David Hasselhoff

Welcome everyone to Entertainment Asylum's Studio-I where we bring you live cutting edge interviews with all your favorite stars. I'm your host Matt Wagner and today we are very excited to be talking to one of the most popular man in entertainment Mr. David Hasselhoff. And David today is joining us by telephone...

 

Matt W.	Hi David. How are you?
David H.	Never had a better day. How about you?
Matt W.	Ah, great. Same here, this is the best day of my life. Since this is the Internet I wanted to start off with a question from one of our fans about how you see "Baywatch" developing in, you know, the new millennium in the year 2000 with new technology developing and what do you see as the vision of Baywatch in the year 2000.
David H.	Well I think with the Internet access we have a direct access with our fans and people we can contact them and talk to them and get direct feed back from them as to what they like and dislike about the show. Last year we did something with AOL, a show from a ship the Princess Cruise and we actually took a focus report for it and found out what they liked and disliked and we addressed those questions and requests and the ratings actually went up for the first time in four years. And it was quite exciting and go down to NAPTE which is like a big automobile show but you actually go down there to sell television shows and we were very proud to say that "Baywatch" has gone up where the top five shows like "Hercules and Zena" had all gone down 25 to 30% where "Baywatch" had gone up and that was a direct result from talking to our fans.
Matt W.	Wow. Well were going to start talking to some of those fans right away. The first one is from (?) They want to know... Why do you think the Baywatch show has been so successful?
David H.	It's been so successful I think for many reasons. I think it's because with the formula of an old show we did, called "Knight Rider" and that it appeals to lot of members of the family so in other words when you sit down to watch the show if you watch "E.R." or "NYPD Blue" or "Law and Order" sometimes those are a little adult and don't appeal to the rest of the family. Baywatch is something where you can kick back and the entire family can watch it together. I sort of learned that growing up by watching a show called "Dick Van Dyke". And "Dick Van Dyke" was on at 6 O'clock every day on reruns as I grew up and my entire family watched that together and I think that the secret to that success is broadcasting. And it means that it reaches a broad audience from a 2 or 3 year old kid who looks at the boats and the helicopters and the heroes to the grandfather who sometimes says I like to watch it for the babes.
Matt W.	Well, it also has a really broad international appeal. I was actually in Spain over the holidays and a lot of people over there were talking about it. Do you have a lot of fans from around the world? sending you fan mail?
David H.	We get an incredible amount of fan mail from around the world. A lot of it has to do with some, pretty incredible, kids who kind of followed my career since "The Young and the Restless" to "Knight Rider" to "Baywatch"... But more importantly the letters that I have gotten particularly in the last... I went on the "Rosie O'Donnell Show" and announced that I had a web site under construction called davidhasselhoff.com. And it was pretty amazing to me the response I got from people who said thank you very much for "Baywatch". Particularly one lady stated that her daughter actually gave her CPR and she attributed her life to "Baywatch" and she actually said thank you very much David Hasselhoff for my life, which was pretty emotional and that's one of the positive things about the show.
Matt W.	Well, that must have made you feel very good. Well, while we are a very technologically advanced site here we do have to have someone typing for you so if you wouldn't mind slowing down just a bit so she can catch up.
David H.	No problema.
Matt W.	OK thanks. Our next question is from (?) They want to know if "Knight Rider" were ever to return would you come back and play the part again?
David H.	In a New York minute... In A New York minute. "Knight Rider", I think is directly responsible for the success of "Baywatch". There was a terrific following from "Knight Rider" that I think went to "Baywatch" with the same attributes and qualities of "Knight Rider". The "Knight Industries 2000" namely "KITT" was programmed to save lives not take lives and that is really what "Baywatch" is about, no one ever dies on "Baywatch" or gets killed or murdered it's more about saving lives. And I think that "Knight Rider" was directly responsible for that.
Matt W.	Our next question here is from (?). What about the Valentines album for Germany you talked about. I'm looking for it on Monday and you better hope it's there or I'm going to be very sad.
