Hogan's Heroes

[ClassyCo]

I'm not big on military sitcoms, but I have memories of my dad watching HOGAN'S HEROES on cold, damp Saturday mornings. I can't say I was necessarily a fan of the show when I watched it with him, but I enjoyed it well enough. I've even considered buying the box set to have it in my collection, or possibly as a gift for my dad.

HOGAN'S HEROES aired on CBS from 1965 to 1971, totaling six seasons and 168 color episodes. It had a strong start in the ratings, but eventually tapered off, and was cancelled by the network as a byproduct of what became known as the "rural purge". It starred Bob Crane, and featured the likes of Werner Klemperer, John Banner, Robert Clary, Richard Dawson, Ivan Dixon, Larry Hovis, and Kenneth Washington. The show was originally produced without a laugh track, but that initial pilot episode failed to score with test audiences. A laugh track was instated, and the pilot was retested, this time scoring highly with test audiences. CBS thereafter implemented the policy of all shows having laugh tracks if they were to be branded a comedy.

Anybody like this one?

 

[Crimson]

There was a summer when I was around 10 where I developed a daily routine of watching HOGAN'S HEROES while eating P&B sandwich with a glass of iced tea.

I have great nostalgia for the sandwich; the show, not so much.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

The premise -- wily Americans navigating a prisoner of war camp in nazi Germany run by knuckleheaded officers, and hijinx ensue -- is about as bizarre as there has ever been for a sitcom.

I'm old enough to remember when it was still in primetime. Mom warned us that the show's format was irresponsibly absurd, which was the correct message, but she didn't keep us from watching it.

Naturally, Bing Crosby produced the thing.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

At one point, I thought Robert Clary was adorable. He lived to be 96.

What ever happened to that Hogan guy??

 

[Crimson]

run by knuckleheaded officers

Improbably, Klink and Schultz are among the more endearing characters in sitcom history. I recall finding Hogan and his heroes to be uninteresting. I've seen Bob Crane in a few things and I never found him particularly funny, charming or even likeable.

So, yeah, a very odd show.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

Klink and Schultz are among the more endearing characters in sitcom history

If you can't find a nazi commandant lovable, then who can you love??

I've seen Bob Crane in a few things and I never found him particularly funny, charming or even likeable.

Maybe not. But you can find him naked if you look hard enough.