After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun Docuseries Drops on Hulu

Baywatch was a massive phenomenon in the '90s, not just for its beachside escapades but also for its contribution to the portrayal of sexuality in media. The show’s blend of drama, action, and eye-catching visuals made it a staple of the era, and its influence is still felt today.

The documentary had an opportunity to delve into how Baywatch shaped perceptions of beauty and fitness, and how it played into and possibly perpetuated certain stereotypes. I wanted the documentary to fully explore the broader implications of its success on television and pop culture. With the show’s iconic red swimsuits and its star-studded cast, including Pamela Anderson and David Hasselhoff, Baywatch became a symbol of '90s TV.

However, After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun might have missed the mark on delivering a deep, nuanced analysis. When a documentary becomes too promotional, it can detract from its potential to offer a critical and insightful look at its subject matter. If it’s glossing over complex ideas or not diving deeply enough into the cultural impact of Baywatch, it leaves viewers wanting more substance. Ideally, a documentary on such a culturally significant show would balance engaging storytelling with a thorough examination of its broader implications—like how it influenced media representations of beauty, sexuality, and fitness.

The documentary struggles with pacing and structure, which can definitely detract from its impact. When a film tries to cover too much ground too quickly, it can overwhelm the audience and fail to deliver a coherent or engaging narrative. While fast-paced editing and rapid cuts might work in high-energy action scenes, they can feel jarring in a documentary that aims to delve into cultural and historical analysis.

The issue is the documentary is not giving statements or insights enough space to resonate. Effective documentaries often take the time to let important points sink in, allowing viewers to fully grasp the context and significance. It’s also challenging when a documentary features a wide array of voices without providing a clear sense of their relevance or contribution to the overall story. Without context for how long each person was involved with the show or their role in its production, it can be hard for viewers to gauge the weight of their insights.

For example, in episode two, the documentary touches on the handling of the show's racial representation and in After Baywatch the discussion was quite superficial and lacked the depth necessary to address the complexities of the issue. The brief mention of the NAACP’s criticism followed by a quick jump to Traci Bingham’s casting might seem like an attempt to address the criticism without fully exploring it.

By glossing over the context of Bingham’s role and her limited time on the show, the documentary gives an incomplete picture of how Baywatch approached diversity and representation. The suggestion that Bingham’s casting alone resolved the show's issues with racial representation is misleading, especially given her relatively short tenure compared to the show's entire run.

A more effective approach would have been to provide a thorough examination of the show's overall diversity, including a discussion of why the casting choices were made, how they evolved, and the impact (or lack thereof) of those changes. This could involve exploring the broader industry context and the show’s specific practices more deeply.

Gregory Allen Williams, the only African-American man on the show does give his thoughts in a touching interview but After Baywatch missed an opportunity to engage with these important issues in a meaningful way, which might be contributing to its shortcomings as a comprehensive analysis of the series.

After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun ultimately falls short of delivering a deep and critical examination of the show's impact. While its glossy presentation and celebratory tone might appeal to dedicated fans of Baywatch, (like myself) it seems to lack the substantive analysis needed to explore the series' broader societal influence thoroughly.

For those looking for an in-depth exploration of the show's legacy, including its cultural, social, and industry impacts, this documentary might not fully meet expectations. The focus on celebration over critique and the superficial treatment of complex issues, like representation and influence, can limit its appeal to a more niche audience.

Overall, After Baywatch" might offer a nostalgic look back for fans, it seems to miss the mark for viewers seeking a more critical and reflective analysis of the iconic series.

Let us know what you think while you watch the documentary and drop a comment.