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David Hasselhoff's show canceled by A&E, Some thoughts

By April MacIntyre Dec 10, 2010, 21:39 GMT

Goofy but good, underutilized creatively- David Hasselhoff - First Family Entertainment 2011 Pantomimes Photocall - Piccadilly Theatre - London, UK © Landmark / PR Photos

I like David Hasselhoff.  He's an American institution whose talents run deeper than the schlocky singing or the self-deprecating pot shots he takes at himself. 

Hasselhoff has always been polite, gregarious and kind at industry events where we have crossed paths, unlike many other celebrities who could learn some lessons in manners.  He's got his flaws and doesn't run away from the well-documented alcoholic elephant in the room, as he falls on and off the wagon like so many do.  

To quote Jules from the film "Pulp Fiction," "Personality goes a long way." 

Well, Hasselhoff has charm and personality for three men. But this year has been a tough one for Der Hoff, with his Comedy Central roast that seemed to perform well in ratings, followed by a short-lived stint on "Dancing with the Stars," and now his Osbournes-styled crack at the reality piñata, "The Hasselhoffs" being axed after two episodes by A&E.

The few episodes that did air showed Hasselhoff painting a brave and optimistic face on financial woes, and dealing with digging out of of the booze-fueled scandal that culminated with the infamous cheeseburger video tape that leaked, embarrassing him and his family. 

The performer in David keeps him going regardless, but I think he's experienced enough of life and its disappointments that he could carry off a great smaller role in a film that demands he play opposite of type, in a Tarantino-styled well-crafted comeback. He could pull it off.

A&E said Friday it has pulled the star's reality show off the air after only two episodes. Eight completed episodes will remain unaired.

"The Hasselhoffs" sank in ratings, with the The Nielsen Co. says the first episode was seen by 718,000 viewers, and the audience dropped to 505,000 the second week.

As was done with Mickey Rourke and Eric Roberts, I hope some visionary showrunner or filmmaker takes a chance on the Hoff.