David Hasselhoff still pumping irony

How did a much-mocked, big-jawed star of cheesy '80s action shows morph into The Hoff - a single-(nick)named pop culture icon to at least two generations of tube fans and irony lovers?

David Hasselhoff just is. The star of "Baywatch" and "Knight Rider" reigns as one of those earnest, rough-and-ready macho heroes of yesteryear - but his old-time Hollywood archetype resonates a bit differently in 21st century media culture.

However, unlike another omni-talented icon of irony - that would be The Shat, William Shatner - Hasselhoff doesn't always seem to be in on his own joke. Which can make him even more amusing.

So we look forward to this weekend's "Comedy Central Roast of David Hasselhoff" (Sunday at 10 p.m.) on a couple of levels. How will roasters like Seth MacFarlane, Jerry Springer and Hulk Hogan - and yes, guys, Pamela Anderson - rip apart Hasselhoff's persona? And will their 58-year-old target respond with appreciation or befuddlement - or perhaps some mad mixture best appreciated only by Germans?

Let's review what brought this broad-shouldered actor to pop culture renown - and which provides fodder for his roasters' rips. (Adult-language "Roast" previews at comedycentral.com.)

THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS

When 1975-82

Who Dr. William "Snapper" Foster on CBS daytime soap

What Snapper was an ambitious, blue-collar medical student who married wealthy Chris Brooks but had a child with Sally McGuire.

Flashback Hasselhoff reprised his role in five "Y&R" episodes this June.

Watch Snapper's sensitive '70s whispers at youtube .com/watch?v=hbhRfNLw8oE.

KNIGHT RIDER 

When 1982-86

Who Michael Knight on NBC action series

What Knight looks buff-tough but gets upstaged by his souped-up talking Trans-Am, as KITT (voiced by William Daniels of "St. Elsewhere") helps him catch bad guys and transfixes kids everywhere. This all-American show is exported to nearly 100 countries, launching Hasselhoff as a global personality.

Flashback Sequel TV movie "Knight Rider 2000" aired in 1991.

Watch On complete-series DVD set.

RECORDING CAREER 

When 1989

Where "Looking for Freedom" album barely sells in the U.S., but Germany goes nuts for Hasselhoff the pop star, sending his singles "Looking for Freedom" and "Crazy for You" to the top of the charts. Hoff would sing "Freedom" on the Berlin Wall for New Year's Eve in 1989. His single "Jump in My Car" zoomed up British charts in 2006 thanks to fans' "Hoff alert" Internet campaign.

Watch Berlin Wall footage at youtube .com/watch? v=rdaDo42DvLs.

BAYWATCH 

When 1989-2000

Who Mitch Buchannon on NBC (1989-90) and syndication (1991-2000)

What Buchannon runs the lifeguard station at Malibu Beach, rescuing endangered bathers, solving crimes and generally making life safe on the sand for slow-motion running by busty babes. (Yes, guys, Pamela Anderson.) Canceled after a single season by NBC, "Baywatch" is revived by global demand to run another decade in first-run syndication. Guinness Book of World Records names it the most-watched TV show in the world.

Flashback Cast reunites in 2003 for TV movie "Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding."

Watch On Comedy Central: Thursday at 9 a.m., Thursday night at 2:30 and 3:45 a.m., Friday at 9 a.m., Sunday two-parter 8:30-10:30 a.m. (Mitch performs surgery!) Several seasons also out on DVD.

AMERICA'S GOT TALENT

When 2006-09

What Judge on NBC's summer talent search for its first four seasons. During this time, divorce, drinking and various personal problems make the middle-age Hasselhoff a TMZ mainstay.

Watch Hasselhoff expounds on how "the camera captures your aura" at hulu.com/watch/ 96119