SUNSET BEACH DEBUT:

Sunset Beach debuted on January 6th, 1997.

SUNSET BEACH LEGEND:

Sunset Beach is a fictitous town in Southern Califonia that was founded by Armando Deschanel after he left Europe and traveled to California to start his life anew. Once there, a beautiful woman, dressed in black, appeared at the water's edge and walked toward him. They fell in love as the sun set behind them. Legend has it that everlasting love will be found by those who meet on the farside of the pier at sunset.

SUNSET BEACH BACKGROUND:

Sunset Beach, the one-hour daytime drama from Aaron Spelling, premiered January 6, 1997. It was both Spelling's first daytime venture and the first new serial to hit the television airwaves in eight years. The show has already developed a solid fan base that Soap Opera Digest calls "remarkable for a newcomer."

Set in a small coastal California community, Sunset Beach has made its mark on daytime television by combining traditional daytime drama storytelling with the natural beauty of Southern California's beach locations and is supported by a talented and ethnically-diverse cast.

TV Guide has noted that "Sunset Beach has become a cult hit with growth potential" for the daytime serial viewer. This fact has become particularly true with teen viewers who enjoy Sunset's suspenseful and quirky storylines like "Terror Island," a take-off on the popular Scream movies. Also popular was the recent storyline "Shock Wave," highly publicized earthquakes followed by a treacherous tsunami which caused mayhem at the beach. Sunset Beach also blends real-life news into its storyline, such as the Presidential scandals.

Sunset Beach features some of the most recognizable and popular stars on television as well as the hottest newcomers to daytime. They portray core family members and friends living in Sunset Beach who come from all walks of life-rich, poor, heroes, villains, lovers, friends and enemies. Families such as the Richards, the Deschanels, the Torres and the Cummings, are all interwoven, often coming together at the funky blues/rock club, The Deep, or at the cyber coffeehouse, Java Web. They work as police officers, lifeguards, reporters, waiters, lawyers and restaurant owners.

Among the more recognizable and popular cast members on Sunset Beach are Lesley Anne Down, Sarah Buxton, Sam Behrens, Kathleen Noone, Eddie Cibrian, Jason George, Sherri Saum, Randy Spelling, Susan Ward, Tim Adams, Carol Potter, Priscilla Garita, Hank Cheyne and Clive Robertson. Sunset Beach is produced by Spelling Entertainment Inc. in association with NBC Studios. Aaron Spelling, E. Duke Vincent and Gary Tomlin are the executive producers. Chris Whitesell and Maggie DePrieste are head writers. James Reilly is executive story consultant.

--From NBC Daytime

CREDITS:

Day & time: Mondays-Fridays on NBC (daytime; check local station for time)

Premiere: January 6, 1997

Executive Producers: Aaron Spelling, E. Duke Vincent and Gary Tomlin

Supervising Producer: Gay Linvill

Coordinating Producer: Susan Silkiss

Headwriters: Maggie DePrieste, Chris Whitsell

Executive in charge of Production: Gerald Ament

Directors: Andy Lee, Dennis Steinmetz, Peter Brinckerhoff, Grant Johnson, Carla Mangia-Sherwood

Associate Producers: Debbie O'Sullivan, Chuck Lioi

Production Designer: George Becket

Costume Designer: Chic Gennarelli

Hairstylists: Kimberly Spiteri (head hairstylist), Brooks Stenstrom

Makeup Artists: Gail Katz (key makeup artist), Jeanette Kordiak, Julie Cristi

Music: Dominic Messinger, Teri Smith, Mark Ryan

Produced by: Spelling Entertainment Inc. in association with NBC Studios

Origination: NBC Studio 11 in Burbank and on location throughout Southern California

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