Hulu, which touched on the legacy of “Baywatch” as part of its 2022 scripted limited series “Pam & Tommy,” is heading back to the beach. The streamer is set to premiere the four-part ABC News Studios docuseries“After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun” on Wednesday, Aug. 28.
Matthew Felker (“Public Figure”) is the producer and director behind the project, which began production in 2019 as “Baywatch: The documentary” before evolving into “After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun” and landing ABC News Studios as the series’ production company.
Per the longline, the docuseries promises “a nostalgic and insightful exploration of ‘Baywatch,’ the cultural phenomenon that defined an era, and an unprecedented look into the stars who brought the world’s most famous lifeguards to life.Through dozens of new cast interviews and never-before-seen footage, this docuseries unpacks how the show captured the mythology of California’s beach culture, set physical beauty standards for an entire generation, and capitalized on the adage ‘sex sells.'”
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Among cast members and producers interviewed are Nicole Eggert, Carmen Electra, Billy Warlock, Alexandra Paul, Gregory Alan Williams, David Chokachi, Jeremy Jackson,Traci Bingham,Erika Eleniak, Michael Newman, Michael Berk and Douglas Schwartz. Glaringly missing from that confirmed list: Series star David Hasselhoff. But Hasselhoff had been reportedly interviewed for “Baywatch: The documentary,” so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him show up on this as well.
According to ABC News Studios, the docuseries will also feature a “never-aired interview with Pamela Anderson and over a decade’s worth of never-before-seen home videos shot by the cast themselves. These candid and intimate clips offer viewers a unique glimpse into the real dynamics, struggles, friendships and moments that happened off-camera. The series also explores the show’s impact on pop culture and its enduring legacy.”
Created by Michael Berk, Douglas Schwartz and Gregory J. Bonann, and starring David Hasselhoff, “Baywatch” originally ran from 1989 to 1999. It was retooled as “Baywatch: Hawaii” from 1999 to 2001. Besides Hasselhoff, the show’s cast over the years included Pamela Anderson, Yasmine Bleeth, Alexandra Paul, Erika Eleniak, Nicole Eggert, Parker Stevenson and many others. Hasselhoff also starred in a spinoff series, the private eye drama “Baywatch Nights,” which aired from 1995 to 1997. “Baywatch” was a syndication sensation, airing in more than 145 countries at one point, more than any other TV show.
The show was originally inspired by Bonann’s time as a Los Angeles County lifeguard.Most recently, a “Baywatch” film starring Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron was released in 2017.
The series comes as Fox is developing a reboot of “Baywatch” with Fremantle. Lara Olsen (“Spinning Out”) is attached as showrunner and EP, along side EPs Berk, Bonann and Schwartz.
Felker is director and executive producer of “After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun,”while Eggert is a producer and Ari Shofet is executive producer. ABC News Studios’ David Sloan is the senior executive producer and Muriel Pearson is executive producer.
Recent ABC News Studios productions include “Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields,” “Sound of the Police,” “The Lady Bird Diaries,” “Aftershock” and Andrew McCarthy’s “Brats.”
Felker is repped by DanielBenge at Fox Rothschild.
