Unknown Advertiser Voice (1:46)

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Danielle Fishel (1:57)

Well, obviously something wise. Maybe Dietz and Watson Oven Classic Turkey because it's classic, dependable and somehow still teaching you lessons.

Will Friedle (2:06)

Oh, I'm adding the Black Forest Uncured ham smoked the Old World way with cracked pepper and sea salt because Feeney would never cut corners.

Danielle Fishel (2:14)

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Will Friedle (2:32)

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Danielle Fishel (2:40)

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Will Friedle (4:09)

So first of all, it's Ryder's not here.

Danielle Fishel (4:11)

No, Ryder's gone. So let's talk about him.

Will Friedle (4:14)

It's about time. We've done it. We got rid of him.

Danielle Fishel (4:17)

We got rid of it.

David Chokachi (4:18)

What we wanted.

Will Friedle (4:18)

The whole. This whole time it has been a secret mission of ours to just drive Ryder away. And I think we finally done it.

Danielle Fishel (4:26)

Oh no. We love him so much.

David Chokachi (4:28)

We miss him.

Danielle Fishel (4:29)

We miss our little curmudgeon.

David Chokachi (4:31)

We lit

Will Friedle (4:35)

and you know, we can say whatever we want about him because he's not going to listen to Pod Meets World ever.

Danielle Fishel (4:40)

There's zero chance he would listen to an interview he wasn't even a part of.0. I could say anything right now.

Will Friedle (4:48)

We can say whatever we want about Ryder. What do you want to say about it? Let's talk about his clothes and work out. No, I'm kidding.

Danielle Fishel (4:53)

Oh man.

Will Friedle (4:55)

I actually. I don't know if you can hear, but once again, as always, I have my sinuses issue.

Danielle Fishel (5:00)

Oh gosh. I know. I asked sick and you were like, no, it's just whatever this is.

Will Friedle (5:05)

It's been a year, so I have a Question for our dear listeners out there, because my several doctors have said I should get the sinus, the, the Drano surgery.

Danielle Fishel (5:16)

Right.

Will Friedle (5:17)

The roto rooter of my, my skull, it's called.

Danielle Fishel (5:19)

You have a deviated septum.

Will Friedle (5:21)

Well, part of it is deviated septum, but it's also the. This is going to be so fun. The entryways to my sinuses are very small. Like, like freakishly small.

Danielle Fishel (5:32)

Right. So they need to. They want to make your holes bigger.

Will Friedle (5:35)

Exactly.

David Chokachi (5:36)

Yes.

Will Friedle (5:36)

There's going to be a lot of holes. That's what she said on this episode. But they want to. They want to slide into my holes and make them bigger.

Danielle Fishel (5:43)

Make them bigger. Okay, I got it.

Will Friedle (5:45)

So here's what I want to ask our listeners, because I need help. Let's say, for instance, I've talked to 15 people that have had this procedure done.

Danielle Fishel (5:54)

Yeah.

Will Friedle (5:54)

Five say it's the best thing they've ever done. It's changed their life. Five say it didn't do anything for them, but it didn't affect them in any way, shape or form, good or bad. And five say it's the worst decision they've ever made and they would never do it again. They've had to have mop up surgeries. So it's like, I literally have no idea. You talk to one person, like, do it right. Change your life. Another person going, oh, my God, it's the worst thing that's ever happened. I would never. So I have no idea what to do. I don't know what to do. So I'm throwing it out there. Like, I want some person, some people, somebody to tell me what to do because I don't know.

Danielle Fishel (6:28)

What does your. The doctor you've met with.

Will Friedle (6:32)

I've met with several.

Danielle Fishel (6:33)

Okay, you've met with several. What do they say? Do they also say, like, yeah, it. Sometimes it's great.

Will Friedle (6:39)

No, depends on the doctor. All of them say the same thing and they say it tongue in cheek, jokingly. They all go, well, we love to perform surgery, so I'd be happy to do it. And I'm like, that's creepy and weird.

Danielle Fishel (6:51)

I know.

Will Friedle (6:51)

One of them said, how did you get into my house?

Danielle Fishel (6:54)

Okay. Yeah.

Will Friedle (6:56)

In hindsight, I probably shouldn't have just gone in.

Danielle Fishel (6:58)

Yeah, I probably should make an appointment.

Will Friedle (7:00)

Yeah. That wasn't right. But yeah, they're all trying different stuff. So I'm shooting things inside and I'm steroids this time. But then my face has gotten really puffy from the steroids and the sinuses. Like I've been Looking on our zooms lately, and I'm like, I'm running all the time and eating well. Why do I look like I have balloon face? And it's because of all the steroids I have to take for this stuff.

David Chokachi (7:20)

Oh, my gosh.

Will Friedle (7:21)

I don't know if I should just have my head cut off. I don't know what I should do. I don't know. I don't know what I'm doing. Is this fun? This is. Let's go back to sliding into holes. It's better. And, Ryder, I have a. I have

Danielle Fishel (7:32)

a doctor friend that I talk to for advice rather. Rather often. His name is Dr. Michael Richman, and he's great. He is a friend, but also we pay him.

David Chokachi (7:44)

Sure.

Will Friedle (7:44)

I pay most of my friends. By the way, the check is in the mail.

Danielle Fishel (7:46)

Thank you.

Will Friedle (7:47)

You're welcome.

Danielle Fishel (7:49)

But I. I'll ask him his opinion because he's a very straight shooter and will mostly tell you, and he may even have somebody then that he would recommend because I really do think with varying degrees of. Like you. You perfectly selected the number 15 and then said there's a third. A third that says every single thing.

Will Friedle (8:10)

Yeah.

Danielle Fishel (8:11)

It feels to me like it might be a very specific doctor thing. Like you need to have somebody who really knows what they're doing because the potential for it to either be useless or bad is high.

Will Friedle (8:25)

Yeah.

Danielle Fishel (8:25)

So I don't know.

Will Friedle (8:26)

The one thing everyone agrees on, whether they say it helped, it did nothing, or it hurt, everyone says it's horribly painful for like a week. Oh, yeah. Oof. Yeah. They're like, you just want to kill your face for. For at least 10. 10 days after.

Danielle Fishel (8:40)

Is that. Is that also the same pain people feel after a nose job? Is that what it is? Maybe.

David Chokachi (8:45)

Is that.

Will Friedle (8:46)

That's.

Danielle Fishel (8:46)

I don't know.

Will Friedle (8:46)

Which is still one of the greatest words ever. Rhinoplasty.

Danielle Fishel (8:49)

A rhinoplasty. I know.

Will Friedle (8:51)

I mean, come on. That's awesome.

Danielle Fishel (8:53)

I know. Jensen hates the word blepharoplasty. He hates blepharophy.

Unknown Advertiser Voice (8:57)

What's a blepharoplasty?

Will Friedle (8:58)

Oh, that's the eyes, right?

Danielle Fishel (8:59)

Extra eye. Yeah, he hates bleph. Upper bleph. It's like, moist to him. Anytime I'm like, I need an upper bleph.

David Chokachi (9:07)

He's like, oh, God.

Will Friedle (9:10)

Are you gonna get a blepharoplasty?

Danielle Fishel (9:11)

No, no, no. Okay, I'm gonna get a blepharoplasty. I do, though, have one more hooded eye than the other. This eyelid is a little heavier. Than this eyelid, but.

