Pacific Blue (TV series)
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''Pacific Blue'' is an American crime drama series about a team of police officers with the Santa Monica Police Department who patrolled its beaches on bicycles. The show ran for five seasons on the
USA Network USA Network (simply USA) is an American basic cable television channel owned by the NBCUniversal Television and Streaming division of Comcast's NBCUniversal through NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment. It was originally launched in 1977 as Madison ...
, from March 2, 1996, to April 9, 2000, with a total of 101 episodes. Often described as "''
Baywatch ''Baywatch'' is an American action drama television series about lifeguards who patrol the beaches of Los Angeles County, California, and Hawaii, starring David Hasselhoff. It was created by Michael Berk, Douglas Schwartz, and Gregory J. Bonann, ...
'' on bikes", the series was run in many other markets, including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Ukraine, Russia, Spain, South America, Sweden, and Zimbabwe.


Cast

*
Jim Davidson James Cameron Davidson (born 13 December 1953) is an English stand-up comedian, actor, singer and TV presenter. He hosted the television shows '' Big Break'' and ''The Generation Game''. He also developed two adult pantomime shows such as ''B ...
as Officer/Sergeant/Lieutenant T.C. Callaway * Darlene Vogel as Officer Chris Kelly (seasons 1–4; recurring season 5) *
Paula Trickey Paula Trickey (born March 27, 1966) is an American actress. She is known for her role as Cory McNamara on the USA Network series '' Pacific Blue'' (1996–2000), and for her roles in a number of television films. Career Trickey has starred in m ...
as Officer/Sergeant Cory McNamara * Marcos Ferraez as Officer Victor Del Toro (seasons 1–3; guest season 4) *
David Lander David L. Lander (born David Leonard Landau, June 22, 1947 – December 4, 2020) was an American actor, comedian, musician, and baseball scout. He was best known for his portrayal of Andrew "Squiggy" Squiggman in the ABC sitcom ''Laverne & Shirl ...
as Elvis Kryzcewski (season 1; guest season 2) *
Rick Rossovich Frederic Enrico Rossovich (born August 28, 1957) is an American actor. Rossovich began acting in the early 1980s, first gaining recognition for portraying Ron "Slider" Kerner in the 1986 film ''Top Gun''. Rossovich's other movies include the thri ...
as Lieutenant Anthony Palermo (seasons 1–3) *
Shanna Moakler Shanna Lynn Moakler (; born March 28, 1975) is an American model, actress, and reality television star. She was the winner of the Miss New York USA pageant in 1995 and was the first runner-up at Miss USA 1995. After winner Chelsi Smith won the ...
as Officer Monica Harper (seasons 4–5) * Amy Hunter as Officer Jamie Strickland (seasons 4–5) *
Jeff Stearns Jeff is a masculine name, often a short form (hypocorism) of the English given name Jefferson (given name), Jefferson or Jeffrey (given name), Jeffrey, which comes from a Middle Ages, medieval variant of Geoffrey (given name), Geoffrey. Music ...
as Officer Russ Granger (seasons 4–5) *
Mario Lopez Mario Lopez (born October 10, 1973) is an American actor and television host. He has appeared on several television series, in films, and on Broadway theatre, Broadway. He is known for his portrayal of A.C. Slater on ''Saved by the Bell'', ''Sa ...
as Officer Bobby Cruz (seasons 4–5)


Changes

The first cast change came at the end of the first season when David Lander, who played the Pacific Blue unit's bike repairman, was written out, though he would later return for several guest appearances in the second season. The series then underwent cast changes between the third and fourth seasons, which dramatically altered its tone. The events of the third-season finale brought the departure of actors Marcos Ferraez and
Rick Rossovich Frederic Enrico Rossovich (born August 28, 1957) is an American actor. Rossovich began acting in the early 1980s, first gaining recognition for portraying Ron "Slider" Kerner in the 1986 film ''Top Gun''. Rossovich's other movies include the thri ...
, with their characters retiring from the force prior to the fourth season premiere. Ferraez would later return for a one-off guest appearance during the fourth season to wrap up his character's storyline. The fourth season premiere brought four major cast additions:
Shanna Moakler Shanna Lynn Moakler (; born March 28, 1975) is an American model, actress, and reality television star. She was the winner of the Miss New York USA pageant in 1995 and was the first runner-up at Miss USA 1995. After winner Chelsi Smith won the ...
as Monica Harper, Amy Hunter as Jamie Strickland, Jeff Stearns as Russ Granger, and
Mario Lopez Mario Lopez (born October 10, 1973) is an American actor and television host. He has appeared on several television series, in films, and on Broadway theatre, Broadway. He is known for his portrayal of A.C. Slater on ''Saved by the Bell'', ''Sa ...
as Bobby Cruz. These new recruits to the Pacific Blue unit skewed the show's cast in a younger direction.
Jim Davidson James Cameron Davidson (born 13 December 1953) is an English stand-up comedian, actor, singer and TV presenter. He hosted the television shows '' Big Break'' and ''The Generation Game''. He also developed two adult pantomime shows such as ''B ...
and
Paula Trickey Paula Trickey (born March 27, 1966) is an American actress. She is known for her role as Cory McNamara on the USA Network series '' Pacific Blue'' (1996–2000), and for her roles in a number of television films. Career Trickey has starred in m ...
, who had previously played the role of the show's young blood, evolved into the "old guard" as their characters took on leadership roles within the Pacific Blue unit. In addition, the characters of Jim Davidson and Darlene Vogel, who had become romantically linked in the third season, were married in the fourth season opener. Vogel later left the series on a regular basis at the end of the season, but returned for recurring appearances for the final season, including the series finale. Storylines for the fourth and fifth seasons emphasized undercover and vice work; while these areas would normally fall out of the purview of a police unit like Pacific Blue, the show always made an effort to explain away each incident as an exception, episode by episode. The changes can be credited with extending the life of the series for two additional seasons and made it the highest rated drama series on USA Network at the time. The series had well over 2 million regular viewers at a time when cable series were not permitted to advertise on other cable networks much less the Big Four broadcast networks.


