''Baywatch'' is an American
action drama
In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super-ge ...
television series about
lifeguard
A lifeguard is a rescuer who supervises the safety and rescue of swimmers, surfers, and other water sports participants such as in a swimming pool, water park, beach, spa, river and lake. Lifeguards are trained in swimming and CPR/ AED first a ...
s who patrol the
beach
A beach is a landform alongside a body of water which consists of loose particles. The particles composing a beach are typically made from rock, such as sand, gravel, shingle, pebbles, etc., or biological sources, such as mollusc shel ...
es of
Los Angeles County, California
Los Angeles County, officially the County of Los Angeles, and sometimes abbreviated as L.A. County, is the List of the most populous counties in the United States, most populous county in the United States and in the U.S. state of California, ...
, and
Hawaii
Hawaii ( ; haw, Hawaii or ) is a state in the Western United States, located in the Pacific Ocean about from the U.S. mainland. It is the only U.S. state outside North America, the only state that is an archipelago, and the only stat ...
, starring
David Hasselhoff
David Michael Hasselhoff (born July 17, 1952), nicknamed "The Hoff", is an American actor, singer, and television personality. He has set a Guinness World Record as the most watched man on TV. Hasselhoff first gained recognition on ''The You ...
. It was created by
Michael Berk
Michael Berk is an American television screenwriter. He worked with Douglas Schwartz as a writer on the television series '' Manimal'', and many made-for-television movies. He wrote the earlier scripts of the series ''Baywatch'', and is also kn ...
,
Douglas Schwartz
Douglas Schwartz is an American television screenwriter and series creator who, along with Michael Berk, worked as a writer on the television series '' Manimal'', and multiple made for television movies. He is most famous for creating co-produci ...
, and
Gregory J. Bonann
Gregory J. Bonann (born June 28, 1952) is an American lifeguard, television producer, director, writer, and showrunner. He is best known for co-creating the internationally syndicated television series, ''Baywatch'', which ran for eleven seasons ...
, who produced the show throughout its 11-season run. The series focuses on both professional and personal challenges faced by the characters, portrayed by a large rotating
ensemble cast
In a dramatic production, an ensemble cast is one that is composed of multiple principal actors and performers who are typically assigned roughly equal amounts of screen time.Random House: ensemble acting Linked 2013-07-17
Structure
In contrast to ...
that notably includes
Pamela Anderson
Pamela Denise Anderson (born July 1, 1967) is a Canadian-American actress and model. She is best known for her glamour modeling work in ''Playboy'' magazine and for her appearances on the television series ''Baywatch'' (1992–1997).
Anders ...
,
Alexandra Paul
Alexandra Elizabeth Paul (born July 29, 1963) is an American actress, activist, health coach, and former model. Paul began her career modeling in New York before landing her first major role in John Carpenter's horror film ''Christine'' (1983). ...
,
Gregory Alan Williams
Gregory Alan Williams (born June 12, 1956) sometimes credited as Gregalan Williams, is an American actor and author. He is best known for portraying LAPD Officer Garner Ellerbee in '' Baywatch''. From 2011 until 2013, Williams portrayed the rol ...
,
Jeremy Jackson
Jeremy Dunn Jackson (born October 16, 1980) is an American actor and singer. He is best known for his role as Hobie Buchannon on the television show ''Baywatch''.
Career Television
Jackson appeared in 159 episodes of the TV series ''Baywatch' ...
,
Parker Stevenson
Richard Stevenson Parker Jr. (born June 4, 1952), known professionally as Parker Stevenson, is an American actor best known for playing Frank Hardy in the 1970s TV series ''The Hardy Boys'' and Craig Pomeroy on the 1990s TV series '' Baywatch' ...
,
David Chokachi
David Chokachi (born David Al-Chokhachy; January 16, 1968) is an American film and television actor. He is known for his roles in the TV series '' Witchblade'', ''Baywatch'', and ''Beyond The Break''.
Early life
David Chokachi was born in Plymo ...
,
Billy Warlock
Billy Warlock (born William Alan Leming; March 26, 1961) is an American actor known for playing Eddie Kramer, a lifeguard on the first two seasons of ''Baywatch'' and in the reunion movie in 2003, as well as for numerous daytime roles, most not ...
,
Erika Eleniak
Erika Eleniak (born September 29, 1969) is an American actress, ''Playboy'' Playmate, and model known for her role in ''Baywatch'' as Shauni McClain. Her film debut was in '' E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial'' (1982). She starred in the films ''The B ...
,
David Charvet
David Franck Charvet (; born 15 May 1972) is a French singer, actor, model, and television personality.
Early life
Charvet was born and raised in Lyon, France, the son of Christiane Charvet Haddad and businessman Paul Guez, founder of the Sasson ...
,
Yasmine Bleeth
Yasmine Amanda Bleeth (born June 14, 1968) is an American actress and model. Her television roles include Caroline Holden on ''Baywatch'', Ryan Fenelli on '' Ryan's Hope'', and LeeAnn Demerest on '' One Life to Live''.
Early life and career
B ...
, and
Nicole Eggert
Nicole Elizabeth Eggert (born January 13, 1972) is an American actress. Her notable roles include Jamie Powell on the situation comedy ''Charles in Charge'' and Summer Quinn on the television series ''Baywatch''. She guest-starred in '' The Supe ...
.
The show was cancelled after its first season on
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American English-language commercial broadcast television and radio network. The flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a division of Comcast, its headquarters are l ...
