StephCar

Let me begin with saying I love Europe and all that is European.

Which makes it all the more difficult for me to understand why *some* Europeans (in particular, Germans apparently) embrace all that is David Hasselhoff. Maybe it is not true and the US media is making up (and making fun of) the fact that he is well loved abroad. His "Hooked on a Feeling" is just hysterical, IMHO. But apparently it is a huge hit abroad.

Does anyone have any insight on the David Hasselhoff phenomena? Is it true? Is it a fraud? What is the appeal, if any?

cigalechanta

In Paris it is Sharon Stone!

Charley1965

It is only Germans that love all things Hasselhof. Please be clear about that!

I am English and I absolutely no idea what the attraction is with this bloke. He's a talentless fool as far as I'm concerned.

ekscrunchy

Who is he?

jnn1964

Isn't he that Baywatch guy? I managed to avoid every episode of that show, and it wasn't easy to do! It seemed like it was on perpetually through the 80s and 90s.

Neopolitan

I've heard that too about Hasselhoff, and I thought it was in France as well.

Now, shall we talk about the French love for Jerry Lewis?

StephCar

ekscrunchy, here is a valuable link.

http://www.davidhasselhoff.com/splash.html

Maybe you have seen him on billboards and posters throughout Europe? Or out of respect for Charley1965 just in Germany?

Tracey14

_Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story_ (a cheesy but IMHO very funny movie with Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn) had a hysterical scene satirizing the German fixation on David Hasselhoff, in which the real David Hasselhoff proceeds to tell the losing German dodgeball team how ashamed he is of them - in German.

Zeus

Ummm. have you ever heard the kind of music Europeans listen to? Hasselhof would be the second coming of MacCartney-Lennon compared to the techno pop garbage they have to listen to. Don't forget, Slim Whitman and Roger Whittaker were also huge over there.

logos999

All this was "long" ago in the 80ties. German Pay TV (Leo Kirch) produced and financed a show called "Baywatch". They needed to have a genuine "american star", for a genuine american show , so Leo promoted his show and David Hasselhoff. RTL did broadcast the repeats and since there weren't many homegrown stars and shows at the time, DH became quite famous. They did also broadcast "Knight Rider" before, so he wasn't totally unknown to Germans. Today DH is a dead duck in Germany, not spoken about any more.

kelliebellie

I know he had quite a singing career in, Eastern Europe maybe? Is that hopefully over now too?

coccinelle

Woody Allen has replaced Lewis.

wanderlust5

I agree. Why ANYONE would be fascinated with the buffoon is beyond me. I am sure he has some redeeming qualities, though I can't imagine getting close enough to figure out what they are!

I didn't know he was SINGING. That is beyond the pale. Now I have to run out to Napster and listen. Puh-leez!

Thanks for giggle on this Tuesday afternoon.

cigalechanta

Woody Allen opened Match Point in Paris bcause he said the French appreciate him more. I read he's going to make another film there soon. and forgot the title.

Intrepid1

Someone recently asjked this exact same question about a well-known political figure in the US.

Just ACCEPT it even though you read it in the "Inquirer."

Lovejoy

All this bashing of David must stop!
Please check out this video to see for yourself what a great talent that this man truly represents.
http://tinyurl.com/85fah

logos999

>Now I have to run out to Napster and listen
The song's called "I've been looking for freedom." Try not to "disturb" you neighbors.

maitaitom

Because of his incredible acting talent displayed in Knight Rider, the foreign press treats him with KITT gloves.

ekscrunchy

Do you remember Richard Clayderhorn? Wasn't he some kind of musical star in Europe? And don't forget Yanni! I think Woody is doing his next film in the UK.

Traviata

Lovejoy,

Oh my god......!!!