"Baywatch" looks at the personal and professional lives of the dedicated men and women who patrol the Southern California shoreline -- which is of special significance to Greg Bonann, who is a Los Angeles County Lifeguard in addition to being a creator and executive producer for the series.
"Working each weekend as a lifeguard constantly reinforces the tremendous potential and scope that the series can encompass," says Bonann.
His own real-life experiences includes an incident a couple of years ago at Venice Beach where he rescued a drowning boy. Bonann and a staff of writers were conducting research for the series at Lifeguard Division Headquarters when a youth ran up to them screaming, "My brother's drowning!" Bonann ran to the water's edge, dove into the ocean and swam 200 yards to reach the boy. It took three dives to the ocean floor to search for and recover the unconscious 13-year-old. The producer then performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation while treading water, and succeeded in reviving the boy. Bonann was honored with the Medal of Valor for his heroic rescue effort.
"Incidents like this only serve to reinforce my belief in the richness that 'Baywatch' can bring to television. It's our intention to capture that belief -- through the realistic portrayal of dramatic situations that lifeguards encounter on a daily basis and, very importantly, through the creation of good, solid characters," says Bonann.
Bonann has been a Los Angeles County lifeguard since 1970; a member of International Competition Team Tours to Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Hawaii; and a co-organizer and former president of the Los Angeles County Lifeguard Association.
Prior to and during co-creating and co-producing "Baywatch," Bonann served as the producer/director for the United States Olympic Committee's Official Summer and Winter Games Films of 1980, 1984 and 1988.
From 1977-87, Bonann was vice president of development and production for JJH Productions where he produced and developed more than 60 documentaries shot worldwide, including the award-winning mini-series "Saudi Arabia" and "Africa."
MICHAEL BERK AND DOUGLAS SCHWARTZ,
CREATIVE/EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
Partners and first-cousins Michael Berk and Douglas Schwartz wrote and produced a dozen television movies before creating the hit series "Baywatch."
Among their most significant accomplishments are "The Incredible Journey of Dr. Meg Laurel" (CBS), the highest rated movie for television of the year with a 42 share; "The Ordeal of Dr. Mudd" (CBS), which received two Emmy Awards; and "The Haunting Passion" (NBC), winner of the Venice Film Festival Award.
Berk and Schwartz were the creators and executive producers of the innovative and critically acclaimed CBS series, "The Wizard."
Their prolific partnership began at 13-years-old, when they wrote, produced and directed a short film entitled "The Lost Battalion" using an 8mm movie camera. A CBS executive saw it in a screening in the boys' backyard theatre, bought the picture for $5,000 and aired it nationally. By the time they were 18-years-old, Berk and Schwartz were running a production company comprised entirely of teenagers and occupying an entire floor of a Hollywood highrise.
Now in their for-ties, Berk and Schwartz continue doing what they have loved to do since childhood -- use their creativity and determination to craft quality entertainment. The resurrection of "Baywatch" from its network run, and its unprecedented transition into a highly rated domestic and international success, is a model of production efficiency that has defined new standards in the industry.
"LIVING ON THE FAULT LINE"
Part One
Episode 5001
1994-95 - Episodic Synopsis
Written by Michael Berk
A minor earthquake prompts a geological survey team lo come to Baywatch to plant a seismometer in an underwater fault line near Malibu Beach. "en Stephanie falls for the team leader, her life, as well as Hobie's, Jackie's and many others hang in the balance as the area is hit by a massive earthquake.
After a minor earthquake traumatizes CJ, a geological survey team arrives at Baywatch in order to place an underwater seismometer in the Malibu fault. The team requires a safety officer, and Stephanie volunteers, mainly because she has fallen for the team leader Riley Ferguson, an expert oceanographer and free-diver. She invites Riley to her apartment to discuss the details of the operation, but their budding romance is cut short when her sister, Caroline, shows up without warning. Caroline has left her husband and has come to California to start a new life.
