Los Angeles, CA – The iconic TV series “Baywatch” is still making waves, even years after its debut in 1989. The hit show, which ran until 2001, recently had its biggest stars reflect on their experience in a new docuseries called “Baywatch: Moment in the Sun.”
Despite its massive success – with 1.2 billion viewers weekly at its peak – the cast admitted that the plotlines were often absurd. David Hasselhoff, who played a lead role in the show, confessed in the docuseries that the plot “really wasn’t that good,” but the cast’s passion helped elevate the show’s quality.
One of the cast members, Kelly Slater, recalled a peculiar episode involving an octopus stealing a surfboard and holding them hostage, highlighting the nonsensical nature of the show’s writing. Surprisingly, this absurdity seemed to work in favor of the series, as jokes about “Baywatch” on shows like “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” led to increased viewership.
Despite the success of “Baywatch,” the actors were not highly paid, with each star earning a mere $3,500 per episode. This was a stark contrast to other popular shows like “Friends,” where the main cast members were making $1 million per episode. The financial struggles of the cast members, including Erika Eleniak and Billy Warlock, were a reality they had to face despite the show’s popularity.
One of the stars, Nicole Eggert, who spearheaded the “Baywatch” docuseries, shared an update on her battle with stage 2 breast cancer. At the premiere of the docuseries, Eggert revealed that she had finished her treatment and was in a “gray area,” awaiting further imaging and potential surgery. She highlighted the emotional toll of the waiting period, emphasizing the need for more awareness about the challenges faced by cancer patients.
Overall, the “Baywatch” docuseries offers fans a behind-the-scenes look at the iconic show and sheds light on the personal struggles and triumphs of the cast members. Despite its flaws, “Baywatch” remains a beloved classic that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.