L'incroyable Hulk

A primary complaint about this TV show is that it wasn't like the comic book. Whether or not the TV show was like the comic book is irrelevant. The Hulk performed physical feats in the comic that would have been impossible to duplicate when this series was running, and comic books are so simplistic and often violent, they never would have allowed it on prime time TV.

That said, the Incredible Hulk was a good TV show with strong acting by Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno that was, mostly, harmless fun for the whole family. The Hulk represented a kind of "Elephant Man" character, who certainly looks scary, but is genuinely kind and gentle and wants to help people in trouble (sort of a one man A-Team). I don't remember him ever seriously hurting anyone, and most of the physical parts involved him bending gun barrels so they couldn't be fired or turning cars over on their roofs. With the kind of strength the Hulk had, he could have torn people in half, but he settled for bending steel piping around them and leaving them helpless for the police to take to jail. He was gentle with animals and young people as well as old.

The story is a very sad one: Bixby, playing scientist David Banner, is stuck in a life on the run from an obsessed reporter who wants to become famous by photographing the Hulk. Banner and the Hulk represent the ultimate misunderstood hero/antihero: someone who is a better person than most of us are, yet is persecuted because of other people's misunderstandings.

Harmless fun for the whole family, and some good lessons for youngsters about kindness and not judging others for their appearance.

I've been a fan of THE INCREDBLE HULK since 1979 (when I was only seven years old), and it is one of only two TV shows that matter the most to me (the other is UNSOLVED MYSTERIES).

Of all the comic book characters who have made the transition to television, THE HULK is one of the most effective ones. I don't remember what made start watching this excellent sci-fi/ drama, but I surmise that it may be due to the writing because it has many well-written episodes.

"Prometheus" is one of my favorites because of its science fiction approach. That's the two-hour episode where the Hulk is mistaken for an alien. The problem came after he was exposed to a meteor that crashed to the Earth. He is affected by its radiation, which enables him to revert only partially to David Banner. In other words, our hero gets stuck in mid-transformation!

My other favorite episodes include: "The First," "Married," "Mystery Man," "The Snare," "The Psychic," "Equinox," "The Harder They Fall," and "Interview With The Hulk." In addition, The 1977 pre-series pilot (simply titled "The Incredible Hulk") was a perfect way to start off the saga.

Another significant episode is "Proof Positive" because the Hulk's nemesis, newspaper reporter Jack McGee, is the primary focus. Plus, Dr. David Banner (played by the late Bill Bixby) is hardly even in this episode. And the only shots of him are distant to the point where you can't quite make out his face (meaning that a stunt double portrayed him in this episode). But the Hulk (Lou Ferrigno) still appears in this story. (I mean, what's a HULK episode without the Hulk in it at all?)

A big gripe that many fans have about the HULK series is that a wrap-up episode was never made (because of the show's sudden cancellation). Still, it is a great show. And what pleases me is that THE INCREDIBLE HULK is now generating new fans, especially those who born after the series ended its primetime run.

I have such nostalgic memories of this growing up. I look back on it now and I think the series itself holds up really well. A few things I would like to comment on:

When David went back to himself after a change.....his clothes were always evenly ripped and cut....as if someone had cut them with scissors!!!

David Banner could have been one of the most talented guys on the planet. The amount of different jobs and trades he had were endless!!!

Where did he get those endless supplies of brown chords, checked shirts and beige coloured jackets???

He was the most gentle, helpful and polite guy ever and wherever he went, people could not wait to pick on him. They sort of saw him as a know all!!!

He pulled more women than 007!!!

Where did he get those fake surnames......Becker, Beamon, Beddiger, Beckham, Bannon, Bander.....etc????

All of this said...what a brilliant show it was and I am proud to have grown up with it. I loved the suspense when he changed and I also felt really sorry for Dave when he was alone, walking to a new town at the end with the famous tearjerking piano music in the background!!!

Respects to the late Bill Bixby. RIP.

I faithfully watched this show as a kid and I've come to appreciate it more as an adult.

Bill Bixby plays the role of David/Bruce Banner perfectly. As a kid I always wanted to be like him and as an adult I really admire his acting.

The only real complaint I have is the action. The Hulk is far from super human in most scenes (he mostly grows and throws chairs, which just about anybody could do). And they use the worst trick in the 70's TV play book; slow motion. The Six Million Dollar Man started it, and The Incredible Hulk copied it, having the Hulk do everything in slow motion. It's less than impressive and actually makes the action scenes less interesting than the conflicts that David/Bruce gets into.

But the plots were well written, and the show had a lot of lasting drama that has remained with me years later. Great show.

THE INCREDIBLE HULK series was much like the series KUNG FU -- a sympathetic humanitarian and seemingly meek outcast rights wrongs using his very special abilities. However, THE INCREDIBLE HULK ran for 5 years with only three regular cast members. I am not sure if any other long running TV drama ever had a smaller cast.

Interestingly, Bill Bixby's COURTSHIP OF EDDIE'S FATHER co-star Brandon Cruz appeared in the first season of the HULK in the episode "747."

Bixby oozed charm and charisma, and made believable the idea that he could so easily win trust and find employment in a new town each and every week.

The music was exceptional. Among the best Hollywood TV has ever produced.