After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun

I love documentaries but lately I've noticed a trend that a lot of these Hollywood type documentaries come without any real substance or resolution. Its sole purpose is to make those involved look good. If you're main purpose for this is to see what Pamela Anderson is up to, there's one out there that's pretty good but she is not even in this so if that's what you're looking for then move on. Produced by David Hasselhoff and some other members of the show, I think the whole point was to validate themselves, give themselves a pat on the back, slap it together and it's done. It was both too long and too short at the same time. It's not worth watching from my perspective.

This was very heartfelt. The director loved what he was doing and it was obvious. It was amazing to see these people all still supporting each other. Even Kelly Slater contributed which was really interesting. It was way more that an "where are they now". It was allowing us to see these people that we all missed very much ! Some of it was sad but now we can all keep some of these people In Our thoughts and prayers. It was a lovely way to let us all in ! I thought it was going to be a boring documentary, but it was beautiful and did not exploit and shame anyone to get ratings , it allowed people to be honest and vulnerable.

This was incredibly well done and can tell that it wasn't just a 3 day shoot of interviews. The ability to tell a heartfelt story out of this from actors who necessarily aren't ready to tell the bad with the good was seen and heard. Baywatch was such a huge pop cultural phenomenon we all know/knew that but what people forget is that if you are a part of that there is a price to pay and yes it comes with perks but the downside can be humbling. This series showcases all that and more. A hit of 90's nostalgia to the veins and the story behind the story. Give it a watch by the time you hit that final episode you will feel it.

Was not a hit piece. Was honest, objective and really a complex project with over 30 cast members participating. It didn't overly focus on the usual suspects whose stories are played out . (Pam and David) the hero's of this series were the forgotten ones and the underdogs. I loved every min of it. It was shot beautifully and the editing was next level. It's a story driven piece with universal themes that apply to everyone. Not just people who liked baywatch. The actors were all very open and provided incredible home videos. Everything I've seen on Baywatch is always about boobs and who's sleeping with who. This series was a class act.

After Baywatch actually has some really interesting material on the creation of the 1990s TV staple and the experiences the creators & actors had with it. Sadly, the Hulu doc is rendered nearly un-viable by a bloated 4-episode, 3-hour runtime.

Anyone who lived through the 90s will recall Baywatch for one reason or another--it was truly a cultural phenomenon (even if objectively "not good") in a way that the fractured media landscape of today likely could not duplicate. As such, it is interesting to hear from the likes of David Hasselhoff, Nicole Eggert, Pamela Anderson, Alexandra Paul, and Carmen Electra (amongst many others). Most of them have at least one really interesting story or experience to share. This would have all fit perfectly into about a 90 or 100-minute standalone doc.

Bafflingly, though, it is instead 3 hours over four episodes. What this leads to is a lot of filler, pointless modern-day recreations, and re-used material. I am usually laser-focused when it comes to watching content like this, but even I felt the pull of the smartphone or my attention simply wandering as this series unspooled. This glacial pace does After Baywatch no favors and actually renders the good stuff less enjoyable because so much time-wasting fills in the crevices around it.

Thus, I can only go as high as 4/10 stars for After Baywatch--disappointing considering my love of everything 90s and how much I was primed to like this doc.