Will Friedle (9:23)

Oh, I have that with this. My eye. This one. But it's because I've been wearing my fake eye. My glass eye.

Danielle Fishel (9:29)

Your glass eye.

Will Friedle (9:30)

I think it's been blinking over a contact for so long, it's like it's lower than this lid.

Danielle Fishel (9:34)

Well, I think, you know, our eyes and our eyebrow, our faces are not perfectly symmetrical. And I think also. Oh, that's why handsome.

Will Friedle (9:42)

Perfect feature.

Danielle Fishel (9:43)

Perfect.

Will Friedle (9:44)

Like on my giant face. Like Cliff, your best friend, my bestie.

Danielle Fishel (9:51)

But yeah, I don't know. I think also depending on which side is your dominant side even on your face or also which side you sleep on. Like, all these things affect how your face wears over the years.

Will Friedle (10:03)

That makes sense. Sue's new favorite thing is to just wait around a corner wearing her red light mask. So, like, I turn the corner, I'm like, yikes.

Danielle Fishel (10:11)

Jensen loved it when I first got my red light mask. Speaking of which, do you. Do you wear the red light mask?

Will Friedle (10:17)

I don't. Should I?

Danielle Fishel (10:18)

All right, listen, this is again, not an ad. Actually, I didn't pay for my red light mask. My hairdresser, Lori Heaps, and my makeup artist, Julie Cuomo gifted me a solo wave red light mask.

Will Friedle (10:31)

Oh, that's sweet.

Danielle Fishel (10:33)

A couple of Christmases ago, and for the very longest time, it just sat in the box. And I was of the like, beauty maintenance type person that was like, I don't have time for all the things we're supposed to do. Sure, if I drink all my water, if I get all my sleep, if I wear all the masks, if I do the serums. Where else? Where do you have time? The working out, the eating well, the children, it's all awful. And so I was like, I don't have time to. You know, I think at the time it was like this red light mask was. It was a 10 minute timer. It's like, give me a break.

David Chokachi (11:08)

Yeah.

Danielle Fishel (11:08)

And then I. Then I started seeing it all over the socials. Everybody's red light masking and everyone's claiming it does great things. And finally I said, you know, I'm going to do it. I get into bed and I either scroll mindlessly or I read or I do something. Anyway, why not put that on my face?

Will Friedle (11:29)

Shove a mask on at the same time.

Danielle Fishel (11:30)

Yeah. Multitask. So I started wearing my red light mask, and wouldn't you know it, but the little rosacea that I have had my entire adult life on my cheeks just went away. Wow. And I couldn't believe it. I was like waking up in the morning. Because I was using it. So I was using it every single night. And I don't even know if you're supposed to.

Will Friedle (11:54)

It's what. You're supposed to use it, like, one time, right?

David Chokachi (11:56)

Okay.

Danielle Fishel (11:56)

Yeah. And I think they actually recommend three to five times a week. But you know me, I don't believe in instructions. I just do what I want. Correct. And so I did once a day, every night, seven days a week. And within a couple of weeks, I was waking up and going to, like, put my makeup on in the morning and going, oh, well, my cheeks look great. Wonder what caused that? Just not even putting it all together, but yes, it's. It's the red light mask. So I started using it, was using it religiously for a long time, then brought it on tour with me for the Dancing with the Stars tour. Used it consistently while I was on tour. And then on my flight home, apparently the mask broke.

Will Friedle (12:36)

Oh, no.

Danielle Fishel (12:37)

I didn't pack it well. And the. Something about it being in my suitcase, the connection from the little charging cord into the mask lost connection. And it was like intermittent turning on and off, turning on and off, turning on and off. And I was like, oh, no. And I went two weeks without wearing my red light mask. And all my rosacea came back, really? And my face looked dull. And then there was no question to me, this solo wave red light mask had made a difference in my face. So, long story short, I have since replaced my solo wave mask. My skin is back to glowing, my rosacea is gone. And I just like people to know if you're on the fence about a red light mask, it really do it. And so, you know, I don't know.

Will Friedle (13:20)

Do they make them for moon faces? Do they make them for moon faces? By the way, the one thing. It's so funny that you mentioned that, because the one thing most people. People talk about with you is how. How dull your face is.

Danielle Fishel (13:30)

How dull. I know.

Will Friedle (13:31)

Yeah, we get.

David Chokachi (13:32)

I get.

Will Friedle (13:32)

That's like, hashtag dull face. I hear. I see that all the time in relation to you and how you look. Thank you, Danielle. Dollface is what people call you quite a bit. Susan also recommends, first of all, if you wear a mask that looks like that and glows red, you should have superpowers.

Danielle Fishel (13:47)

That's first.

Will Friedle (13:48)

Secondly, she also says that hers has a blue light setting. I know if she has breakouts or anything.

Danielle Fishel (13:54)

Yes. For acne. Incredible. Incredible. And now, by the way, the red light masks, mine is three minutes. They somehow made it just as powerful in three minutes, as it does in 10. So, you know, again, I don't follow any rules. Sometimes I wear it for. Twice. I wear it twice.

Will Friedle (14:09)

If you. Well, I was gonna say if you. If you put it on your face, but also throw in a bag of microwave popcorn. Ooh, can you do two things at once where all of a sudden you just. It starts popping on your face and

Danielle Fishel (14:19)

then you know, listen. That's what she said again.

David Chokachi (14:23)

And we're back.

Danielle Fishel (14:24)

We brought it back full circle.

Will Friedle (14:26)

Hey, we don'. Rider.

Danielle Fishel (14:30)

Welcome to Pod meets World. I'm Danielle Fishel.

Will Friedle (14:33)

And I'm Will Friedle. I was holding. It was a momentary moment of silence for I'm Rider Strong.

Danielle Fishel (14:40)

And we both heard it in our minds. And then I knew exactly what you were doing.

Will Friedle (14:43)

And I'm Will Friedle. Ever been at the pharmacy counter and the pharmacist asks, do you have any questions? And suddenly your mind goes blank? That's exactly why you need to listen to beyond the script from CVS Pharmacy and iHeartMedia. Hosted by Dr. Jake Goodman, this podcast brings you real conversations with CVS pharmacists, the health experts you see most answering the questions you wish you'd asked, like which medications might not mix well, what vaccines should you consider before a big trip. And even those questions you were too embarrassed to say out loud. Each episode busts myths, decodes health trends, and gives you practical, trustworthy advice. And straight from the people behind the counter. No white coats, no lectures. Just real talk, real answers, and maybe a few laughs. Listen to beyond the script on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. When I think about brain health, I think about staying sharp, remembering why I walked into a room finishing a sentence without buffering mid thought. And nowadays that can feel unpossible.

Danielle Fishel (15:46)

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Danielle Fishel (17:10)

Boy, do we love our friends at Legacy Box. I am a big proponent of their services because honestly, it's one of those things you don't realize you need until you really need it.

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Will Friedle (17:20)

I mean, think about the oldest home video your family has. I'm talking birthdays, Christmas mornings, awkward school performances of Annie where you play a bush.

Danielle Fishel (17:28)

Oh yes, we've been a bush.

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Will Friedle (17:36)

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Danielle Fishel (17:45)

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Will Friedle (18:04)

And over 1.5 million families have already trusted Legacy Box with their memories. So you know it's legit.

