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Pat Bigold

The Way I See It

By Pat Bigold

Tuesday, June 6, 2000


UH ‘fiction’ draws
3.2 TV rating

WITH Baywatch Hawaii starting to film its new season this week, I thought about Riley Wallace's role on the show last month and wondered how he fared in the ratings.

Does sound funny, doesn't it?

Well, the executive producer's office said the May 13 episode drew a 3.2 rating, and that's not bad.

"Every point represents 1.1 million households and 3.5 was the highest rating we had all year," said a Baywatch Hawaii spokeswoman.

She said her office received 20 calls about the show, most expressing surprise to see the Rainbows featured.

There's a ton of recruiting potential in the 3.2 rating for the only Western Athletic Conference program shut out of the Fox regional telecasts last season.

And since the audience is worldwide, it means even more.

The script had actor Jason Brooks saying in one scene that Wallace's philosophy as a coach is similar to John Wooden's.

Whoa.

Just imagine how many baby boomer dads of blue-chip prospects jumped onto their Internet search engines to look up this Riley Wallace.

Whether they bought the Wooden analogy or not, it certainly must have aroused some curiosity.

And the patience and understanding Wallace was scripted to display when one of his players decided he wanted to swim instead ... well, gosh, who wouldn't want to play for a guy like that?

The player shows up at an ongoing practice in street clothes with a buddy, and they want Wallace to leave the court and come to the Duke Kahanamoku pool. Wallace shrugs and responds, "OK."

What a warm, cuddly leader of men, huh?

Hehehe.

Well, we in Hawaii all know that was pure science fiction. In real life, an athlete who showed up late for a Wallace practice in street clothes would have to have his brain examined.

And then he'd have to have his ear drums repaired after Wallace "counseled" him.

But don't sell short the impression that scene in the Stan Sheriff Center might have made on the rest of the world.

IT endowed Wallace with the image of a man who maintains a perfect balance between authority and compassion.

As it opened, there he was, barking out directions at his troops like Patton at the front. The decibel level was realistic.

A moment later, there he was, the limitlessly tolerant sage of the basketball program embracing a player's dream of becoming an Olympic swimmer.

The best part of the whole deal was that the University of Hawaii was able to represent itself in the episode. Even the players' faces were visible in the practice scene.

No one can recall the last time UH received that sort of universal recognition.

And apparently, it went down well with those who watched it locally.

"The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive," said executive producer Greg Bonnan.

You remember Bonnan. He's the guy who recently bought air conditioners for local school kids roasting in 110-degree heat, something our Legislature never got around to doing.

"Someone even asked me whether or not Riley would have a recurring role on the show." said Bonnan. "But I think he's a GREAT coach."

Uhuh. Actress Brandy Brooks, when asked if she thought Wallace had potential in the acting biz, said:

"He looked exactly like a TV coach would look. He's a good-looking older man."



Pat Bigold has covered sports for daily newspapers
in Hawaii and Massachusetts since 1978.



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