Hogan Knows Best

VH1’s Hogan Knows Best offered viewers a glimpse into the daily life of former wresting superstar Hulk Hogan and his family. The show was a hit for VH1, but for the Hogans it ended up shining a media spotlight on them during some very difficult hours.

When Hogan Knows Best premiered on VH1 on July 10, 2005, it was the network's highest rated premier ever (although it was dethroned by the second season of Flavor of Love in short order). By the start of 2006, the show was being broadcast in ten different countries.

The original idea of the shows was pitched to the Hogan clan several years prior. Producers wanted to chronicle the Hulk’s progress as he prepared for his return to the wrestling ring in 2002 (in a match against The Rock). Hulk turned down that show and reportedly dismissed several other reality TV offers. What changed his mind eventually was his daughter, Brooke’s desire for a career in the music industry. He believed the show itself - and the fact that it would be broadcast on a music network - could help jumpstart her career.

Unlike some of VH1’s other shows, Hogan Knows Best was a half hour show, and it was presented in a sitcom like manner. These were several recurring themes that presented themselves through all four seasons and propelled the action on the show:

• Brooke’s Singing Career: Hulk hoped that the show could be a vehicle for Brooke’s music career, and as such, the show spent a great deal of time following Brooke as she searched for a manager, recorded with different producers and tried to promote her album.

• Linda Hogan’s Animals: Hulk’s wife Linda was an avid “collector” of animals, and the family home was overrun with everything from dogs to monkeys. Hulk objected to having so many animals in the house.

• Hulk’s Wrestling Career: The show covered the legacy of many of Hulk’s wrestling injuries, his desire to return to the ring, and his family’s objections to his wrestling.

• Brooke’s Dating Life: Hulk played the role of overprotective father as Brooke struggled to gain her independence and have personal relationships on her own terms.

• Nick’s Racing – Hulk’s son Nick was a fan of racing and his desire to break into the racing business was a common topic on the show.

• Hulk and Linda’s Marriage: The Hogan’s marriage was often troubled, and the show followed their efforts to save the relationship.

Some of the common themes in the show would prove to be prophetic. In 2007, with more series of the show planned, filming went into hiatus after the family faced a series of problems. Because of the popularity of Hogan Knows Best, the media spotlight was firmly on the family during this time, and consequently their dramas have played out in the public eye. Among the things the family dealt with are:

• Nick’s Arrest and Jail Sentence: On August 26, 2007, Nick was involved in a car wreck with a friend, John Graziano. The crash left active duty Marine Graziano in a permanently vegetative state and on life support. Nick had been drinking at the time of the incident. He was charged with reckless driving and underage drinking and served 166 days of an eight month jail sentence.

• The Hogan’s Divorce: Linda filed for divorce from her husband in 2008 and the divorce proceedings became ugly very quickly. Shortly after filing for divorce, Linda began a relationship with a 19 year old former high school classmate of her children.

As of the time of writing, there are no plans for future series of Hogan Knows Best, but Brooke Hogan Knows Best debuted on VH1 in 2008, and there are rumors of Nick Hogan planning his own reality show.

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