The Incredible Hulk (1978-82 TV series)

The Incredible Hulk
Genre	Science-fiction, action-adventure drama
Developed for television by	Kenneth Johnson
Based on characters created by	Stan Lee
Music by	Joe Harnell
Country of origin	United States
No. of seasons	5
No. of episodes	82
Network	CBS

"Mr. McGee don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry." —Dr. David Banner (tagline for the series)

The Incredible Hulk was a live-action science-fiction drama that ran on CBS from 1978 to 1982. It was created by Kenneth Johnson. The series was preceded by a pair of two-hour made-for-TV movies starting in November 1977. After the cancellation of the series, three television movies aired on NBC (1988, 1989 and 1990).

Premise

The story originates when Dr. David Banner and his wife Laura are riding in their car when a tire blows out. The car rolls over. David gets thrown out, but his wife does not. He tries to save her by lifting the car to get her out, but he can't. Later, he interviews people and finds a woman who had exactly the same thing happen to her, except that she got her son out of the car. Banner gets angry that others could save their loved ones, but he couldn't save his. He figures out that high levels of gamma radiation from sunspots, along with the emotional stress experienced in these situations, are the reason why these people were able to find the physical strength to save those they love. He decides to test his theory by using the lab equipment to subject himself to a concentrated dose of gamma radiation. Unknown to him, the equipment had been upgraded, causing him to administer a far higher dose than he had intended. This causes him, when he becomes angry and enraged, to metamorphose into the Hulk. Reporter Jack McGee keeps trying to hunt down the Hulk—thinking that the creature killed Banner and his associate, Dr. Elaina Marks. Meanwhile, David tries to find a cure for the Hulk.

Opening narration: "Dr. David Banner: physician, scientist; searching for a way to tap into the hidden strengths that all humans have. Then an accidental overdose of gamma radiation alters his body chemistry. And now when David Banner grows angry or outraged, a startling metamorphosis occurs...The creature is driven by rage and pursued by an investigative reporter. The creature is wanted for a murder he didn't commit. David Banner is believed to be dead and he must let the world think that he is dead until he can find a way to control the raging spirit that dwells within him."

Main actors/characters

Bill Bixby
as David Banner
(appeared in 81 episodes)

Lou Ferrigno
as The Hulk
(82 episodes)

Jack Colvin
as Jack McGee
(56 episodes)

• Ted Cassidy: voice of the Hulk (and opening narration) in seasons 1 & 2
• Charles Napier: partial voice of the Hulk in seasons 3–5 (uncredited)

Episodes

The Incredible Hulk (pilot)

1. Death in the Family (a.k.a. The Return of The Incredible Hulk)
2. Final Round
3. The Beast Within
4. Of Guilt Models And Murder
5. Terror In Times Square
6. 747
7. The Hulk Breaks Las Vegas
8. Never Give A Trucker An Even Break
9. Life And Death
10. Earthquakes Happen
11. The Waterfront Story

Season two

1. Married
2. The Antowuk Horror
3. Ricky
4. Rainbows End
5. A Child In Need
6. Another Path
7. Alice In Disco Land
8. Killer Instinct
9. Stop The Presses
10. Escape From Los Santos
11. Wildfire
12. A Solitary Place
13. Like A Brother
14. The Haunted
15. Mystery Man (Part 1)
16. Mystery Man (Part 2)
17. The Disciple
18. No Escape
19. Kindred Spirits
20. The Confession
21. The Quiet Room
22. Vendetta Road

Season three

1. Metamorphosis
2. Blind Rage
3. Brain Child
4. The Slam
5. My Favorite Magician
6. Jake
7. Behind The Wheel
8. Homecoming
9. The Snare
10. Babalao
11. Captive Night
12. Broken Image
13. Proof Positive
14. Sideshow
15. Long Run Home
16. Falling Angels
17. The Lottery
18. The Psychic
19. Rock And A Hard Place
20. Deathmask
21. Equinox
22. Nine Hours
23. On The Line

Season four

1. Prometheus (Part 1)
2. Prometheus (Part 2)
3. Free Fall
4. Dark Side
5. Deep Shock
6. Bring Me the Head of the Hulk
7. Fast Lane
8. Goodbye, Eddie Cain
9. King of the Beach
10. Wax Museum
11. East Winds
12. The First (Part 1)
13. The First (Part 2)
14. The Harder They Fall
15. Interview With The Hulk
16. Half Nelson
17. Danny
18. Patterns

Season five

1. The Phenom
2. Two Godmothers
3. Veteran
4. Sanctuary
5. Triangle
6. Slaves
7. A Minor Problem

Post-series movies

• The Incredible Hulk Returns (1988)
• The Trial of the Incredible Hulk (1989)
• The Death of the Incredible Hulk (1990)

Media

The Incredible Hulk Movie Feature-Behind-the-Scenes - Looking Back To The TV Show

The Incredible Hulk - TV Series (1978)

External links

• Wikipedia page