Baywatch
Sharks, Lies & Videotape
TV Flash files “Sharks, Lies & Videotape” as hour 170 of 233 in the TV Flash guide — Baywatch (1989–2001) on NBC/Syndication, season 9, episode 3, aired 1998-10-05, 60 min.
From the desk
How this hour is filed
This leaf is S09E03: listed hour 170 of 233 in the Baywatch guide, hour 3 of 22 in season 9. It aired 1998-10-05 (60 min). The listed hour before it is “Crash (2)” (S09E02). Next is “Dolphin Quest” (S09E04).
Catalog log
Broadcast listing — not a TV Flash recap.
Mitch and Cody witness a disaster involving a parasailer and a boat. While heading for the rescue, they are again beaten to the scene by Bayguard, a new firm that specializes in privatizing lifeguards. When the rescue has been completed, Mitch is introduced to Alex Ryker, CEO of Bayguard. She tells Mitch that she plans on going up against him for the county contract as Baywatch's contract is about to expire. The next day, Alex shows the Chief a videotape of some of Bayguard's amazing rescues. She also shown the Chief a tape showcasing the Baywatch team apparently slacking off. Mitch objects, but the Chief thinks Alex's proposal warrants consideration. Later, Mitch tells his lifeguards to start acting like professionals, otherwise they will not have any jobs left by the end of the week. Meanwhile, when April sees a man having a heart attack, she calls for backup and heads for the water. But Arnold, one of the Bayguards, detains her. This upsets Mitch who brings April to Bayguard for an apology from Alex. When Mitch and April arrive to Bayguard, they see Arnold paying off a stuntman. That stuntman turns out to be the parasailer who almost drowned. Mitch realizes the rescue was a fraud. After that, Cody fakes an argue with Mitch and starts working at Bayguard instead. Alex wants him as her new lieutenant. Later Cody approaches the Bayguard mobile tower truck and climbs inside. From there he talks to Mitch over his cell phone, and by using Bayguard's lap top computer, he finds out that almost all of the lifeguards at Bayguard are on short-term contracts. When the summer starts, Alex will be left alone with a couple of wannabees protecting the beach. But Arnold arrives to the truck and Cody is busted. When April tells them that a diabetic boy named Teddy is missing, Baywatch and Bayguard must work together as a team. It turns out that Teddy is trapped in a storm drain. Mitch and Alex manages to get him out. Later, Mitch learns the Chief has hired Alex to be Baywatch's new administrative consultant. Bridget decides, after an opportunity presents itself, to stay at Baywatch rather than become a model.
Viewer FAQ
Where does Sharks, Lies & Videotape sit in the Baywatch guide?
S09E03 is listed hour 170 of 233 — hour 3 of 22 in season 9, season 9 episode 3.
When did Baywatch S09E03 air?
Sharks, Lies & Videotape aired 1998-10-05 and is listed at 60 minutes.
NBC season or syndication empire?
NBC canceled it; syndication made it a planet. Early hours still have earnest California sun. Later ones are the export machine — Hasselhoff's second global brand.
In the series
Why this series still plays
NBC canceled it. Syndication made it a planet. Slow-motion red swimsuits, Hasselhoff's second global export, and rescue plots that exist to justify the run. Born in 1989, it becomes the 1990s' international camp empire — lifeguard as lifestyle brand. Early hours still have earnest California sun; later ones are the pure export machine.
The swimsuit is the silhouette. NBC, 1989, then first-run syndication through 2001: L.A. County lifeguards patrol beaches with rescues, drama, and peak fitness aesthetics — slow-mo, red swimsuits, Hasselhoff's second global export. Baywatch, from Michael Berk, Douglas Schwartz, and Gregory J. Bonann, put David Hasselhoff as Mitch Buchannon with Parker Stevenson, Shawn Weatherly, Billy Warlock and a rotating tan. Rescue plots exist to justify the run. NBC canceled it. Syndication made it a planet. *Red as a…
Filed against
- David Hasselhoff as Mitch Buchannon
David Hasselhoff’s Michael Knight made Knight Rider a talking Trans Am religion — 1980s catalog high-concept toy, Kit I need you as a Friday liturgy, then Baywatch turning the same chest into a planetary slow-motion export. TV Flash files…
- Parker Stevenson as Craig Pomeroy
Parker Stevenson played Craig Pomeroy on Baywatch — NBC canceled it, syndication made it a planet. Slow-motion red swimsuits, rescue plots that exist to justify the run, lifeguard as lifestyle brand. Born in 1989, it becomes the 1990s’…
- Shawn Weatherly as Jill Riley
Shawn Weatherly's Jill Riley ran early Baywatch as earnest rescue before syndication made a planet — NBC canceled it, slow-motion red swimsuits, Hasselhoff's second global export, plots that exist to justify the run. Born in 1989, camp…
- Billy Warlock as Eddie Kramer
Billy Warlock’s Eddie Kramer ran Baywatch before syndication made it a planet — NBC canceled it, slow-motion red swimsuits, Hasselhoff’s second global export, rescue plots that exist to justify the run. Born in 1989, camp empire in the…