Baywatch celebrates it's 35th Anniversary today. An NBC drama during the 1989 season that was cancelled, and found it's mojo during syndication. The series eventually became a global phenomenon and apart of the fabric of the country and world. Over the years many attempted to deride the show for it's flaws or flat out lambast it as not being cool for it's time but nothing more. Or flat out corny and was a horrible show.
The recent ABC documentary that premiered on Hulu helped remind folk's just how popular the show was and honestly how good it was. It had drama, messages, and action scenes what more could you ask for from a syndicated show? In honor of it's anniversary here are 10 reasons why Baywatch has a legacy and rules.
10. Spin-Off's
Anytime a show get's a spin-off it's doing something right. Anytime a syndicated show like Baywatch get's a show it must be on a higher level. Which was the case in 1995 during peak Baywatch popularity with Baywatch Nights. A mystery drama featuring Sgt. Ellerbee (Gregory Alan Williams) and Mitch Buchannon working as private investigators.
There were also three TV-movies based on the series. Forbidden Paradise, White Thunder at Glacier Bay, and Hawaiian Wedding. As well as the 2017 feature film starring The Rock and Zac Efron.
9. Introduced The World To Jason Momoa
Before he was Khal Drogo or Aquaman, Jason Momoa was a 20 year old starring on Baywatch Hawaii. He played Jason loane a young lifeguard who's a tad hot-headed but means well.
8. Introduced the world to Pamela Anderson
It's a pretty common agreement that C.J. Parker likely was the finest lifeguard of the team, the one many would want rescuing them. It's also no secret that the woman who played C.J. Pamela Anderson was one of the biggest "It" girls of the 90's.
7.Introduced the world to Several Beautiful Women
Pamela Anderson may have been the most popular, but she wasn't the only beautiful woman that was a member of the show. In fact that's pretty much was the cast was comprised of, very pretty woman. Carmen Electra, Traci Bingham, Yasmine Bleeth, Nicole Eggert, Erika Eleniak, Brooke Burns, Geena Lee Nolin, Jenny Mccarthy. The list goes on and on. The reality is the cast of woman helped a lot of folks through puberty.
6. Was A reflection of the 90's
Watching the series now, Baywatch was definitely a product of it's time. It's a wonderful encapsulation of the late 80's and early 90's. Music video style editing, a lot of cheesy dialogue. Villains of the week, numerous special guests, and campy..very campy. However, it all worked
5. Covered Some Serious Topics
For such a campy show that reveled in the excess of the 90's. The series touched on a lot of heavy topics during it's time on the air. Alcohol abuse, escaping abusive relationships, eating disorders, education. Surviving earthquakes or other catastrophes. Relationships, sacrifices one must make for love. It got really deep at times.
4. The Beach was Just As Important as the cast
Just like Baltimore was a character, and honestly the main character in The Wire. The same scenario applied for Malibu beach in Baywatch. The primary action of the show took place there, it was the hub of everything centered around the show. Without the beach, there is no Baywatch.
3. That Theme Song
Admit it, whether you're a huge fan of the show or just know of it. You hear that theme song and it instantly sucks you in. It too is a perfect encapsulation of the yacht rock genre of that era. The song is infectious and will randomly pop in your head without warning.
2. Father & Son Relationship
A major point of the series, but quite often overlooked component was the relationship between Chief Mitch Buchannon and his son Hobie. Mitch was a single father and balanced his job duties with being there for his son. As well as raising him through this pre-teen, teen, and young adult years which most parents attest are hard years of raising a kid.
1.Made Lifeguards Cool
Just like Top Gun inspired people to become air force fighter pilots, or CHiPS had folks contemplating highway patrol careers. Baywatch inspired many to give lifeguarding a shot. Whether it was the red swimsuits and shorts, the slow-mo run to save someone. Or even risking your life battling some beach criminals. The show made it all look exciting and always a good time. It made people want to be lifeguards.
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