Baywatch: Season 1
1989 · 22 episodes · ★ 7.5
What Season 1 of Baywatch
Baywatch follows a team of lifeguards patrolling the beaches of California. Their job is to watch over swimmers and rescue those in trouble in the ocean, and the dangers of the coastline set the stage for every story. But the series doesn't stop at the shift. Between watches, the characters face professional challenges and personal relationships that shape how they work as a team. Mitch watches his ex-wife, Gayle, try to take Hobie to Ohio. Eddie and Shauni go through a fight, and Craig has to decide whether he wants to be a lawyer or a lifeguard.
Season 1 Episodes
1x01 Panic at Malibu Pier
Mitch Buchannon has just been promoted to lieutenant. Mitch and his ex-wife Gayle have an argument about what's best for their son Hobie. Eddie Kramer is the top rookie in the rookie class of '89, and Shauni McClain is one of the last ones to qualify. Shauni starts off as a terrible lifeguard, but the experienced Jill Riley teaches her how to become a good lifeguard.
Directed by: Richard Compton · Writers: Michael Berk, Douglas Schwartz · Starring: Gina Hecht, Wendie Malick, Mädchen Amick, Richard Jaeckel
1x02 In Deep
Instead of attending summer school, Hobie decides to go power skiing with two friends, whose recklessness leads to a tragic accident. Eddie's lack of financial resources is revealed when Craig finds him sleeping in one of the lifeguard towers.
Directed by: Peter H. Hunt · Written by: Michael Berk, Douglas Schwartz · Starring: Michael Newman, Michael McManus, Christopher Murphy, Lance Gilbert
1x03 Heat Wave
Los Angeles is having a heat wave and it's going to be a busy day for the lifeguards.
Directed by: Gus Trikonis · Written by: Ernie Wallengren · Starring: Michael McManus, Jeffrey Byron, Bart Braverman, Matt Feemster
1x04 Second Wave
An old acquaintance of Eddie's comes to L.A. but it quickly becomes apparent that Eddie does not welcome this visit. Trevor dates a rich woman that is a handful for him to deal with and Mitch worries about upcoming mandatory tests that all lieutenants, including him, must take.
Directed by: Scott Brazil · Written by: Jill Donner · Starring: Michael McManus, Mariska Hargitay, Daniel Quinn, Terri Hanauer
1x05 Message in a Bottle
Mitch's former wife is planning to move to Ohio and wants to take Hobie with her. Upset over the squabbling that ensues, Hobie takes off with a friend and runs into pirates on a nearby island. Eddie and Shauni squabble after Shauni accidentally hurts Eddie.
Directed by: Kim Manners · Written by: Terry Erwin · Starring: Michael Newman, Wendie Malick, Michael McManus, Gregory J. Barnett
1x06 The Sky is Falling
Gayle and Mitch continue to fight over Gayle's plan to take Hobie with her. She ultimately changes her mind after Hobie risks his life to save a drowning young girl. A plane crashes into the water near the beach with the occupants, after they are rescued, looking to recover a suitcase of stolen money that they had with them. Captain Thorpe decides to join Eddie and Shauni on their tower in order to teach them.
Directed by: Kim Manners · Written by: Lee Goldberg, William Rabkin · Starring: Wendie Malick, Michael McManus, Jandi Swanson, James Sloyan
1x07 The Drowning Pool
A man is found drowned off the beach and Jill suspects foul play is the reason. She begins seeing the son of the victim and during the investigation discovers the man's cousin was responsible for his father's death. A man who helped Jill bring the victim ashore decides he wants to be a lifeguard as well even though he is not qualified.
Directed by: Mario DiLeo · Writers: William A. Schwartz · Starring: Michael Newman, Michael McManus, Christopher Rich, Jeff Altman
1x08 Rookie School
A woman steals a book from a powerful man and hides out from him with the help of Eddie. Craig and Gina contemplate having children when they are married but have second thoughts after meeting a couple while on a romantic weekend. Trevor discovers that his hardest competitor among the rookies is doped.
Directed by: Bruce Seth Green · Written by: Lee Goldberg, William Rabkin · Starring: Michael Newman, Christine Elise, William Fichtner, Cliff Potts
1x09 Cruise Ship
Eddie does not like Shauni's new boyfriend or the way he treats her when things do not go the way he wants. Also Hobie gets in trouble with a girl who likes him.
Directed by: Tommy Lee Wallace · Written by: William A. Schwartz, Jill Donner · Starring: Jandi Swanson, Steven Eckholdt, Bryan Cranston, Gabriel Damon
1x10 The Cretin of the Shallows
A new hotel opens near the beach and a string of murders occur around the same time which convinces Craig the two may be connected.
Directed by: Vern Gillum · Written by: Ernie Wallengren, William A. Schwartz · Starring: Michael Newman, Wayne Tippit, Robert Trebor, Chris Gartin
1x11 Shelter Me
An approaching tropical storm has the Baywatch lifeguards preparing for its effects but the presence of two wanted criminals cause unforeseen events. Eddie and Shauni rest. Hobie and a girl have storm parties.
Directed by: Scott Brazil · Writers: Terry Erwin · Starring: Michael McManus, Neil Giuntoli, Sherman Howard, Jenny Lewis
1x12 The Reunion
Mitch attends his high school reunion and meets a classmate that stirs up old feelings. Eddie, frustrated at having no car, buys one at an extremely low price from a buddy but quickly discovers the reason why the cost was so low.
