THE HULK IS BACK
AND SO IS BILL BIXBY
(abridged version)
by F. Sanello
The Milwaukee Journal,
Feb 18, 1990
The Big Green Fellow
bites the dust in “The Death of the Incredible Hulk”, a TV movie
airing at 8 tonight on NBC.
Bill Bixby returns
as the Hulk’s milder side, scientist David Banner and also directs.
Former Mr. Universe, Lou Ferrigno, who played the not-so-jolly
green giant in the TV series and the two movies is also back.
The original show
had a successful run on CBS from 1978 to 1982 and two movies about
the Hulk earned big ratings. Bixby has a simple explanation
for that continued popularity: “We never talk down to the audience,”
he said. “It was never just a kid’s show.”
In “the Death of the
Incredible Hulk” Banner falls in love with a beautiful terrorist
(former Miss America Elizabeth Gracen) and tried to cure himself
of turning into the Hulk during stressful situations.
But don’t let the
title fool you. “Nothing successful on television is ever closed
off,” Bixby said. “I don’t want to give away the ending, but let’s
just say “death” is a relative word when it comes to TV.”
While the Hulk remains
his bread-and-butter, “The Courtship of Eddie’s Father” remains
closet to his heart.
“It was the most emotional
caring show I’ve ever done.” Bixby said. “It’s also the one I’m
most asked about. Single mothers, in particular, seemed
to love the show. I still get letters from them saying they watch
reruns with their male children so I could be the kids’ surrogate
dad. That really tickles me.”
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