Hank

I remember this show from watching the original broadcasts when I was pretty young, only I did not correctly remember the title. I recall the sub-theme that Hank could run so fast that the athletic coach wanted to know who he was, there was a certain implied irony (he was a natural athlete and could probably have attended college on a scholarship if he wasn't so preoccupied with auditing for free and running away). Long ago I tried to remember what the show was called and I confused the title with another show of the era so I probably doubly confused folks when I was reminiscing.

Anyhow, the show made a positive impression on me and I too had the problem of no one else having seen or remembered it until I did a Google search and stumbled upon it here.

I have fond memories of "Hank" and remember watching it religiously on Friday nights. I was in the seventh grade when the show was on. I thought it was extremely clever, and it contributed to a fascination with college that I already had. (I ended up spending 13 years in college and graduate school--but I took all my classes legally!) As I remember, the college president's major crusade was trying to catch students who audited classes. A few years later, he would have been happy if the biggest problem on campus was unregistered students sitting in on classes. I also remember that the president's daughter was Hank's girlfriend and that she knew all about Hank's illegal activities. In retrospect, however, I have to wonder why Hank could not have gotten an athletic scholarship since he was such a fabulous athlete. I don't remember seeing the last episode that wrapped up the show. It is too bad the network did not renew it.

I just happened to be looking at some old favorites and stumbled on this one. I was a fan of Hank too. Friday nights at 8 PM...followed by Camp Runamuck (another fond memory) at 8:30 (or vice versa)...... Hank did an unusual thing on this show..while others were "dropping out" of college, he "dropped in". He couldn't afford tuition and this was his only option for an education he desperately wanted. The other comments were accurate about his disguises and staying one step ahead of everyone...

The final episode had him impersonating another student (false chin and all) who was supposed to be under quarantine. He is finally caught after all his close calls during the run of the show. But, in his disguise, he had taken a standard exam and had scored the highest score ever recorded. He is assured of a scholarship and all his hard work is rewarded. The show ends with his future at the college assured........

Wow. I was starting to think I was the only person who REMEMBERED "Hank", let alone really enjoyed it! Was almost to the point of declaring my memory of the program to be a figment of my imagination when I finally came across a couple websites that actually had some info and clips! More proof you can find ANYTHING on the web, I guess! It's just nice to see the pics and remember my youth.

"Hank" has provided me with years of fun as a "stump anyone" trivia question! Many people actually accuse me of "making it up" when I share the plot line with them! Now I'll be able to send them the link to the sites!

Doug

to all "Hank" fans, I seem to recall the theme song going something like this:

He's up with the sun, And he's got the college singing, As he goes off on another swinging day.

There're jobs to be done, Or errands to run, He's A - Number One - OK!

He'll drive, clean your clothes, Be a butler or a porter, If it means another quarter in the bank.

He'll get his degree, His Phi Beta key, And get 'em both for free, That's Hank.