The move of Baywatch to Hawaii marked a significant transformation for the series, both in terms of setting and production dynamics.
Here’s a comprehensive overview of why the show relocated and the differences that emerged with this change.
Reasons for the Move to Hawaii
Declining Ratings: After ten successful seasons set in California, Baywatch faced declining viewership. Producers sought a fresh approach to rejuvenate interest in the series as it began to lose its audience appeal.
Financial Incentives: Hawaii offered substantial financial incentives for the production team to relocate. This included tax breaks and other economic benefits aimed at boosting local tourism and the economy.
Competing Locations: Initially, both Hawaii and Australia were contenders for the new filming location. However, Hawaii ultimately won out due to its appealing offers and the potential for showcasing its beautiful landscapes, which could attract viewers.
Creative Revitalization: The show’s star, David Hasselhoff, was also looking for ways to refresh his character and the show’s narrative. Moving to Hawaii allowed for new storylines that could incorporate local culture and scenery.
Quick Facts
- After nine years in Los Angeles, the show’s creators had planned to move production to Queensland, Australia.
- Many Australian residents loudly voiced their opinion against filming the show there.
- Hawaii officials stepped in, making a pitch to bring the show to Honolulu and Haleiwa on Oahu’s North Shore.
- Gregg Bonann wanted to keep the show in the United States if he could afford it. -The deal seemed to be set until a local Teamsters official refused to agree to a wage reduction for Hawaii’s movie and industry drivers.
- There seemed to be no deal. Bonann announced it was off to Australia to make the two part episode, Baywatch Down Under.
- To clench the deal, Gov. Ben Cayetano stepped in, offering Leo Reed of the Teamsters Local another $200,000 for wages from the state and improved working conditions for drivers. It was satisfactory.
- The show traded in its stunning eye-turning red swimsuits for yellow ones when it relocated to Hawaii.
- Viewers found that the show didn’t have the same flavor it had when filmed in the original sands of California.
- Baywatch Executive Producer Gregg Bonann moved from California to Hawaii in attempt to cut production costs.
- Baywatch Hawaii ended after two years, ending the show’s eleven year run.
- Escalating production costs, coupled with poor ratings caused Pearson Television North America to say it was time for Baywatch to end.
- Pearson President Brian Harris told Variety that the economics associated with bringing the program back could not be justified.
- With production costs reaching nearly $1 million per episode, cancellation of Baywatch Hawaii wasn’t surprising.
Differences in Baywatch: Hawaii
Title Change: The series was rebranded as Baywatch: Hawaii, reflecting its new setting and focus on Hawaiian culture and lifestyle.
New Characters: With the relocation came a significant cast overhaul. New characters were introduced, including Jason Momoa as Jason Ioane and Simmone Mackinnon as Allie Reese, while some original characters were written out or reduced in prominence.
Production Style: The production style shifted to emphasize more visually stunning beach scenes, effectively turning each episode into a promotional showcase for Hawaiian tourism4. The iconic red swimsuits were retained but adapted slightly; for instance, some cast members wore yellow swimsuits while men donned red shorts.
Plot Focus: The narrative changed to incorporate more light-hearted themes and less intense drama compared to earlier seasons. While earlier episodes often dealt with serious issues like crime or personal struggles, Baywatch: Hawaii leaned more towards adventure and scenic escapades, which some critics felt diminished the show’s depth.
Cultural Integration: The show attempted to integrate more local Hawaiian culture into its storylines, although this was met with mixed reviews regarding authenticity and execution.
Ratings Impact: Despite these changes, Baywatch: Hawaii struggled with ratings and was ultimately canceled after two seasons (1999-2001). The shift failed to capture the same audience that had made the original series a global phenomenon.
In summary, while moving Baywatch to Hawaii aimed to revitalize the series through new settings, characters, and themes, it ultimately did not achieve lasting success, leading to its cancellation shortly after the transition.