Danielle Fishel (18:10)

I mean, the podcast even used Legacy Box. Ryder sent in old unmarked camcorder tapes from the 90s and we saved some old behind the scenes footage from the Boy Meets World set. But it was mostly just him and his brother climbing trees, which I love.

Will Friedle (18:24)

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Danielle Fishel (18:30)

Check protecting your memories off your spring cleaning to do list with Legacy box, visit legacybox.com meets world to shop their

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Danielle Fishel (18:43)

I am so excited. I have finally made the jump. It has been long enough. I had to do something about it and the time has come I bought a new rug.

Will Friedle (18:52)

Danielle, I am very proud of you.

Danielle Fishel (18:55)

Well, with the help of article, it's never been easier to turn your home into the stylish pad you've always wanted it to be at an unbeatable price.

Will Friedle (19:03)

Tell me about this rug.

Danielle Fishel (19:05)

Oh I love it. It's a neutral textured 9 by 12 rug. I'm putting it in front of our fireplace, finally bringing some much needed style and comfort to the area.

Will Friedle (19:15)

I had no place to put anything in my bedroom so I got this awesome bench for the foot of my bed. I cannot wait.

Danielle Fishel (19:20)

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Will Friedle (19:35)

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Danielle Fishel (20:00)

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Will Friedle (20:05)

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Danielle Fishel (20:14)

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David Chokachi (21:01)

Well.

Danielle Fishel (21:02)

The fraternity of actors who have returned to the roles that made them famous decades later is a tight knit group. Take it from us. Whether it's the Fuller House Crew or Kyle McLaughlin in Twin Peaks, the Night Court cast, or even most recently, Frankie Muniz as Malcolm, we all get together once a year for a mixer and talk about how we can truly never escape our past. Time is a flat Circle, everything dies. Yada, yada, yada. It sounds dark, but I promise it's actually pretty fun. Very good hors d'. Oeuvres. And this year we're excited to be welcoming a new brother to the club. Let's consider this his entry interview. Somehow his first job in Hollywood cast him in the worldwide phenomenon Baywatch as Cody Madison. For seasons six through nine, he'd sport the iconic red shorts alongside Pamela Anderson, Carmen Electra, and our co star, Nomad. What she says. Yasmine Bleeth.

Will Friedle (22:00)

She was there.

Danielle Fishel (22:01)

She was there.

Will Friedle (22:02)

I saw her, I saw her. I shook her hand. It's on tape.

Danielle Fishel (22:06)

Talk about an introduction to the business. And now, 30 years later, he's returning to the lifeguard tower for a Baywatch revival. And the cast is shaping up to be. I know this will come as very surprising, very good looking. And of all the announcements about the show, the most exciting to us. This week's guest will be back to reprise his character, now older, wiser, and bar owning, giving out advice to the new recruits and teaching them how to run down a beach in slow motion. And when he's not saving lives on tv, he's doing it for dogs in real life as part of Wings of Rescue, a nonprofit organization that flies at risk pets from overcrowded shelters and disaster areas to safe havens and new homes, preventing euthanasia and encouraging the incredible act of animal adoption. A great addition to our group of unescapable long term TV characters, if you ask me. So welcome to POD meets world. A Baywatch icon on the verge of doing it all over again. It's David Chokoti. Hello.

David Chokachi (23:14)

Hi. How are you guys doing? Great. How are you? I'm doing great.

Danielle Fishel (23:19)

Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to hang out with us. While researching, we realized that that Baywatch was your very first Hollywood job. Is that true?

David Chokachi (23:31)

Yeah, like big one. I mean, I had done some commercials couple like national, like, like even though I booked out of like two out of Boston, I think were like, like Miller, like commercials and then a couple of commercials here. But nothing, nothing, you know, nothing legit, nothing real. Like that was the first big thing. Yeah.

Danielle Fishel (23:52)

Are you aware that that's not how it's supposed to.

Will Friedle (23:55)

Yeah. You're not playing by the rules. That's not how it works. You don't just start slow motion on a beach.

David Chokachi (24:00)

My time though, I mean, I was grinding. I mean, I like, you know, I would study. I had a construction job. I'm a car carpenter by trade. But you Know, I would work for this guy, and then I'd go to class at night, and I could squeeze in the gym in between and just do it every day and realize, you know, it's. I wasn't. I wasn't. You know, I got here, like, a day and a half before the Northridge earthquake, literally, which is trip. So I come up here.

Will Friedle (24:27)

Welcome.

David Chokachi (24:28)

I already had an agency like that. You know, we had to mail stuff back in the day, like, so I was with a place called Hero, and they had the small theatrical division and a commercial and a print division. And so I had one thing set up that was the button. And then this acting coach was like. And it was. It was. He was hilarious. But, yeah, so I get here on Saturday and Monday morning at like, 3:20, whatever a.m. it's like, boom. And then, you know, I just. I pivoted. I ended up a buddy of mine who's a little bit older, worked for fema, is like. Because there's enough. Obviously, the entertainment business was shut down. And he's like, yeah. David, do you want to go inspect chimneys in Northridge? Since you have a construction background, here's an iPad. You try, you get like, I don't know, it was like 150 bucks a house. All you have to do is go in and, like, you check out the chimney and you say it's structurally sound, needs work, or unsound, basically. And I'd be like, you know, hello, I'm here. Chimney for fema. And they get some money out of it, too. And so I did that for six months, and then the business kind of came back online and. Wow, just. Yeah, Just went back at it. Yeah.

Will Friedle (25:42)

Can I wait? Now, I've done a little research as well. I'd like to throw out some names of places that were important to me as a child, and I want to hear if any of those places were important to you. Okay.

David Chokachi (25:53)

Okay, let's go.

Will Friedle (25:54)

Riches. Rose and Vickies.

David Chokachi (25:59)

Oh, man. You're from Plymouth. Are you from Plymouth?

Will Friedle (26:03)

Well, my family is from Plymouth. I live in Connecticut. But we had a house in Manamit. And my aunt and uncle were teachers in the Plymouth school system. So when I saw that you were from Plymouth, I was like, okay, we've got to talk about growing up.

David Chokachi (26:17)

Oh, my God, the richest one. For a second, you had me. And I was like, okay, I know that that was like, the worst, but the greatest department store of all time. And then Rose and Vicki subs. Come on.

Will Friedle (26:29)

Rose and Vicki subs, which started as a pie shop, had the Greatest Dutch apple crumb pie in the world. By the way, Danielle, these are places from Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Danielle Fishel (26:35)

I gathered. Yeah.

David Chokachi (26:38)

Sorry, it's kind of. Yeah, it's a Massachusetts thing, but that's a. That's a good way to play. That's a good way to start.

Will Friedle (26:45)

Isn't that fun? Yeah. So my. My aunt and uncle were both teachers in the Plymouth school. I saw them this weekend and I was back in Connecticut and I asked, and my aunt says she might have actually remembered you from school. No way.

David Chokachi (26:57)

I love it.

Will Friedle (26:58)

So the Alzheimer's. If you ever had a teacher, Jeanette Alzheimer, that was. That's my aunt. She was in the Plymouth school systems forever.

David Chokachi (27:04)

Yeah. Oh, my God. I'm sure I did at some point. Yeah, I saw that.

