Baywatch - TV-PG

Hit '90s lifeguard series is cheesy, jiggly fun.

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Common Sense rates it

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details

TV Rating: TV-PG
Network: ION, Syndicated
Cast: David Hasselhoff, Pamela Anderson, Alexandra Paul
Genre: Drama
>Available On: DVD

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this 1990s lifeguard series owes much of its popularity to good-looking cast members wearing short swim trunks and cleavage-revealing bathing suits. While the show's sexual innuendo is fairly tame compared to today's standards, it's still a bit iffy for young kids. Some of the drowning scenes might be a bit scary to watch, too, and serious subjects like safety, alcohol addiction, and specific medical disorders are touched on. On the plus side, the show offers some positive messages about leadership, teamwork, and parenthood.

Families can talk about what made this show so popular in its heyday -- particularly internationally, where it was a huge hit. Why do some American shows have more appeal for viewers outside of the United States than others? Which of today's U.S. shows do you think have "global appeal"? Families can also discuss what it really takes to be a professional lifeguard. What kind of training do lifeguards undergo before they can patrol beaches and pools? Does this show do a good job representing what a lifeguard's job is really like? Why or why not?

Message
Violence
Sex
Language

Message

Social Behavior:

Presents a very romanticized vision of lifeguarding, but does touch on some serious health and safety topics. Positive messages about leadership, teamwork, and parenthood. Some intense/complicated personal relationships. The characters' looks are emphasized (particularly in slow-mo shots of them running on the beach). Most of the characters are Caucasian; early episodes feature an African-American. Later episodes feature some women of various racial/ethnic backgrounds.

Consumerism:

Popular Southern California areas are visible, including the Santa Monica Pier. Some motorcycle and car makes like Yamaha and Mercedes-Benz are visible (but not prominently featured). Some of the tunes featured on the show are sung by Hasselhoff.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Visible consumption of beer, wine, and champagne. Irresponsible drunken behavior and drug/alcohol abuse is occasionally shown, but it has negative consequences.

Violence

Some of the plotlines are about criminal behavior, including murder. At least one episode shows a dead body washing ashore. Occasional arguments; some shoving, pushing, and punching. Occasionally, guns are used and/or gunfire is heard. Some of the rescue missions are intense and show people drowning.

Sex

Strong sexual innuendo. Kissing, hugging, and making out; sometimes people are shown lying in bed together (no visible nudity). Plenty of shirtless men and skin-revealing bikinis. The show's signature moments include lifeguards running in slow motion during rescues, usually highlighting their bouncing chests.

Language

Language includes words like "damn" and "hell."

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Melissa Camacho

During its original run from 1989 to 2001, BAYWATCH -- which follows the adventures of a team of Los Angeles County lifeguards -- became an international hit. David Hasselhoff stars as Lieut. Mitch Buchannon, a veteran lifeguard who leads a crew of dedicated, distinctively good-looking men and women. Some of the more notable members of his life-saving team are C.J. Parker (Pamela Anderson), Jimmy Slade (Kelly Slater), Stephanie Holden (Alexandra Paul), and her younger sister Caroline (Yasmine Bleeth); later seasons saw the addition of characters like Lani McKenzie (Carmen Electra) and Jessie Owens (Brooke Burns). When not assisting in dramatic rescues, they all get caught up in various adventures, from solving murder mysteries and searching for sunken treasure to working through various romantic relationships.

Is it any good?

The most-watched series in TV history, Baywatch's international appeal lies squarely in the conspicuous presence of attractive, buxom lifeguards -- as well as Hasselhoff's star power outside the United States. But despite the show's obvious sex appeal and silly plotlines (like battling ghosts in a haunted hotel or fighting a giant moray eel with heart defibrillator paddles), it also offers some positive messages about leadership, teamwork, and even parenthood, thanks to Mitch's role as a single parent to son Hobie (Jeremy Jackson). The show also touches on important issues like water safety, addiction, and the multiple and often little-known health risks associated with excessive sun exposure.

Despite Baywatch's relatively high dose of sex appeal, its innuendo quotient is actually pretty mild compared to many of today's shows. Still, some of the romantic storylines are decidedly adult, and the rescue scenes -- many of which show people drowning and being resuscitated -- might be scary for some kids. But for older teens and adults, it has been -- and always will be -- a guilty viewing pleasure.