Hobie has a surprise of his own, when he tells Mitch he has decided to spend more time with his rock band rather than continue with Junior Lifeguards. When Mitch tries to reason with Hobie, he snaps back, telling Mitch that he doesn't want to follow in his father's footsteps. Meanwhile, Jackie Quinn has sold her cafe to a new owner and she and Summer are leaving California. After Summer flies home, Jackie will then drive their trailer back after spending one more night parked on a cliff overlooking the ocean. Back on the beach, Matt is having real problems with new lifeguard Logan Fowler, who is from Australia on a lifeguard exchange program. With his long hair and hot-dog ways, Logan infuriates Matt, who thinks Loan is concerned more with his own cocky heroism than with the safety of potential victims.
Early the next morning, Riley, Stephanie, and the geological team are at sea to plant the seismometer. However, when Riley is underwater installing the device, the area is hit by a massive earthquake, threatening everyone s life. Riley is trapped underwater, CJ and Caroline's apartment collapses, Jackie is caught in her trailer which is hanging precariously over the edge of a cliff, and Hobie is trapped under the rubble of a partially collapsed garage. The remaining Baywatch lifeguards must spring into action quickly to save them and other earthquake victims.
SERIES REGULARS:
LT. MITCH BUCHANNON DAVID HASSELHOFF
CJ PARKER PAMELA DENISE ANDERSON
LT. STEPHANIE HOLDEN ALEXANDRA PAUL
MATT BRODY DAVID CHARVET
HOBIE BUCHANNON JEREMY JACKSON
SGT. GARNER ELLERBEE GREGORY ALAN-WILLIAMS
LOGAN FOWLER JAASON SIMMONS
CAROLINE HOLDEN YASMINE BLEETH
GUEST STARS:
JACKIE QUINN SUSAN ANTON
RILEY BLAKE GIBBONS BLAKE GIBBONS
MAX GORDON JUMP
"LIVING ON THE FAULT LINE"
Part Two
Episode 5002
1994-95 - Episodic Synopsis
Written by Michael Berk
After a massive earthquake hits the Los Angeles area, the Baywatch lifeguards spring into action to save trapped victims, including Hobie, Jackie Quinn, Stephanie, and members of a geological survey team.
While Stephanie is off the coast of Malibu with a geological survey team that is planting an underwater seismometer in the Malibu fault, the entire area is suddenly hit by an enormous earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter Scale. Riley, the team leader, is trapped underwater, but his isn't the only life in danger. Stephanie and the rest of the team are trapped at sea when their boat capsizes. Jackie Quinn is caught in a trailer that could plunge off a cliff at any moment, while Hobie is trapped under the rubble of a partially collapsed garage.
Mitch manages to rescue Hobie Just before a heavy boat engine falls on him, but Hobie is traumatized and determined to leave California. Rescuing Jackie and Riley proves to be more dangerous. Jackie's trailer is precariously balanced on the edge of a cliff, and there is no way to reach it by land, since a landslide has blocked the highway leading there. Mitch and Matt plan on scaling the cliff to Jackie's trailer in order to reach her. However, the sudden arrival of a news helicopter saves them valuable time by airlifting them to the top, and with the help of a heroic pilot, Mitch and Matt rescue Jackie just before the car attached to the trailer plunges to the rocks below in a huge fireball.
'Meanwhile, Stephanie risks her life by free-driving to Riley, who is trapped under the surface. She tries to release him from the rocks which have trapped him, and almost drowns in the process. CJ and Logan arrive with a rescue team, and CJ manages to save Stephanie and free Riley just before he runs out of air. On the surface, Logan cuts a deal with one of the geologists, offering to also retrieve their computer... for a price. However, this could get Logan sent back to Australia for good.