, but survived through
syndication
Syndication may refer to:
* Broadcast syndication, where individual stations buy programs outside the network system
* Print syndication, where individual newspapers or magazines license news articles, columns, or comic strips
* Web syndication, ...
and later became the most-watched television series in the world, with a weekly audience of over 1.1 billion viewers despite consistently negative critical reviews,
earning it a reputation as a pop cultural phenomenon and frequent source of allusion and parody. The show ran in its original title and format from 1989 to 1999. From 1999 to 2001, with a setting change and large cast overhaul, it was known as ''Baywatch: Hawaii''.
It spawned a spin-off series, ''
Baywatch Nights
''Baywatch Nights'' is an American police and science-fiction drama series that aired in syndication from 1995 to 1997. Created by Douglas Schwartz, David Hasselhoff, and Gregory J. Bonann, the series is a spin-off from the television series, '' ...
'', which aired for two seasons from 1995 to 1997, and a 2017
feature film adaptation.
Overview
''Baywatch'' revolves around the work of a team of lifeguards and their
interpersonal relationship
The concept of interpersonal relationship involves social associations, connections, or affiliations between two or more people. Interpersonal relationships vary in their degree of intimacy or self-disclosure, but also in their duration, in t ...
s, with plots usually centering on dangers related to the beach and other activities pertinent to the California (later Hawaii) beach lifestyle. Topics from
earthquake
An earthquake (also known as a quake, tremor or temblor) is the shaking of the surface of the Earth resulting from a sudden release of energy in the Earth's lithosphere that creates seismic waves. Earthquakes can range in intensity, from ...
s and
shark
Sharks are a group of elasmobranch fish characterized by a cartilaginous skeleton, five to seven gill slits on the sides of the head, and pectoral fins that are not fused to the head. Modern sharks are classified within the clade Selachimo ...
attacks to serial killers serve as plot conflicts on the show. Saving people from drowning is one of the most typical situations used in the shows.
Episodes
Cast
''Baywatch'' is noted for its large
ensemble cast
In a dramatic production, an ensemble cast is one that is composed of multiple principal actors and performers who are typically assigned roughly equal amounts of screen time.Random House: ensemble acting Linked 2013-07-17
Structure
In contrast to ...
with various members "rotating" in-and-out of the show, similar to many long-running
soap opera
A soap opera, or ''soap'' for short, is a typically long-running radio or television serial, frequently characterized by melodrama, ensemble casts, and sentimentality. The term "soap opera" originated from radio dramas originally being sponsored ...
s. By the end of the 11 season run, not a single member of the original cast was still in the cast. David Hasselhoff appeared in the most episodes (totalling 206 including the pilot), followed by Jeremy Jackson (117), Michael Newman (109), and Pamela Anderson (77).
Following the ''Hawaii'' retool, many of the series longtime cast members left the show. The only remaining cast members were David Hasselhoff, Brooke Burns, Michael Bergin, and Michael Newman. Following the 10th season, Hasselhoff and Newman both left the series, leaving Bergin and Burns the only remnants of the show's original "L.A. era".
''Baywatch'' (1989–1999)
*
David Hasselhoff
David Michael Hasselhoff (born July 17, 1952), nicknamed "The Hoff", is an American actor, singer, and television personality. He has set a Guinness World Record as the most watched man on TV. Hasselhoff first gained recognition on ''The You ...
as
Mitch Buchannon
Mitch Buchannon is a fictional character from the television series ''Baywatch''. He was played by David Hasselhoff in every season of ''Baywatch'' and ''Baywatch Nights'' plus in the first season of ''Baywatch Hawaii''. He also appeared in three ...
*
Parker Stevenson
Richard Stevenson Parker Jr. (born June 4, 1952), known professionally as Parker Stevenson, is an American actor best known for playing Frank Hardy in the 1970s TV series ''The Hardy Boys'' and Craig Pomeroy on the 1990s TV series '' Baywatch' ...
as
Craig Pomeroy
This is a list of the characters in the TV series ''Baywatch'' and ''Baywatch: Hawaii''.
Cast timeline
;Cast notes
''Baywatch'' (1989–1990; 1991–1999)
; Mitchell "Mitch" Buchannon (David Hasselhoff, ''Baywatch: Panic at Malibu Pier'', se ...
*
Shawn Weatherly
Shawn Nichols Weatherly is an American actress and beauty queen who won the titles of Miss USA and Miss Universe in 1980. She went on to star as Cadet Karen Adams in the film '' Police Academy 3: Back in Training'' (1986), and as Jill Riley in th ...
as
Jill Riley
*
Billy Warlock
Billy Warlock (born William Alan Leming; March 26, 1961) is an American actor known for playing Eddie Kramer, a lifeguard on the first two seasons of ''Baywatch'' and in the reunion movie in 2003, as well as for numerous daytime roles, most not ...
as
Eddie Kramer
Edwin H. Kramer (born 19 April 1942) is a British recording producer and engineer. He has collaborated with several artists now in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, including Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles, David Bowie, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin ...
*
Erika Eleniak
Erika Eleniak (born September 29, 1969) is an American actress, ''Playboy'' Playmate, and model known for her role in ''Baywatch'' as Shauni McClain. Her film debut was in '' E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial'' (1982). She starred in the films ''The B ...
as
Shauni McClain
This is a list of the characters in the TV series ''Baywatch'' and ''Baywatch: Hawaii''.
