Hank (TV series)

Infobox Television
show_name = Hank


caption =
show_name_2 =
genre = situation comedy
creator =
director = Leslie H. Martinson
Allen Baron
"and others"
developer =
presenter =
starring = Dick Kallman
Howard St. John
Dabbs Greer
Linda Foster
Katie Sweet
Kelly Jean Peters
Lloyd Corrigan
Shiela Bromley
Dorothy Neumann
Lou Wills, Jr.
voices =
narrated =
theme_music_composer = Johnny Mercer
Frank Perkins
opentheme =
endtheme =
composer =
country = USA
language = English
num_seasons = 1
num_episodes = 26
list_episodes =
executive_producer = William T. Orr
producer = Hugh Benson
James Komack
supervising_producer =
asst_producer =
co-producer =
editor =
story_editor =
location = flagicon|California California
camera =
runtime = 30 mins
network = NBC
picture_format = 1.33 : 1
pilot: monochrome
series: color
audio_format = monaural
first_run =
first_aired = 24 September 1965
last_aired =
15 April 1966
preceded_by =
followed_by =
related =
website =
imdb_id = 0058811
tv_com_id = 6068

"Hank" is a 1965 American situation comedy which is perhaps most notable for being an early example of a program with a true series finale. [http://www.tvparty.com/rechank.html Sidebar comments at tvparty.com] ] That is, the underlying premise of the series reaches a natural conclusion with its final episode. [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058811/trivia Trivia page for "Hank" at IMDB] ]

ynopsis

The show revolves around a pair of orphans. In both the unaired pilot and first episode, the titular Hank Dearborn is explained to be a teenager left to raise his young sister after his parents die in a car crash. Seeing that the best route to this is higher education, Hank attempts to illegally audit classes at the fictional Western State University, while at the same time taking a variety of odd jobs to financially support what remains of his family. Much of the humor of the show derives from the fact that accomplishing these twin goals requires him to engage in identity theft. Much of the drama arises from his fear of his sister being forced into foster care. [ [http://www.jumptheshark.com/topic/Hank/Hank-General-Comments/850 Contemporary viewer reminiscences at jumptheshark.com] ]

His life is further complicated by the fact that he is dating the daughter of the university's registrar, who is on the lookout for false students like Hank. Typical episodes show Hank narrowly avoiding detection as an impersonator. In the final episode, his true identity is compromised. However, because of his excellent performance on a recent exam, the university rewards him with a full academic scholarship and formal admittance to the university.

The series ends with his sister remarking, "There goes my brother—the registered student."

External links

*imdb title|0058811|Hank
* [http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/Stage/2950/US/Comedy/Hank.htm "Hank" at Classic TV Archives]

References