Comprehensive Retrospective: A&E’s ‘The Hasselhoffs’ 12.05.10 to 12.05.10
As a blogger who spends a great deal of time engrossed in reality TV it can be a bitter disappointment when shows do not receive a proper encapsulation once their respective run has ended. It takes someone with passion and dedication to fully extrapolate the ins and outs of a what a TV show represents to its fans. Well since it’s the right thing to do, I have assembled the only comprehensive retrospective for A&E’s ‘The Hasselhoffs’ that will ever need to exist. It’s the least I could do for a show and a man who has given so much.
For all you Hasselbuffs (hard core fans of the show) I hope for you that this will be enough, that you will reference this post to the outsiders and say, “Just read this man, and you’ll understand why TH meant so much.”
“The Hasselhoffs” premiered on the A&E network on December 5th, 2010. The show, according to the official home page from A&E, was promoted this way:
The series tags along with father and daughter Taylor-Ann performing side-by-side on set of “The Young and The Restless,” goes behind-the-scenes with Hayley at “Huge,” steps in-studio with “Bella Vida” to record, write songs and meet with producers, watches David’s preparations for a comedy roast and travels to Austria where David orchestrates a production of an epic scale, one where the entire family’s reputation hangs in the balance. With three entertainers with big personalities and an unparalleled sibling rivalry between the girls in the house, there is never a dull moment with “The Hasselhoffs,” but throughout it all, David proves he is a dedicated father and no matter what challenges he faces, he has the best interests of his daughters in mind.
Never a dull moment indeed. It seems unscrupulous for the network to have promised so much that never happened during the show’s run but I’m nit picking I suppose. What did happen is that each episode would build on the one that came before while viewers became consumed and emotionally invested with the day-to-day lives and times of The Hoff and his two daughters Taylor-Ann and Hayley.
Lets take a look at each of the show’s four main cast-mates individually:
David Hasselhoff “The Hoff”:
Listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as “The Most Watched TV Star in the World,” David Hasselhoff has been on television for more than 30 years. Whether you recognize him from “Knight Rider,” “Baywatch,” or “America’s Got Talent,” there is no disputing the iconic status of “The Hoff.” In between stints on TV, starring roles on Broadway, live performances and business ventures that have taken him worldwide, he is also a single dad, raising two very driven daughters.
Taylor-Ann Hasselhoff:
Taylor-Ann Hasselhoff has been pursuing her childhood dream to become a professional singer and actress and recently co-starred alongside her father in the popular long-running CBS soap opera, “The Young and the Restless.” She is currently writing and recording an album with her sister Hayley for their techno pop group, Bella Vida.
Hayley Hasselhoff:
Hayley Hasselhoff recently starred and received great reviews in the ABC Family series “Huge,” written by Winnie Holtzman and her daughter Savannah, and is currently working on an album with her sister Taylor-Ann for their techno pop group, Bella Vida.
Cocoa Hasselhoff:
Cocoa loves to play fetch and while he may be Taylor-Ann’s dog he becomes David Hasselhoff’s confessor as the series winds down to its heartbreaking conclusion.
Now that we have a better understanding of the reality artists that painted their master strokes on the canvas that was “The Hasselhoffs” lets walk through a full episode by episode recap of the entire series.
Series Premiere Episode One: “Hoff the Record“
From the onset of TH David Hasselhoff becomes the viewers internal voice. The Hoff provides insightful dialogue with just a taste of tragicomedy to veer us along the unique and winding path that is his and his family’s fame. Like a warning shot across our bow he confronts the pink elephant that is his drunken viral hamburger alcohol binging video. He goes as far as to call TH his 2nd reality show as a means of acknowledging the horrible ghosts of his path. We are provided a back stage pass to know The Hoff behind closed doors, a Hoff with integrity and great hair.
After David’s intro Hayley bursts on to the camera dressed in black and ready for trouble. David tells Hayley that his other daughter Taylor-Ann, a student at The University of Arizona wants him to come speak for her psychology class. Hayley is none to enthused as she fears a distance growing in her hopes of forming a band with her sister.
After a Limo ride, a flight and some autographs The Hoff arrives at The U of A with the intent of convincing Taylor-Ann to remain in school instead of striking out with her sister to live the life of a pop star. In a moment that will far out live the show’s assured future syndication father and daughter discuss hopes and dreams on a cobbled bridge while the troubled waters of yesterday and tomorrow trickle by beneath them.
