October 11, 1998 (1998-10-11) – May 20, 2000 (2000-05-20)
Malibu, CA is an American teen sitcom produced by Peter Engel that aired from October 11, 1998, to May 20, 2000, in syndication.[1] Co-created by Engel and Carl Kurlander, the show centred on the lives of twin brothers Scott (Trevor Merszei) and Jason Collins (Jason Hayes), who move to Malibu, California, from New York City to live with their father, Peter (Edward Blatchford).[2]
The series was one of two post–Saved by the Bell: The College Years programs executively produced by Peter Engel that did not air on NBC's TNBC lineup, USA High being the other. Prior to the 2012 premiere of The First Family, Malibu, CA was the last situation comedy to be broadcast in the United States for the first-run syndication market.
Characters
Scott Collins (Trevor Merszei) – Scott moves to Malibu from New York City with his twin brother Jason after their mother takes a job in Saudi Arabia, forcing them to live with their father. Scott is a competitive swimmer and dreams of being a sports broadcaster. Just like his twin brother, he is also girl hungry. In the first season, Scott and Jason often break the fourth wall to address the audience.
Jason Collins (Jason Hayes) – Jason is Scott's twin brother who moves out to Malibu with him from New York City. Jason's main interest is girls, and he tries to get a date whenever possible, even if it means hurting other people along the way. He harbors dreams of being a world-famous guitarist and songwriter.
Peter Collins (Edward Blatchford) – Scott and Jason's father and the owner of The Lighthouse, a restaurant in Malibu. He is more laid-back than the boys' mother and is always there for them, but will not tolerate misbehavior.
Murray Updyke (Brandon Brooks) – The unacknowledged son of a wealthy oil baron, Murray is an off-beat surfer who runs The Surf Shack, a beachfront establishment where surfers can rent boards and other paraphernalia that Peter later buys. Though a bit of an idiot savant. Murray is a true friend.
Jennifer "Stads" Stadler (Wendi Kenya; Season 1, and select episodes of Season 2) – Stads is a blonde, athletic, tomboyishlifeguard at the beach. She is insulted when people think she is a bimbo and is hot-tempered when dealing with people who call her one. Initially smitten with Scott, she ends up with Jason. Their relationship is fraught with constant fighting because Stads usually beats Jason at everything, and they eventually break up after Jason kisses Stads' best friend Samantha during a storm. They reconcile, but Stads takes a job in Europe and breaks up with Jason again after she learns he is seeing someone else.
Samantha "Sam" Chapman (Gina Marie May; Season 1 only) – An attractive brunette who is Stads' best friend and the next-door neighbor of Scott, Jason, and Peter. Scott and Jason initially vie for her affections, but Scott wins out and Jason begins a relationship with Stads. When Scott's ex-girlfriend Megan comes to town, he has an affair with her, causing Samantha to break up with him. Samantha is an environmentalactivist who protests drilling for oil at the beach and the construction of condominia which threaten the existence of The Surf Shack, run by her childhood friend Murray. She also briefly tries her hand at modeling and almost leaves for Paris with a photographer of dubious moral character before Scott convinces her to change her mind. Samantha later moves back to the East Coast to attend college.
Traycee Banks (Priscilla Lee Taylor; recurring character in Season 1, promoted to main cast in Season 2) – A gorgeous blonde who is a stereotypical bimbo. Traycee owns an enormous amount of swimwear, loves the colour pink, and is an actress. She initially lives in her own place but moves into an apartment with Lisa, which she names Casa de Fun Fun. She gets a job working as Dr. Sheila Lowenstein on the soap operaMalibu Hospital, but after the show is cancelled she decides to go to medical school. Like Murray, Traycee is not very bright and sometimes annoying, but she is a good friend. Her beauty often attracts many men to her, which her friends sometimes use to their advantage.
Lisa Jones (Marquita Terry; Season 2 only) – Lisa is a medical student who later becomes a doctor at a hospital. She has a tendency to be bossy and short-tempered, especially around her roommate Traycee, and has a habit of taking endlessly when she is nervous. She once forces Traycee to leave the apartment after an argument, but after her crazy-professional wrestling-fan new roommate scares her, she patches things up with Traycee and moves back in with her, with help from her friends. She eventually forms a relationship with Scott.