David H.	Say that again...
Matt W.	Your Valentines album for Germany? They're hoping that it will be in the stores on Monday or else they are going to be very sad.
David H.	Well tell them they are going to be very sad because it's not going to be in the stores. I'm actually currently working on a new album that I'm going to access directly to my fans through the Internet and through local distributing. Basically I have run my course with the record companies. I've got forty Gold and Platinum records but unfortunately when you deal with the record company your basically only as successful as the radio air play that you get. And I find that there are many fans out there pacifically from... again I must go back to the "Rosie O'Donnell Show" where I got something like 6,000 e-mails in an hour and I'd say 60% of them were wondering where they could get my cd's. So I'm dealing directly with my public now and they'll probably be only accessible through the internet.
Matt W.	Wow. So you're using the internet quite a bit more and more it sounds like.
David H.	Well, it's obviously the wave of the future.
Matt W.	Are you getting more technically proficient with computers yourself?
David H.	Yea. I've got about four computers in my house and I've been totally resisting it, my wife has been into it, my kids have been into it. I'm more into, you know, driving fast cars and scuba diving and creating opportunities for David Hasselhoff in the theatrical world. But I recently have received a lap top for an honorary award because of Baywatch going into it's 10th season so I must say that when I go to Morocco where I'm leaving for ten days to do a picture called "Shaka Zulu" I will be there with my assistant, Cary Kwazizur, and we will be programming and broadcasting from Morocco on a daily basis so that our fans can kind of keep up with what's happening. It's pretty wild you know, behind the scenes. I go around the world because of the strength of "Baywatch" I can basically get into any kind of trouble I want.
Matt W.	The next question here is from (?) They want to know - I heard they were opening a chain of Baywatch Restaurants. Do you know if they have plans for Northern Florida also and do you have any plans to attend the grand openings?
David H.	Well, they opening the restaurant, they is me. I am the one who started the whole thing. Were starting in southeastern Miami in June. And I'm negotiating right now for a site in Chicago, a site in Las Vegas and a site in New York to open for the millennium. As for Northern Florida at this point we don't have any plans.
Matt W.	What kind of food do you serve at the restaurant?
David H.	Well, it's going to be a really a lot like one of my favorite restaurants in Hawaii called (? ) There's going to be a lot of seafood and also similar to a restaurant out here that's quite successful called Gladstones. And it will mostly be seafood, healthy food, but there'll be some burgers and steaks on the menu but basically it's going to be stuff that relates to the beach.
Matt W.	Well, speaking of the beach and particularly technical matters (?) wants to know why you guys always cut to slow motion when you run?
David H.	Because we can't run fast.
Matt W.	Well, when they're shooting those running sequences like the race sequences are you guys actually participating? Sometimes it looks like you're actually participants in a race.
David H.	Usually they are very qualified tri-athelets and lifeguards from around the world who allow me to win because I'm the actor. Believe me these guys are.. I'm in pretty damn good shape but these guys you know, pretty much kick my butt you know... Because that's what they do. These guys that we portray are real life heroes and they are the real deal.
Matt W.	Have you ever participated in any of those triathlons?
David H.	I have, and I must say I did not finish last which was quite an accomplishment for me.
Matt W.	Well that's good. Congratulations. Our next question here is from (?) Hey David This is (?) from Germany. When I was a teenager I used to love your music and I was at two of your shows. I would like to know who you would love to sing a duet with the most. Thank you very much.
David H.	Who I would love to sing a duet with the most? Wow, that's a good question. I think one of the greatest singers is Celion Deion. I would love to sing a duet with Celine Dion.
Matt W.	Is there a particular song you would like to sing with Celine?
David H.	Well I actually have a song of my own called "More Than Words Can Say" which is actually released over there. But I would love to sing with her "More Than Words Can Say".
Matt W.	Wow. Well I hope that happens soon I would like to hear that. (?) wants to know if you enjoyed your appearance on South Park.
