Jailhouse recordings put an unflattering spotlight on Hogans

The Hogan family has always clamored for publicity, with a willing and naive public eager to follow every word, every stunt, every gimmick coming out of the pro wrestling superstar's camp.

Even the mainstream media was guilty of blindly following Hulk Hogan's flag-waving, say-your-prayers and eat-your-vitamins, squeaky-clean image.

When Hogan lied to the public 17 years ago on comic Arsenio Hall's late-night TV show by denying that he used steroids, he was given a free pass.

His only concession then was that he'd taken a synthetic hormone three times, but just to get over a shoulder injury. Incredulous that anyone might question his integrity, he took out a picture of himself as a 12-year-old Little Leaguer.

"I trained 20 years, two hours a day to look like I do, Arsenio," he said. "I am not a steroid abuser and I do not use steroids."

Hogan had more Teflon than DuPont, and he laughed all the way to the bank.

It wasn't, though, until recently that the public and the media got another closer, personal look at Terry "Hulk Hogan" Bollea. While "Hogan Knows Best" may have been nothing more than a largely scripted, celebrity-driven "reality" show, the events that have unfolded in the wake of a nightmarish occurrence have been very real.

As for the publicity, the Hogans are still getting it, in big and ugly doses.

Nick Hogan (Nick Bollea), whose whiny trivialization of the tragedy in recorded jailhouse conversations, has put a new and unflattering spotlight on the narcissistic family. But he's had plenty of help.

The conversations have included the family complaining about the awful conditions in jail, a possible reality show gig centered around Nick when he gets out of the slammer and, disturbingly enough, Nick's mom, Linda, bad-mouthing John Graziano's mother, saying, "She's not sad ... she's just acting angry like she just wants the money."

Conspicuously absent in the dialogue has been any sense of remorse.

Hogan, who will turn 18 on July 27, was sentenced last month in an adult court to eight months behind bars after pleading no contest to causing an alcohol-fueled crash last August that left passenger John Graziano, a former U.S. Marine and Iraq war veteran, permanently brain-damaged after sustaining a broken skull. The Hulkster, staying "in character" regardless of the circumstances or surroundings, wore a black do-rag in court during the sentencing hearing.

Hogan initially was segregated from other inmates in the county jail in Clearwater because he is a minor, even though he was convicted in adult court. Hogan, at 17, was considered too young to live among the jail's general population.

A judge denied a transfer request from Hogan's lawyers on Tuesday. But a spot for the teenager opened up Thursday following a review of the current housing assignments. The decision was routine, according to the Pinellas County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office, and unrelated to Hogan's earlier request to be released from solitary confinement to instead serve the remainder of his eight-month sentence in minimum security or on house arrest.

Hogan, who claimed the confinement was causing him "unbearable anxiety," is now sharing living space with three other juvenile inmates.

The youngster's lawyers, meanwhile, have sued the Pinellas County sheriff, accusing jail officials of violating his privacy by releasing recordings of the telephone conversations he'd had with his parents to the media and allowing a news crew to film them.

The self-absorbed family has been the target of heavy mainstream criticism since the release of the tapes.

"An argument can made that Nick is really lucky that he is the son of Hulk Hogan, because things in young Nick's life could be much worse than Nick perceives them to be if his dad weren't the bandana-wearing celeb and wrestling icon that he is. Jail isn't designed to be a pleasant experience, but the young man's penal experience could be much worse, without question," WWE announcer Jim Ross weighed in on a recent blog.

The always insightful Ross also maintained that the judge's initial decision to keep Hogan in solitary confinement was a prudent one, and that the youngster's idle time could be served more constructively than complaining about jail conditions. Reading and meditation, he suggested, would be a good start.

"It would appear that the young man is being held in solitary confinement for his own protection of which his family should be relieved. Nick attempting to 'drop a leg' on the general inmate population would be ill advised. Nick is much safer in isolation than walking around in the general population. Hopefully, Nick's folks will encourage him to take this time to work diligently and seriously on improving himself. Read books and more books. Write daily … keep a diary … document your experience. Meditate. Think about the past and the future because the present for the next few months is as it is."

Mom and Pop Hogan, meanwhile, aren't missing a beat.

It's too early to say how the controversy will affect Hogan's current role as co-host of "American Gladiators," but he's already begun filming another reality series, "Celebrity Championship Wrestling," set to debut in the fall on the Country Music Television network. The D-list array of contestants include Dustin Diamond (Screech from "Saved by the Bell"), former pop star Tiffany, Todd Bridges ("Different Strokes"), Trishelle ("Real World"), boxer Butterbean ("Jackass 2"), Playboy Playmate Nikki Ziering, musician Frank Stallone (Sylvester Stallone's musician brother), Erin Murphy (Tabitha from "Bewitched"), basketball star Dennis Rodman and actor Danny Bonaduce. Hogan cohorts Brian Knobbs and Brutus Beefcake will help with the training. The panel of judges will consist of Hogan, Eric Bischoff and Jimmy Hart.