Pacific Blue (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Pacific Blue is an American crime drama series
about a team of police officers with the Santa Monica Police Department who patrolled its beaches on bicycles. The show ran for five seasons on the USA Network
, from March 2, 1996 to April 9, 2000, with a total of one hundred and one episodes. Often derided as "Baywatch
on bikes," the series enjoyed a popular run among the Network's viewers, and was popular in France, Israel, Sweden, Bulgaria, Norway, Russia, Austria, Germany and other foreign markets.
and Rick Rossovich
. The fourth season premiere brought four major cast additions: Shanna Moakler
, as Monica Harper, Amy Hunter
as Jamie Strickland, Jeff Stearns
, as Russ Granger, and Mario Lopez
as Bobby Cruz. These new recruits to the Pacific Blue unit skewed the show's cast in a younger direction.
Jim Davidson
and Paula Trickey
, who had previously played the role of the show's young blood, evolved into the "old guard" as their characters took on leadership roles within the Pacific Blue unit. In addition, the characters of Jim Davidson and Darlene Vogel
, who had become romantically linked in the third season, were married in the fourth season opener. Storylines for the fourth and fifth seasons emphasized undercover and vice work; while these areas would normally fall out of the purview of a police unit like Pacific Blue, the show always made an effort to explain away each incident as an exception, episode by episode. The changes can be credited with extending the life of the series for two additional seasons.
stars playing other characters, including Rena Mero (Sable)
, Chyna, Triple H
, and Shawn Michaels
. (WWF Raw
was on the same network.) Professional Intense Cycles Downhill Racer April Lawyer performed bike stunts in a number of episodes. The series also featured trials rider Hans Rey
performing tricks in a number of episodes. Carmen Electra
made a special guest appearance in her role from Baywatch
.
, which chronicles the married life of Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker
and his wife (and Pacific Blue vet) Shanna Moakler
. A clip of her from Pacific Blue can be seen in the opening credits of Meet the Barkers.
will release Pacific Blue: The Complete Series on DVD in Region 1 for the very first time. The 18-disc set will feature all 101 episodes of the series as well as several bonus features. On the same day, Mill Creek will also release the complete first season on DVD.
Police procedural
The police procedural is a subgenre of detective fiction which attempts to convincingly depict the activities of a police force as they investigate crimes. While traditional detective novels usually concentrate on a single crime, police procedurals frequently depict investigations into several...
about a team of police officers with the Santa Monica Police Department who patrolled its beaches on bicycles. The show ran for five seasons on the USA Network
USA Network
USA Network is an American cable television channel launched in 1971. Once a minor player in basic cable, the network has steadily gained popularity because of breakout hits like Monk, Psych, Burn Notice, Royal Pains, Covert Affairs, White Collar, Monday Night RAW, Suits, and reruns of the various...
, from March 2, 1996 to April 9, 2000, with a total of one hundred and one episodes. Often derided as "Baywatch
Baywatch
Baywatch is an American action drama series about the Los Angeles County Lifeguards who patrol the beaches of Los Angeles County, California, starring David Hasselhoff. The show ran in its original title and format from 1989 to 1999, sans the 1990-1991 season, of which it was not in production...
on bikes," the series enjoyed a popular run among the Network's viewers, and was popular in France, Israel, Sweden, Bulgaria, Norway, Russia, Austria, Germany and other foreign markets.
Cast shakeup
The series underwent a cast shakeup between the third and fourth seasons, one which dramatically altered its tone. The third season finale brought the departure of actors Marcos FerraezMarcos Ferraez
Marcos Antonio Humberto Ferraez IV is an American actor best known for his work on the mid-1990s television drama, Pacific Blue....
and Rick Rossovich
Rick Rossovich
Rick Rossovich is an American actor.Rossovich was born Frederic Enrico Rossovich in Palo Alto, California. His brother, Tim Rossovich, is a former professional football player and also an actor.-Career:...
. The fourth season premiere brought four major cast additions: Shanna Moakler
Shanna Moakler
Shanna Lynn Moakler is an American model, actress, reality television star and a former beauty queen. She was the winner of the Miss New York USA pageant in 1995 and was originally the first runner-up at Miss USA 1995. She was later crowned Miss USA after Chelsi Smith won Miss Universe...
, as Monica Harper, Amy Hunter
Amy Hunter
Amy Hunter is an American actress and model. She has had roles on a number of television series and daytime soaps, co-hosted The Comedy Channel's Night After Night, and went on location for ESPN's Women in Sports. Amy was a special guest host on Soul Train, the weekly series where she met her...
as Jamie Strickland, Jeff Stearns
Jeff Stearns
Jeff Stearns is an American actor best known for his work on the mid-1990s television drama, Pacific Blue. In 2001, he appeared in the movie Twice as Dead. In 2003, he starred in the movies Fighting Words and Fire Over Afghanistan.-External links:...