Will Friedle (27:08)

I was like, he's from Plymouth. I've got to talk about Plymouth.

David Chokachi (27:11)

I couldn't believe it has you, man. It's so great. And it's so hard to get out of, like, I mean, to escape, like.

Will Friedle (27:17)

Yeah.

David Chokachi (27:17)

Even New England in general. Like, all my buddies. I went to Bates and played football in lacrosse and. But everybody kind of. Everybody got. We all traveled across country, about 6 of us after that summer. And then everybody stayed and got real serious jobs right away. And I was like, you guys are insane. You're locked in for life now. And they were all. I was like, you know, there was a moment for sure. My parents were like, whoa, what are you doing? And I was so I, you know, I rolled the dice. And I'd been out here. I've been to LA for lacrosse trip and spent time here. And I was like, you know, like part of my life. I just want. I want to live there. So, like, my parents, like, if you can support yourself, like, go for it.

Will Friedle (27:59)

Like.

David Chokachi (27:59)

So I literally, like, when I moved after the. The earthquake, I was living on a guy's floor up above, like the Viper Room on Larabee. And I'm moving into this place in Brentwood and this guy. It's like in the edge of Brentwood. So it was like. It's called Chai Side apartments. They were just like. It was like three's company, but downgraded by 10. The guy's renovating the place and I'm carrying my bags up to this. I mean, it was. Yeah, it's pretty. Pretty remedial place. And I'm like, hey, man, if you ever need someone who can swing your hammer. I'm good at swinging a hammer. He said, yeah, yeah, right, whatever. Next morning, knocks on my door at 7am he's like, you want to go to work? And I was like, yes. He gave me a belt, like a tool belt. I worked for him all the way through. Like, he'd let me audition during the day, go and come back because I would just work. You know, I grew up with great work ethic for my parents and then also from, you know, construction crew back east. If you're slow, they're like, why don't you eat coffee? You're not. You're just not. And you're like, whoa. Like, you cannot. Like. Like, if they're like, you're on your phone today on a New England, like, oh, yeah. They would tear you to pieces. Yeah, yeah. When my limb, they'd be like, get out. And then you, like, get off. So this guy worked for this guy even after I got Baywatch. I had to jump ship, which I could have. I saved because he was so cool to me. I just. I stayed with him right up until I really needed to commit and start shooting. So.

Danielle Fishel (29:25)

Do you remember your audition for Baywatch?

David Chokachi (29:28)

Yeah. I mean, I remember walking the initial one because it was. It's like, it was beyond memorable. I mean, I walk in, I mean, I remember getting it, and I worked on it a lot with my coach, Vincent Chase. He was a legendary coach at the time. He started. Passed away since. But, you know, I had prepped it, and then I walk in. The two casting directors, they had seen like a thousand guys, like, east coast, west coast, they could end. Cody Madison was written by Deborah Schwartz, was the wife of Doug Schwartz, who was one of the original executive producers and creators. And when she wrote the character, she had someone very specific in mind, kind of physically and spiritually, you know, in a certain way. Just embodied this, like, middle Midwest, slash. It could be east coast, but just like a very kind of earthy kind of guy, but not like, no ego. Like, he's just like, anyway, I walk in the room. It was just to read for them their first audition. Their heads were like this. They were like, you know, just beating down. Yeah, Yeah. I walk in and they're like, holy. They're like. I'm like, I didn't say anything. I just stood there. I'm like, they're like, you're the guy. You're the guy we have been looking for. You're the guy that she has in mind. Please tell us you can act. Please tell us you can act. Oh, my gosh.

Danielle Fishel (30:46)

You hadn't even started yet.

David Chokachi (30:49)

I didn't say one word.

Will Friedle (30:50)

They were like, yeah, you're not doing this right, David. The way. The way it's working out for you. This is not. You're not playing by the rules.

Unknown Advertiser Voice (30:56)

What I've learned.

David Chokachi (30:57)

What I've learned, because this. This. A similar thing happened when I got. When I had to. We had to do a test back when we had to, like, test for people. Like, for which Blade. And I was up for the role of Jake McCarty against this other guy who was more. He was kind of a movie star. And I'll never forget it, because it was down to him and I in the final deal. Like, and we're so. You know, that's. When you go in the theater, it's all the executives and stadium seating, and your life is either going like this or it's going, like, kind of like this. Yeah. And it's all on you. And I remember he was so cocky. He was, like, journaling his thing, and I'm, like, studying or doing breath work and, like. Like, just trying to get in the zone. I go in. Crush it. He goes in. I find out from the showrunner afterwards, like, he fumbled his way through it, basically. They couldn't get the words out. They had me come back in. He. The guy came out, gave me notes. I went back in, and I got it. And I also happen to look a lot like the comic book character itself. Like, if you have Jake McCarty in the comic book, It's a Witchblade is a famous comic book.

Unknown Advertiser Voice (32:03)

Yeah.

David Chokachi (32:03)

Very similar, kind of. So that was part of it, but, like, that. The arrogance of this kid. Like, I'll never forget that moment. Like, it was kind of as surreal as the moment when I walked in to see Fern Susie, like, the casting directors for Baywatch, because it was just, like, one of those things, like, oh, my God, I wish I could just, like, strangle you, dude. Like, you're so, like, just, like, the arrogance. And then he goes in and, like, totally, like, dive bombs, and I go in and crush it. And.

Danielle Fishel (32:31)

Yeah, you're reminded. Like, yeah, that's why I do this.

Chelsea Handler (32:35)

That's.

Will Friedle (32:36)

Yeah, exactly.

Danielle Fishel (32:37)

There's. There's a payoff for being dedicated to my craft.

David Chokachi (32:40)

Exactly. And take it seriously and not, like, have ego about it. Like, yeah, that was astonishing. But, yeah, so that was my first of many Biwa traditions. And then we had to do a swim test because they'd been burned by an actress who they found out after they cast her. And she ran up to the. Like, they're like, okay, she's going to shoot a rescue. They're shooting a rescue. She runs to the water's. Edge. And she stops, and they're like, what's going on? She's like, oh, I'm not swimming out there. What are you talking about? I'm afraid of sharks. I'm not going to the ocean. They were like, what are you talking about?

Will Friedle (33:16)

It's Baywatch.

David Chokachi (33:18)

I'm deadly afraid of sharks. I don't swim in the ocean. And they're like, oh, my God. So they have to get, like, a stunt double. So she runs the water's edge, Stunt double, does the rescue, pulls the person in, hiding their face. Hiding their face. She doesn't like that. Had to go on until they released that actress.

Danielle Fishel (33:35)

Oh, man.

David Chokachi (33:36)

Ever since then, they made people do a water. Yeah, that's where I thrived because I grew up on a. I was on a swim team, and I had all these ocean skills because I grew up. My mom was a sailor from the Cape from. She grew up in. Let's see. I don't. Yarmouth.

Will Friedle (33:50)

Oh, okay. Sure.

David Chokachi (33:52)

So she grew up sailing right there. And then as young kids, we started sailboat racing. And then I went on to, like, teach sailing. Head sailing, sort of. I actually went to the junior Olympics and windsurf racing. Like, triangle race, like buoy racing.

Will Friedle (34:06)

Geez.

