'Baywatch' movie as a comedy: A (sorta) good idea?

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The in-the-works Baywatch movie is becoming a comedy, an idea that could actually make it work. In fact, the writers who toiled on the show 20 years ago are probably thinking the switch in genre could've made their jobs a lot easier — it's no small feat coming up with a lifeguard case every week, as anyone who's ever had a boring summer job watching the waters of the local beach or pool knows. Paramount has now hired Jeremy Garelick, who recently did a rewrite on The Hangover, to revamp the script and direct it as an intentionally funny vehicle. A 2005 draft was more action-oriented, but Garelick told Variety he saw its potential as something closer to Stripes or Police Academy. It wouldn't be the first time a remake went ironically funny, of course (think The Brady Bunch Movie, for instance). But the plot — focusing on two bumbling lifeguard wannabes trying to make it among the buff bods Baywatch was known for — seems to give us exactly the magic that the original series had (um, the buff bods) plus what it didn't (relatable main characters, built-in tension, and genuine laugh potential). Not that it'll necessarily change anyone's life, but it may break out of the standard remake-flameout trap, provided it does one thing: Actually make us laugh.

What do you think, PopWatchers? Would comedy make a Baywatch movie more palatable to you? What will it need to make you want to see it? Megan Fox in a bathing suit? Zach Galifianakis? Bradley Cooper in a bathing suit? (Yes, please.)

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Comments (5 total) Add your comment

Ceballos
Tue 07/07/09 2:32 PM

To suggest that “Baywatch” is being turned into a comedy for the big screen sort of implies that it wasn’t a comedy in the first place (unintentional or not).
Either way, you have to be REALLY careful when trying to make a legit comedy out of a property that is already unintentionally funny. (See, “Land of the Lost”)

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Dave
Tue 07/07/09 6:08 PM

It can only work if Notch Johnson is in it.

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Henry
Tue 07/07/09 7:35 PM

I echo the sentiments of Chandler Bing from Friends: “I say, ‘Keep them running. Always keep them running.’”

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ranger99
Tue 07/07/09 8:15 PM

Gratuitous nudity would do it for me. Imagine the slow motion run with a well-endowed lifeguard when suddenly one of those things gets loose and all hell breaks out!

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CJ
Wed 07/08/09 6:14 AM

“Police Academy” but on the beach. As a premise, it’s lame but it could work (witness “Son of the Beach”). However…putting it under the “Baywatch” brand will doom it the same as that dino comedy(???) was under the “Land of the Lost” brand. For a reimagining to work, there has to be underlying respect for the original. Otherwise, what’s the point? Really?

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