Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16554 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-10-30
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 6
• Running time: 650 minutes

DVD Description
BAYWATCH THE COMPLETE SEASON ONE contains all 22 episodes across 6 discs and includes the pilot episode "Panic at Malibu Pier" and a stills gallery. Total Running Time = 1035 minutes (feature only) Screen Ratio = 1.33:1

Synopsis
BAYWATCH premiered in the US on 1st April 1 1989, and enjoyed a successful run throughout the '90s before coming to an end in 2001. The show took the role of the lowly lifeguard and completely transformed it, adding adventure, excitement, and sex appeal to an occupation that seemed an unlikely basis for a TV show. David Hasselhoff, fresh from his '80s triumph with KNIGHT RIDER, filled the lead role of Lt. Mitch Buchannon, while a bevy of curvacious beauties stood at his side, including Pamela Anderson in the show that launched her career.

Customer Reviews

Finally on DVD but....
Nice to get the original and best season of Baywatch on DVD. However after taking the plunge and buying the set my suspicions were confirmed in that sadly the original opening theme of this series 'Save Me' by Peter Cetera has been replaced on all the episodes by the rights friendly track by Kim Carnes. Which can be heard currently on the UKTVGOLD repeats of season 1. It's not a bad song, but it doesn't fit the visuals as well and it's not better than 'Save Me'. A shame, but what can you do? There is no R1 set of this season as they are starting with season 2 and including episodes of S1 as extras. From what I've read they have also replaced the theme music, even the familiar later theme has been replaced by some Hoff penned monstrosity. There are german releases of Baywatch on DVD, but I don't know if they have the original music or not.

If you want series one this set is still worth buying.

Update: I understand the german releases which can be bought from German Amazon have the correct theme music. They contain an english soundtrack as well obviously.

The best season of the entire show.

Baywatch, as many people will be aware, was cancelled after its first season. I find it highly ironic that the stories are far stronger and the acting of a much higher standard in the first season than any of the others. Of course, the show hit its popular peak in the early to mid-90s when Pamela Anderson was on board (season three onwards), and the show went through three or four seasons of cast stability. However, the show did at the same time simultaneously descend into strict formula. The slo-mo montages became a staple feature of most episodes and Pamela Anderson was almost always the first person on screen if she was in a particular show. Still, it was always fun. But the first season was far more structured, the drama always a bit more convincing than later on. This might be, in part, due to the production problems pushing the writers and producers to make a stronger show. Compare the death of Jill near the end of the season to how the "death" of Mitch was handled in season ten.

It's interesting to note that Season 1, which was in part produced by ITV in the UK, also had different distribution deals in order to get it sold, which has resulted in it being unavailable on DVD in the US. If you are thinking of buying the cheaper season sets available on Amazon.com, do be aware that because Season 1 is not available, they have renumbered (!) the subsequent seasons, so that what is actually Season 2 is being released as Season 1. I ask you! So do be careful.

Another thing, and I am really hoping they kept it for the DVD, is that Season 1 had a different theme song. "Save Me" was performed by Peter Cetera and is, in my opinion, a much better song than "I'm Always Here" which was used on the rest of the show. I know when the first season has been repeated in syndication, it has often had the opening credit sequence edited down and redubbed with the second song, presumably to give more consistency to the show. I am hoping they have left the opening and closing credits intact in their original forms on the UK DVD release.

Great memories
How I loved this series when I was a young girl!The DVDs bring back some good old memories and I enjoy very much watching the best season of the series over and over again!
P.S.: The german releases do have the original opening title "Save Me" by Peter Cetera!!