‘Hoff The Record’ Brings David Hasselhoff Back With Big Ideas
For many, David Hasselhoff ruled the 80s and 90s, either as Michael Knight on Knight Rider, which ran from 1982 through 1986, or as Mitch Buchannon on Baywatch, from 1989 to 2000. Now, Hasselhoff is eager to return to American television with a new “mockumentary” entitled Hoff the Record.
Hoff The Record Will Bring David Hasselhoff Back, But Where Has The Hoff Been?
While David may have lost some of the luster that once attracted millions of fans all too willing to worship him as one of our American idols, Hasselhoff has found a new brand of success away from U.S. shores. The Knight Rider star’s most recent accomplishments have come with his duties as executive producer and star of the stage play Last Night a D.J. Saved My Life.
The musical ran through February, but now that the live show’s run has ended, David says he’s ready to come home. He wants to return to American television and once again make a name for himself.
“I’ve been over there too long,” says Mr. Hasselhoff. “I’m happy to go where the sun is shining or the snow is falling, but I’ve had it with the rain over in the U.K.”
David isn’t returning to the U.S. without a plan, or without a new TV offering. The former Baywatch lead will present a new show, Hoff the Record, and will make an appearance in the Baywatch feature film reboot.
Hoff the Record will debut with a six-episode limited season on the AXS cable network, owned by Mark Cuban. The series will showcase Hasselhoff in the U.K., as he tries to get his life and career back on track. Shot in “mockumentary” style, Hoff the Record promises to emphasize Hasselhoff’s special brand of dry humor, as he faces obstacles both challenging and surreal in his quest for success.
AXS normally focuses its programming on live events and music, so Hoff the Record just barely fits the network’s style. In support of Hoff the Record, AXS just aired what they called a “Hoff-A-Thon,” hosted by Hasselhoff, himself. The event featured everything from Piranha 3D clips to The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie.
“[AXS] plays mostly music, and all of a sudden, here’s something that is a quirky comedy, but the comedy is kind of rock and roll,” Hasselhoff said of Hoff the Record.
David Hasselhoff Has More To Feed His Ambition
Aside from Hoff the Record, David has had quite a bit to keep him busy. He recently hosted a “Hoff-a-minute” program on NBCUniversal’s Cozi, which involved mock news segments anchored by David’s daughter, Taylor-Ann Hasselhoff. The segments were interspersed throughout commercial breaks, during a Knight Rider marathon.
David also praised Dwayne Johnson, who is taking on his role in the Baywatch reboot, saying that Dwayne is a “hell of a nice guy” and apparently Hasselhoff feels that The Rock is more than welcome to the Mitch Buchannon role. When asked about returning to Baywatch full time, David said he had other interests.
Among those other interests, Hasselhoff lists a Knight Rider reboot.
“I see it as more of a continuation of the TV series…It would be Michael Knight kind of coming out of retirement with his son and having adventures around the world, and doing a Fast and Furious with the Knight Rider car. How cool does that sound? How cool could it be?”
Hasselhoff says it’s important to keep the feel of the original series, but he would like to see new characters added in an effort to update the show for younger generations. Mr. Hasselhoff says he has more ideas, along with the ambition to turn Knight Rider into a competitive franchise.
[Image by Jason Merritt/Getty Images]
