The Incredible Hulk, starring Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno as the titular character, debuted on November 4, 1977. Susan Sullivan appeared in the two-hour premiere. At one time three superhero series existed simultaneously. The Amazing Spider-Man premiered just two months prior and Wonder Woman debuted in 1975.
The Incredible Hulk ran for 5 seasons from 1977 to 1982. It was a ratings success, but was cancelled suddenly at the end of the fifth season. Throughout its run, it garnered three Primetime Emmy awards, winning one for Mariette Harley for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Series.
Actor, bodybuilder and all-around inspiration, Lou Ferrigno was born November 9, 1951 in Brooklyn, New York. He won his first major title IFBB Mr. America in 1969, and then IFBB Mr. Universe in 1973. He trained with Arnold Schwarzenegger and came in second in his first Mr. Olympia competition in 1974.
His other titles include Pro Mr. America-WBBG, Teen 1st, and IFBB Mr. International in 1974.
He appeared as the Incredible Hulk in the television series with Bill Bixby from 1978-1982. Most recently he has appeared in Star Trek Continues.
Bill Bixby, born January 22, 1934 in San Francisco, was a versatile actor and director, but probably best known for his portrayal of Dr. David Bruce Banner in the television series The Incredible Hulk with Lou Ferrigno, which ran for five seasons from 1977-1982 and spawned several made-for-TV movies. Much beloved of Marvel fans!
He first appeared the Courtship of Eddie's Father and then went on to star in The Magician. I remember watching some of those episodes. After the Incredible Hulk, he went on to direct the TV show Blossom with Mayim Bialik.
He passed away in November 1993 from complications due to prostate cancer.
After a one-off show which aired September 9, 1967, the response to Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In was granted its own series, the first episode of which aired January 22, 1968 - the same day as the Apollo 5 launch!
The show lasted for 6 seasons and starred almost everyone in entertainment, sports and politics. Richard Nixon made an appearance during his campaign in 1968 (Hubert Humphrey declined), so many credit his deadpan delivery of "Sock it to me?" for helping him get elected President.
Besides Nixon, stars included Carol Burnett, the Bee Gees, John Wayne, Leonard Nimoy, Wilt Chamberlin, Joe Namath, William F. Buckley, the Monkees, Rev. Billy Graham, Agnes Moorehead, Bill Bixby, and Oral Roberts.
Only four of the regulars appeared in every single episode: Dan Rowan, Dick Martin, Gary Owen and Ruth Buzzi, who won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress in 1973.
Laugh-In won a Golden Globe for Best TV Show in 1969. Arte Johnson won a Primetime Emmy Award in 1969 for Special Classification Achievements - Indiviuals (Variety Performances), while the show won for Outstanding Variety of Musical Series in 1968 and 1969. It won awards throughout its 6 year run.
We look back on it now and wonder why we laughed so much back then at the humor which seems so ho-hum and un-funny now. Maybe back then we had more to laugh about.
