Pacific Blue

Have watched the re-runs on the USA channel up through the beginning of the 1999 season, now. This is a tad better than "Baywatch on wheels," although the pictorials of Malibu females lend a certain "Baywatch" atmosphere to the program (I note that at least one of the principal actresses, Paula Trickey, has been a guest on "Baywatch" on several occasions).

But the main point is that it's fun. The impossible actions with the bikes, the frenetic chases, the improbable romances, and, yes, the beefcake and cheesecake, all combine to make up a fine, mindless hour of excellent relaxation. In addition, every once in a while they try to get serious about a theme, and they even occasionally pull it off. Trickey in particular has the makings of a real actress, and the revamping they did in 1999 seems to have worked pretty well to update the show's appeal.

A worthwhile recreational hour.

a.k.a. Baywatch on wheels.

Have you witnessed the marvel that is Pacific Blue? It's a sun-kissed miscellany of wooden acting, drama, romance, action, comedy and brazen T&A.

The acting - my god, the acting. Think of porno actors from the late 80's and early 90's, and you will know the cast of Pacific Blue. Not only that, but the set pieces seem like they were culled from a Peter North and Anita Dark video. It gets better after season 1, but the cheese is omnipresent, and sublime.

The plots - never have I seen such a wonderful treasure of generic stories with moral lessons. Some absolute gems include:

• The misguided gangbanger who is seeking a father figure.

• The cocky new addition to the police force who's keeping a dark secret.

• The school shooting, and how we can't always protect our children from a world gone mad.

• and since it's set in Venice Beach, California, naturally there's a teenage runaway who has someone that cares.

The action - any time there's a chase, and even when there isn't one, you'll get a healthy dose of bodacious bicycle stunts in each show. Unnecessary drops from rooftops, table jumps, wheelies, endos, leg swipes and 360's - all done on mountain bikes with frames and shock absorbers that probably cost more than a yellow Nissan Pathfinder - shaka brah.

The comedy - if the action in Pacific Blue is the sand, surely the comedy is the sea - a sea of awkward awesomeness. You'll be reminded of being in school, when you and a classmate had to pair up to do an impromptu skit in front of the class. You will blush, and then you will lose your mind.

The T&A - because every woman walking along Venice Beach and its surrounding neighborhoods wear G-strings and have a ginormous set of bronzed mammaries.

If you haven't experienced the life-affirming magnificence that is "PacBlue", I urge you to take it for a spin. It's the very definition of California Love.

These cops are looked down upon by the real cops driving cars or motorcycles. But when they chase after a bad guy, its as if gravity is removed, and they can do anything with their 5000 dollar bicycles. Leutenant Palermo played by Rick Rossovich has a strange habit of keeping one sock up to his knee, and the other tucked down to his ankle. An he talks funny. This is Baywatch on wheels.

This show was one of the best out there, while on the air. And, I think it still is. The first three seasons, staring Rick Rossovich, Paula Tricky, Darlene Vogle, Marcos Ferraez, and Jim Davidson, was the better of the five years the show was on air. The last two seasons, they kind of did go over board a little bit. Though some of the new characters such as Russ, Jamie, And Bobby, were a good addition, and wouldn't have harmed the show on their own, I think taking out Tony and Victor, and adding Monica was a terrible idea! That's what ruined the show in the end. But, overall, the first three seasons, were the best. Those five cops didn't just work together, they lived together. It seemed almost like a family, something you wouldn't see on most cop shows. They were awesome cops and great at their jobs. They even almost "laughed" at the regular patrols in their cars, because these guys patroling the beach on bikes could go places the cars couldn't, they could catch the bad guys the regular cops couldn't. I would definitely recommend watching this show, especially the first three seasons!!!

I will borrow a little from Sheila Silver (Shannon Tweed), to start the description, "Healthy, young, gorgeous people who get to work outside in shorts all day." To be more specific, a team of sexy Police Officers who accomplish crazy bicycle stunts while chasing down criminals on the beaches of Santa Monica.

I'm an 80's kid, and when a show like Baywatch or Renegade came on, I was glued to the Television. Pacific Blue is a light drama, the characters are professional police officers who on occasion, bravely break the rules. It has the crimes and police chases, just less gritty than a show like NYPD Blue, and also offers a look at some fun in the sun. Perfect for snowy days. The show is easy to watch, and it ended by 2000, so it does not feel overly topical. My new show to watch while I do laundry.

As always, if you made it this far, thanks for reading, and if you watch the show, let me know what you think.

Damian @TalkTeaV.