Cast timeline
;Cast notes
''Baywatch'' (1989–1990; 1991–1999)
; Mitchell "Mitch" Buchannon (David Hasselhoff, ''Baywatch: Panic at Malibu Pier'', se ...
*
Peter Phelps
Peter Phelps (born 20 September 1960 in Sydney) is an Australian actor, singer and writer. He is notable for his role as Trevor Cole in ''Baywatch''. Phelps is also known for his roles in the internationally successful Australian series '' So ...
as
Trevor Cole
*
Brandon Call
Brandon Spencer Lee Call (born November 17, 1976) is an American former television and film actor as a child and adolescent. He played Hobie Buchannon in the first year of ''Baywatch'', and J.T. Lambert over a period of seven seasons on the TV ...
as
Hobie Buchannon
This is a list of the characters in the TV series ''Baywatch'' and ''Baywatch: Hawaii''.
Cast timeline
;Cast notes
''Baywatch'' (1989–1990; 1991–1999)
; Mitchell "Mitch" Buchannon (David Hasselhoff, ''Baywatch: Panic at Malibu Pier'', se ...
*
Holly Gagnier
Holly Gagnier (born December 12, 1958) is an American actress.
Early life
Gagnier was born in Los Angeles, California. Her parents were Hugh Gagnier, a cinematographer and Eleanor Gagnier, a stenographer for the United Nations.
Eleanor served ...
as
Gina Pomeroy
This is a list of the characters in the TV series ''Baywatch'' and ''Baywatch: Hawaii''.
Cast timeline
;Cast notes
''Baywatch'' (1989–1990; 1991–1999)
; Mitchell "Mitch" Buchannon (David Hasselhoff, ''Baywatch: Panic at Malibu Pier'', se ...
*
Monte Markham
Monte Markham (born June 21, 1935) is an American actor. He has appeared in films, television series and on Broadway.
Early life
Markham was born in Manatee County, Florida, the son of Millie Content (née Willbur) and Jesse Edward Markham Sr., ...
as
Don Thorpe
This is a list of the characters in the TV series ''Baywatch'' and ''Baywatch: Hawaii''.
Cast timeline
;Cast notes
''Baywatch'' (1989–1990; 1991–1999)
; Mitchell "Mitch" Buchannon (David Hasselhoff, ''Baywatch: Panic at Malibu Pier'', se ...
*
John Allen Nelson
John Allen Nelson is an American actor and screenwriter. He is best known for his roles on television as Warren Lockridge on '' Santa Barbara'', John D. Cort on '' Baywatch'', Walt Cummings in '' 24'' and Silas Bunch in ''Crazy Ex-Girlfriend''. ...
as
John D. Cort
*
Gregory Alan Williams
Gregory Alan Williams (born June 12, 1956) sometimes credited as Gregalan Williams, is an American actor and author. He is best known for portraying LAPD Officer Garner Ellerbee in '' Baywatch''. From 2011 until 2013, Williams portrayed the rol ...
as
Garner Ellerbee
This is a list of the characters in the TV series ''Baywatch'' and ''Baywatch: Hawaii''.
Cast timeline
;Cast notes
''Baywatch'' (1989–1990; 1991–1999)
; Mitchell "Mitch" Buchannon (David Hasselhoff, ''Baywatch: Panic at Malibu Pier'', se ...
*
Jeremy Jackson
Jeremy Dunn Jackson (born October 16, 1980) is an American actor and singer. He is best known for his role as Hobie Buchannon on the television show ''Baywatch''.
Career Television
Jackson appeared in 159 episodes of the TV series ''Baywatch' ...
as
Hobie Buchannon
This is a list of the characters in the TV series ''Baywatch'' and ''Baywatch: Hawaii''.
Cast timeline
;Cast notes
''Baywatch'' (1989–1990; 1991–1999)
; Mitchell "Mitch" Buchannon (David Hasselhoff, ''Baywatch: Panic at Malibu Pier'', se ...
*
Tom McTigue as Harvey Miller
*
Richard Jaeckel
Richard Hanley Jaeckel (October 10, 1926 – June 14, 1997) was an American actor of film and television. Jaeckel became a well-known character actor in his career, which spanned six decades. He received a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nominatio ...
as
Ben Edwards
*
Nicole Eggert
Nicole Elizabeth Eggert (born January 13, 1972) is an American actress. Her notable roles include Jamie Powell on the situation comedy ''Charles in Charge'' and Summer Quinn on the television series ''Baywatch''. She guest-starred in '' The Supe ...
as
Summer Quinn
*
David Charvet
David Franck Charvet (; born 15 May 1972) is a French singer, actor, model, and television personality.
Early life
Charvet was born and raised in Lyon, France, the son of Christiane Charvet Haddad and businessman Paul Guez, founder of the Sasson ...
as
Matt Brody
This is a list of the characters in the TV series ''Baywatch'' and ''Baywatch: Hawaii''.
Cast timeline
;Cast notes
''Baywatch'' (1989–1990; 1991–1999)
; Mitchell "Mitch" Buchannon (David Hasselhoff, ''Baywatch: Panic at Malibu Pier'', se ...
*
Pamela Anderson
Pamela Denise Anderson (born July 1, 1967) is a Canadian-American actress and model. She is best known for her glamour modeling work in ''Playboy'' magazine and for her appearances on the television series ''Baywatch'' (1992–1997).
