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By Ronen Zilberman, Star-Bulletin
Cast member Krista Allen, center, in a rescue scene on
the "Baywatch" set at Haleiwa.

‘Baywatch’ gets
nod for possible
third season

---

By Tim Ryan
Star-Bulletin

"Baywatch Hawaii," which just completed its second season of filming here, has been given the go-ahead by owner Pearson Television to write eight new episodes for a possible third season.

With a writers strike expected May 1 and an actors strike July 1, "Baywatch" executives believed it was important to get a headstart in writing scripts and wanted to be prepared if the show is picked up. That decision is not expected until late January.

If the series is renewed and filming begins in February as tentatively scheduled, shooting for the full 22-episode season could be completed before the actors strike, a show executive said.

"Baywatch Hawaii's" domestic ratings have averaged only a 2.1 ratings/share in the first nine weeks of this second season, including the recent November sweeps.

Each "Baywatch" episode costs nearly $1 million to film, most of which is spent in Hawaii. The series relocated from Los Angeles in 1999 to save money and revitalize the 9-year-old program.

There's been no discussion about possible cast changes, although the production is hiring Bob Gookin and Star-Bulletin humor columnist Charles Memminger as writers. Memminger will continue to write his three-times-a-week "Honolulu Lite" column.

Memminger has been given a six-week "step deal" contract with "Baywatch Hawaii" that begins today. The agreement lets Pearson out of the deal if the show is not picked up or Memminger isn't approved by producers. Head writer Frank South is expected to make the announcement today to "Baywatch" staff.

If the show is picked up for a full season, Memminger's contract could be extended as well, officials said. According to The Writers Guild in Los Angeles, the minimum weekly wage for a "staff writer" of weekly, hourlong episodic television is $3,082.

In September, Memminger won the screenwriting competition at the Maui Writers Conference, taking top honors from among 600 entrants.

Other writers on the show include Maria and Andre Jacquenetton.

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