As viewers we are provided an opportunity to catch our breath as we see Hayley receiving positive feedback from callbacks for acting gigs. Meanwhile back at the U of A we see The Hoff’s impassioned speech to Taylor-Ann’s class when he is unexpectedly asked about his alcohol soaked hamburger video. He explains that it was a personal clip that should have never been leaked but in the end he was glad that it did because it helped him acknowledge his addiction and the havoc he caused his family. Afterwords he talks with students with shirt open revealing not only an astounding man chest but a peek at the heart of a loving father.
Back at home David decides to support his daughter in a very touching moment. The two are unable to restrain tears as they embrace. Without a chance to come down from this emotional climax we are immediately thrust into the news that Hayley has landed a role in “Huge,” overcome by the moment father and the other daughter are brought to tears and embrace.
The final scene of episode one shows us the deep connection between Hoff sisters as Hayley tells Taylor-Ann of her big news. At first Taylor-Ann is upset, fearing what her new job may mean to the band but she quickly changes course and expresses her pride for her sister. The two erupt in tears and we are left as viewers invested in what will become of this family Hasselhoff.
Series Finale Episode Two: Addiction
It’s hard to image that during the show’s initial run that the viewer was only given one commercial break to gather their senses and re-examine their own lives until episode two swept in to bring the whole of the Hasselhoff world to its desolate conclusion. Addiction was not only the driving wheel behind the final episode it could also be the word used to describe the Hasselbuff’s rapture when we’re brought back once again to the family kitchen.
Caffeine is the foil, David must have his coffee while his daughters are left to fend for the last Red Bull remaining in the house. Things turn ugly as Taylor-Ann and Hayley battle it out for that sweet rush of the ‘feine through their veins. In the midst of this chaos cooler Hoff heads prevail as father procures the beverage and pours it out much to the shock of his two young offspring. To further push the envelope The Hoff tempts fate by making a $1,ooo wager on which one of the three could last the longest without the ‘feine. It was with this wager that David laid the seed to his isolation and ultimately his destruction.
The scene cuts to a Hollywood side street as an exhausted yet strong willed Taylor-Ann tells her BFF of her ‘feine denial over brunch. BFF assures her that she’s crazy, that it’s not worth the money and then to add insult to injury proceeds to consume the ‘feine right in Taylor-Ann’s face! After her doomsday BFF brunch Taylor-Ann returns home to find that her dog Cocoa has gone mad playing fetch with tennis balls. She confronts The Hoff about the problem singling him out as Cocoa’s enabler.
At this point we begin to truly feel the downward spiral of a father lost as he begins to tell Cocoa of his ploy to fool his daughters with his ‘feine wager. It turns out that he never intended on walking away from coffee and that he logged his indiscretions via Hoffspace. Somewhere in this sad interchange between The Hoff and Cocoa he convinces himself that his lie is justified, sealing his damnation.
On the set of “Huge” Hayley is forced to deal with her ‘fein needs as her make up artist pounds a Red Bull in her presence. Hayley glares laser rays through the disrespectful servant who seems oblivious to the mental anguish she’s heaping upon the young Hasselhoff. The temptation proves too much and Hayley drops out, taking a sweet swig of the ‘feine while believing that her dishonest father is still on the wagon.
The ‘fein fiendishness continues in the next scene as Taylor-Ann and Hayley attempt to work out some inner emotions via a songwriting session. Taylor-Ann is unable to concentrate without the ‘feine, an argument ensues causing Taylor-Ann to tell Hayley to leave her room. On the heels of this fight we see Taylor-Ann contacting an Animal Communicator in hopes of finding help for the wayward Cocoa. It’s a hard sell to David but he agrees to pay if something positive actually comes from the visit.
The AC is a sharp witted gal by the name of Patrice who informs the Hoff’s that Cocoa simply longs for family time and suggests that they make an effort to all eat dinner together. She warns that if it doesn’t happen Cocoa will die! The Hoff surprises his two daughters with a feast and all four players for whom we’ve lived with and loved share their own last supper together.
The joy of this togetherness is quickly extinguished as Hayley discovers the truth about her father’s deceit. The Hoff is unable to defend his position leaving Taylor-Ann demanding for her money while the two girls storm off leaving The Hoff and Cocoa alone. “Well Cocoa I guess it’s just you and me.” And with that we are asked to say goodbye to the family Hasselhoff wondering if father will ever be redeemed in the eyes of his daughters.
Aftermath:
Following the conclusion of “The Hasselhoffs” fans have been clamoring for a box set or at least a Season One DVD release but as of yet there’s been no word from A&E. There is rumors of additional episodes that could possibly quadruple the length of the series but real Hasselbuffs dare not dream that big. We’re just thankful for the gift that was given and that we all share in the sacred knowledge that, “It can be a hassle being a Hoff.”
Please feel free to click on any of the below thumbnails to relive some of the great moments from “The Hasselhoffs.”
