Huge 90s TV show ‘in talks’ to return 22 years after it was axed from ITV

The ’90s hit drama Baywatch could be back on screens soon – with “talks” for a reboot in the works.

The American hit, which premiered in September 1989 and ran for 11 seasons until 2001, made David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson international stars.

And now Fremantle has reportedly developed a reboot of the classic beach drama series.

According to deadlinethe British TV giant has had ‘early talks’ with ‘a number of broadcasters and streamers’.

Meanwhile, there are currently no ads associated with the reboot, the publication added.

The action-drama series followed a group of lifeguards patrolling the beaches of Los Angeles, California and Hawaii.

Despite being canceled after the first season, it was later brought back and became the most watched show of its time – with an estimated weekly audience of one billion viewers.

The popular cult classic has since become a pop culture phenomenon, inspiring countless spin-offs, reboots, and parodies.

Baywatch producer Pearson Television North America announced it would end in 2001, by which time the show had moved to Hawaii.

President and CEO Brian Harris said at the time, “The costs associated with bringing the program back could not be justified.

“It’s been a great success story, but in recent years one wouldn’t have been surprised with this announcement.

“This is a logical and natural end to the show.”

The main show also spawned the short-lived spin-off Baywatch Nights and two movies.

Iconic: The American hit, which premiered in September 1989 and ran for 11 seasons until 2001, made David Hasselhoff (right) and Pamela Anderson (left) international stars

Plot: The action drama series followed a group of lifeguards patrolling the beaches of Los Angeles, California and Hawaii

Success: Despite being canceled after the first season, it was later brought back and became the most watched show of its time – with an estimated weekly audience of one billion viewers

Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding featuring Mitch Buchanan getting married aired in 2003.

The format was also revived for the Baywatch movie starring Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Zac Efron in 2017.

In 2018, Bob McCourt, COO of Fremantle International, told Deadline that a remake has “definitely been discussed,” but the mixed response to the 2017 film put a pin in the plans.

“I think we thought the movie would have given us a reason to reboot the TV series, but given the mixed reviews, that didn’t happen right away,” he said when talking about remastering old episodes of the show in high definition.

“I think if this remastered version sells widely and a new audience comes to Baywatch, it will give us a good indication of whether a new series could be successful.

“We would definitely think seriously about making a new series and maybe we’ll be approached by some broadcasters to make one.”

Mixed reviews: The format was also revived for the Baywatch movie starring Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Zac Efron in 2017

Baywatch original cast member David Chokachi previously said he pitched a reboot, but believes the film resulted in his ideas being quashed.

“I pitched them, they rebooted every show from the ’90s and I’d say half of them were hits,” Chokachi said in 2020 during an episode of The Production Meeting.

“I was like, ‘Why are you guys behind on this, why haven’t you tried to strike?… Then the movie came out and the movie crushed every idea.

“CBS was supposed to do the show, I met with them, a location scout. Then the movie came out and CBS went with Magnum PI instead that year.”

Meanwhile, Pamela Anderson recently revealed that she still has the swimsuit she wore on the hit TV series Baywatch.

The 55-year-old star rose to fame as lifeguard CJ Parker on the 1990s action drama show, revealing that she kept one of the famous red garments she wore over the course of five seasons.

And the beauty — who has said she doesn’t get any good residue from the show — said she likes to put it on every now and then.

“I had a few then. Now I only have one and it fits,” said the mother of two, promoting her new memoir and documentary.

“I put it on occasionally,” she said Entertainment tonight.

Wow! Meanwhile, Pamela Anderson recently revealed that she still has the swimsuit she wore on the hit TV series

The former Playboy model – who has used her celebrity status to spearhead numerous animal rights campaigns over the years – left the series in 1997.

But she returned to the role in 2017 for a cameo appearance in the film’s spin-off.

However, Anderson admitted that she only agreed to reprise the role after “a lot of bullying.”

Tommy Lee’s ex also shockingly claimed that bosses had expected her to do it for free.

She said, “It got really, really awful. They said they wanted me to do it as a favor.

“I said, ‘I’m doing favors for animals, not Paramount.’

“There was just so much bullying to do it. They wanted me to do it for free, as a tribute or something. I said, ‘Come on guys. I mean really?’