Consider this a love letter to one of my favorite 90s sitcoms. Saved by the Bell played a significant role in my childhood. To this day, it’s still one of my favorite TV shows. I fondly remember coming home from school and waking up on Saturday mornings to park in front of my TV to hear that iconic theme song to begin….
“When I wake up in the morning, And the alarm gives out a warning. And I don’t think I ever make it on time. By the time I grab my books. And I give myself a look. I’m at the corner just in time to see the bus fly by. It’s alright ’cause I’m saved by the bell….”
It was now time to see what crazy schemes Zack and his friends were up to. When I look back, here are the things that I loved about this show:
The Relatable Characters: From Zack Morris, the charming troublemaker, to Jessie Spano, the overachiever, each character embodied archetypes that resonated with viewers, making them feel a genuine connection to the cast.
Balancing Humor and Heart: One of the show’s strengths was its ability to blend humor with heartfelt moments. While tackling serious issues relevant to teenagers, the show maintained a lighthearted and comedic tone.
Clever Storytelling and Humor: The show’s clever storytelling, often driven by Zack Morris’s mischievous schemes and the inevitable schemes gone wrong revealed a relatable vulnerability that appealed to audiences far and wide. He’s probably the reason I’m so attracted to blonde guys! The humor was witty and approachable. It was enjoyable to grow up with these characters and see their personal and emotional development not only during their high school career but well into their college years as well.
Navigating Teen Issues: “Saved by the Bell” addressed the challenges of adolescence, from dating and friendship struggles to academic pressures. By addressing common issues, the show became a relatable guide for its teenage audience, providing a mirror to their own experiences and dilemmas. Life was so hard when we were teenagers, remember?
Iconic Catchphrases and Moments: The show gave rise to numerous iconic catchphrases and unforgettable moments. Whether it’s Zack’s “Time out!” or Jessie’s emotional breakdown – “I’m so excited! I’m so excited! I’m so scared!” these memorable quotes contributed to the show’s cultural impact and made it easily recognizable in popular culture.
Strong Ensemble Cast: The chemistry among the cast members was so good. We were all rooting for Zack and Kelly to be endgame. Who doesn’t love an on-again, off-again relationship that ultimately ends in a series finale where the two lovebirds run off to Las Vegas to wed? Fans also enjoyed the opposites-attract relationship between Jessie and Slater. As for Screech and Lisa Turtle, well – it’s a little cringe now to see how hard he pursued her when she was not interested in a relationship with him but it did provide some humorous moments. (Ex: The Mamas and the Papas episode where Lisa becomes allergic to Screech)
And this show wasn’t only about romantic relationships, fans also enjoyed friendships including the bromance between Zack and Slater, and the girl squad that formed the legendary pop group, Hot Sundae.
Fashion and Trends: “Saved by the Bell” was a style guide for the ’90s. The fashion choices, characterized by neon colors, scrunchies, and oversized blazers, became iconic and reflective of the trends of the time.
The catchy theme song, the witty one-liners, and the invaluable life lessons learned at Bayside High continue to evoke a profound sense of joy and nostalgia for 80s/90s kids. It’s not just a show; it’s a cherished memory, forever holding a special place in the hearts of those who grew up with it. And the cast will always remain our, “friends forever.”
What Happened to the Saved By The Bell Cast – Where Are They Now?
Zack Morris (Mark-Paul Gosselaar – Mark most recently appeared on a new series called Found where he plays a Ted Bundy-inspired kidnapper. Highly recommend!)
Kelly Kapowski (Tiffani Thiessen – Tiffani reinvented herself and is now a foodie TV star. She has recently published a cookbook and shares her family’s favorite recipes on her website.)
A.C. Slater (Mario Lopez – Mario is currently an entertainment TV news host for Extra. He is also dabbling in game show hosting duties this year for ‘Blank Slate’ on the Game Show Network.)
Jessie Spano (Elizabeth Berkley – Elizabeth is a bestselling author and teen girl self-esteem builder. She played a significant role in the Saved by the Bell revival on Peacock, reprising her role as Jessie Spano.)
Lisa Turtle (Lark Vorhees – Lark seemed to shy away from the spotlight after the series ended. Her personal life has been a bit tumultuous at times. However, she still attends fan expos to do autographs and take photos with fans.
Screech (Dustin Diamond – Dustin also had a rather tumultuous personal life after the series ended. He was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer and succumbed to the disease in February 2021.)
