Maitaitom - Too funny!!
In defence of David Hasselhoff, I thank him for the years of joy he brought to my son with the TV series "Knight Rider". Every little boy wanted to drive KITT!

I think DH realises, when he appears in the UK, that he is there for his comedy send-up value - and as a professional he seems to join in, in the same spirit. William Shatner even more so.

Never heard of him!

Here in Ireland, its a joke, its a catch phrase in our company to say " Dont hassle the Hoff", he is more of a laughing stock than a idol to be admired!

Author: Zeus
Date: 03/14/2006, 05:07 pm
Ummm. have you ever heard the kind of music Europeans listen to?

Zeus, do you know every single European in the World? well if not then dont generalise!

Who ?

It is no more possible to explain an infatuation with David Hasselhoff than it is is to explain why you fall in love.

He's a big good looking "German" who is world famous. Name any other individual who fits that description and sings contemporary songs at least passably.

That, apparently, is enough for the Germans and I never crap on people on issues of taste.

Lieben Sie Lange, David!

I do hope that all yee who disparage European music are NOT including British music in this. We feel EXACTLY the same as the US about CONTINENTAL european music.

As for the Hoffmeister, I can't speak for our German friends, who have notoriously dodgy taste when it comes to these things, but the Hoff is a favoruite figure of fun in offices across the UK.

lucielou, I am taking your comments to heart. "Don't Hassle the Hoff" will now be in my memory book of favorite phrases.

And after having "Hooked on a Feeling" in my head for about 24 hours now, I think I am starting to fall in love with The Hoff myself. Infatuation accepted.

"Dont Hassle the Hoff" is the best thing I've ever heard. It is SO becoming part of my vocbulary. Starting Now.

Also: laclaire...hilarious! AT least you TRIED to represent;)

Lovejoy,
I can't thank you enough for posting the earl (URL) for DH. I just watched the video. Stunned. I'm just stunned, as Blanche Devereaux would say. I can say he actually sings on key until the last bar, so that was refreshingly surprising. But the "oogachucka's" in the background were so annoying in the first release decades ago, I can't believe he decided he liked that mix and left it is...though maybe it is supposed to campy and goofy. This was hilarious. Thanks for sharing!

I didn´t know he is big in Europe, and I am in Europe. I have never even seen Baywatch.

Not so much David Hasselhof here (Belgium), but there's a series of CDs called 'foute muziek'; 'wrong music', the sort of songs that are totally uncool, and on one of the CDs there's the classic Patrick Duffy/Mireille Mathieu duet Together We're Strong.

And of course, it won't be long before the highlight of the musical year in Europe; the Eurovison Song contest!

Out of curiousity, I checked out DH's albums/songs on Napster. Clearly, I pay no attention to all that is Hassehoff. He came out with an album in 2004, where he covered well-known songs. I can't figure out which is more outrageous: his version of New York, New York (can you imagine having the audacity to follow Sinatra?) or his abomination of La Isla Bonita, which is beautiful song when sung correctly. Although his version of Rhinestone Cowboy is astounding. I just dropped my jaw in awe. Unbelievable!

I'll give him credit though for at least trying to keep himself going. He definitely isn't a quitter!

Sometimes celebrities just give me the giggles.

David's European hit "I've been looking for freedom" came out before the Berlin wall came down. It was the right song for the right moment. The Germans and the Swiss loved his sound.

Of course, he's an icon of days gone by although I do hear one of his songs on the radio every once in awhile.

Glad you like it Steph! ;)

I believe his star has waned in
Germany though several years ago he was the stud and his concerts supposedly attract legions of young ladies screaming Beatle-style. Can't fathom it at all - though i love Baywatch, i just don't see a kind of paunch 50 some year old as a sex symbol. I guess it's Germany's Jerry Lewis.

Some of us in the UK think reactions to Tom Jones may be in a similar class. As I understand it, he still gets knickers thrown at him, though I'm not sure I'd care to be on the receiving end of the kind of voluminous and heavy-duty passion-killers his audience are likely to be wearing these days.

"Be warned though, that pressing 'Play' may or may not cause you to die from an overdose of awesome. Just make sure you're sitting down and are ready to have your socks totally rocked off."

Oh my gosh.... I'm going to start my next meeting with this and see the reaction around the table... Hysterical... :))

michelleNYC, I think you should start your meeting with a big ppt that says: DON'T HASSLE THE HOFF and tell everyone it is a new slogan from a company in Ireland (thanks again lucielou). Just sit there in dead silence asking anyone if they know what it means, as though it is a test. And report back, please.