Despite Making Six-Figures Per Episode, One Baywatch Star Couldn't Watch It
Baywatch, a hit show about the lives of a group of beach lifeguards, hit TV screens in 1989 and ran throughout the 90s, with 242 episodes over 11 seasons, thanks to an all-star cast including David Hasselhoff, Jason Momoa, Carmen Electra, Yasmine Bleeth, and Pamela Anderson. In addition, the series spawned multiple spinoffs and even a movie in 2017.
What's ironic about the Baywatch is that despite being one of the most-watched TV series in the world it received mostly negative reviews. It was (and still is) a pop culture phenomenon that relied heavily on the attractiveness of its stars rather than a solid script. Not surprisingly, when the Baywatch producers first saw Pamela Anderson, they knew she had to be in their show.
Pam was 25 and had already made a name for herself in LA thanks to Hugh Hefner and Playboy Magazine. She appeared on the cover and was crowned the Playmate of the Month, but was ready to make the transition from modeling to acting.
According to Anderson, she got the part by complete accident. On that fateful day, she simply accompanied her then-boyfriend David Charvet to an audition. As a result, they both got the roles.
"It wasn't planned. I wasn't supposed to go. They didn't even know what to do with me," Pam told Net-a-Porter.
Pam played C. J. Parker for five seasons. She was paid a measly $1,500 per episode during the first season, but by season 5 was making over $300,000 an episode. Despite her massive success, she has said that she will never watch the show that made her a star.
Speaking to Interview Magazine, Anderson said, "I've never seen an episode of Baywatch. I can't watch myself on Television." She went on to say that she was never confident in her work.
Given her stance on the show, she was none too pleased about the Baywatch movie. The 2017 comedy, like the original series, relied heavily on its star-studded cast, which included Dwayne Johnson, Alexandra Daddario, and Zac Efron. David Hasselhoff himself reprised his role.
Pamela Anderson was also a part of the ensemble, although she was not impressed by it. She didn't feel like the series deserved such a reboot. She was pretty harsh while speaking to People Magazine, "Let's just keep the bad TV as bad TV. That's what's charming about Baywatch, you know? Trying to make these movies out of Television is just messing with it."
Despite praising the experience of filming the show as an altogether decent one, she has no plans of being a part of any future reboots.
After Baywatch Pam continued her modeling career alongside pursuing acting. She starred in Borat, Barb Wire, V.I.P, and many other projects. She also has been an avid activist for animal rights, anti-pornography, and AIDS.