Anders ...
as
C. J. Parker
Casey Jean "C.J." Parker is a fictional character from the television series ''Baywatch''. Portrayed by Pamela Anderson, she was one of the most popular and longest serving characters who appeared in five seasons of the series. Kelly Rohrbach pl ...
*
Kelly Slater
Robert Kelly Slater (born February 11, 1972) is an American professional surfer, best known for being crowned World Surf League champion a record 11 times. Slater is widely regarded as the greatest professional surfer of all time. Slater is also ...
as
Jimmy Slade
This is a list of the characters in the TV series ''Baywatch'' and ''Baywatch: Hawaii''.
Cast timeline
;Cast notes
''Baywatch'' (1989–1990; 1991–1999)
;Mitch Buchannon, Mitchell "Mitch" Buchannon (David Hasselhoff, ''Baywatch: Panic at M ...
*
Alexandra Paul
Alexandra Elizabeth Paul (born July 29, 1963) is an American actress, activist, health coach, and former model. Paul began her career modeling in New York before landing her first major role in John Carpenter's horror film ''Christine'' (1983). ...
as
Stephanie Holden
*
Yasmine Bleeth
Yasmine Amanda Bleeth (born June 14, 1968) is an American actress and model. Her television roles include Caroline Holden on ''Baywatch'', Ryan Fenelli on '' Ryan's Hope'', and LeeAnn Demerest on '' One Life to Live''.
Early life and career
B ...
as
Caroline Holden
*
Jaason Simmons
Jaason Simmons (born 12 July 1970) is an Australian actor best known for the role of Logan Fowler on the TV series ''Baywatch''.
Biography
Early life and career
Born as Jaason Matthew Simmons in Hobart, Tasmania, he attended ''Warrane Primar ...
as
Logan Fowler
This is a list of the characters in the TV series ''Baywatch'' and ''Baywatch: Hawaii''.
Cast timeline
;Cast notes
''Baywatch'' (1989–1990; 1991–1999)
;Mitch Buchannon, Mitchell "Mitch" Buchannon (David Hasselhoff, ''Baywatch: Panic at M ...
*
David Chokachi
David Chokachi (born David Al-Chokhachy; January 16, 1968) is an American film and television actor. He is known for his roles in the TV series '' Witchblade'', ''Baywatch'', and ''Beyond The Break''.
Early life
David Chokachi was born in Plymo ...
as
Cody Madison
This is a list of the characters in the TV series ''Baywatch'' and ''Baywatch: Hawaii''.
Cast timeline
;Cast notes
''Baywatch'' (1989–1990; 1991–1999)
;Mitch Buchannon, Mitchell "Mitch" Buchannon (David Hasselhoff, ''Baywatch: Panic at M ...
*
Gena Lee Nolin
Gena Lee Nolin is an American actress and model. She is best known for her television appearances on ''The Price Is Right'' and ''Baywatch'' in the 1990s. During the early 2000s she played the lead role in '' Sheena''.
Career
In 1994, she became ...
as
Neely Capshaw
*
Donna D'Errico
Donna Jeanette D'Errico (born March 30, 1968) is an American actress and model. She posed for ''Playboy'' as its Playmate of the Month for September 1995 and had a starring role (1996–1998) on the television series '' Baywatch''. She continue ...
as
Donna Marco
This is a list of the characters in the TV series ''Baywatch'' and ''Baywatch: Hawaii''.
Cast timeline
;Cast notes
''Baywatch'' (1989–1990; 1991–1999)
; Mitchell "Mitch" Buchannon (David Hasselhoff, ''Baywatch: Panic at Malibu Pier'', se ...
*
José Solano as
Manny Gutierrez
*
Traci Bingham
Traci A. Bingham is an American actress, model, and television personality. Beginning her professional career in the early 1990s, Bingham is best known for her role as Jordan Tate on the NBC action drama television series ''Baywatch'' (1996–19 ...
as
Jordan Tate
*
Nancy Valen
Nancy Valen is an American actress and television producer. She is best known for portraying Captain Samantha Thomas on ''Baywatch''.
Early life
Nancy Valen was born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Hallandale, Florida. By the time she was ...
as
Samantha Thomas
This is a list of the characters in the TV series ''Baywatch'' and ''Baywatch: Hawaii''.
Cast timeline
;Cast notes
''Baywatch'' (1989–1990; 1991–1999)
; Mitchell "Mitch" Buchannon (David Hasselhoff, ''Baywatch: Panic at Malibu Pier'', se ...
* Michael Newman as Michael Newman
*
Carmen Electra
Tara Leigh Patrick (born April 20, 1972), known professionally as Carmen Electra, is an American actress, model, singer, and media personality. She began her career as a singer after moving to Minneapolis, where she met Prince, who produced h ...
as
Lani McKenzie
*
Kelly Packard
Kelly Chemane Packard (born January 29, 1975) is an American actress and television personality. She is best known for her roles as Tiffani Smith on ''California Dreams'' and April Giminski on ''Baywatch'', as well as co-hosting ''Ripley's Beli ...
as
April Giminski
*
Michael Bergin
Michael John Bergin (born March 18, 1969) is an American real estate agent and former model and actor.
Early life
Born in Naugatuck, Connecticut, Bergin attended the University of Connecticut. He began modeling while in college.
Career
Berg ...
as
J. D. Darius
*
Angelica Bridges
Angelica Bridges (born November 20, 1970) is an American actress, model, and singer. She was given a pictorial spread in ''Playboy'' magazine's November 2001 issue and featured as the issue's cover model.