Alexandra "Alex" Kaufman (Suzanne Davis; Season 2 only) – A lifeguard who comes to town after Stads' departure. Alex loves Malibu and hanging out with her friends. She becomes fond of Murray and even tries her hand at a singing career.
Fraternal twins Scott and Jason Collins move from New York City to Malibu to be with their father Peter, who runs a restaurant there called the Lighthouse. Both boys are immediately attracted to their neighbor Samantha and just as quickly start competing for her attention.
2
2
"Surf Sale"
Gary Shimokawa
Eddie Ring & Mark Lavine
October 18, 1998 (1998-10-18)
70003
Condo developers plan to get rid of The Surf Shack, Murray's favourite place. For a time, it looks like The Surf Shack has a date with the bulldozer, but then Peter steps in to save the day.
3
3
"Miss Malibu"
Gary Shimokawa
Renee Palyo
October 25, 1998 (1998-10-25)
70002
While caring for their father's tropical fish while he is away, Jason and Scott find one of them, Peter's favorite "Goldie," dead. To raise the money to replace the expensive fish, the brothers hold a Miss Malibu contest and fix it so that Samantha will be the winner.
4
4
"The Classic Car"
Gary Shimokawa
Carl Kurlander
November 1, 1998 (1998-11-01)
70004
Scott is restoring a 1965 Ford Mustang and Samantha is spending a lot of time helping him with it, causing concern for Jason and Stads. To stop Scott and Sam from going to a car show in Santa Barbara, Stads and Jason make it look like the Mustang was stolen.
5
5
"Photo Shoot"
Gary Shimokawa
Ross Abrash
November 8, 1998 (1998-11-08)
70006
Fashion photographer Devon chooses Samantha for a photo shoot, but Jason believes he is just hitting on her and tells Scott to intervene.
6
6
"My Hero"
Gary Shimokawa
Bob Underwood
November 15, 1998 (1998-11-15)
70005
Jason and Stads are dating, but Jason is embarrassed by Stads always outdoing him in athletics. A robbery is attempted at the Lighthouse while the couple are there. The lights go out and Stads knocks out the robber. When the confusion settles down, Stads gives Jason credit for subduing the thief.
7
7
"Scott's Old Girlfriend"
Gary Shimokawa
Brett Dewey
November 22, 1998 (1998-11-22)
70007
Megan, Scott's ex-girlfriend from New York, visits Malibu, causing a strain in his relationship with Samantha.
8
8
"Two 'Man' Bowling"
Gary Shimokawa
Eddie Ring & Mark Lavine
November 29, 1998 (1998-11-29)
70010
Jason and Scott enter a bowling tournament against the reigning Malibu Lanes champ Louie.
9
9
"Murray Wear"
Gary Shimokawa
Brett Dewey
December 6, 1998 (1998-12-06)
70012
Scott and Jason are desperate to make some money after botching supply orders at the restaurant. To do this, they put their own home shopping show on the local public-access television channel.
10
10
"The Costume Party"
Gary Shimokawa
Bob Underwood
December 13, 1998 (1998-12-13)
70009
Jason is jealous of Stads' hunky lifeguard partner Kip. Scott advises him to flirt with Traycee to make Stads jealous, and Samantha advises Stads to do likewise with Kip. Jason and Stads argue while shopping for costumes for a party, and the two break up.
11
11
"Malibu Holiday"
Gary Shimokawa
Ross Abrash
December 20, 1998 (1998-12-20)
70008
Scott recognizes actress Jessie Sinclair at The Lighthouse, but he agrees to keep the news quiet.
12
12
"The Big Storm"
Gary Shimokawa
Renee Palyo
January 10, 1999 (1999-01-10)
70014
Jason and Stads have a big fight over his gift to her, tickets to a concert that he is anxious to go to. Samantha advises Jason to buy another gift for Stads and the two of them set out for Beverly Hills to buy a necklace. On the way a big storm rolls in, causing a mudslide.
13
13
"Mom Returns"
Gary Shimokawa
Brett Dewey
January 17, 1999 (1999-01-17)
70011
Jason and Scott worry that they will have to move back to New York when their mother visits.
14
14
"Murray for Mayor"
Gary Shimokawa
Story by : Eddie Ring & Mark Lavine Teleplay by : Carl Kurlander & Bob Underwood
January 24, 1999 (1999-01-24)
70013
Murray decides to run for mayor of Malibu to save a 500-year-old tree stump slated for removal in order to build a road to a hospital. His opponent, Dennis Haskins (the actor who played Mr. Belding on Saved by the Bell), is determined to catch Jason and Scott, who have been illegally using campaign funds.
