Just when it looked like "Baywatch" lifeguards were heading back to the beach, the $5.5-million movie-of-the-week production of "Baywatch Blast" slated to film on Oahu next month is dead in the water. ‘Baywatch Blast’
fails to set sailBy Tim Ryan
tryan@starbulletin.comFox officials declined comment, though "Baywatch Blast" executive Frank Conway confirmed that the two-hour TV movie is canceled for undisclosed reasons.
According to sources, Fox was concerned about former "Baywatch" star Pamela Anderson Lee being unsigned, Yasmine Bleeth's involvement with the Michigan police regarding a one-car accident on Sept. 12 -- Bleeth could be charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs and possession of a narcotic -- and other production issues.
Conway yesterday notified the Hawaii and Honolulu state film offices that the movie was canceled.
"Baywatch Blast" was being written and produced by Doug Schwartz and Michael Berk who along with Greg Bonann, created the original "Baywatch" some 11 years ago. Only Berk and Schwartz, who declined comment, were involved in the "Baywatch Blast" production.
The decade-old, weekly hourlong lifeguard drama was canceled in February, but the reunion show was to include many of the original cast members, including, David Hasselhoff, Donna D'Errico, Carmen Electra, Gena Lee Nolin, Alexandra Paul, Nicole Eggert, Lee and Bleeth.
Reached in California, Bonann said the cancellation "had nothing to do with the terrorist tragedies or production costs."
"The problem was with the script and difficulty in signing the actors," he said. "This was not a problem caused by filming in Hawaii but what was happening on this end."
"Baywatch Blast" was a joint effort between Lionsgate Television with Schwartz and Berk, and Fox Television.
At its peak, "Baywatch" aired in more than 140 countries. The series is still broadcast five days a week on cable and two days a week on first run.
Faced with rising production costs and dwindling ratings, Baywatch in 1999 relocated from California to Hawaii. The show lasted two more seasons.
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