Pacific Blue (TV series)

infobox television
show_name = Pacific Blue
format = Police Drama
runtime = 60 minutes
creator = Bill Nuss
starring = Rick Rossovich (1996–1998)
Jim Davidson
Darlene Vogel (1996–1999)
Paula Trickey
Marcos Ferraez (1996–1998)
David Lander (1996)
Mario Lopez (1998–2000)
Jeff Stearns (1998–2000)
Shanna Moakler (1998–2000)
Amy Hunter (1998–2000)
Valentin Siroon (1997–1998)
country =USA
network = USA Network
first_aired = March 2 1996
last_aired = April 9 2000
num_seasons = 5
num_episodes = 101 total
imdb_id = 0112112

"Pacific Blue" was a one-hour television drama about a team of police officers who patrolled the beaches of Santa Monica, California on bicycle. 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 USA Network's young male viewers, and was highly watched in France, Israel, Norway,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 Ferraez 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, all in their early to mid-20's, 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.

Production company

"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.

Premise

While currently not in re-runs in the U.S., the series has enjoyed a slight uptick in recognition recently with the MTV reality series "Meet the Barkers", 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".

"Pacific Blue" also featured numerous appearances by professional wrestling stars playing other characters, including Rena Mero (Sable) Chyna, Triple H, and Shawn Michaels.

"Pacific Blue" also featured the trials rider Hans Rey performing tricks in a number of episodes.

On the hit HBO series Entourage, Johnny Chase sometimes brags that he did a guest run on "Blue." When the guys tease him with taunts that they never remember him being on NYPD Blue, he fires back with "I was on "Pacific Blue" asshole!"

See also: List of Pacific Blue cast members

DVD Release

Imperial Entertainment currently has no plans to release the series on DVD at this time.

External links

* [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thepacificblueclub/ Pacific Blue UnOfficial Fanclub]
* [http://www.rickrossovich.de/ Rick Rossovich / Lt. Palermo from Pacific Blue (Pictures and Videoclips)]
*imdb title|id=0112112|title=Pacific Blue
*Tv.com show|376

* [http://www.pacificblue.com/ Official site]