David Chokachi (34:07)

But I had all these skills I brought to the table, and it was kind of like even being on a swim team, because I was portraying an Olympic swimmer. Cody was trying to go to the Olympics, and it's like, you can't jump in the pool. Actors think they can learn everything in three weeks. And it's not that way. It's like driving boats takes years. Same with waverunners, in terms of getting kind of precision with them. But, like, we would have to drive them up and kind of spin them, install them right in front of the cameras that are on sticks in the water. So the crew. Part of the crew is in the water, and they're like, don't hit us, dude. And I'm like, don't worry about me. Worry about these other people.

Danielle Fishel (34:46)

Right?

David Chokachi (34:47)

And I would never. And then somehow they. No, they wouldn't let anybody except myself and, like, Mike Newman pretty much do those precision. Either waverunner or boat rescue with it. With a big yellow scare about to come in close to Venice Pierce, because they were just. It's a lot. It takes years of experience, and I had it. So they were. Once they saw what I could do, they would just start writing elaborate rescues and action for me. And they were like, oh, my God, we hit the jackpot with this kid. Yeah.

Will Friedle (35:14)

Now, were you A Baywatch fan before you auditioned for the show?

David Chokachi (35:18)

No. The funniest thing is. So I remember this part, too, and my buddies out here. I'm just. So. I went to Bates College in Maine. It's Division 3 football, but I miss football to this day. I dream about it, and the weirdest balls never snapped. It's my. We had a terrible team, but we had a great defense. And we just love. I played strong safety. We love to knock dudes out and, like, hit as hard as we could. And I remember, like, Baywatch was on, and it'd be Saturday night, and we'd be going to the Sloco Bar in Maine. Like, that was a ritual. And my buddy would be like. So we walked by. He's got his Archie Bunker chair, and he's, like, watching Like, I'm like, like, Boheme. Come on, dude, we're going. He's like, no way, dude. Baywatch is on. Like, are you kidding me? You're gonna watch that stupid show? I didn't say stupid. Just, like, I don't even know if I knew, like, what it was back then, but I was like, why would you sit there and, like, watch tv? He's like, have you seen this show? I was like, I'll see you later. And then you fast forward. He's like, wait a minute.

Will Friedle (36:19)

What?

David Chokachi (36:20)

You got the show? And then he sees, like, me making out with Pam. He's like, all my buddies from New England are like, what happened? Yeah.

Danielle Fishel (36:27)

How is this happening?

David Chokachi (36:29)

Yeah.

Will Friedle (36:30)

It's also the most California show you could possibly ever get on.

Danielle Fishel (36:33)

Yeah.

David Chokachi (36:33)

Yeah. Well, even though I grew up in New England and, you know, I'd go. We'd go, whatever. We cruise around Boston bars and what? Yeah. And people would be like, what part of Southern California are you from? And I'm like, I'm from Plymouth, dude. No way.

Will Friedle (36:55)

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Guys.

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Danielle Fishel (41:24)

You joined the show in season six and the phenomenon that was Baywatch is now in like full swing. Was it easy to just step into the cast dynamic? We know that sometimes it can be rather difficult to jump in with an established clique.

David Chokachi (41:39)

Yeah, you know, they, they could not have been. Everybody was so warm and welcoming. It was just the pressure I put on myself. Like, I remember that the first scene, it's like, I look at it and I'm like, I remember exactly like how nervous I was. I was like, because you're stepping into something. That's odd. They've been together, you know, and I'm like learning like what it's like to be in front of a crew of like a hundred and it's your close up and like on and on and on. It hit marks. And luckily they were really cool about, like they gave you. If you were doing the work, if you were working with your acting coach and if you were picking it up quickly. And then also the fitness side of it I saw really quickly was, was like the more fit you were, the reaction from the writers, the producers, the fans, it was like the more episodes they would put you in because they just wanted to see fit males and females. So I busted my butt with that. And then, yeah, so, but initially the first, after probably three hours, I was like, oh, okay, I see what's going on here. You know, and then once I got going, it was like, oh, my God, I was made for this show. Like this, this is my, this is my wheelhouse. You know, it's like fastball and coming down the plate. So, yeah, I just loved it.

Danielle Fishel (42:53)

Pamela Anderson was going through a fame that maybe comes around once again in a generation. And you were paired with her for an on screen romance. Was it unreal to you as well? Going from an actor looking to work, being paired with the hottest woman in the world at the time?

David Chokachi (43:11)

I, you know, I. It was a little bit surreal because they actually had come to me, I think earned my status really quickly up, up the ladder. And they were like, we're gonna give you the option for a girlfriend on the show. Do you want pant like Pam or Yasmeen? And I was like, are you serious? Let me meet you. And like, yeah. And I was. And I loved Yasmine. She was like all of us, like, she was hysterical in her own way. But Pam and I had this kind of self deprecating humor. We had this kind of. I have some strong Finnish heritage. My grandma was born in Finland. She has strong finish. We kind of bonded over some things and we never took ourselves that seriously or too seriously, like, oh, wow, we're actors and we're on the number one show in the world. Even though she had all that attention, she was still very grounded in that period of time. And we just had a way of making the most out of moments together. And so of course I was like. Well, I mean, I felt bad. Yeah, Pam. For a number of reasons, but mainly because, you know, we just had this. There was kind of a goofiness to both of us that we. And you. Like, when we have to do these montages, it comes out and it's, it's. And you still see, I look back, I'm like, those were awesome. Because we were, we were actually like. We just weren't. We were. It was like nobody else was around us and you're just like, there's no cameras, there was no people. And we're just like. I don't know, they were. They're really cool. So, yeah, we had a great time. And yeah, she was. I, I don't know, I was never like. I mean, I, I think, you know, I'm super thankful that I grew up in New England and was unaware of, like the hype. And I mean, I, I was obsessed with movies. And actors. But I wasn't like, I wasn't intimidated. Intimidated by other, other actors or actresses. It was more, you know, it was just. I kind of felt like I belong, this is where I belong kind of thing. So. And yeah, her and I had like a great time and then she, she left. Like I proposed to her at the end of season nine, this cool moment, and she didn't come back the next season.

Will Friedle (45:28)

Well, there's your answer.

David Chokachi (45:29)

Bam. Come on. What's up? Yeah.

Will Friedle (45:31)

So wait, so you go, you. You join the cast of, as you said, the number one show in the world. How, how quickly does your life change once you join the cast?

David Chokachi (45:41)

Well, here's the deal. So I get the phone call and you know, you think they go, congratulations, you got the job. And then they go, by the way, here's the deal. They're going to guarantee it's a five year deal. Like that's like serious regular deal. And they're going to guarantee you 7 out of 22 with the option you can do more if they like you or the option they can basically kind of drop you if you don't. If, you know. Wow. I was like, yay.

Will Friedle (46:07)

What?

Danielle Fishel (46:07)

Yeah. So this contract goes one way.

David Chokachi (46:11)

Yeah. Yeah. So I was like, oh man. But I didn't, that, I didn't let that get in my head. All it did was like I doubled down. I was like, like there was nothing stopping me from giving my like a thousand percent. And I didn't fall into any of the pitfalls like people fall into. Like, I just, I just stayed away from them. And I, I worked my, like, it went back to work ethic. Like every day. Like you shoot in the sun. Everybody thinks it's like, yeah, you make a bay watch, it's super easy. It's either like freezing cold or like burning hot. So like you go home and like you're done at 6:30 and like the last thing you want to do is go work out and then go work with your coach. But I just would do it. I, I would do it and I would be relentless about it and it paid off. Like. And you know, I just. And that first season, so I ended up doing like 19 or 20 out of 22 instead of like that night. I just kind of like became one of the main dudes and went from there.