David H.	I met the guys that created South Park at a convention recreantly and it was very funny meeting them because I have to tell you the story, my daughter came running in saying "You're on TV, you're on TV". And it was a cartoon show and I didn't know what South Park was and I started watching it and thought wow this is pretty cool until they started mentioning things that I really can't talk about on the internet and stuff that my daughter shouldn't hear and I said what the heck is this? But I found it quite amusing and I was quite honored.
Matt W.	(?) would like to know where is KITT now?
David H.	Well actually KITT, the original dash of the car is outside in my gymnasium. It was given to me as a gift from the crew when the show was cancelled and there is a replica of KITT at the Universal Studios still talking to people after what... '82..'92.. (Counting) fifteen years.
Matt W.	Wow. Well speaking about the legacy of "Knight Rider" the next question is from (?) I also liked Edward Mulhare in the "Ghost and Mrs. Muir". Was he fun to work with on "Knight Rider"?
David H.	Well, I have to tell you that is a pretty timely question because today someone said to me "You remind me of Edward Mulhare on the Ghost and Mrs. Muir" and Edward Mulhare was like my surrogate mentor and uncle and he passed away last year and today someone said to me "You should be in the Ghost and Mrs. Muir". Because I have a beard. Timely that someone would bring that up right now. Not a bad idea though. Edward was an incredible incredible man.
Matt W.	Our next question here is regarding your running and staying in shape (?) Hi David, you're in great shape. I would like to know what your diet/exercise routine is.
David H.	Well, I eat a lot of fruits in the morning and basically fruits and proteins. If you stay away from the three whites, which are sugar, bread, and pasta things like that, your able to keep a pretty good physique, but you really have to exercise. I went in for a heart check this week and they say I have the heart of an eighteen-year-old parakeet
Matt W.	Is that a good or...
David H.	They said I have a good heart and it's only because I exercise. But really the key is, there's two keys... It's exercise and drinking a lot of water. You've got to drink a lot of water and that really really helps clean your system out and also having a good wife or a passionate girlfriend and making a lot of love helps as well
Matt W.	Yea, and that's good for the soul as well.
David H.	Good for the abs.
Matt W.	Our next question here is from (?) David I build racecars do you like to race or act more?
David H.	Well I love racing. I raced once in the Long Beach Grand Prix and Dan Gurney pushed me off the wall and I wreaked my car, but I was very happy that he did that because if I had won I'd probably have taken it up as a profession. You know, these people who race they're professionals, they're like Michael Jorden you know, of the racing industry, and believe me, I can't compete with them. I'm lucky enough to say that I'm an actor and I'm very proud to have the number one show in the world, that's what I do. I re-create what these people do. I look good racing, I look good rescuing lives but I am not a lifeguard and I'm not a racer but I'd like to be one someday.
Matt W.	Well you recently got to combine both those passions acting and racecar driving in the AOL Baywatch episode. We actually went behind the scene and interviewed you on that set when you were behind the wheel of the AOL racecar. Did you enjoy being behind the wheel of that car?
David H.	No
Matt W.	No?
David H.	I could not fit in the car. Most of the guys racing these cars are not 6'4. To be honest I had more bruises getting in and out of that car and it make me kind of pine for "Knight Rider". I would love to actually bring "Knight Rider" back and race again but it was tough because those cars are built for the guys who race their custom cars and it was really difficult getting in the car. I must say the people I worked with there, the AOL team, the real pit crew were terrific guys.
Matt W.	Next question here from (?) Will there be any sequels to Nick Fury?
David H.	Wow. Only if Joe finances them. I loved that project though. As a matter of fact today I read in the trades that Fox is doing three Marvel comic book sequels and one of them is not mine. I loved Nick Fury and I hope... and most of the e-mail and letters I got form marvel comic fans were real happy with my portrayal, which made me feel great because I tried to be truthful to the comic book. I hope so I loved that character, he was kind of a tough guy but with a real positive attitude.
