What was the "Golden Age" of HHN? | Inside Universal Forums

What was the "Golden Age" of HHN?

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SeventyOne

Platinum Member
Jul 1, 2010
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Orlando
Title says it all (while also assuming there was one). No right answer, tho no doubt a couple wrong ones, but what stretch do you consider the standard for peak HHN?

My own proposal is 2005 - 2011. The fact 2005 is still actively being discussed today shows what a game-changer it really was. Followed by very good to great years* where even the failures were at least interesting, until the event hit the wall of 2012 and TWD. (I'd argue 2019 - 2023 have been a Silver Age that hopefully continues.)

* - HHN19 probably the outlier here, but at least 3 highly regarded houses, a solid B&T show, introduction of the Usher, and an attempt to do something different with the zones.
 
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I would think many would consider the Icon years of 2011 prior too, but personally I’ve been really enjoying the direction of the past several years.
 
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My mind goes to this year and era for whatever reason.

brian-beauregard-hhnsweet16.jpg
 
I'd say for Hollywood--probably 2012 to 2016 was the Golden Age.

It's bark wasn't like 2006-2011; and it would be before things began to shift initially for the worse, but Hollywood reveled in the opportunities that they had and made some genuinely amazing houses that I wish I could've seen.

EDIT: Giving my take of Eras that suit Hollywood feel like this.
_______________
"Young Dog, Big Bark" Era - 2006 to 2011
"Golden Age" Era - 2012 to 2016
"Dark Ages/Shifting Times" Era - 2017 to 2019 & 2021
"Reflection" Era - 2022 to Now
 
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The Formative Years - 1991-1999
The Icon Years - 2000-2011
The IP Years - 2012-2018 (Dark Ages 2012-2014)
The Influencer Era - 2019 - Present


As far as Golden Years? 2007-2009 but I can see 2018-2019 making a case for the modern age.
I like this but I feel 2005 gets discussed the most out of any "classic" year, making it somewhat iconic. Sweet 16 tried a lot new, as well, even if all of it didn't work.
 
I started attending in 2010 after following the website for years, so I'd agree that mid-2000's through 2011 is peak to me

I'd argue the Dark Ages went from 2012-2017 in my mind (with the exception of 2014, which I guess might be a hot take? Lol). Hardly any of the IPs worked for me from 2012-2017, save for a few exceptions, and much of the original content felt either directionless or solely fan-service, Not to say there weren't some absolute bangers outside of 2014, but it seemed pretty clear to me that HHN didn't really know what to do in the IP era. I still don't think Universal still really knows- but at least since 2019, the mediocre IP haunts have had more redeeming qualities / been kind-of fun and weren't boring to me.

2011 was when I felt HHN was firing on all cylinders- and I feel 2014 was an attempt to do that with IPs- but I'd say much more has worked in the last 5 years than the 5ish years before 2018.