Will Friedle (47:08)

Work ethic?

Danielle Fishel (47:09)

Yeah. I mean, 1.1 billion viewers, estimated weekly audience for Baywatch.

David Chokachi (47:15)

And that was when there was only 5.3 billion on the planet.

Will Friedle (47:21)

1/5 of the 1/5 of the world.

David Chokachi (47:23)

Yeah.

Will Friedle (47:23)

Was watching you in slow motion.

David Chokachi (47:25)

I. And I've been to some remote places, and most remote, I'm like. And where Baywatch pops up, it's just. It's like, it's. I don't think there's any. Ever been anything that's penetrated so far out. Like, I mean, we were in the Galapagos on a trip and on the National Geographic boats and the Ecuadorian guide. So the. The big boat is like. It's a mini cruise ship kind of thing, but it's a geographic. And then you get in these little, like, the rubber motorized boats to go to shore, and they have a red rescue can. So as they're prepping us and we're getting our life jackets, get on the boat to go land to each island, whatever. They're like, okay, you know, life jackets. And this is our red rescue can fall in. We call this Pamela. We're gonna throw it to you. And I was like, wait, what? So I didn't. I didn't say anything for, like, two days. And this is the Galapagos, their most remote place on the Earth. And then two days later, we were on the beach, and I was like. I finally told the guides, and they were like, their minds were exploding. They were like, no way. We got to get. There's like, Pamela was the name of the rescue cam, like, across the board. And this. It's all like, another. Like, I sent this to this beautiful woman. She's a photographer from Russia, 4th of July to 4th of March. And she. I'm always fascinated, like, these remote places that Baywatch kind of went in and really liked Help. Like, it just. It gave people hope. It's. It's the craziest thing. Like. So I started talking to her, and she's. I know she was, like, trying to ask me something, but she didn't want to ask. She's like, were you on Baywatch? You find. And her. And she's a little bit Russian accent. She's married, and I had a kid there. It was like, we weren't. It was just like. It was normal, like. And I was like, yeah, yeah. I played Cody. And she's like, oh, my God. She's like, I'm from Russia. And we watched the show there. I go, what part of Russia? Like, she goes, siberia. And I'm like, well, can you describe, like, what that means? Like, what part of Siberia? She's like, imagine a movie where they've shown or depicted Siberia and multiply that by 10 in terms of remoteness. And that's where I grew up. And we were obsessed and watch Baywatch, like, it was like our lifeline to the world. And she said it's kind of what, like got her, gave her the idea to come here. And now she's a super. I mean, I don't know, she's a very talented photographer having a very successful career. And, you know, the show was able to, you know, a lot of those countries, it's Eastern Europe, it's landlocked, it's dark. And it's an hour of escapism where you can get out of your thoughts, you know, or your own reality. And that was one of the greatest things, you know, amongst others, Baywatch provided that kind of.

Will Friedle (50:15)

So you. You walk onto a set where no matter how popular you get, you're still only going to be the second David on the call sheet. So I'm curious, what was.

Danielle Fishel (50:25)

How.

Will Friedle (50:26)

How much of in control was David Hasselhoff by the time you got there? I mean, was he kind of calling the shots on everything or was he more of just hands off, the show's working. Well, I'm not going to be involved in every. Every aspect of everything going on.

David Chokachi (50:40)

No. Let's put it this way. And you know, I love David. He and I were like, we were like best friends for a long time and we would travel together, but there's always. In the original series, there was always an A to B storyline, right? And the A storyline is more. It's just more meaty. It's got a lot more going on. And he always had the A storyline. I'm like, man, can't you ever just put that one of us have the A storyline for once? And he's like, you know, he didn't even react, but I could see his body saying f. No, right?

Danielle Fishel (51:18)

No, thanks.

David Chokachi (51:19)

No, it's my deal. So. But he, you know, we spread it out. He didn't like to be over. He didn't like other people kind of shining above him too much. But he was super cool. I mean, he was one of the, like, the hardest thing do with David, just keep a straight face. Because when it's. When he's on camera, he's dead serious about his work and trying to do it right. And then when you're on camera and it's a single, he's doing everything in his power to mess you up and just. He's funny as can be. And like, he's singing and I'm like, david, come on, can you either do the scene or I'm gonna read with like, you're standing, bro.

Danielle Fishel (51:58)

Like,

David Chokachi (52:01)

but a cool guy. Like I said, we had some really great adventures he and I went on. He took me like I didn't have the money. We went all over Australia, up to the outback. Yeah. Really generous and nothing but good memories with that guy. Solid dude. Except when it came time for sharing the story.

Danielle Fishel (52:19)

Yeah, exactly. Well, we couldn't be more excited about a return to the beach for the revival of Baywatch. You'll be returning as Cody Madison now, almost 30 years later. Did you ever imagine this could happen?

David Chokachi (52:33)

Never. I mean, I pushed for it for a long time. I would say every six months, I've written that. Greg Bowen, I'm one of the original producers because my daughter's in the junior lifeguard program here at Zoua beach, and he is one of the instructors for the A kids. So that's the top kids that you've been in the program for a while. And, you know, there was. Remember that period of time when everybody was rebooting their shows? Like 921zero and there was a bunch. All of them kind of went one or two or more years. And I kept saying, why are we doing this? Why aren't we rebooting? And then. So then we. There was one period we got really close. I think it was cbs. And I went with them. Like I was gonna be the guy. And it was Bonan and two people from CBS location scouting around Zoom or Malibu. And then they were. It was either gonna be Magnum PI Or Baywatch. And Dwayne Johnson, Zac Efron Baywatch movie came out and. And CBS was like, sorry, dude. Sorry, folks, that we're not touching that now. And you know that nothing gets those guys. I thought the movie was kind of funny. It just had nothing to do with Baywatch. And it crushed the brand for a little bit, so they had to wait. And then there's just been a giant resurgence lately of people watching it internationally. The original series. Like, my buddy is over in Australia. He's like a professional lifeguard back then. And they came here, did an episode. He's like, mate, man, if you came here, my. My kids are obsessed with the show. You'd be swarmed at this moment right now. I'm like, so there's been a resurgence. And, you know, I drive by the beach, I surf. I'm in the ocean all the time. And I definitely, over the years, have moments or where I'm stuck on some movie, and it's just like. So, like, you know, I like to work. I don't. You're not gonna get better. Going to. You have to go to acting class, but you're not getting better. You have to be on a set in front of the camera in order to get better. It's like surfing. Like, you only get better when you're actually on the wave. Like, you have to be on the wave to learn. And then it's the same with acting. So I try. And unless it's like something that's just, like, really terrible, I'm usually like, yes, I want to do that. Like, make it happen. Because I like working on my craft. And I learned something new every time. I don't think there's ever an end to this game. Like, you and all the great actors, they say the same thing. And I'm not saying I'm at that level, but I actually do feel like I'm doing them. I'm 58 and I did actually look back and like, which way. There's great writing. I did some really good work on that. And even they watched some of the episodes that were more. There's a couple dramatic ones. One I did with Carmen, where kid went. I thought I left my tower early and the kid went missing. It was good. But I'm just at a point in my life, I don't know, last year and a half, I just feel in command and like, in control of my space and, like, love the process more than ever. It's. It's kind of bizarre. And I feel like I can just tap into any emotion. Like. Like whatever they want, I can give them almost within 30 seconds. And whereas before, I just remember it kind of being like, okay, here we go. This is gonna be daunting. Like now, like, let's go. Like, you know, because once you get to that place where you kind of don't care, you start really loving the job.

