Who is your favorite Hogan Family character?

[Madness]

Go on and vote people. Who's your favorite?

VALERIE
DAVID
SANDY
MICHAEL
MRS. POOLE
BURT
ANNIE STECK
RICH
MARK
WILLIE
GRANDPA LLOYD
BARBARA GOODWIN
PETER POOLE
STEVE TRAGER
CARA
BRENDA

Sorry if I forgot anyone who should be on this list. I put the people on that have been on more than 1 episode. :-)

Have fun!

[Ed Viveiros]

Originally posted by Madness:
Go on and vote people. Who's your favorite?

VALERIE
DAVID
SANDY
MICHAEL
MRS. POOLE
BURT
ANNIE STECK
RICH
MARK
WILLIE
GRANDPA LLOYD
BARBARA GOODWIN
PETER POOLE
STEVE TRAGER
CARA
BRENDA

Sorry if I forgot anyone who should be on this list. I put the people on that have been on more than 1 episode. :-)

Have fun!

Gosh, what a great idea you've come up with. Who is my favorite character? This is truly a hard thing to decide.

I do have my favorites, particularly Valerie Hogan (RIP hon!) and Annie Steck, whose friendship was quite comical yet so real. Too bad there wasn't enough of it shown.

Then there's David, who was always selfish and self-absorbed and yet you loved him anyway. Only Jason Bateman could make a character so unlikeable lovable. He would eventually grow into a caring, special man.

And I will always have a fondness for Mark Hogan, mainly because I related to him so much. I too was a brainiac type who was unsure of his social status amongst other kids, though at times he did act hyper at times. Unfortunately, a lot of Mark's uniqueness and special charisma evolved into typical comedy caricature (from "Valerie's Family" on) but the initial personality of the character was spot on.

Finally, there's Sandy. I credit this character with maintaining my interest in the show, 'cause let me tell ya I was plenty pissed off that Valerie was not only off the show, but dead as well. Inspite of that and the decline in strong writing, Sandy was able to win me over. Her warmth and comedic mannerisms (notice how she made you giggle sometimes with her facial expressions, all without saying anything?) were exceptional, especially when paired with Mrs. Poole (another fave of mine).

I also commend her on how she related to the Hogan clan. Given that her voice is somewhat squeaky, there was a real danger that she'd be this whiny school marm (remember in her first episode when she sends Mark & Willie out of the kitchen with the command "And no more fighting!"? Yikes!) and yet she never went there. Other than that episode (the one where we learn that Valerie had been dead for 6 months and Sandy made her debut) I don't recall her going over the top when it came to exercising her authority. I think in a way this worked because she wasn't the kids' mom. She was able to be a friend to them as well as their guardian, putting her on their level without being immature.

So there you have it pal. Sorry to be so wishy washy, but I really can't choose a favorite. I love them all equally, but for different reasons.

One thing I do know is the person I disliked the most: Grandpa Hogan. Uuughh! Why on earth involve him at all? He added nothing to the show except chiches. Another example of poor writing.

So folks, who's your favorite character and who's the character you hate?

Ed

------------------
Edward Viveiros, Jr.

[Madness]

Thanks for the compliment. Yeah, I agree about Grandpa Hogan. And that was good how you picked little things that made you like them each differently. If I were to pick, I'd say probably David(when Sandy came) and Sandy. They worked great together. I mean, you think of all the great two-somes. Felix and Oscar, Lucy and Ricky, Gilligan and The Skipper, Abbot and Costello, David and Sandy. Yep, David and Sandy! :-) You heard me right. What would TV have been without them?

[Jo-Po Rox]

My favorite H.F. Character was Willie. I love how hes so laid back and nonchalant. Sandy is a close 2nd. She always made me laugh.

[dannyyell]

<pounds fists on table> JEREMY JEREMY JEREMY! hahaha. Like anyone had to ask. http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[TJ]

A tie between David and Mark Hogan I think - I am probably more like Mark than David though..

[alicia_nicole]

My favourite character had to be Mark! I loved Jeremy Licht he was just so hot! I have always fell inlove with the nerdy guy! Although I have to admit I kinda liked Danny Ponce to he was just that really cute jock! So either Mark or Willie. But of course when the show was on I was really quite young. I was born in 1982 so my first actual crush as dumb as it sounds was on Jeremy and Danny! That beening said from an 18 yr old doesn't really mean that much! Although I get to re-live it all over again. Because a tv station called CTS is showing re-runs of 1980's sitcom's. and even though I'm not 6 or 7 anymore I still love them.

[dpx]

Hey Alica,

Are you from Toronto? I have also recently noticed that CTS has been airing the Hogan Family (along with other 80's gems like Family Ties/Growing Pains/Life Goes On). But have you noticed their religious background has blocked some episodes from airing? On Family Ties, any episode relating to sexual issues (with the kids) were never aired... Also other 'non-christian' themes seem to go unaired.

