its run.
Veteran television actor Bill Bixby was a compelling, sympathetic lead, bringing remarkable humanity to his role and always taking it seriously... without ever being grim. Lou Ferrigno's Hulk was a monster in the vein of the Universal Monster films of the 30s and 40s, a misunderstood and persecuted brute that, even through the rage, retained a spark of humanity and compassion.
Comic book purists may bitch and complain about the Hulk's scaled down strength, or the changing of Banner's first name, but frankly, that's all irrelevant bullshit. Comic book fans - moreso than most - should understand and forgive different interpretations of their favorite characters, and if they can't, they should rationalize and accept that the TV Hulk simply existed in a parallel universe from his four color cousin.
The changes wrought on The Incredible Hulk to make it sustainable as a prime time 70s television series were all sound and well-considered, and I believe resulted in a genuinely "classic" TV series.
After your last hulk post i got the box set im about 5 episodes in, great show but second to Wonder Woman
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree. Wonder Woman first, and then Hulk. I love the Hulk, in fact I still watch it.
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff.
Great look at "The Incredible Hulk". Should be informative for younger readers who might not have seen the show. I loved it as a kid. Having not been a regular reader of the comic, the show was how I go to know The Hulk. I can understand purists not liking what they did for the show--you explained the reasons very nicely though. As a kid I balanced the serious tone of "The Incredible Hulk" by watching "The Dukes of Hazzard" after it on Friday nights. What a great night of TV viewing that made for!
ReplyDeleteHere's a post I wrote about "The Incredible Hulk" last year (if you feel like checking it out):
http://monsterdad69.blogspot.com/2012/05/incredible-hulk-1977.html
I loved the Hulk and all the attention it brought to comics and MARVEL comics in particular. This was around the same time that the Simon and Schuster books came out in book stores and helped legitimize comics in my parents eyes. But as a kid I couldn't understand why they didn't show General Ross and the Hulkbusters or the Leader or the Abomination and a lot of times I felt cheated by that. But now as an adult I appreciate the show and what they did. It is still the easiest to watch of the 70's shows.
ReplyDeleteI agree, this was the best show of its kind of that era and for my money is probably the best TV adaptation of a comic book character, period. I was never a fan of the comic book Hulk but remember deciding to watch the "movie of the week" pilot simply because it starred Bixby, who I was already a fan of. For me CBS' Hulk was "Must See TV" years before NBC dreamed up the slogan - a true classic. The later movie sequels were a little disappointing by comparison, although the third one seemed a step closer to the spirit of the series than its two predecessors.
ReplyDeleteStarted the Hulk on Netflix last week. SWEET! Note: I had forgotten McGee caused the explosion in the lab that killed Elain.
ReplyDeleteAmen to that, Chris. The Hulk was my favourite show for a time as a kid and it still (mostly) holds up today. I did watch Wonder Woman, but 90% of the reason was Lynda Carter.
ReplyDeleteStill pretty keen to see The Amazing Spider-Man on DVD though. Had a real soft spot for the show despite the fact that it was a relative failure
Bill Bixby was one of the show's main strengths, Jack Colvin being another. Many episodes were unusually thought-provoking for a prime-time fantasy show, one dealt with child abuse, another with drug addiction. I also love the one where Bradford Dillman played 'The Most Dangerous Game' with Dr.Banner on an island. Best, Zokko
ReplyDeleteDespite being a Marvel diehard zombie in the 70s, I didn't watch this show regularly, but jeez, you couldn't have had a better friend than Bixby and Johnson.
ReplyDeleteThey REALLY took this concept to heart.
EVERYTHING was done.. right. AND you got more than you bargained for, thanks to awesome pacing, great depth and sadness in Banner, you couldn't have picked a better lead than Bixby, hands down.
Again, not a dedicated fan, but I know this is ONE GREAT SHOW.
Loved the show as a kid, and love that I'm able to share it with my own kid now. We watched the pilot last weekend -- he was a little confused why Banner was named "David", and why the Avengers weren't in it, but other than that he loved it as much as I did when I was (slightly younger than) his age.
ReplyDeleteThis show surprised me. I always thought Iron Man was the most natural character to adapt to film or television, but until recently that didn't happen. I always thought the Hulk was the hardest and that happened quickly (relatively). And surprise, surprise it was a first-rate show. The decision to keep the Hulk off screen most of the time and to focus on Banner was what made it click, allowing them to follow a time-honored TV pattern evident in The Fugitive, The Invaders, and other shows. A stranger with a powerful secret seeks solace or the truth or something and has an adventure. It works well.
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"Comic book fans - moreso than most - should understand and forgive different interpretations of their favorite characters, and if they can't, they should rationalize and accept that the TV Hulk simply existed in a parallel universe from his four color cousin."
ReplyDeleteThank you. The purists drive me nuts with the nitpicking. As for TIH, it was required watching for me and my brothers when we were kids back then--and it probably inspired my older brother to take up bodybuilding.
The Hulk has held up fairly well over the years. As a comic fan when I was kid I was wanting more super villains or any super villains. Overall it was a good show and a decent interpretation of the comic character.
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Awesome cover. Does anyone actually buy TV Guide anymore? Great show too, purists notwithstanding.
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