Carmen Electra Reflects on Baywatch Ahead of Fox Reboot

Carmen Electra, 54, is reflecting on her time starring in Baywatch ahead of the release of Fox's 12-episode reboot, which premieres January 2027.

The Playboy advice columnist guest starred as Candy in a 1996 episode of Baywatch Nights before joining the main cast of Baywatch season eight in 1997-1998 as Hawaiian lifeguard Lani McKenzie, a character who aspired to be a dancer.

"It was the first time on television you could see so much skin because we really were playing lifeguards, right? So, we could be in these skimpy outfits. 'Oh my God, what is this? We can see nipples!'" Electra, who was born Tara Leigh Patrick, recalled on Fox News Digital on Saturday.

"And it wasn't porn. You know, what I mean? They didn't have to sneak away and find a VHS tape to, like, sneak and put in. You can watch this. You can also learn something [like CPR]. Because we heard from a lot of people, a lot of fans out there, that they learned so much watching the show," she said.

The original Baywatch, starring David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson, was canceled in 1990 by NBC after one season but survived 11 seasons through syndication and eventually became the most-watched TV series in the world despite dismal reviews.

Pitching a reunion storyline

Electra pitched a potential storyline to showrunner Matt Nix for the reboot in which she could surprise Lani's ex, Cody Madison, played by David Chokachi, and rekindle their romance.

"I could do something. Come in, have another love scene with David Chokachi. Just something really cute and fun. I would be down to get into the water again," Electra said.

"I think it would be fun. It makes sense. I was David Chokachi's love interest way back then. I think it would be really fun and why not, you know?" she added.

Chokachi's character serves as mentor to the new fleet of lifeguards while running his beachside bar, The Shoreline, in the reboot.

"I think it would be so cool if I just came in for an episode to surprise him and say hi. They fall in love again, who knows?" Electra said.

Reboot cast and production

Production on the reboot officially wrapped last Friday. The only other original cast members asked to return were Michael Bergin, Erika Eleniak and Kelly Packard.

Baywatch will also feature newcomers Brooks Nader, Stephen Amell, Hassie Harrison, Jessica Belkin, Livvy Dunne, Noah Beck, Luke Eisner, Nadia Gray, Shay Mitchell, Charlie McElveen, Ashley Moore, Kylar Miranda, Mary McDonnell and Thaddeus LaGrone.

Advice for the new cast

"My advice to the ladies is to be in the best shape of your life because you're really going to be out there on the water, and you're going to be doing all of these activities," Electra advised.

"You're going to be running through the sand, diving through waves, jumping over waves and diving off boats. You're going to be doing some crazy stuff. So just get into your best shape and be ready."

Electra added: "I also think if you're a pretty good swimmer, be an even better swimmer. If the show is going to be anything like it was back in the nineties, it's really hard."

Other recent projects

Electra was eliminated after the fourth episode of the celebrity reality competition Nation's Dumbest, hosted by Jack Whitehall, which airs Wednesdays on Fox.

She recently returned to the Scary Movie franchise with a cameo as a bartender in Michael Tiddes's new $30 million-budget slasher parody, which amassed $231.4 million at the box office despite dismal reviews.

Electra will next portray Danica in John Salvitti and Chris Yen's PG-rated indie martial arts action film Rise Of The Tarragon, alongside Edward James Olmos and Jeremy Meeks.

Since 2022, Electra has been uploading footage to her free OnlyFans account as well as her VIP OnlyFans account, which is currently on sale for $9 a month. Fenix International, which owns OnlyFans, takes a 20% commission on all creator earnings.