Baywatch

Baywatch is an American action drama television series created by Michael Berk, Douglas Schwartz, and Gregory J. Bonann. The program centers on the lifeguards of the Los Angeles County Lifeguard Service on the beaches of Malibu, California, as they perform rescues, enforce safety rules, and manage the personal dynamics of a close-knit team. It premiered on NBC in 1989 and, after a brief initial run, aired in first-run syndication from 1991 to 2001. The series followed an ensemble cast led by Mitch Buchannon, played by David Hasselhoff, with notable cast members including Pamela Anderson as C.J. Parker, Yasmine Bleeth as Caroline Holden, Alexandra Paul as Lt. Stephanie Holden, Nicole Eggert as Summer Quinn, Traci Bingham as Jordan Tate, and Gena Lee Nolin as Neely Capshaw.

Baywatch gained international popularity for its beach setting, dramatic rescues, and action sequences, as well as its distinctive slow-motion running scenes. The show contributed to the cultural image of 1990s beach life and helped establish a global fan base, with episodes broadcast in many countries and across various media markets. It also featured a rotating pool of recurring and guest stars and influenced later lifeguard-themed entertainment.

Spin-offs and related projects included Baywatch Nights (1995–1997), a separate crime-drama series, and Baywatch Hawaii (1999–2001), set in Hawaii. In 2017, a feature film adaptation titled Baywatch was released, directed by Seth Gordon and starring Dwayne Johnson, Zac Efron, Priyanka Chopra, Alexandra Daddario, and Kelly Rohrbach, receiving mixed reviews and moderate box office performance.