Guest stars

The series featured numerous appearances by
professional wrestling Professional wrestling is a form of theater that revolves around staged wrestling matches. The mock combat is performed in a ring similar to the kind used in boxing, and the dramatic aspects of pro wrestling may be performed both in the ring o ...
stars playing other characters, including Rena Mero (Sable),
Chyna Chyna (born Joan Marie Laurer; December 27, 1969 – April 17, 2016) was an American professional wrestler, bodybuilder and television personality. She first rose to prominence in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in 1997, where sh ...
,
Triple H Paul Michael Levesque (born July 27, 1969), better known by the ring name Triple H, is an American business executive, actor, and retired professional wrestler currently serving as the chief content officer for WWE. He is widely regarded as on ...
and
Shawn Michaels Michael Shawn Hickenbottom (born July 22, 1965), better known by his ring name Shawn Michaels, is an American retired professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE as Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative. Widely regarded as one of ...
. (''
WWF Raw WWF may refer to: Non-profit organizations *World Wide Fund for Nature or World Wildlife Fund, a nature conservation group *World Water Forum, an international forum for water issues *Working Women's Forum, a training, trade and credit union in In ...
is War'' aired on the same network) Professional Intense Cycles Downhill Racer April Lawyer performed bike stunts in a number of episodes.
trial In law, a trial is a coming together of Party (law), parties to a :wikt:dispute, dispute, to present information (in the form of evidence (law), evidence) in a tribunal, a formal setting with the authority to Adjudication, adjudicate claims or d ...
rider
Hans Rey Hansjörg Rey, aka Hans "No Way" Rey (born 4 June 1966) is a pioneer in mountain bike trials and extreme mountain biking also known as Freeride /"Freeriding". Rey began riding in the late 70's, since 1987, he has ridden exclusively on GT bik ...
performed tricks in each episode.
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 ...
made a special guest appearance in her role from ''
Baywatch ''Baywatch'' is an American action drama television series about lifeguards who patrol the beaches of Los Angeles County, California, and Hawaii, starring David Hasselhoff. It was created by Michael Berk, Douglas Schwartz, and Gregory J. Bonann, ...
''. Other notable guest stars included
Micky Dolenz George Michael Dolenz Jr. (born March 8, 1945) is an American actor, musician, TV producer and businessman. He is best known as the drummer and one of three primary vocalists for the pop-rock band the Monkees (1966–1970, and multiple reunions ...
,
Shannon Tweed Shannon Lee Tweed Simmons (born March 10, 1957) is a Canadian actress and model. One of the most successful actresses of mainstream erotica, she is identified with the genre of the erotic thriller. Tweed has appeared in more than 60 films and in ...
,
Shannon Elizabeth Shannon Elizabeth Fadal (born September 7, 1973) is an American actress, conservationist, animal activist, model and poker player. A popular sex symbol and teen idol of the 1990s and 2000s, Elizabeth is best known for her roles in the films '' A ...
,
Danny Bonaduce Dante Daniel Bonaduce (born August 13, 1959) is an American radio personality, actor, television personality, and professional wrestler. Bonaduce is the son of veteran TV writer and producer Joseph Bonaduce (''The Dick Van Dyke Show'', '' One Da ...
, Adam West,
Erik Estrada Henry Enrique Estrada (born March 16, 1949) is an American actor and police officer. He is known for his co-starring lead role as California Highway Patrol officer Francis (Frank) Llewelyn "Ponch" Poncherello in the police drama television series ...
,
Holly Robinson Peete Holly Elizabeth Robinson Peete (born September 18, 1964) is an American actress and singer. She is known for her roles as Judy Hoffs on the Fox police drama ''21 Jump Street'', Vanessa Russell on the ABC sitcom '' Hangin' with Mr. Cooper'', and ...
,
Kent McCord Kent Franklin McWhirter (born September 26, 1942), known by his stage name Kent McCord, is a retired American actor, best known for his role as Officer Jim Reed on the television series ''Adam-12.'' Life and career McCord was born Kent Franklin ...
and Stephen J. Cannell.