In 2017, she competed on the first seaso ...
as
Taylor Walsh
*
Marliece Andrada as
Skylar Bergman
This is a list of the characters in the TV series ''Baywatch'' and ''Baywatch: Hawaii''.
Cast timeline
;Cast notes
''Baywatch'' (1989–1990; 1991–1999)
; Mitchell "Mitch" Buchannon (David Hasselhoff, ''Baywatch: Panic at Malibu Pier'', se ...
*
Mitzi Kapture
Mitzi Kapture (born Mitzi Gaynor Donahue; May 2, 1962) is an American actress, known for her role as Sgt. Rita Lee Lance in the CBS/USA Network crime drama series ''Silk Stalkings'' from 1991 to 1995.
Life and career
Kapture was born in Yorba L ...
as
Alex Ryker
This is a list of the characters in the TV series ''Baywatch'' and ''Baywatch: Hawaii''.
Cast timeline
;Cast notes
''Baywatch'' (1989–1990; 1991–1999)
; Mitchell "Mitch" Buchannon (David Hasselhoff, ''Baywatch: Panic at Malibu Pier'', se ...
*
Brooke Burns
Brooke Elizabeth Burns (born March 16, 1978) is an American fashion model, game show host, actress, and television personality. Burns began her television career in 1995, portraying the supporting character Peg in the Spanish- American teen s ...
as
Jessie Owens
''Baywatch Hawaii'' (1999–2001)
*
David Hasselhoff
David Michael Hasselhoff (born July 17, 1952), nicknamed "The Hoff", is an American actor, singer, and television personality. He has set a Guinness World Record as the most watched man on TV. Hasselhoff first gained recognition on ''The You ...
as
Mitch Buchannon
Mitch Buchannon is a fictional character from the television series ''Baywatch''. He was played by David Hasselhoff in every season of ''Baywatch'' and ''Baywatch Nights'' plus in the first season of ''Baywatch Hawaii''. He also appeared in three ...
*
Brooke Burns
Brooke Elizabeth Burns (born March 16, 1978) is an American fashion model, game show host, actress, and television personality. Burns began her television career in 1995, portraying the supporting character Peg in the Spanish- American teen s ...
as
Jessie Owens
*
Michael Bergin
Michael John Bergin (born March 18, 1969) is an American real estate agent and former model and actor.
Early life
Born in Naugatuck, Connecticut, Bergin attended the University of Connecticut. He began modeling while in college.
Career
Berg ...
as
J. D. Darius
*
Brandy Ledford
Brandy Lee Ledford (born February 4, 1969) is an American actress, model and '' Penthouse'' magazine's 1992 "Pet of the Year". She played the role of Desiree on '' Modern Family'', starred as Dawn Masterton on ''Baywatch Hawaii'', and Doyle in ...
as
Dawn Masterton
* Michael Newman as Michael Newman
*
Simmone Mackinnon as
Allie Reese
This is a list of the characters in the TV series ''Baywatch'' and ''Baywatch: Hawaii''.
Cast timeline
;Cast notes
''Baywatch'' (1989–1990; 1991–1999)
; Mitchell "Mitch" Buchannon (David Hasselhoff, ''Baywatch: Panic at Malibu Pier'', se ...
*
Jason Momoa
Joseph Jason Namakaeha Momoa (; born August 1, 1979) is an American actor. He made his acting debut as Jason Ioane on the syndicated action drama series '' Baywatch: Hawaii'' (1999–2001), which was followed by portrayals of Ronon Dex on the S ...
as
Jason Ioane
*
Stacy Kamano
Stacy Lee Kamano (born September 17, 1974) is an American television actress known for her role as Kekoa Tanaka on ''Baywatch''.
Career
Kamano was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. At the age of 11, she won the title "Miss Tropical Pre-Teen Ha ...
as
Kekoa Tanaka
*
Jason Brooks as
Sean Monroe
*
Brande Roderick
Brande Nicole Roderick (born June 13, 1974) is an American model and actress known for her appearances in '' Baywatch'' and ''Playboy''. In April 2000, she was selected as Playmate of the Month and then became the Playmate of the Year in 2001. ...
as
Leigh Dyer
* Charlie Brumbly as
Zach McEwan
*
Krista Allen
Krista Allen (born April 5, 1971) is an American actress, model and stand-up comic. She is best known for her work in the television series '' Days of Our Lives'', '' Baywatch Hawaii'', and the erotic TV series '' Emmanuelle in Space''. Allen a ...
as
Jenna Avid
This is a list of the characters in the TV series ''Baywatch'' and ''Baywatch: Hawaii''.
Cast timeline
;Cast notes
''Baywatch'' (1989–1990; 1991–1999)
; Mitchell "Mitch" Buchannon (David Hasselhoff, ''Baywatch: Panic at Malibu Pier'', se ...
Production history
''Baywatch'' debuted on NBC in 1989, but was cancelled after only one season, when it placed 73rd out of 103 shows in the seasonal ratings, and also because the production studio, GTG, (a joint venture of television station owner
Gannett Company
Gannett Co., Inc. () is an American mass media holding company headquartered in McLean, Virginia, in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.[Tegna
Tegna Inc. (stylized in all caps as TEGNA) is an American publicly traded broadcast, digital media and marketing services company headquartered in Tysons Corner, Virginia. It was created on June 29, 2015, when the Gannett Company split into t ...]
