Years later, the storyline of “Baywatch” was “really bad,” according to some of the show’s biggest stars.
“Baywatch” stars David Hasselhoff, Pamela Anderson, Jeremy Jackson, Alexandra Paul, Carmen Electra, Yasmin Bliss, David Chave and Nicole Eggert. The show ran from 1989 to 2001, drawing 1.2 billion viewers a week at its peak. Eggert, who plays Summer Queen, reunited with former cast members to look back on the TV series in the documentary series “Baywatch: A Moment in the Sun.”
Nearly 35 years later, the cast admits the storyline was a bit far-fetched.
“The show wasn’t really good,” Hasselhoff admitted in the documentary, via People magazine. “But we had a passion for it, so we made it work.”
‘Baywatch’ star Nicole Eggert in ‘gray zone’ after cancer treatment: ‘There’s a lot of waiting’
Nicole Eggert, David Hasselhoff, Alexandra Paul, David Chave and Pamela Anderson on the beach in Season 3 of “Baywatch.” (Everett Collection)
Kelly Slater, who plays young surfer Jimmy Slade, recalled filming an episode where an octopus steals his surfboard and takes them hostage.
“I found the piece to be absurd in many ways,” he said.
But the “nonsense” writing seems to have helped the show.
“We were the butt of jokes on ‘The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.’ “It always was, every time he made a joke, the ratings went up,” explains co-creator Douglas Schwartz.
Do you like what you’re reading? Click here for more entertainment news
Pamela Anderson plays C.J. Parker in “Baywatch.” (Getty Images)
Despite the show’s success, the “Baywatch” cast didn’t get paid much. According to Eggert, each star earned $3,500 per episode.
“At the time, I think ‘Friends’ was making a million dollars an episode,” she said in the documentary series.
“I remember seeing my first paycheck after taxes and being absolutely shocked,” added Erica Eleniak. “Honestly, how am I going to live on this money?”
“There’s not a single rich actor on Baywatch. Not one,” says Billy Warlock, who played Eddie Kramer on the show for two seasons.
David Hasselhoff poses on the set of “Baywatch.” (Getty Images)
The cast of “Baywatch” in 1997. (Getty Images)
Click here to sign up for our entertainment newsletter
Eggert, who led the “Baywatch” documentary series project, gave fans an update on his battle with cancer at Monday’s premiere.
“I’m fine,” Eggert said. people “I’m in a kind of gray area, having healed up and waiting for more filming and surgery,” she told the magazine on the red carpet.
Nicole Eggert attends the premiere of “Baywatch: A Moment in the Sun” on August 26. (Getty Images)
“And there’s a lot of waiting around, and it’s something I don’t really realize, and it’s something that no one really talks about,” she explained. “But the gray area is the hardest. Not knowing what’s going on, and feeling like I was doing something productive when I was getting treatment.”
Eggert was diagnosed with stage II metastatic breast cancer in 2023.
Click here to get the FOX News app