, as Russ Granger, and Mario Lopez
Mario López
Mario Michael Lopez, Jr. is an American actor who has appeared on several television series, in films, and on Broadway. He is best known for his portrayal of the character A.C. Slater on Saved By The Bell, which he also portrayed as a regular on Saved by the Bell: The College Years...
as Bobby Cruz. These new recruits to the Pacific Blue unit skewed the show's cast in a younger direction.
Jim Davidson
Jim Davidson (actor)
Jim Davidson is an American actor and model who is best known for his work on the mid-1990s television drama, Pacific Blue...
and Paula Trickey
Paula Trickey
Paula Trickey , is an American actress who has starred in many TV movies. She has also appeared in television series. Trickey's most well-known role was on the USA Network series Pacific Blue as Officer/Sgt. Cory McNamara from 1996-2000...
, who had previously played the role of the show's young blood, evolved into the "old guard" as their characters took on leadership roles within the Pacific Blue unit. In addition, the characters of Jim Davidson and Darlene Vogel
Darlene Vogel
Darlene Vogel , is an American actress who was a model and did commercials before getting into acting.-Career:...
, who had become romantically linked in the third season, were married in the fourth season opener. Storylines for the fourth and fifth seasons emphasized undercover and vice work; while these areas would normally fall out of the purview of a police unit like Pacific Blue, the show always made an effort to explain away each incident as an exception, episode by episode. The changes can be credited with extending the life of the series for two additional seasons.
Guest stars
Pacific Blue also featured numerous appearances by professional wrestlingProfessional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
stars playing other characters, including Rena Mero (Sable)
Rena Mero
Rena Marlette Mero Lesnar , better known as Sable, is an American model, actress, and former professional wrestler. She is primarily known for her stints in World Wrestling Entertainment....
, Chyna, Triple H
Triple H
Paul Michael Levesque is an American professional wrestler, professional wrestling authority figure, WWE Executive Vice President of Talent and actor, better known by his ring name Triple H, an abbreviation of the ring name, Hunter Hearst Helmsley...
, and Shawn Michaels
Shawn Michaels
Michael Shawn Hickenbottom , better known by his ring name Shawn Michaels, is an American television host and retired professional wrestler. He presents the Outdoor Channel show MacMillan River Adventures, and is currently signed to WWE, where he has served in an ambassadorial role since December...
. (WWF Raw
WWE RAW
WWE Raw ) is a sports entertainment television program for WWE that currently airs on the USA Network in the United States...
was on the same network.) Professional Intense Cycles Downhill Racer April Lawyer performed bike stunts in a number of episodes. The series also featured trials rider Hans Rey
Hans Rey
Hansjörg Rey, aka Hans "No Way" Rey . Rey is a pioneer in mountain bike trials and extreme mountain biking. Rey began riding in the late 70s. Since 1987, he has ridden exclusively on GT bikes...
performing tricks in a number of episodes. Carmen Electra
Carmen Electra
Tara Leigh Patrick , professionally known as Carmen Electra, is an American glamour model, actress, television personality, singer, and dancer...
made a special guest appearance in her role from Baywatch
Baywatch
Baywatch is an American action drama series about the Los Angeles County Lifeguards who patrol the beaches of Los Angeles County, California, starring David Hasselhoff. The show ran in its original title and format from 1989 to 1999, sans the 1990-1991 season, of which it was not in production...
.
Production notes
Pacific Blue was produced by veteran television writer-producer Bill Nuss and veteran television executive and producer Gary Nardino. Their production company, North Hall Productions, took its name from their respective alma maters - Northwestern University and Seton Hall University.Syndication
While currently not in re-runs in the U.S., the series has enjoyed a slight uptick in recognition with the MTV reality series Meet the BarkersMeet the Barkers
Meet the Barkers is a reality television series that was aired on MTV. The series followed the everyday life of married couple Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler, and their three children...
, which chronicles the married life of Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker
Travis Barker
Travis Landon Barker is an American musician, producer and entrepreneur, most noted as the drummer for the American pop punk band Blink-182, as well as the alternative rock band +44, the rap rock band The Transplants, and the alternative rock band Box Car Racer. He was a frequent collaborator with...
and his wife (and Pacific Blue vet) Shanna Moakler
Shanna Moakler
Shanna Lynn Moakler is an American model, actress, reality television star and a former beauty queen. She was the winner of the Miss New York USA pageant in 1995 and was originally the first runner-up at Miss USA 1995. She was later crowned Miss USA after Chelsi Smith won Miss Universe...
. A clip of her from Pacific Blue can be seen in the opening credits of Meet the Barkers.
DVD releases
In January 2012, Mill Creek EntertainmentMill Creek Entertainment
Mill Creek Entertainment is a home entertainment company that manufactures movie and television DVD compilation box sets at "value" prices. Nashville's Amity Entertainment is an affiliate to Mill Creek...
will release Pacific Blue: The Complete Series on DVD in Region 1 for the very first time. The 18-disc set will feature all 101 episodes of the series as well as several bonus features. On the same day, Mill Creek will also release the complete first season on DVD.