Anyhow, about my Fav Character.

It has got to be Sandy. I have never been a big fan of Valerie Harper anyway. I dont' know why, but unfortuantely I didnt' get to see too many "Valerie" episodes.

In second has to be Mark... what a character. My favorite line is from the episode where Mark gets to goto school with Dave (some advanced student program). In the beginning of the episode the dad asks: "So how was school today?"

Mark: "Another day, another A"

I loved it. It wasn't so much the words, but the way he just spit it out. He was a great addition to the cast.

As for Grampa Hogan... I was just watching the episode where Mark and his girlfriend fall asleep in the same bed... Everytime Grampa Hogan came on screen, I became uneasy... his dialogue is so forced and just feels weird. I love what the previous poster said, all he does is spit out Cliche's. Bad CBS!!!

Also, Willie was a great character too, I loved his character from the moment I saw the opening theme in the late 80's. You know the scene where he gives Mark the wrong test tube? Lol, I still laugh at the way Willie laughs at mark... and Marks facial expression!

[dannyyell]

wow dpx you remember the series better than I ever could. I only wish I was living in Toronto so I could view the episodes. http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/frown.gif

[alicia_nicole]

DPX:

I don't live in Toronto but I live close enough about an hour away! anyways! I totally agree with what you have to say. Although I can't remember the shows as vivadly as you can. I was quite young at the time. But as I watch the shows now I seem to recall bits an peices of my childhood. And yes I did realize that because of religious tastes(shall we say) that many episodes were not aired

[khlovesca]

Originally posted by dpx
Hey Alica,

Are you from Toronto? I have also recently noticed that CTS has been airing the Hogan Family (along with other 80's gems like Family Ties/Growing Pains/Life Goes On). But have you noticed their religious background has blocked some episodes from airing? On Family Ties, any episode relating to sexual issues (with the kids) were never aired... Also other 'non-christian' themes seem to go unaired.

Anyhow, about my Fav Character.

It has got to be Sandy. I have never been a big fan of Valerie Harper anyway. I dont' know why, but unfortuantely I didnt' get to see too many "Valerie" episodes.

In second has to be Mark... what a character. My favorite line is from the episode where Mark gets to goto school with Dave (some advanced student program). In the beginning of the episode the dad asks: "So how was school today?"

Mark: "Another day, another A"

I loved it. It wasn't so much the words, but the way he just spit it out. He was a great addition to the cast.

As for Grampa Hogan... I was just watching the episode where Mark and his girlfriend fall asleep in the same bed... Everytime Grampa Hogan came on screen, I became uneasy... his dialogue is so forced and just feels weird. I love what the previous poster said, all he does is spit out Cliche's. Bad CBS!!!

Also, Willie was a great character too, I loved his character from the moment I saw the opening theme in the late 80's. You know the scene where he gives Mark the wrong test tube? Lol, I still laugh at the way Willie laughs at mark... and Marks facial expression! You've got taste girl's my favorite.
character is JEREMY LICHT PLAYED MARK HOGAN
I would give him A+ for his character what hottie!!!:D

[dandelion wine]

David and Mark.

[I_Love_Fonzie]

My favourite character used to be Sandy but now it's Mark.

[nicky581]

Then there's David, who was always selfish and self-absorbed and yet you loved him anyway. Only Jason Bateman could make a character so unlikeable lovable. He would eventually grow into a caring, special man.





You are so right!!!! :)

[RebelRocket]

I would have to say my favorite one was Dave. Always had a wise remark to say. Burt was pretty funny too.

That episode where Burt, Dave and Rich share an apartment is funny. All the rituals Burt goes through to get ready for bed.

[Lesli]

without a doubt its VALERY, althou I think the whole cast was adorable! I sure do miss that show. I wish I would be aired again just like evryone else here, how many fans are here currently that come and visit this site, raise your hands and be counted...post. Lesli

[RosalieBelle]

Valerie was my favorite! Ms. Harper TRULY is one in a billion! She was something; I loved her on Mary Tyler Moore and on Hogan Family. But I loved Sandy, too; there were times that she could make me LAUGH!!

Does anyone remember if the character of Valerie was reminisced about at all during any episode or two? (You know, like they used to do in Eight is Enough)? Did the father and sons ever mention that they missed her or anything?

[JeremyLicht4Me]

JEREMY LICHT!!!! YUMMMMMMM!!!!!!!! Need I say more?? LOL!!:D

[Edster2973]

Originally posted by RosalieBelle
Does anyone remember if the character of Valerie was reminisced about at all during any episode or two? (You know, like they used to do in Eight is Enough)? Did the father and sons ever mention that they missed her or anything?