, and
Grant Tinker
Grant Almerin Tinker (January 11, 1926 – November 28, 2016) was an American television executive who served as chairman and Chief executive officer, CEO of NBC from 1981 to 1986. Additionally, he was a co-founder of MTM Enterprises and a te ...
, which was established only to produce the newsmagazine based on Gannett's newspaper ''
USA Today
''USA Today'' (stylized in all uppercase) is an American daily middle-market newspaper and news broadcasting company. Founded by Al Neuharth on September 15, 1982, the newspaper operates from Gannett's corporate headquarters in Tysons, Virgini ...
'') went out of business.
Due to high production costs, GTG was unable to finance the series any further.
Feeling the series still had potential, David Hasselhoff, one of the principal actors, along with creators and executive producers
Michael Berk
Michael Berk is an American television screenwriter. He worked with Douglas Schwartz as a writer on the television series '' Manimal'', and many made-for-television movies. He wrote the earlier scripts of the series ''Baywatch'', and is also kn ...
,
Douglas Schwartz
Douglas Schwartz is an American television screenwriter and series creator who, along with Michael Berk, worked as a writer on the television series '' Manimal'', and multiple made for television movies. He is most famous for creating co-produci ...
, and
Gregory J. Bonann
Gregory J. Bonann (born June 28, 1952) is an American lifeguard, television producer, director, writer, and showrunner. He is best known for co-creating the internationally syndicated television series, ''Baywatch'', which ran for eleven seasons ...
, revived it for the first-run
syndication
Syndication may refer to:
* Broadcast syndication, where individual stations buy programs outside the network system
* Print syndication, where individual newspapers or magazines license news articles, columns, or comic strips
* Web syndication, ...
market in 1991. Hasselhoff was given the title of executive producer for his work on bringing the show back. The series was hugely successful, especially internationally.
The show led to a
spin-off, ''
Baywatch Nights
''Baywatch Nights'' is an American police and science-fiction drama series that aired in syndication from 1995 to 1997. Created by Douglas Schwartz, David Hasselhoff, and Gregory J. Bonann, the series is a spin-off from the television series, '' ...
'', and three direct-to-video films: ''
Baywatch the Movie: Forbidden Paradise'', ''
Baywatch: White Thunder at Glacier Bay'', and ''
Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding''.
The audience was 65 percent female, with its number one audience being women aged 18 to 34. Speaking in 2001, Schwartz explained that, after doing focus groups on ''Baywatch'' for about five years, they learned that the show appealed to this demographic because "most of
tslead characters were strong, independent women who were heroic, who were saving lives, who were equal to men".
Filming
Will Rogers State Beach
Will Rogers State Beach is a beach park on the Santa Monica Bay, at the Pacific coast of Southern California. Located in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, the beach is owned by the California Department of Parks and Recreation; ...
served as the predominant beach location for ''Baywatch,'' although some scenes were filmed at
Long Beach, California
Long Beach is a city in Los Angeles County, California. It is the 42nd-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 466,742 as of 2020. A charter city, Long Beach is the seventh-most populous city in California.
Incorporate ...
, and in
Malibu, California
Malibu ( ; es, Malibú; Chumash: ) is a beach city in the Santa Monica Mountains region of Los Angeles County, California, situated about west of Downtown Los Angeles. It is known for its Mediterranean climate and its strip of the Malibu ...
.
Theme song
The original
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American English-language commercial broadcast television and radio network. The flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a division of Comcast, its headquarters are l ...
theme was "Save Me", performed by Peter Cetera, with Bonnie Raitt on guitar and Richard Sterban, bass singer for The Oak Ridge Boys, as one of the background vocalists. The song is from Cetera's 1988 album ''One More Story''.
David Hasselhoff
David Michael Hasselhoff (born July 17, 1952), nicknamed "The Hoff", is an American actor, singer, and television personality. He has set a Guinness World Record as the most watched man on TV. Hasselhoff first gained recognition on ''The You ...
also recorded a duet with Laura Branigan which was hugely successful for being broadcast as the closing track of the ''Baywatch'' TV series. The single ''I Believe'' was originally released on CD album in 1994.
''Baywatch: Hawaii''
In 1999, with production costs rising in Los Angeles, and the syndication market shrinking, the producers sought to move the production elsewhere. They filmed a pilot and announced plans to title the show ''Baywatch: Down Under''. However, strong local opposition from residents of Avalon Beach, New South Wales eventually led to Pittwater Council, the local government area of which Avalon was part of, to permanently ban future production. As an alternative to Australia,
Hawaii
Hawaii ( ; haw, Hawaii or ) is a state in the Western United States, located in the Pacific Ocean about from the U.S. mainland. It is the only U.S. state outside North America, the only state that is an archipelago, and the only stat ...
offered the producers large financial incentives to move the show to the islands, instead, and in season 10, ''Baywatch: Hawaii'' was launched.
''Baywatch'' filmed for two seasons in Hawaii, from 1999 until 2001. April Masini, a newspaper advice columnist, pitched the move to executive producer
Gregory J. Bonann
Gregory J. Bonann (born June 28, 1952) is an American lifeguard, television producer, director, writer, and showrunner. He is best known for co-creating the internationally syndicated television series, ''Baywatch'', which ran for eleven seasons ...
. The agreement mandated that addition of the subtitle, to ''Baywatch: Hawaii'', as well as the hiring local production crew, filming on-location for at least two years, and producing 44 episodes, each at a cost of about US$870,000 (climbing up to $1.1 million), 60% of which was to be spent in Hawaii. The series was cancelled due to poor ratings.