15
15
"Love on the 'Net"
Gary Shimokawa
Bob Underwood & Ross Abrash
January 31, 1999 (1999-01-31)
70015
After his breakup with Stads, Jason is striking out with women while Scott is having great success with girls he is meeting on the Internet. Later Jason finds his brother's latest internet girl; Jocelyn (Daniella Deutscher) and pretends to be Scott in order to date her, as well as fooling his brother by changing her picture. Meanwhile Traycee is training with Stads to become a lifeguard in order to appear on Baywatch.
16
16
"Mrs. Murray"
Gary Shimokawa
Story by : Renee Palyo & Ross Abrash Teleplay by : Rob Hammersley
February 7, 1999 (1999-02-07)
70017
Murray is attracted to a sunbather on the beach named Amber. To help him out, Jason lets her know that Murray is a trust-fund baby, and Amber all of a sudden is wild about Murray.
17
17
"The Game Show"
Gary Shimokawa
Renee Palyo & Ross Abrash
February 14, 1999 (1999-02-14)
70018
Peter promotes Scott to a position over Jason at the restaurant. In their sibling rivalry, the boys make a $200 bet over who is the better ladies' man. To do this they appear on Traycee's new cable show which is similar to The Dating Game.
18
18
"The Dude of Love"
Gary Shimokawa
Renee Palyo & Ross Abrash
February 21, 1999 (1999-02-21)
70019
Jason likes a girl he meets on the beach named Holly (Kristen Miller), but she has a boyfriend.
19
19
"Jason's New Job"
Gary Shimokawa
Story by : Tony Soltis Teleplay by : Renee Palyo & Carl Kurlander
February 28, 1999 (1999-02-28)
70021
Jason is hurt and offended when his father snaps at him at work, and takes a new job at a health club. However, when Peter's new hire robs his restaurant, a familiar face comes to the rescue.
20
20
"The Older Woman"
Gary Shimokawa
Carl Kurlander & Ross Abrash
April 11, 1999 (1999-04-11)
70024
Laura, a graphic designer, is hired to design new menus for The Lighthouse, and the boys notice that their father has more than a professional interest in her.
21
21
"Scott's Secret Dream"
Gary Shimokawa
Story by : Scott Yaffe Teleplay by : Tony Soltis
April 18, 1999 (1999-04-18)
70023
Stads is interning at a local TV station and everyone else seems to want to get in on the act. Traycee tries out for weather girl, Jason enters the jingle-writing contest, and Scott wants to be a sports commentator.
22
22
"Mom's Gift"
Gary Shimokawa
Renee Palyo
April 25, 1999 (1999-04-25)
70026
The boys have forgotten to buy their mother a birthday present, so they decide to make her a videotape all about their lives in Malibu.
23
23
"The New Cook"
Gary Shimokawa
Eddie Ring & Mark Lavine
May 2, 1999 (1999-05-02)
70016
Peter gives Jason and Scott the responsibility of hiring a new cook while he is away, and they choose a beautiful, statuesque blonde (Victoria Silvstedt) – whose cooking is awful.
24
24
"Uncle Charlie"
Gary Shimokawa
Tony Soltis
May 9, 1999 (1999-05-09)
70020
The boys' favourite uncle, Charlie (Dick Butkus), is coming to visit, but he is not as happy about it as they are.
25
25
"The Yacht"
Gary Shimokawa
Story by : Ross Abrash Teleplay by : Renee Palyo & Carl Kurlander
May 16, 1999 (1999-05-16)
70022
Scott and Jason accidentally destroy their father's $2000 watch. To raise money to replace it, they convince Murray to hold a "Casino Night" on his father's yacht while he is out of town.
26
26
"The Triathlon"
Gary Shimokawa
Ross Abrash & Carl Kurlander
May 23, 1999 (1999-05-23)
70025
Jason gets jealous when Stads and Scott spend time together for an upcoming triathlon. Meanwhile, after an accident in The Lighthouse, Traycee decides to sue Peter, but then later marries him.
Note: This is Gina Marie May's last appearance on the show as Samantha Chapman.
Medical student Lisa Jones insults Jason and Scott.
Note: Priscilla Taylor (Traycee Banks) is added to the main cast and appears in the show's opening credits. It is also the first appearance of Marquita Terry as Lisa Jones.