Nope, they did not. I'd say she was mentioned about a total of 5 times, which is shameful. She was definitely mentioned in Sandy's debut episode, entitled 'Movin' On'. That they couldn't avoid.

Then she was mentioned in the fire episode, entitled 'Burned Out'. Then she was mentioned in the episode where David falls in love with Sarah (I forget the title), 'Dad's First Date', and the episode where Steven Traegor's mother was coming on to Michael Hogan.

In most of these mentionings, she was mentioned as the setup for a joke. Pretty tasteless if you ask me. You can tell the producers were p'oed at her and wanted to mock the actress by negating her character's importance.

It's sad since I think some delving into how the family missed Valerie could have added some much needed depth. I think the show lost some of its punch when it lost Valerie; not merely because of the loss of Harper, but because in order for the show to pull off its casual treatment of Valerie's death, it had to evolve into a show that was much sillier (instead of funnier) and more cartoonish. It somehow became more ordinary and predictable.

It's really a credit to Sandy Duncan and the rest of the cast that they kept the fans entertained inspite of some of the ordinary scripts. Kudos to them all for pulling that off...

Ed

[Edster2973]

Originally posted by kotterfan
Or, That was Sandy's Mother was an Expain was a trying to House.


First of all, your sentence MAKES NO SENSE!!!

Secondly, why do you constantly post with all of those big pictures? It's like you post just for that express purpose of showing off your picture collection.

Ed

[Skywalker]

David

[buttercup18]

mine was willie too he was so funny on the program and was cute!!!! beyond cute fine!!!!!!!!!*hehe*

[dave insinga]

really liked david and i thought mrs poole was funny

[Ana Raquel]

My favorite characters are: Mark and Willie Hogan (it's a tie). I like
Mark's sense of sensibility toward Cara, his smarts and his sense of
responsability. I like Willie's mischievousness and playfulness. He's
very funny. My second favorite is Mrs. Poole, she is soo nice, and
also very funny. Third one would be David and Burt. Last one would be
Michael Hogan. He didn't spend much time with the kids when Valerie
was there, also he was very impatient with Mark's science teacher after
his fiancee dumped him for someone else.
Anyway, I like best Mark and Willie. :)

[Heidi Dawn]

My favorite was David Hogan. I always though Jason was handsome (still is today on Arrested Developement).

[Movie12]

Sandy Hogan was my favorite!

[PatJK910]

my favorite is david hogan.:)

[CODIS]

Mrs. Poole Rocks!
Bert (the dude withe the Gremlin)

[Ryan Jones]

Well, My favorite character from the TV series "Valerie" is Valerie Hogan!!
The show is her's. Valerie Harper is the best and she is the STAR!!!
Why is the family picture on this site one with Sandy Duncan??
I never call the show "The Hogan Family" always "Valerie"!!
The family picture should have Valerie Hogan in the center!!

[Ryan Jones]

Another problem thhat I have is how they paid no respect to Valerie Hogan
They never mentioned it all, I mean they did a few times, but not enough. I mean come on the name of the series was "Valerie"!!
Valerie Harper is the BEST!! an Amazing actress

[Edster2973]

Another problem thhat I have is how they paid no respect to Valerie Hogan
They never mentioned it all, I mean they did a few times, but not enough. I mean come on the name of the series was "Valerie"!!
Valerie Harper is the BEST!! an Amazing actress

The few times when they acknowledged Valerie Hogan was when the show had to. It was basically during Sandy's first episode, "Moving On", and during the fire episode, "Burned Out". Other than that, her death was used as a setup for a joke.

One time was when Michael & Sandy asked how the boys felt about their dad going on a date (his first since Valerie's death), and the twins acted all indifferent. Cue laugh track. Yeah, really funny stuff... :rolleyes:

Second was when Mrs. Traegar was coming on to Michael after learning that not only was Sandy Michael's sister, but that Michael was also a widower. Again, cue laugh track. Talk about tacky and insensitive.

One could see the producers and writers were plenty pissed at Valerie Harper so any reference to her character's death was treated with as much indignity as possible. The only reason why the show was able to get away with it is because the public at that time was convinced that Valerie Harper was in the wrong and deserved what she got. Now that we know that wasn't the case, it makes those episodes almost unwatchable. I think that even if the actress herself was a complete witch (which, we know now, wasn't the case), there was no need to take it out on her character. Valerie Hogan loved her boys and husband. They were her whole world and, during the Valerie era anyway, they loved her equally. I can't help but feel that the blasé reactions over her death kind of spit on what went on before. There's just something off about the whole thing.

Glad to see I'm not the only one who feels this way...


Ed

[Buffyboy323]

My favorite is David. I like Mrs. Pool and Sandy too.

[Yamatoking]

I adore the three boys David,Willie and Mark because they have a great timing for comedy.