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The Incredible Hulk (1977 TV series)

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Lou Ferrigno in the 1978 episode "Married"
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Lou Ferrigno in the 1978 episode "Married"

The Incredible Hulk was an American television series loosely based on the comic book character of the same name. The show ran on CBS from 1977 to 1982, and starred Bill Bixby as Dr. David Banner and Lou Ferrigno as the Hulk. The concept was developed for television by Kenneth Johnson-who also developed the Alien Nation TV series.

Contents

Development

In early 1977, Frank Price, head of Universal Television, offered producer and writer Kenneth Johnson a deal to develop a TV show based on any character in the Marvel Comics library. Johnson turned down the offer at first, but then, while reading the Victor Hugo novel, Les Miserables, he became inspired and began working to develop the Hulk comic into a TV show. Johnson first changed the name of Dr. Bruce Banner to Dr. David Banner, as Johnson did not really care for alliterative names. . Moreover, he dropped the major supporting characters from the comic. And, rather than being exposed to gamma rays from an atomic explosion, this version of the character was involved in a more mundane laboratory accident for the sake of realism. Another significant modification to the character was changing him from a nuclear physicist to an actual medical doctor/researcher.

Casting

For the role of Dr. David Banner, Johnson cast veteran television actor Bill Bixby. At first, Bixby hadn't wanted to do the series; but after reading the script, he quickly signed on. Next, character actor Jack Colvin was cast as Jack McGee. Modeled after the character of Javert in Les Miserables, McGee was a tabloid reporter who relentlessly pursued the Hulk. The most daunting task, however, was finding someone to play the Hulk. Arnold Schwarzenegger had auditioned for the role, yet was turned down due to his inadequate size and height. Bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno auditioned and got the part almost at once. Actor Richard Kiel was initially offered the role; however, while filming, Johnson's own son pointed out that Kiel's physique did not resemble the look and build of the comic-book Hulk. The Hulk had to be believable, strong, and scary. Soon, Kiel was dropped and Ferrigno got the part.

Premise

Bill Bixby with Lou Ferrigno in a promotional photo for The Incredible Hulk
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Bill Bixby with Lou Ferrigno in a promotional photo for The Incredible Hulk

The origins of the Hulk in the TV series differ greatly from the original comic book. David Banner is a physician/scientist who has been traumatized by the loss of his wife in a fatal car accident, and his guilt over his inability to save her from the burning wreckage. He begins to conduct research into strange phenomena in which human beings temporarily display superhuman levels of strength, trying to understand why others faced with a similar traumatic experience to his own were able to save themselves or their loved ones while under abnormally high emotional distress, whereas he was not. He concludes that high levels of gamma radiation from sunspots are the cause, and to prove the theory, he bombards his body with gamma radiation to see if he can endow himself with superhuman strength.

Unbeknownst to him, however, the equipment has been upgraded, causing him to administer a far higher dose than he'd intended. He initially thinks that the experiment has failed, but later that evening he experiences a flat tire during a rainstorm and injures himself with a lug wrench while trying to change it. The resulting pain and anger trigger his first transformation (which begins with Banner's eyes turning a whitish-green color) into the Hulk. He proceeds to destroy his car. While trying to reverse the process, the interferences of a nosy reporter named Jack McGee (Jack Colvin) result in the destruction of the research laboratory and the death of a fellow scientist. Banner, now presumed dead, is forced to go on the run while trying to find a "cure" for his condition. In a manner similar to the popular series The Fugitive, this forms the basis of the TV series, as Banner endlessly drifts from place to place assuming different identities, while at the same time involuntarily using the powers of the Hulk to deal with the problems of the people that he encounters.

To make things worse, McGee is still pursuing the story of the mysterious monster whom he is convinced is a deadly threat to the public. As a result, he often personally investigates the sightings of the monster, forcing Banner to flee before the reporter can learn too much. While McGee has occasionally gone further and personally hunted the creature, he also learns several facts about it such as it's actually a human at least part of the time.

Music

One of the distinctive elements of this series that set it apart was the musical score used. In particular, the most famous music is a wistful piano piece called "The Lonely Man". It is typically used at the closing credits that typically show Banner on the road hitchhiking to the next town, burdened as ever with the destructive curse. This kind of quiet motif is unique in superhero television series, which usually end with fast-tempoed and brassy theme music. Joe Harnell was the music composer of the series. The ending was parodied by Stewie Griffin in an episode of Family Guy. In that same episode, Peter Griffin flawlessly performs "The Lonely Man" while drunk.

"The Lonely Man" is also a running motif on the Opie and Anthony show on XM Satellite Radio. The hosts usually play the music when a guest or bit is unfunny or has gone wrong, and are told to "just walk away."

Notable episodes

Season one (1977-78) Season Two (1978-79) Season 3(1979-80) Season 4(1980-81) Season 5(1981-82)

Cancellation

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In 1981, while filming episodes for the show's 5th season, CBS cancelled the show due to a slight change in the ratings and budget. Rumors were going around at the time that Bill Bixby's contract was up, and that he wanted to move on. Bixby had wanted to see his character being cured from being the Hulk. Also, both Kenneth Johnson and Nick Corea had gone to Harvey Shepard, who was president of CBS entertainment at the time, to have them film 9 unfilmed episodes for the series to give the show a mid-season run. Nonetheless, CBS aired the several episodes made and put in other episodes from past seasons. Nine unfilmed episodes included, "Los Indios," Parts 1-2 (Season 3), "Double Exposure," (Season 3), "The Trial of Jack McGee," (Season 5), "David Banner, RIP," (Season 5), "The Steel Mill," (Season 5), "The Survivors," (Season 5), "Killer on Board," (Season 5), and "Eyes of the Beholder," (Season 5). Also, Johnson and Corea had wanted to do a two-hour series finale in which Banner is caught and is found out to be alive, goes on trial for the death of Elaina Marks, resolves things with McGee, and gets cured from his hulk-outs.

Made for TV movies

Three episodes of the series appeared first as stand-alone movies, but were later split into one-hour length for syndication. Two were produced as pilots before the series officially began in 1978. After the cancellation of the television series in 1982, three television movies were produced with Bill Bixby reprising his role as Dr. Banner, all of which aired on NBC.

[Spoiler warningSpoiler warning]: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Despite the apparent death of The Hulk in the 1990 film, more Incredible Hulk television movies were planned to help launch a pilot for She-Hulk and Iron Man. There was also talk about doing a television movie with the cast from the 1977-1979 live action Amazing Spider-Man television series in the mid-80s. However, all such projects were cancelled when Bill Bixby died of cancer in November 1993.

Trivia

DVD releases

According to Kenneth Johnson, Universal TV will release the complete first season of the show on July 18, 2006.

External links

 

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