Matt W.	So we'll see if Joe has the money. Next question here from (?) Do you ever get tired of looking at beautiful girls running around in skimpy swimsuits?
David H.	No! What are you crazy?
Matt W.	You probably have the best job in the world I would imagine. Do you see it that way? I mean, is it easy for you to get up in the morning and go to work?
David H.	It's very easy for me to get up in the morning and go to work. Sometimes I worry you know, about the... I want to make sure the story lines are great and that the show is real, but every day I would to go work on the beach I would look out the window and say Thank You, Thank You to God because that's one of the things I'm going to miss when "Baywatch" is over.
Matt W.	You have been active in the business for so long this question from (?) Hi David, is it hard to lead a normal life when you’re a celebrity?
David H.	Well, I don't really know what a normal life is. It's difficult for my wife and my kids when I want to be with them and people are kind of over-reacting because I'm on television... It's difficult when people come to my home but for me it's... I really wouldn't trade it because it's opened so many doors. I think the sacrifices are small compared to what I've been given. So the answer is no.
Matt W.	Our next question here is from (?) About "Baywatch". What kind of relationship can we expect from Alex and Mitch and will Alex be back again next year?
David H.	As you know, if anyone has a relationship with Mitch they die. So I think that Alex and I, specifically Mitz Kapture, had a great relationship last year and we actually end up in the very last episode kind of declaring our feelings for each other. She was a welcome addition to the show. And I really believe because of her following from Silk Stockings it infinitely helped our ratings. I must say it was a pleasure working with her because of her acting ability. I'm not sure where were going next year, if she'll be with the cast or not, but it was refreshing to have someone who could actually help me re-write the shows and make a script that sometimes was not so good into something that's much better.
Matt W.	Is that how the set works. everything is sort of collaborative. You guys are very open to suggestion from the actors and...
David H.	Yea. I'm the executive producer and when people walk on the show and I say You don't like the line? take it to the producer and they say who is that, and I just say you're looking at him. You know, I keep it open because, a ctors are like children, they are very emotional people, they're very inpressinable, and their easy to please but also easy to hurt and you have to kind of walk a fine line with them to get a good performance.
Matt W.	Let's see here, our next question here is from (?) Will there be any Blooper videos coming out, funny flubs and also when women actually fall out of their suit?
David H.	We actually have some of those but we've opted not to release them because well, A - because how do I call up somebody and say, excuse, me but your anatomy was showing, how much can I pay you for that? You know, that's not what I'm into. We do have lots of bloopers form the shows that have been on Dick Clarks Bloopers and Blunders and were actually putting a tape together now but it will not involve people falling out of their suits, it will involve actors messing up their lines.
Matt W.	Our last question here is from (?) David I love your music is there any chance of you touring in the U.S. anytime soon?
David H.	Well yes. I'm going to be touring with Baywatch restaurant openings the first one will be in Miami and the second one will be in Las Vegas and pretty much I'm kind of gearing up toward that avenue in the future because that's where I have the most fun.
Matt W.	OK, one last question here is from (?) I saw you on some talk shows lately and you were working on some new projects, what can we expect from you in the near future?
David H.	The near future is "Shaka Zulu", a 4-hour miniseries, which was a sequel to a very famous series about ten years ago, and then I will be going to do the 10th season of Baywatch and then I will be doing a picture called "The Ice Man" which will be released theatrically around the world and then I will be doing a miniseries called "The Diamond Hunters" which is a Wilber Smith project.
Matt W.	Wow, you have a busy year coming up.
David H.	Yea.
Matt W.	Is the beard you have now for Shaka Zulu?
David H.	Yea
Matt W.	Well, I look forward to seeing you in a beard. Thank you so much for talking with us David, it's been a pleasure.
David H.	Thank you
Matt W.	And we'll hopefully be talking to you again soon.
David H.	I hope so, I'll be available.
Matt W.	Great
David H.	Don't forget davidhasselhoff.com. I'm waiting.
Matt W.	OK we will. Thank you David