Baywatch is Back! Our Top Reasons Baywatch Was A Complete Classic (and some things you might not know…)
Swimsuits at the ready! The new Baywatch movie hits our screens at the end of the month and we actually.can't.wait. Starring Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and Zac Efron, it's sure to be hilarious, tongue-in-cheek and slightly ridiculous (obvs).
In the meantime, we thought we'd take a look at what made the oh-so-cheesy 80's mega-hit show so darn great - from the running scenes to the one-liners, along with a few fab facts even the biggest fan might not knowâ¦
ALL the Slow Mo Running
Ah, that famous running along the beach, as slow as their legs could carry them! This iconic calling card of the show has inspired a thousand parodies, sketches the world over - from Friends to The Muppets - and even a 'slow-motion' marathon, happening to celebrate the new film (in case you're wondering how it works - people have to reach the finish line of the .2k race in the 'slowest and sexiest' fashion, to win!
But why the slow motion running on Baywatch in the first place, we hear you ask? Whatever the unintended consequences, it was apparently inspired by one of the producers shooting sprinters in a similar way at the 1988 Olympic Games. David Hasselhoff also claimed recently that is helped to paid out the 50-minute running slot on their super-low budget.
Whatever the reasons, we love it and are totally working on our own runs this summer - iPhones at the readyâ¦
The total legend that is the Hoffâ¦
Whether he was swimming speedboat-style or judging bikini contests, David Hasselhoff aka Mitch Buchannon was head and shoulders the best, most dedicated lifeguard with his action-packed and always totally believable, not at ALL far-fetched *ahem* plots (delivering a baby on the beach, anyone?) In fact, the Hoff himself pretty much saved Baywatch from tanking - in the US, people weren't big fans it at first (we know, right?!) and David voluntarily took a pay cut to help fund an overseas revival, where people had been loving it. A hero on the beach and off - what a legend!
â¦Who may have starred alongside Leo!
In another life, Leonardo DiCaprio might have been playing Mitch's son Hobie! As unlikely as it sounds, producers auditioned the 15-year-old but they felt he was slightly too old for the part so cast actor Jeremy Jackson, four years younger than Leo, instead. David Hasselhoff now jokes that it was the best thing that ever happened to Leo as we wouldn't have had him in Titanic, Romeo and Juliet and countless other 90s and beyond roles. Thanks, Baywatch!
Michael Newman was a real lifeguard calledâ¦Michael Newman
For all the show's over the top drama, they did bring some touches of authenticity - namely Michael Newman, who played a supporting role doing stunts, helping cast members on rescue protocol and sharing real rescue stories as inspo for story plots (maybe those crazy storylines weren't so crazy after all!) Pro-surfer Kelly Slater also starred as Jimmy Slade, but later got tired of the show interfering with his surfing and the far-fetched plots: "I'd be like, 'What!? There's an octopus that's stealing surfboards and hiding them in a secret cove and I'm going to fight him in the next show? Who writes this sh-t?'" Slater told GQ. He says that like it's a bad thing!
A Baywatch Musical is set to hit the capital!
Okay, whilst not strictly a fact about the series, there is a BAYWATCH MUSICAL HEADING TO LONDON. *klaxon* Which we feel is worthy of its own mention. Hoping to debut this year, show producers Schwartz and Berk have promised that a water tank will be on stage. We've got our fingers crossed for some huge 80s and 90s-style tunes and a celeb star turn or two (don't let us down, Pammie!)
Now we've reminded you why this show is worthy of some mega appreciation (but you knew that already, right?!), show the world you're a fan in our wicked Baywatch T-Shirts!
Fancy making waves at your next bash or just re-enacting that famous beachfront walk? Look no further than our Baywatch Costumes!
Or check out the whole collection right here!