Will Friedle (55:57)

Yeah.

David Chokachi (55:57)

And it's not that you don't care. It's just like you. You remove the pressure off yourself and realize, okay, we're not. Although we are saving lives in a way, because it is. And I'll tell you this real quick because everybody, you know, like, they would say, you know. Or I would say this rather about actors in general, like, or entertainment or movies. Like, in general. We're not really, like, we're not out there on the front lines. We're not over there serving. We're not in hospital room emergency rooms saving lives. Hands on. But Baywatch, back in the day, this is before Internet and everything. So we would get letters from around. I probably saw in my time, like, eight letters where Like Greg Boniam would say, come in here in the production office. We were down off Jefferson Boulevard and he's like, read this. And I'd read it, I'd be almost crying. Like, he's like an Italian family and their nine year old son pulled their seven year old son who had drowned already. He was like face down in the pool. But because he had watched Baywatch not even understanding anything in the. Even though it was dubbed, but just watching like the show over and over and seeing us do cpr. He did CPR and his younger brother and brought him back to life. And like, and that is no joke. You could ask anyone that story legit. And there was a, like, I think that probably eight, my four year period where I saw like, I was like, wow, we kind of are saving lives.

Danielle Fishel (57:29)

Yeah, exactly.

David Chokachi (57:31)

But it's more like to have that kind of, you know, in lifeguarding in general. I think it's an underrated thing. Just watching my daughter, like her growth in terms of like, she used to be afraid of big waves. I love going out when it's big and having that fear like where it's like, okay, this is like, you know, super respectful of the ocean. But I love the challenge. Yeah, she wouldn't go. And after like being in that program for she's entering her sixth or seventh year now, she's like, dad, come on, let's go. There's gonna be bombs. Let's pedal up further and get a bomb. I'm like, yes, thank you. It's just, you know, it's a great, healthy community, lifeguarding in general. And kids don't have options for jobs. And I see all these kids, I'm like, there's not a lot, like they can't really labor. They're too young to work. So they always, at the beginning of every season, junior lifeguards, they sit all the kids down and all the parents are behind them and they go, who here thinks you're going to stay in this? They call it the road to red, where red means you're actually, you passed the test and you're now an active lifeguard. Who here thinks she'll stay in this program all the way through and try out to become a lifeguard as a job, whether it's a side job or whatever. And so I'm like, with my daughter, I'm like, there's only a couple things in life. This is one you're gonna do. But. And so last year she, they asked the question and I'm behind her. She's got her back to me. She didn't put her hand up. And I was just drilling her with energy, like. And she's like, she's like. Puts her hand up like, okay, me now she's, now she's really into it. But it's, it's such a, it's amazing. I mean kids can work at age 16, you can work for the city as a lifeguard. You pass the test, you can make legitimate money. And then at age 18, you can take the county test and make it like there's like around like 80,000 bucks a year if you took every shift, let's say. Yeah. And then an extra ten grand per language that you know, gets added on. So no matter where she goes. And I think she wants to stay on the west coast for college. Like she could have a job. And it's such a great. Like I watch the lifeguards roll up. Like they don't start at 6am yeah. Roll in around nine maybe. I'm like checking my watch and they, you know, it's like. And nobody's in the water except the JG kids. So they're like, okay, they stretch, they go for a swim, they come back, they look at the water. Still nobody's. No, no, no. They go for a run, come back, they're eating their lunch. Okay. Some people in the water now sit in my chair. But like, it's, it's, it's an amazing job. Yeah.

Danielle Fishel (60:10)

Sounds like a good gig.

David Chokachi (60:12)

Yeah.

Danielle Fishel (60:12)

Over the last month we have been introduced to the cast and it's a very good looking bunch. Stephen Amell, Shay Mitchell, Brooks Nader and Livy Dunn. Making her acting debut, of course, you as the. For the first returning cast member. Is there another returning cast member you'd like to see make an appearance on the show?

David Chokachi (60:33)

I mean, you know, I wish honestly all of them come back and do it too. Especially even more like Jeremy because I don't know if you saw what he posted to. He said a great, like I was like, wow, man. He sent such a positive message to Stephen Amell. Like I don't know if Stephen responded but you know, he could have been so bitter about that like, that they didn't consider him. He's kind of the right age. He's a little bit young, but he's on a different. Like he's, he's doing so well in life and he's doing these wellness retreats for men. But all he did, he did this video, someone's videotaping him and he's like, I'm wishing You guys, the best of luck. And Steven, congratulations on playing a role. And all of you guys, I hope you really dominate, and I hope the show is a huge success. And I was like. So I wrote to him on that and I was like, man, you've really, like, you've ascended in a sense. Because that takes a lot to not be like. It was like, if someone came in and played me, Cody, be like, yeah, but I was Cody, like, why, why can't we just, like, adjust the story? But.

Will Friedle (61:34)

Right.

David Chokachi (61:35)

He didn't take that at all. And I was like, that's, that's a, that's a beautiful human being. That's someone who's happy in their own skin and their life. And I think, you know, I mean, whoever. I'd love to see. I don't know, I mean, who's still really acting is like, Pamela. Yeah. But she doesn't like to refer to. I know, right? If you've noticed the last 20 interviews, like, she, they're. They must have a pre interview and she says one thing. Do not ask me anything about Baylor. I'm walking up, guaranteed.

Danielle Fishel (62:09)

Right? Because they don't even ask ask because

David Chokachi (62:10)

they don't even ask anymore. And it's so, it's like, why?

Danielle Fishel (62:14)

Right?

David Chokachi (62:15)

Yeah. Like, she, I, I. I'm so happy for her and her success. I just don't understand people who aren't thankful of the job that launched them. Like, why would you not be just honoring, like, yeah. Not saying you have to run around town saying, I was on Baywatch, but, like, if it comes up. Yeah, that was my first job and I loved it at the time. It was like, like I was in Canada and got kind of, like, picked out of the crowd because they zoomed in on me on, like, the Jumbotron. Like, I don't understand that aspect. But again, I'm happy for her success. And, you know, yeah, I've always been very thankful to the show, and it's the reasons I went and met with the writers and Matt Nix, the showrunner, after I got the offer. And it was. I had a chance to actually say that. And he goes, that's one of the reasons you're sitting here right now, man. And he also did say, he goes, well, when they came up with the idea of bringing a legacy character back and the guy, the character, male or female, owns and runs the bar, but can also is an active lifeguard and jumps in when they need him, and he goes, the list was one person long. Yeah, they left it at that. I'm like, Okay, I got you. That's cool.

Danielle Fishel (63:31)

That is very cool. I want to talk to you about the incredible work you do with Wings of Rescue. How did you get connected with them?

