Scenes of Santa Monica and Venice Beach. Lifeguards racing along the sand and across the water in their rescue vehicles. Sun-soaked slow-motion shots. Dramatic music swells as the voice of Jimi Jamison sings, “Some people stand in the darkness, afraid to step into the light…”

That is the unforgettable opening of the iconic 1990s TV series Baywatch.

Like many teens and preteens growing up in the ’90s, I enjoyed watching the show. The women were beautiful, the men were equally good-looking, the beaches were stunning, and the music was undeniably catchy. The storylines? Well… that’s where things get complicated. As a young viewer without much life experience, the plots seemed engaging enough. But revisiting the show as an adult, I now understand why critics often labeled it as cheesy.

Still, despite its flaws, Baywatch had some real strengths. Growing up on the west side of Los Angeles, I recognized many of the filming locations. While Hollywood productions are often shot on soundstages or use tight close-ups that obscure real-world settings, Baywatch leaned into its environment. Because the show was set in L.A., it embraced wide, open shots that showcased the coastline, making the setting feel authentic and familiar.

The show also had one standout performer: David Hasselhoff as Mitch Buchannon. As the veteran lifeguard lieutenant, Mitch served as both leader and moral compass for the team. He was often the voice of reason, though at times he came across as a bit self-important. His moderate, sometimes conservative perspective didn’t always align with more complex or unconventional situations—such as the Native American man who wished to die on the beach, or the young girl in his care whom he ultimately chose to place with her grandparents whom she had never met rather than adopt her himself.

Like many fans, I was also drawn to Pamela Anderson as C.J. Parker. However, I preferred her earlier, more natural look before she underwent more noticeable cosmetic changes midway through the series.

In my opinion, the show’s peak years were between 1993 and 1995, when characters like Matt Brody and C.J. Parker were central to the story. During that period, there were actually a number of solid episodes. But as key cast members began to leave, the show declined. The tone grew more violent, and the storylines became increasingly nonsensical. One positive development, however, was the introduction of more racial diversity in the cast.

By the time the series moved to Hawaii in 1999—and especially after Mitch’s departure the following year—the show had lost much of what made it watchable. It’s honestly surprising that it managed to run until 2001, spanning eleven seasons.

Years later, I revisited some seasons on DVD. While they offered a dose of ’90s nostalgia, they didn’t hold up as well as I had hoped. Watching with a more critical eye, I found the episodes less engaging. Even worse, much of the original music—including the iconic theme song—had been replaced due to copyright issues. The new tracks lacked the charm and memorability of the originals. To this day, I still consider the original Baywatch opening—along with The Brady Bunch and the original Dallas—to be among the greatest TV intros of all time.