When reality shows first emerged, I hated them. I thought they were nothing but microscopes invading on a family just trying to live their lives. I felt ashamed that America had nothing better to do than watch someone else live their lives instead of living their own. I got disgusted as each new reality show reared its ugly head to add to the ever growing number of reality shows until that was all there was left. And I prayed that this fad of reality shows would finally disappear…

…then I saw Hogan Knows Best.

I must confess that after Law & Order, my favorite show is Hogan Knows Best. I have been a religious Hulkamaniac since I was twelve years old, and to see Hulk Hogan as a father rather than the Hulkster is not only something I love to watch – but something I have always wanted to see.

When you idolize someone and look up to them as the icon of your favorite sport, you are always curious about how they live their lives between the opening and closing bell of a match. You often wonder what he or she does in their spare time – and you always wish you can be a fly on the wall and witness a glimpse of their home life. I guess that is why I love Hogan Knows Best as much as I do. Yes, it is a reality show – but it is so much more to me. Granted, I watched The Osbournes and I enjoyed it very much. But I did not spend my life watching Ozzy Osbourne with the frequency I did Hulk Hogan. There was not a match of his I missed, I had every piece Hulk Hogan merchandise ever made – and I even spoke to him on the telephone several times. So there is no doubt that Hogan Knows Best is not the reality show it is to everyone else – which perfectly explains my devotion to the show.

I never met Hogan’s family, although I did speak to Hogan’s wife Linda on the phone twice. But to meet them and see the love and camaraderie they have with and for each other is amazing. It’s hard for me to imagine the Hulk as somebody’s dad – especially with such a beautiful and talented daughter as Brooke – but when I see him be fatherly to his daughter and his son Nick – I can’t help but chuckle. Not in a bad way, but a shocked and intrigued one. Even though you idolize your sports hero, you know that they are still ordinary people just like you and me who have families and issues and problems just like any other family – but it is a whole different ballgame to actually see it.

After the first episode was aired – it became the highest rated debut ever in the history of VH1. Almost out of the gate, it practically guaranteed itself a second season, which has already gone into pre-production. And the fact that it happened is proof that I am not the only Hulkamaniac that is watching this show religiously. Imagine a show, if you will, chronicling Babe Ruth’s home life, or a day in the life of Joe Namath, or perhaps Muhammad Ali? That is how I feel about Hogan Knows Best. It brings my sports icon to life even in a way he could never do in the ring. It makes him real and shows him as a guy rather than just a great wrestler. It makes him human and not immortal – even though in the ring, he always will be. And most of all – it shows me no matter his charisma and talent in the ring – he is a devoted family man – and a true man of class.

For those of you who have never seen it, Hogan Knows Best is on every Sunday at 9:30pm and is repeated throughout the week. In next week’s episode, entitled, Hogans Versus City Hall: “The Hogan family is at war with the town of Bellaire, Florida over the number of pets they have. The onetime menagerie of more than a dozen has been whittled down to five animals plus a permitted rooster after their next-door neighbor complained to the town. But Bellaire officials are playing hardball: They send the Hogans a letter saying the family is in violation of the town code, and a hearing is scheduled. After another heated confrontation between Linda and the neighbor’s gardener, they go to the hearing. Will the Hogans have to give up their precious pets? Or will the family stand strong on principle?” If you want to see some great television, make sure you watch Hogan Knows Best.

Did I mention how much I love the show?