David Chokachi (63:40)

It was actually during the Palisades fire. I've been an ambassador of sorts for Best friends in Animal Society since 2000. And we were out here, and I felt like, you know, I just felt helpless. Like, I felt like the city was burning and there's nothing we could do. And they said, hey, would you come help load dogs on our plane? Because we have to get them out of these shelters because there's gonna be a massive incoming of displaced dogs and cats. Yeah. Yes. Where? When? And so I went and on. That first day is the coolest thing. It was in Burbank. It was super hot. And I've been like. I've had this weird connection with dogs. Like, I can be on a dog's level within seconds. Like, I ever. I was little, and I just. I. I love being around dogs more than most human beings. I'm not saying you guys or, like. No, it's just the way it is. Most human beings. No, leave it at that. Anyway, so the guy, Rick Browdy, or Browd, it's B R O W D. I know. Anyway, he's the CEO of the company, and he fly. He's 70. 70 at the time. And he. He flies on and organizes. So the rescues drive up. You fly in and out of private airports, so they can drive right up on tarmac. Everybody carries out the dogs and the cats. You line them up because they're going to drop them usually in three different states along the east coast or Pacific Northwest where there's space. And he's like, I need one volunteer to come inside the cargo plane and, like, stack crates, because it's like three on top. Three or three on the bottom? Three on top. And you stack it and fill it because you don't want to leave one. One. One dog or cat left behind. Is that right?

Will Friedle (65:20)

Yeah.

David Chokachi (65:22)

And so I just went in there, I put my head down and just worked and worked. And I. Like, by the time I knew how to set the cargo netting, he was just. And I can. I don't know, just from. In life and construction, certain things, I just. I anticipate problems happening or things going, so I'm. I solve it before it happens. And he saw this in, like, one. In an hour and a half. And I was like, hey, man, thank you so much. Covered in sweat. I go to leave and I find out. He tell. He tells the story too. He's like, he goes to the people from Best Friends. He's like, who was that guy? Because I've been running wings Rescue for 12 or 13 years. I've never had a volunteer who worked so hard, like, never took a break, and also had like a real affinity. Like there was a real connection going on between him and the dog. He's like talking to every dog he loves and they're like, you know, that is. And he's like, no, that's the guy from Baywatch. Not that that even mattered, but he was just like, what? Yeah. So I ended up loading six more planes. I brought my daughter out to help on one of them. And then a month later he called me. He's like, you know, I just did the same thing. That's how I live. That's how it worked. And he's like, do you want to be a flight crew member for us? And I was like, 1000% and so cool. So I work my. Now I'm flight crew leader, which is really cool. It just means I can load fast and unload and it's a lot of. It's a lot of work. I give them a ton of credit because they don't even have a brick and mortar. And we're transporting large numbers of dogs and cats either out of active disaster zones or they're super at risk of euthanasia due to overcrowding. And also Wings and Rescue, when they go into like, say any disaster except the valet, they didn't have to, but they went into the disaster down in Texas with a girl, that unfortunate incident. And they were always flying in full. They had humanitarian aid, veterinarian aid, and then dog and food, like food for the dogs and cats. So they're coming in fully loaded, like handing off these supplies, pulling out all these pets so they don't have to euthanize because. So if you imagine LA during the Palisades fire, we were already overcrowded, so they're euthanizing at every shelter. Imagine adding 3,000 dogs and cats or more to that. Like.

Danielle Fishel (67:44)

Yeah.

David Chokachi (67:44)

So they fly non stop. And it's usually like 30 hours of no sleep pretty much because we fly at night a lot. But I love it. It's just so, you know, I fly home, they fly me home wherever we end up commercially. And I just put on my headphones because I don't want to hear one human being.

Danielle Fishel (68:03)

Gosh.

David Chokachi (68:04)

Just like every. What I witness. And it's. It's like such a personally, like, satisfying thing. I feel like I'm Making a difference in the world. And they're making a difference because they do it every week. So thank you for bringing that up. I really appreciate it.

Danielle Fishel (68:18)

That is so cool. David, we have so enjoyed having you here. Thank you so much for such a wonderful interview. We're so excited for the revival of Baywatch. And you can learn more about the great people of Wings of Red Rescue and donate to the cause right now. Wingsofrescue.org and we will be patiently waiting for the new Baywatch.

David Chokachi (68:38)

Awesome. And also, I do have to mention the Community Brigade, which is the fire brigade I actually am a member of. It's an organization started by this group. And, you know, it's. It's. We saw. We lost our home in the Woolsey fire, a rental home. I was here during Franklin and Palisades by myself. I had my family go to a safe place. But I wasn't in the brigade at the time, and I had applied. They only had one fire academy, and those guys were actively involved in the Palisades doing evacuations. Anyway, I finally got. It was a long process. Got in. And it's one of the best, like, things outside of Wings Rescue. Being able to, like, being of service is what I've learned, like, for all. For most human beings, like, I feel like it's like the greatest thing in the world. Like, yeah, you give and you don't even understand. Like, but. But there's an unconscious thing that starts happening to you where you feel so good about yourself in life when you start giving. And I like to be the guy who can, you know, run towards things that go wrong and help. And being a part of this Brigade, it's like 94 strong. And, you know, it's an ongoing. We went through this whole academy and got to graduate, so I had to get a plug in for them because it's such a cool group. It's. It's unbelievable. And they're super important to the this community, especially surviving any future, you know, disasters. So thank you. I hope that makes it in there. Yes, of course.

Danielle Fishel (70:07)

Thank you so much for being with us. It was a pleasure to talk to you.

David Chokachi (70:09)

Stay here. Have a great day. Bye.

Danielle Fishel (70:12)

Wow, he is. He is so athletic.

Will Friedle (70:16)

Yeah, it's a little intimidating. If I had a dime for every time someone said to me, come on, Will, Pam or Yasmine.

Danielle Fishel (70:24)

I know, I know. It's true.

Will Friedle (70:26)

A trillionaire.

Danielle Fishel (70:27)

I know, Exactly. I know. He really. He also then moved on to Carmen Electra, A real charity.

Will Friedle (70:32)

I know.

David Chokachi (70:32)

Well, hey, we've all been there all been there.

Danielle Fishel (70:35)

Thank you all for joining us for this episode of Pod Meets World. As always, you can follow us on Instagram Pod Meets World show. You can send us your emails podmeatsworldshowmail.com and we've got Merchants Merch Slow Mo

Will Friedle (70:51)

Run Slow Mo Run. Thank you.

Danielle Fishel (70:53)

Pod meets WorldShow.com we love you all. Pod Dismissed Pod Meets World is an iHeart podcast produced and hosted by Danielle Fischl, Will Friedle and Ryder Strong, executive producers Jensen Karp and Amy Sugarman, Executive in charge of production Danielle Romo, Producer and Editor Tara Subaksh, producer Matty Moore, engineer and Boy Meets World superfan Easton Allen. Our theme song is by Kyle Morton of Typhoon. Follow us on Instagram odmeatsworld show or email us at podmeatsworldshowmail.com as cat parents, Ryder and I know the feeling of being ignored by our cats. I often wonder, does my cat even love me?

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David Chokachi (71:34)

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David Chokachi (73:52)

Oh, hear that? That's the Spam brand singing you a love song. Spam Sizzle, pork and mmm.

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