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By Dennis Oda, Star-Bulletin
At one of the portable offices at the Hawaii Diamond Head
Film Studio, Al Masini (left), April Masini and Greg Bonann
give a press conference explaining how "Baywatch Hawaii"
promotes tourism to the state. They said "Baywatch" will shut
down if the state cannot contribute $2.5 million
to bail out the show.

‘Baywatch’
overhauls pool of
writers, awaits
state funds

By March 15, executives
will know if the show
is returning

By Tim Ryan
Star-Bulletin

While "Baywatch Hawaii" is hoping for as much as $2.5 million in financial assistance from the state to film a second season here, the production is taking steps to improve the lifeguard drama.

The biggest change has been to more than double its team of writers, whose focus will emphasize character development and story continuity as much as action and titillation.

Five new writers, including Frank South, who was executive producer and writer of "Melrose Place," and Fred Rappaport -- with three more to be announced -- will replace veterans Maurice Hurley and Don Boyle, who were terminated two weeks ago.

Greg Bonann, "Baywatch" executive producer and creator, said Hurley did a "spectacular" job but as head writer was "the absolute fall guy" to take the blame for the show's less-than-stellar ratings.

Pearson Television, owner of the show, needed to present "a significant change" to its board of directors that would allow accepting a $4.5 million deficit from the show in season 2000, Bonann said.

Pearson agreed to Bonann's request to hire South now, even before "Baywatch" has been renewed, so he can learn about the culture here and be ready to write.

Other changes for Season 2 would likely include cast changes, Bonann said.

"The history of 'Baywatch' has shown that in every season we have made significant changes to keep a fresh look," he said. "Viewers expect to see a new pretty face and a new handsome guy every year."

But the biggest change would be focusing on the show's "creative integrity."

"This season, we were focused on logistics, getting the show here and getting infrastructures built like the water tank at the Hawaii Film Studio and lifeguard center at Haleiwa," Bonann said. "Now we can center on stories and characters."

"Baywatch" executives will know by March 15 if the show is returning for a second season in Hawaii. Bonann travels to Los Angeles next week to tell Pearson executives if he has convinced the state to give the show $2.5 million for another season, which would begin filming June 5.

If "Baywatch Hawaii" does not get financial assistance from the state, the show is history, Bonann said.

"I have committed location suicide. I have dedicated myself to make it work in Hawaii or lose the show. I don't have the time to move it anywhere else. We live here or we die here."