Why had Baywatch become so big in TV?

[Hawkee]

From the time it was launched in 1989 people never knew that Baywatch would take off like a rocket and become the hottest show of the 90's and I have never found out why? Did people think Baywatch would be a one-hit wonder show at first or did they think Baywatch would get weak ratings when the very first season debuted in 1989? I had never even heard of Baywatch until my mom started seeing it in reruns in syndication and I think the only reason Baywatch became such a monster hit was due to two things David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson Lee and without them Baywatch wouldn't survive. But what I think caused the show to go downhill was when they added Brooke Burns to the cast and how Brooke Burns got to audition for the role of the character Jessie i'll never know the story. But when Carmen Electra joined Baywatch I think she gave the show higher viewership because with her and Yasmine Bleeth Baywatch scored high ratings. But how the spin-off Baywatch Nights was created is a mystery. But Baywatch also sold merchandise such as books and Mattel even had Baywatch Barbie dolls too. But if there is any show to garner a mega fanbase in the 90's Baywatch would fit the bill

[Alan Brady's Hair]

It was about people helping people - a positive message.