Baywatch is an American action drama series about the Los Angeles County Lifeguards who patrol the beaches of Los Angeles County, California, starring David Hasselhoff and various other actors as the series progressed. The show was canceled after its first season on NBC, but survived and later became one of the most watched television shows in the world.[3] The show ran in its original title and format from 1989 to 1999, except for the 1990–1991 season, during which it was not in production. From 1999 to 2001, with a setting change and large cast overhaul, it was known as Baywatch Hawaii.
Baywatch premiered 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 studio, GTG, went out of business. Feeling the series still had potential, Hasselhoff along with creators and executive producers Michael Berk, Douglas Schwartz and Greg Bonann revived it for the first-run 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, and a reunion movie, Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding.
In 1999, with production costs rising in Los Angeles, and the syndication market shrinking, the plan was to move the show to Australia and launch Baywatch Down Under. A pilot was filmed but the series was stopped when residents of Avalon put forth strong objections, including potential damage to a fragile ecosystem. Pittwater Council permanently barred all future filming. This pilot finally aired as a two-part episode of Baywatch.
As an alternative to Australia, Hawaii 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. The proposal to relocate Baywatch to Hawaii rather than Australia was initiated by April Masini in a telephone call to executive producer Greg Bonann. The deal to provide the incentives necessary to secure the series was presented to Governor Ben Cayetano by Al Masini and April Masini; Tony Vericella, president of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau; and Cayetano's executive assistant, Joe Blanco. The agreement required the production to change its name from Baywatch to Baywatch Hawaii, hire local leads, and film in the state for at least two years, guaranteeing 44 episodes, each at a cost of about $870,000, 60% of which was to be spent in Hawaii.
In August 2018, Deadline reported that FremantleMedia International are eyeing a new reboot of the franchise.
The show then reached it's 30th anniversary since it's pilot episode first aired on April 23, 1989 and the series began full production five months later.
The famous theme tune I'm Always Here was used through Seasons 2-9 and the movie Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding along with a Hawaiian remix for Baywatch Hawaii. It was co-written and sung by rock musician and songwriter Jimi Jamison.
Main Cast[edit | edit source]
Recurring Cast[edit | edit source]
- Wendie Malick as Gayle Buchannon (seasons 1–5)
- Michael McManus as Sid Wilson (season 1)
- Pamela Bach as Kate "Kaye" Morgan (seasons 2-3, 5–6)
- Susan Anton as Jackie Quinn (seasons 3–5)
- Ingrid Walters as Sheryl Whalen (seasons 8-9)
- Brian Keaulana as himself (seasons 10–11)
- Alicia Rickter as Carrie Sharp (season 11)
- Pat Morita as Hideki Tanaka (season 11)
Seasons[edit | edit source]
(1989-1990)
(1991-1992)
(1992-1993)
(1993-1994)
(1994-1995)
(1995-1996)
(1996-1997)
(1997-1998)
(1998-1999)
(1999-2000)
(2000-2001)
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