Directed by: Rob Bowman · Written by: W. Reed Moran · Starring: Michael Newman, Dana Sparks, Michael Horton, Tony Higgins
1x13 Armored Car
A pro-am beach volleyball tournament is being held and Trevor tries to convince Jill to be his partner for the competition. Their main rival in the competition is Jill's ex-partner which cements Jill's resolve to compete.
Directed by: Michael Ray Rhodes · Written by: Lee Goldberg, William Rabkin · Starring: Michael Newman, Clarence Felder, Jon Lindstrom, Thomas Wagner
1x14 Home Cort
A new lifeguard arrives at Baywatch and stirs up different emotions for the current staff. Jill and Shauni go into business selling sandwiches but find competition to be stiffer than expected.
Directed by: Paul Schneider · Written by: William A. Schwartz, Terry Erwin · Starring: Grant Heslov, Bruce Fairbairn, J.C. MacKenzie, Lycia Naff
1x15 We Need a Vacation
Craig joins Cort and Eddie on a trip to Mexico for a long overdue vacation but things turn out very differently from their expectations.
Directed by: Gus Trikonis · Written by: Lee Goldberg, William Rabkin · Starring: Roxann Dawson, John Quade, Aaron Lohr, Jorge Cervera Jr.
1x16 Muddy Waters
Cort and Eddie go to a local water theme park to teach teenagers about lifeguard duties but one of them quickly resents Eddie's presence. At Baywatch, Hobie finds out that parents of his fellow students at school have a dim view of the occupation of lifeguarding and Shauni gets into trouble over her pinup magazine pictures.
Directed by: Paul Schneider · Written by: William A. Schwartz, Terry Erwin · Starring: Kenneth Tigar, Sherilyn Wolter, Edward J. Moore, Ricky Paull Goldin
1x17 Snake Eyes
An illegal offshore casino causes problems for Cort and some of his fellow lifeguards. Hobie thinks his English class is going to be a breeze when Mitch starts dating his teacher but soon learns otherwise.
Directed by: Gus Trikonis · Written by: Kate Boutilier · Starring: Sherilyn Wolter, Harris Laskawy, R.J. Williams, Brian Haley
1x18 Eclipse
Eddie believes he sees a ghost by the water and the others believe that he is losing his mind. Hobie learns that a friend's pet is going to be euthanized for an alleged attack and resolves to help both of them.
Directed by: Paul Schneider · Written by: Claire Whitaker · Starring: Hayley Carr, Lance Wilson-White, R.J. Williams, Ismael 'East' Carlo
1x19 Shark Derby
A local business owner organizes a shark derby but the event quickly spirals out of control and leads Jill to run into the water to save a little boy but then is attacked by the shark.
Directed by: Gregory J. Bonann · Written by: Terry Erwin, Kate Boutilier · Starring: Sherilyn Wolter, Peter Brown, Reed Rudy, Michael Stoyanov
1x20 The Big Race
Cort enters a race to win the prize money and fulfil a pledge he makes on a yearly basis.
Directed by: Kevin Inch · Written by: Rolf Wallengren · Starring: Michael Newman, Hannah Cox, Micah Grant, Rodney Eastman
1x21 Old Friends
Mitch, Craig and Garner go on a hang gliding trip that results in a series of accidents for all three.
Directed by: Douglas Schwartz · Writers: William A. Schwartz · Starring: Michael Newman, Susan Diol, Jeff Lester, Hope Marie Carlton
1x22 The End? Season Finale
An earthquake shakes Baywatch headquarters and causes many problems for the lifeguards and for one, a life altering decision is made.
Directed by: Reza Badiyi · Written by: Lee Goldberg, William Rabkin · Starring: Tracy K. Shaffer, Michael Lippman, Michael Masters, Mitchell Flyer
Season 1 Cast
David HasselhoffMitch Buchannon22 episodes
Parker StevensonCraig Pomeroy22 episodes
Billy WarlockEddie Kramer22 episodes
Gregory Alan WilliamsGarner Ellerbee22 episodes
Brandon CallHobie Buchannon22 episodes
John Allen NelsonJohn D. Cort22 episodes
Holly GagnierGina Pomeroy22 episodes
Peter PhelpsTrevor Cole22 episodes
Michael NewmanMichael 'Newmie' Newman9 episodes
Sherilyn WolterMs. Keller3 episodes
Gregory J. BarnettJim Barnett2 episodes
R.J. WilliamsTackler2 episodes
Kay E. KuterHenry2 episodes
Gina HechtGina PomeroyEpisode 1All Seasons
Season 21991 · 22 ep. · ★ 7.2
Season 31992 · 22 ep. · ★ 7.3
Season 41993 · 22 ep. · ★ 7.2
Season 51994 · 22 ep. · ★ 6.8
Season 61995 · 22 ep. · ★ 6.9
Season 71996 · 22 ep. · ★ 6.8
Season 81997 · 22 ep. · ★ 7.0
Season 91998 · 22 ep. · ★ 6.7
Season 101999 · 22 ep. · ★ 6.1
Season 112000 · 22 ep. · ★ 5.4Where to Watch Season 1 of Baywatch
It is currently not available on the major streaming platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes are in Baywatch Season 1?
Season 1 of Baywatch has 22 episodes.
When did Baywatch Season 1 premiere?
It premiered on April 23, 1989.
Where to watch Baywatch Season 1?
Currently not available on the major subscription platforms (availability may vary by country).
What is the best episode of Season 1?
According to the TMDB audience rating, episode 1x01, "Panic at Malibu Pier," has a 7.0.