Twenty-two years ago today, the act of running in a swimsuit was changed forever.

In 1989, NBC aired the pilot episode of 'Baywatch,' a new series chronicling the dangerous adventures of a group of hard-bodied California lifeguards. Next month marks the tenth anniversary since the end of the series, though it lives on in syndication repeats all over the world.

During the show's 12-year syndication run, 'Baywatch' perfected what will ultimately be its legacy: the number one beach-related television innovation of all time -- slow-mo running. Preferably by hot chicks, but sometimes by that prime archetype of manliness himself, David Hasselhoff.

Although 'Baywatch' had some wonderfully soapy plotlines, let's be honest -- the reason we loved the show was because of the aforementioned hot chicks and slow-mo running, not to mention Hasselhoff's chest hair. Okay, kidding on the third. (Although it was magnificent, wasn't it?)

I thought there was something fishy about this David Hasselhoff drunk tape nonsense. It smelled of publicity to me, though why anyone would want to be filmed drunk and slobbering over a cheeseburger and potentially hurt his relations with his family is a mystery.

But guess what? The Hoff has an autobiography coming out May 15! I'm sure it's just a coincidence though.

The title, by the way, is Don't HassleThe Hoff. Jeez, it's one thing for others to call you "The Hoff," but calling yourself that? The book has a lot of (supposedly) juicy details, including Hasselhoff's revelation that he knows that Baywatch was a sexist show. The above link includes an excerpt from the book.

I wouldn't buy these DVDs, but if I was Baywatch fan, I'd be kinda ticked.

There are two different Baywatch sets coming out in the next few weeks, but according to TVShowsonDVD, the sets will not only be missing a couple of episodes (including "Nightmare Bay" and another ep that marked Pamela Anderson's first appearance), but the theme song will be different! Other music might be replaced too, but no official word on that yet.

The reason why those two episodes won't be seen is because another company owns the rights to them. I have no idea how one company owns the rights to two episodes of Baywatch and another company owns the rights to the gazillion others, but there you go.

How come these headlines never say anything like "Jessica Simpson to star in remake of Gone With The Wind," or "Jessica Simpson lands role in latest Steven Soderbergh film?" It's always something about her being in The Dukes of Hazzard movie or an I Dream Of Jeannie flick.

Anyway, not that anyone asked for this, but they're making a big screen Baywatch movie, and Simpson will play ... well, not sure of the character, but it probably involves a bathing suit and not a business suit. No word on whether David Hasselhoff will reprise his role on the big screen. Maybe he could be a Yoda-like character, training new, younger, sexier lifeguards.

Now, can Simpson possibly live up to the acting of Carmen Electra, Pamela Anderson, and Yasmine Bleeth?