SERIES REGULARS:
LT. MITCH BUCHANNON DAVID HASSELHOFF
CJ PARKER PAMELA DENISE ANDERSON
LT. STEPHANIE HOLDEN ALEXANDRA PAUL
MATT BRODY DAVID CHARVET
HOBIE BUCHANNON JEREMY JACKSON
SGT. GARNER ELLERBEE GREGORY ALAN-WILLIAMS
LOGAN FOWLER JAASON SIMMONS
CAROLINE HOLDEN YASMINE BLEETH
GUEST STARS:
JACKIE QUINN SUSAN ANTON
RILEY BLAKE GIBBONS
MAX GORDON JUMP
"AFTERSHOCK"
Episode 5003
1994-95 - Episodic Synopsis
Written by David Braff
Mitch and his ex-wife Gail decide to get remarried, but their wedding is jeopardized when Mitch leaves to rescue victims of a boat explosion. Meanwhile, Logan and Malt are at odds over Caroline.
After a recent earthquake which almost took his life, Hobie leaves to live with his mother, Mitch's ex-wife Gail, in Ohio. A few weeks later when Mitch enters headquarters, he is surprised to see Hobie at the soda machine. However, Mitch is even more surprised to see Gail, who tells Mitch that their separation has not been good for Hobie. Gail tells Mitch that she wants to remarry him and start over.
Meanwhile, Matt and Logan get in an argument over Caroline. Matt criticizes Logan for leaving Caroline on a wave runner by herself when Logan rescued a drowning victim. Logan responds by accusing Matt of being jealous that Caroline and he are spending time together. This leads to heated words, and a right hook from Logan's fist to Matt's jaw. When Stephanie hears of this, she makes Matt and Logan row a dory back to the beach from far offshore, forcing them to learn how to work together, which they must do to rescue two drowning boys.
The day finally arrives for Mitch and Gall's wedding. Everything goes smoothly, but just when they are to exchange vows, a charter fishing boat strikes an old mine. The huge explosion causes the boat to sink, threatening the lives of everyone abroad. To Gail's chagrin, Mitch rushes from the ceremony along with Matt, Logan, CJ, and Stephanie to rescue the victims. Now, because of Mitch's all-encompassing commitment to lifeguarding, their marriage hangs in the balance.
SERIES REGULARS:
LT. MITCH BUCHANNON DAVID HASSELHOFF
CJ PARKER PAMELA DENISE ANDERSON
LT. STEPHANIE HOLDEN ALEXANDRA PAUL
MATT BRODY DAVID CHARVET
HOBIE BUCHANNON JEREMY JACKSON
SGT. GARNER ELLERBEE GREGORY ALAN-WILLIAMS
LOGAN FOWLER JAASON SIMMONS
CAROLINE HOLDEN YASMINE BLEETH
GUEST STARS:
GAIL WENDY MALICK
"BAHA RUN"
Episode 5004
1994-95 - Episodic Synopsis
Written by Debra Bonann Schwartz
John Coil returns and convinces Matt to join him in racing the Baha Run, the most grueling dune-buggy race in Mexico. However, Mitch is unaware of John's plan to use their dune buggy to smuggle ancient artifacts across the boarder.
John Cort was a former lifeguard who had to leave Baywatch because he suffered from RP, a degenerative eye disease that causes gradual blindness. When Mitch enters headquarters one morning, he is shocked to see Cort sitting at his desk. Cort convinces Mitch to race with him in the Baha Run, the most dangerous dune buggy race of its kind.
Cort hasn't told Mitch the whole truth. Cort is desperate to buy a sailboat and sail away before he completely loses his eyesight. To do this, he plans to smuggle some rare Mayan artifacts across the Mexican boarder in the dune buggy they will use in the race. However, the artifacts' former owner, Jake, will stop at nothing to get them back.
Back at Baywatch, CJ must deal with the final chapter in her relationship with Cort, while Logan and Matt aggressively compete to win Caroline. In Baha, Jake enters the race so he can follow Cort and Mitch to steal the artifacts. He tries to run them off the road. But Mitch figures out what is going on, and fights back to stay alive, and keep himself and Cort out of a Mexican jail.
