People around the world are still looking for a beach that resembles the one featured on the hit 1990s series ‘Baywatch.’ FUEL TV is promising to show its viewers Australia’s answer to the Los Angeles coastline, Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach, in its new series ‘Bondi Rescue.” Viewers will definitely be drawn to the show at first, as they will be intrigued to see if Bondi is really one of the most “dangerous beaches in the world,” as FUEL describes it.
However, FUEL over-glamorized the show’s premiere, as it promised to show a “small group of elite lifeguards striv(ing) to keep visitors safe from the elements…and themselves. From encounters with wildlife, to surf injuries, to fights, to drug busts, to celebrity visits, there is no place like Bondi Beach.” This description will likely leave a vision in many people’s heads that all people do on the beach is party with celebrities and fight each other and animals. However, the show failed to live up to its promise, as all it showed was a couple of people getting injured and what happens during a false shark sighting.
While no one wants to see other people get hurt, seeing the lifeguards go into action was definitely the best aspect of the show. For example, the eight lifeguards had to fight off a crowd of over 30,000 beach-goers to help a 15-year-old girl named Jessie after she collapsed in the water. The lifeguards also had to determine if Jessie was having difficulty breathing because of her asthma or as a result of drowning.
‘Bondi Rescue’ also promised to show beach-goers fighting the water’s wildlife, but all that was shown during the episode was a false shark alarm and a possible stingray sighting. Again, FUEL TV failed to get people’s adrenaline pumping with its promise of showcasing exotic fish and sea creatures. If FUEL wants to keep its viewers on their toes and interested in what happens on Bondi Beach, the show’s producers have to amp up the excitement, and actually catch a shark sighting on film.
The show’s premise is definitely interesting, and over time it will hopefully live up to its potential. ‘Bondi Rescue’ debuts on Monday, December 13 at 11:00 pm ET/PT.
Written by: Karen Benardello
