Jackson Free Press

Former "Baywatch" star David Hasselhoff may not have the same physique of his youthful years, but as the host of tonight's "The Gulf is Back" television special, his job is to convince a national audience that Mississippi's Coast isn't coated in oil.

The special, airing tonight at 7 p.m. on the CW network, is the state's effort to push Coast tourism after the April 20 Deepwater Horizon oil disaster. The Associated Press reported Aug. 23 that BP's $75 million grant for the state's oil-spill recovery efforts to restore beaches and waterways is funding the estimated $4 million television special. BP allocated an additional grant of $15 million for tourism promotion, but the show is not being funded through that money.

The one-hour special, airing two days before Hurricane Katrina's fifth anniversary, features residents who rebuilt their lives after the storm. The show will also feature special appearances by Dean Cain, Shannon Elizabeth and B.B. King, and musical performances include artists Lonestar, Ricky Skaggs, Bo Bice, Taylor Hicks, Ace Young, Kyle and Chris Massey, Terri Clark, Drake Bell and Brian McKnight.

Gov. Haley Barbour, who has repeatedly blamed the media's coverage of the oil spill for the public's negative perception of the Coast, said the television special is one of a series of initiatives being coordinated through his office to promote tourism.

Hasselhoff, 58, played the role of Mitch Buchannon on "Baywatch" until the show ended in 2001. His most recent television roles include a NBC's "America's Got Talent," E!'s "Tales from the Hoff," and Comedy Central's "Roast of David Hasselhoff." He is a native of Baltimore, Md.

Previous Comments

ID

159584

Comment

I didn't even know about this. Anybody see the roast of David Hasselhoff on Comedy Central last week? Funny!

Author

golden eagle

Date

2010-08-28T08:46:11-06:00