Home media
* Australia: On May 1, 2013, Shock Records, Shock Entertainment released seasons 1–9 on DVD. They also released a complete series set on November 6, 2013, which features all nine seasons of ''Baywatch'', both seasons of ''Baywatch Hawaii'' and both seasons of ''
Baywatch Nights
''Baywatch Nights'' is an American police and science-fiction drama series that aired in syndication from 1995 to 1997. Created by Douglas Schwartz, David Hasselhoff, and Gregory J. Bonann, the series is a spin-off from the television series, '' ...
''.
* France: The reunion film ''
Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding'' was translated to French language as ''Alerte à Malibu: Mariage à Hawaï'' and has been released.
* Finland: Seasons 1–3 have been released by Future Film.
* Germany: Seasons 1–11 have been released. These releases are presented exactly as they originally aired, albeit with German language credits (these are also available in the U.K. from Amazon as imports). The reunion film ''Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding'' was translated to German language as ''Baywatch: Hochzeit auf Hawaii'' and has been released.
* Italy: Seasons 1–2 have been released by Koch Media, season 5–6 have been released by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.
* Netherlands: Season 3 has been released.
* Sweden: Seasons 1–3 have been released.
* United Kingdom: Seasons 1–6 have been released by Network. In 2017, to coincide with the release of the feature film adaptation, Network released a DVD entitled ''Best of Baywatch'' which includes the two-part episodes "Nightmare Bay" and "River of No Return".
* United States: In June 1999, a single disc DVD was released featuring two 2-part episodes from the show's original run ("Nightmare Bay" parts 1 and 2 from List of Baywatch episodes#Season 2 (1991–1992) in syndication, season 2, and "River of No Return" parts 1 and 2 from List of Baywatch episodes, season 3). These episodes are absent from the U.S. box sets of their respective seasons mentioned below.
First Look Studios released the first three seasons on DVD in 2006/2007. Although the box sets are labeled "Season 1", "Season 2", etc., the sets actually feature episodes of the ''following'' season (i.e., the "Season 1" box set contains the episodes of the literal List of Baywatch episodes, ''second'' season (1991–1992) of the show). The second and third sets were released on October 31, 2006. Each set features a disc with List of Baywatch episodes#Season 1 (1989–1990) on NBC, season 1 (NBC) episodes on it. These releases also do not contain any of the original music as it appeared when the episodes aired. They have been removed due to copyright agreements. However, these releases have been discontinued and are now out of print.
In August 2018, ''Deadline Hollywood'' reported that Fremantle (company), Fremantle was remastering the series.
The series was released on Amazon Prime Video and Hulu in HD and Pluto TV in 2019. Due to expired licenses for much of the show's musical soundtrack, many of the show's episodes are either cut to remove songs, or re-scored and re-edited with new "soundalike" tracks. Visual Entertainment Incorporated released seasons 1–9 on DVD for the first time in the United States on May 3, 2021, with a Blu-ray release on May 21.
In popular culture
The show is the subject of a running gag on ''Friends'', where Chandler Bing, Chandler and Joey Tribbiani, Joey would watch ''Baywatch'' together religiously, including over the phone when Joey was living in another apartment. Among other related jokes, Chandler names their pet chicken after
Yasmine Bleeth
Yasmine Amanda Bleeth (born June 14, 1968) is an American actress and model. Her television roles include Caroline Holden on ''Baywatch'', Ryan Fenelli on '' Ryan's Hope'', and LeeAnn Demerest on '' One Life to Live''.
Early life and career
B ...
(although the bird later turns out to be male) due to a long-standing crush on the actress. This was largely a joke about Chandler's actor, Matthew Perry, who briefly dated Bleeth in 1995.
Many of the actors from the series have become closely associated with their roles in the series.
David Hasselhoff
David Michael Hasselhoff (born July 17, 1952), nicknamed "The Hoff", is an American actor, singer, and television personality. He has set a Guinness World Record as the most watched man on TV. Hasselhoff first gained recognition on ''The You ...
has often referenced or satirized his role as Mitch Buchannon, notably in ''The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie;'' in which he appears in lifeguard attire similar to Mitch, runs across a beach in slow-motion, and displays superhuman swimming abilities similar to Mitch's own feats of athleticism.
''Babewatch'' is a satirical term sometimes used in connection with the series, which has been used by the humor magazine ''Mad (magazine), Mad'' and by television commentators. The term was also used for a series of pornographic films released between 1994 and 1999 in list of feature film series with 11 to 20 entries.
''Baywatch'' is prominently featured in the 2006 mockumentary film ''Borat'' in which the character Borat Sagdiyev (played by Sacha Baron Cohen), a Kazakh journalist with a misconstrued understanding of American customs and pop culture, becomes obsessed with
Pamela Anderson
Pamela Denise Anderson (born July 1, 1967) is a Canadian-American actress and model. She is best known for her glamour modeling work in ''Playboy'' magazine and for her appearances on the television series ''Baywatch'' (1992–1997).
Anders ...
after seeing her in an episode of the series (which he believes to be a documentary) and travels to the United States in a failed attempt to court her and later attempts to abduct her. In a deleted scene, Borat creates a pilot episode of a Kazakh remake of ''Baywatch'' entitled ''Sexydrownwatch'', which features "I'm Always Here" and
Alexandra Paul
Alexandra Elizabeth Paul (born July 29, 1963) is an American actress, activist, health coach, and former model. Paul began her career modeling in New York before landing her first major role in John Carpenter's horror film ''Christine'' (1983). ...
reprising her role as Stephanie.