Production

The series was created by Bill Nuss. It was executive produced by Gary Nardino, a producer and former president of Paramount Television and Bill Nuss. Their production company, North Hall Productions, took its name from their respective alma maters –
Northwestern University Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston, Illinois. Founded in 1851, Northwestern is the oldest chartered university in Illinois and is ranked among the most prestigious academic institutions in the world. Charte ...
and
Seton Hall University Seton Hall University (SHU) is a private Catholic research university in South Orange, New Jersey. Founded in 1856 by then-Bishop James Roosevelt Bayley and named after his aunt, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Seton Hall is the oldest diocesan un ...
. Nardino died on January 31, 1998, after which Nuss became the sole, chief show runner. Nuss continued to use the North Hall Productions name after Nardino's death. Co-executive producers included
E! Entertainment Television E! (an initialism for Entertainment Television) is an American basic cable channel which primarily focuses on pop culture, celebrity focused reality shows, and movies, owned by the NBCUniversal Television and Streaming division of NBCUniversa ...
founders,
Alan Mruvka Alan Mruvka (born 1958 in Bronx, New York) is an American entertainment and media entrepreneur, film producer and screenwriter. He created and co-founded ''Movietime Channel'', which later became ''E! Entertainment'' television. He is the Fou ...
, Marilyn Vance, Rick Filon, Richard C. Okie and John B. Moranville. ''Pacific Blue'' was filmed in Santa Monica, Venice, Redondo Beach, Seal Beach and Huntington Beach, California, with the exception of two 1999 episodes that were filmed in Hawaii. Executive Producer Bill Nuss brought the show to Hawaii on the suggestion of April Masini, who also helped bring ''
Baywatch ''Baywatch'' is an American action drama television series about lifeguards who patrol the beaches of Los Angeles County, California, and Hawaii, starring David Hasselhoff. It was created by Michael Berk, Douglas Schwartz, and Gregory J. Bonann, ...
'' to Hawaii in 1999. After the first 13 episodes, the series featured custom-painted state-of-the-art Trek Y bikes, outfitted with Spinergy wheels, NiteRider lights, and Janned police bags, making each bicycle worth over $5,000. The form-fitting uniforms are often credited with influencing the way bicycle cops dressed all over the world.


Episodes


Release


Syndication

The series still runs in many countries throughout the world. The show has gained a slight uptick in recognition with the MTV reality series ''
Meet the Barkers ''Meet the Barkers'' is a reality television series which aired on MTV. The series followed the everyday life of married couple, Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler, as well as Moakler and Barker's two children, Alabama Luella Bark ...
'', which chronicles the married life of Blink 182 drummer
Travis Barker Travis Landon Barker (born November 14, 1975) is an American musician who serves as the drummer for the rock band Blink-182. He has also performed as a frequent collaborator with hip hop artists, is a member of the rap rock group Transpla ...
and his wife (and ''Pacific Blue'' vet)
Shanna Moakler Shanna Lynn Moakler (; born March 28, 1975) is an American model, actress, and reality television star. She was the winner of the Miss New York USA pageant in 1995 and was the first runner-up at Miss USA 1995. After winner Chelsi Smith won the ...
. A clip of her from the series can be seen in the opening credits of ''
Meet the Barkers ''Meet the Barkers'' is a reality television series which aired on MTV. The series followed the everyday life of married couple, Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler, as well as Moakler and Barker's two children, Alabama Luella Bark ...
''.


Home media

On January 10, 2012, Mill Creek Entertainment released ''Pacific Blue: The Complete Series'' on DVD in Region 1. The 19-disc set features all 101 episodes of the series as well as 90 minutes of bonus features, including gag reels, production techniques and interviews. On the same day, Mill Creek also released the complete first season on DVD. The series is also available for download on iTunes and other platforms.


References


External links


Official Website (via Internet Archive)
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Pacific Blue 1996 American television series debuts 2000 American television series endings 1990s American crime drama television series 2000s American crime drama television series English-language television shows Television shows set in Santa Monica, California USA Network original programming Beaches in fiction Television shows filmed in California Television shows filmed in Hawaii