28
2
"Jason's Song"
Gary Shimokawa
Tony Soltis
October 16, 1999 (1999-10-16)
70052
Jesse, a member of Peter's 1970s band the Disco Dudes, shows up at the Lighthouse.
29
3
"Aloha"
Gary Shimokawa
Mark Gordon
October 23, 1999 (1999-10-23)
70053
The Lighthouse is losing business to another restaurant, the Aloha. Meanwhile, Traycee decides to have a new look to get a proper date.
30
4
"Chasing Stads"
Gary Shimokawa
Brett Dewey
October 30, 1999 (1999-10-30)
70054
Stads experiences too much bad luck so she decides to leave Malibu.
Note: This is Wendi Kenya's last appearance on the show as Stads, though her character is mentioned in one subsequent episode.
31
5
"Off the Deep End"
Gary Shimokawa
Renee Palyo
November 6, 1999 (1999-11-06)
70055
Peter has been ignoring Scott's swim meets and now only three are left before the Olympic trials. Fearing that he's doing the same thing to Scott now that he did to him when he was younger, Mr. Collins now tries to get as involved as possible.
Note: This is Suzanne Davis' first appearance on the show as Alex Kaufman.
32
6
"Dancing Fools"
Gary Shimokawa
Brett Dewey
November 13, 1999 (1999-11-13)
70056
Lisa receives a gift (a human skeleton!) from a secret admirer. Scott finds out that Murray is the one who sent it to her. Lisa needs an additional $1800 for tuition. Jason tells her about the swing dance contest at the Malibu Country Club with a prize of $2000. When she finds out Murray and family are all members, she gets him to be her partner for the contest.
33
7
"The Long Goodbye"
Gary Shimokawa
Carl Kurlander
November 20, 1999 (1999-11-20)
70057
After a successful audition before Alex's uncle the producer, Jason gets the go-ahead to make a demo recording. He's surprised to see that the producer sent to work with him is a woman: a young, attractive one.
34
8
"Guess Who's Coming to Malibu"
Gary Shimokawa
Mark Gordon
November 27, 1999 (1999-11-27)
70058(?)
Peter is thrilled to be named businessman of the year by the Malibu Business Association. Murray is excited that his favorite actor Josh Denmark (Josh Holland) is in Malibu shooting a film.
35
9
"Starstruck"
Gary Shimokawa
Tony Soltis
December 4, 1999 (1999-12-04)
70059
Jason has been having a great time with Alex and he admits to Murray that he'd like to date her. However, his film star friend Josh Denmark tells him that he too would like to date Alex.
36
10
"The Comeback"
Gary Shimokawa
Leslie Eberhard
December 11, 1999 (1999-12-11)
70060
Scott is excited about working with a new therapist, Ted from California University, and he believes against all odds that he will be in shape for the Olympic swim team trials. Trying to rush along his rehabilitation, he persuades Ted to let him get back in the water. Scott says he feels great and his comeback is progressing very rapidly, but he's been taking medication to ease the pain his shoulder is causing him
37
11
"The Best Man"
Gary Shimokawa
Brett Dewey & Tony Solits
January 15, 2000 (2000-01-15)
70061
While trying to avoid hurting Murray's feelings, Scott and Lisa kiss.
38
12
"Jason's Deal"
Gary Shimokawa
Noah Taft
January 22, 2000 (2000-01-22)
70062
Jason is on cloud nine when the news comes that his CD will be released and he's even happier when Steve Lansing from the record company gives him a $20,000 advance. He starts spending the money lavishly, which concerns his father Peter and brother Scott, especially when he leaves them out of certain events.
39
13
"Lisa's Ex"
Gary Shimokawa
Troy Searer & Tony Solits
January 29, 2000 (2000-01-29)
70063
Lisa is caught in a triangle between current boyfriend Scott and her basketball player ex-boyfriend.
40
14
"Retiring Dad"
Gary Shimokawa
Tony Soltis & Troy Searer
February 5, 2000 (2000-02-05)
TBA
The boys run the restaurant when Peter decides to retire.
41
15
"Goin' Up in Smoke"
Gary Shimokawa
Renee Palyo & Ross Abrash
February 12, 2000 (2000-02-12)
70064
Scott, Peter and visiting Uncle Charlie learn that Jason is smoking again.