The red swimsuit that the actresses wore in the series have become iconic.
The suits were custom fitted for each actress; Alexandra Paul wore a suit with a higher neckline while shorter cast members wore suits with higher cut legs to give the illusion of height.
''Baywatch'' running
"Baywatch running" refers to the show's numerous scenes, particularly in the opening credits, of its cast members running across the beach in slow motion, usually wearing distinctive red lifeguard gear. The trope is closely associated with the show and often referenced directly in parodies.
Related media
Film adaptation
The film adaptation is a comedy, written and directed by Jeremy Garelick. Garelick's previous successes include the rewrite of ''The Hangover''.
In September 2012, it was announced that ''Reno 911!'' co-creator and star Robert Ben Garant would direct the film version of ''Baywatch'' for Paramount Pictures.
In October 2014, it was announced that Paramount was moving forward with its big-screen adaptation of ''Baywatch'' and has loosely attached Dwayne Johnson to the project. The studio also hired Justin Malen to rewrite and attached the comedy writing team of Sean Anders and John Morris to direct.
In July 2015, it was announced Seth Gordon would direct with Damian Shannon and Mark Swift having written the latest script with Dwayne Johnson still attached to star.
On August 10, 2015, it was announced that Zac Efron had been cast in the film. Johnson also announced that the film will be Motion Picture Association of America film rating system, R-Rated. The report stated, "The story centers on a by-the-book and very serious lifeguard (Johnson) who is forced to team up with a young rule-flouting hothead (Efron) in order to save their beach from environmental destruction at the hands of an oil tycoon." That same month, reports were saying that Kelly Brook was in contention to star in the film as C.J. Parker, with Kate Upton and Charlotte McKinney also on the shortlist, but Brook denied the rumor the following day on Instagram. Brook later confirmed that she had read the script but was still uncertain if she would appear.
On November 9, 2015, it was reported that several actresses, including Alexandra Daddario, Nina Dobrev, Ashley Benson, Alexandra Shipp, Shelley Hennig, Bianca Santos, and Denyse Tontz, were in the running for the female lead, with the possibility that some of them could join the film in different roles and other unnamed actresses could be in the running as well. On November 18, 2015, Johnson confirmed Daddario (who previously worked with Johnson on ''San Andreas (film), San Andreas'') for the role of Summer, originally played by Eggert in the TV series, and revealed the casting of C.J. and other roles would soon be announced. On January 4, 2016, Johnson announced that actress and model Kelly Rohrbach was cast as C.J. for the film. On January 11, 2016, ''The Hollywood Reporter'' reported that Priyanka Chopra was in talks to appear in the film in a villainous role. On February 16, 2016, Chopra and Johnson released a video to confirm her participation in the above-mentioned role. On January 20, 2016, a release date of May 19, 2017, was announced and Ilfenesh Hadera joined the cast as Stef, the love interest of Johnson's character. On January 27, 2016, ''Variety'' reported that Jon Bass was cast as Ronnie, described as funny, awkward and a skilled disco dancer who falls in love with C.J. at the beach.
The film was released in the United States on May 25, 2017, by Paramount Pictures, and grossed $177.4 million worldwide.
Potential reboot series
As of August 2018, ''Deadline Hollywood'' reported that Fremantle (company), FremantleMedia International were eyeing a reboot of the franchise.
''Baywatch: The Documentary''
In 2019, it was announced that ''Baywatch'' was being revived as documentary feature film. As they explained on the ''Factual America'' podcast, filmmakers Matthew Felker and Brian Corso lined up some of the show's top-billed castmembers to take a walk down memory lane for ''Baywatch: The Documentary'' and talk about their time on the show and the hours they spent in skimpy red suits.
See also
* ''
Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding''
* ''
Baywatch: White Thunder at Glacier Bay''
* ''
Baywatch the Movie: Forbidden Paradise''
* ''
Baywatch Nights
''Baywatch Nights'' is an American police and science-fiction drama series that aired in syndication from 1995 to 1997. Created by Douglas Schwartz, David Hasselhoff, and Gregory J. Bonann, the series is a spin-off from the television series, '' ...
'' (''Baywatch'' spin-off)
* ''Son of the Beach'' (''Baywatch'' parody)
* ''Beach Heat: Miami'' (softcore version)
* ''Lifeguard (film), Lifeguard'', 1976 lifeguard film starring original ''Baywatch'' star Parker Stevenson
* ''Malibu Rescue'' (Family-friendly ''Baywatch'' parody)
* ''Pacific Blue (TV series), Pacific Blue'' – Series often described as "Baywatch on bikes."
Carmen Electra
Tara Leigh Patrick (born April 20, 1972), known professionally as Carmen Electra, is an American actress, model, singer, and media personality. She began her career as a singer after moving to Minneapolis, where she met Prince, who produced h ...
guest-starred as her character Lani McKenzie in the episode "Heartbeat"
* ''Thunder in Paradise'' – Series from the creators of ''Baywatch''
* ''Sheena (TV series), Sheena'' – Series from the co-creator of ''Baywatch'' and stars Gena Lee Nolin and John Allen Nelson
* ''SAF3'' – Series from the creators of ''Baywatch''
References
External links
Baywatch– Official website
Baywatchon YouTube
Baywatchon Facebook
*
* (film adaptation)
{{Authority control
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