42
16
"Movin' on Out"
Gary Shimokawa
Brett Dewey
February 19, 2000 (2000-02-19)
TBA
Traycee is driving Lisa crazy as a room-mate. Traycee's late-night parties make it hard for her to study, she doesn't remember to give Lisa her phone messages, and she interrupts Scott and Lisa when they are alone. Frustrated, Lisa types up a list of house rules for Traycee to follow, which leads to a big blow-up between the room-mates and Traycee says she'll move out. After another far worse room-mate takes Traycee's place, Lisa realises that Traycee isn't such a bad room-mate after all.
43
17
"The New York Girl"
Gary Shimokawa
Troy Searer
February 26, 2000 (2000-02-26)
TBA
Peter wants his son Jason to take out his friend's daughter Maggie Taylor (Marissa Dyan) while she's in town from New York. Jason is reluctant, since he remembers her as a geek. Scott remembers how Jason stood her up for the freshman prom back when they lived in New York. Jason bribes Murray into going out with Maggie in his place, but he changes his mind when she shows up and looks quite attractive.
44
18
"Educating Lisa"
Gary Shimokawa
Renee Palyo & Ross Abrash
March 4, 2000 (2000-03-04)
TBA
Scott and Lisa are in the same creative writing class together and she is flabbergasted when their instructor Ms. Grant gives Scott an A on an assignment she received a C on. As time goes on, Lisa suspects that Ms. Grant is attracted to Scott, which he considers ridiculous until he discovers the real reason why Ms. Grant keeps giving him good grades.
45
19
"Wonderful Life"
Gary Shimokawa
Brett Dewey & Troy Searer
April 1, 2000 (2000-04-01)
TBA
Lisa is fed up after an argument with her friends and goes outside. Her guardian angel, in the form of Traycee who is trying to get new wings, tries to persuade her that her life isn't as miserable as she thinks.
46
20
"The Interview"
Gary Shimokawa
Leslie Eberhard
April 8, 2000 (2000-04-08)
TBA
Lisa is extremely nervous about her interview with a professional doctor which makes her snappy and irritating, so Scott and Traycee play a joke on her to show her how silly she is, but it all backfires.
47
21
"Parent Trap"
Gary Shimokawa
Jeffrey Sachs
April 15, 2000 (2000-04-15)
TBA
Peter is not happy when a surprise birthday party reminds him of his age. Murray gives him some bungee-jumping tickets and he decides to do it, hoping to feel younger, but the next day at the Lighthouse he regrets it. Traycee tells Scott and Jason that their dad may be having a mid-life crisis and suggests he meet her mother Candee, a former supermodel who's in town, who maybe can provide some companionship.
48
22
"Dr. Freeze"
Gary Shimokawa
Carl Kurlander
April 22, 2000 (2000-04-22)
TBA
Lisa is worried about her medical abilities when she faints while helping an injured Scott.
49
23
"The House Guest"
Gary Shimokawa
Carl Kurlander & Renee Palyo
April 29, 2000 (2000-04-29)
TBA
Jason and Scott offer to house-sit for Murray while he's away at a surfer's convention. Meanwhile, Traycee makes the mistake of letting Alex be her new personal assistant.
50
24
"Scott a Go-Go"
Gary Shimokawa
Tony Soltis
May 6, 2000 (2000-05-06)
TBA
Scott gets a job as a male dancer, while Jason and Peter use Traycee's dreams to gamble.
51
25
"Big Daddy"
Gary Shimokawa
Jay Demopoulous
May 13, 2000 (2000-05-13)
TBA
Jason becomes a big brother to a boy. Scott, Peter and Murray think Alex's new boyfriend (Scott Whyte) is a car thief.
52
26
"Three Dudes and a Baby"
Gary Shimokawa
Carl Kurlander & Renee Palyo
May 20, 2000 (2000-05-20)
TBA
Jason, Peter and Murray look after the baby daughter of their friend Stacy (Kristen Miller). Lisa's sister comes to visit and Traycee's TV show gets cancelled.
Stations
The series was cleared 88% of the country, and was scheduled to air in 150 markets.[4]
^Cynthia Littleton (December 10, 1997). "Tribune, NBC ready 'Malibu'". Variety. Retrieved 2016-05-25. Tribune Entertainment has struck a deal with NBC Enterprises and Peter Engel Prods. to launch a new syndie weekly series, 'Malibu, CA,' next fall.