Missing Zack, Kelly, Slater, Jessie, Lisa, and Screech? Grab your instruments and get ready to play a fantastic Zack Attack cover song because all 86 episodes of the coming-of-age ‘90s sitcomSaved by the Bellare streaming for free this month onTubi.
Defining a generation,Saved by the Bellis hilarious and sweet, but also touches on serious topics, like drug use, women’s rights, and death. Many cast members went on to achieve more fame and continue to act to this day. Mark-Paul Gosselaar most recently starred in the seriesFound; Tiffani-Amber Thiessen had a major role inBeverly Hills, 90210; Mario Lopez has hosted shows likeAccess HollywoodandThe X Factor; and Elizabeth Berkley secured a cameo role in the final season ofCobra Kai. But there’s no doubt that no matter what any of the actors do, they will always be defined by their roles in this iconic teen sitcom. And reliving the best episodes, or heck, the entire series, is better than a plate of burgers and fries at The Max.
A Walk Down Bayside High Memory Lane
Bayside High was the setting forSaved by the Bell, which followed the Disney Channel seriesGood Morning, Miss Bliss. The series aired on NBC for four seasons from 1989 through 1993, for a total of 86 episodes running 22–24 minutes long. It centers around a group of unlikely friends, including the troublemaking Zack Morris (Gosselaar), the popular cheerleader Kelly Kapowski (Thiessen), the jock A.C. Slater (Lopez), the uptight, feminist bookworm Jessie Spano (Berkley), the materialistic rich girl Lisa Turtle (Lark Voorhies), and the awkward nerd Samuel “Screech” Powers (Dustin Diamond).
The show followed their antics as they dealt with everyday school life, as well as after-school mischief. It was anhonest look at high schoollife and the typical trials and tribulations of kids, from dealing with homework to dating, changing friend dynamics, love triangles, and not fitting in.
The characters were endearing, including Dennis Haskins as the often annoyed yet fair principal, Mr. Richard Belding, and Ed Alonzo as the magician and diner owner Max. Throughout its run,Saved by the Bellwelcomed plenty of guest stars as well, through both the original series and its many spin-offs, includingSaved by the Bell: The College YearsandSaved by the Bell: The New Class. Some original cast members even reprised their roles for the short-lived Peacock rebootSaved by the Bell. Some notable stars in the original, beyond the main cast, included Leanna Creel as Tori Scott, Leah Remini as Stacey Carosi, and Soleil Moon Frye as Robin.
The show was relatable to kids growing up in that era, yet it remains relatable today with the same core issues kids encounter in high school. That is, minus today’s technological advancements like the internet, cell phones, and social media, of course. However, Zack did have that monster-sized wireless phone in his room.
Fans loved the heartthrobs and poster girls, every teenager at the time declaring their love for at least one character on the show. The main protagonist was Zack, who could deliver a “time out” in each episode, after which everything going on around him would freeze so he could talk to viewers at home about the situation he had gotten himself into, yet again.
Memorable ‘Saved by the Bell’ Episodes Worth Rewatching
If you don’t have time to rewatch the entire series,Saved by the Bellhas many memorable episodes that are worth revisiting. For some, they’re great for adults to watch with their kids or grandkids, delivering important lessons about life and growing up.
The most talked about episode to this day, andthe top-rated one, is Season 2, Episode 9, “Jessie’s Song,” when Jessie feels so much pressure to keep up with her schoolwork and singing group that she decides to take caffeine pills. Zack finds her completely erratic and does his best to calm her down and help. The performances were incredibly moving, and the episode remains relevant today, relating to students taking similar medications to try to keep up with schoolwork.
Other episodes fromthe best seasonsare much simpler, about problems that seem ridiculous to most but can be massive for a teenager dealing with so many changes in their life and figuring out their identities. One episode, for example, centers around Kelly’s panic when she gets a pimple right after being named homecoming queen. In another, Zack and Slater participate in a prank war with a rival school.
The episodes also highlight the silliness of being a teenager, like Zack and Slater’s constant competing for Kelly’s affections, or the time the gang held a fundraising party to raise money to replace Screech’s mother’s statue, which they accidentally broke. There’s also positive messaging, like when Jessie learns not to be self-conscious about being taller than most of the guys, or when Slater overcomes his fear of needles when he has to get the flu shot at school. Viewers got to watch the kids grow up, going through high school, then become adults in the spin-off series. When seeing them today in any projects, it’s tough not to remember them in the original roles that made them famous.
What Fans Have To Say About ‘Saved by the Bell’
The Series Still Holds Up
Saved by the Bellis often found on lists of the best and most influential teen sitcoms ever made. While the show does not have a critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, the average audience aggregate score, now called a Popcornmeter, isa respectable 61%.Rankercalls the show a “timeless classic” and a “delightful snapshot of high school life in the ‘90s through its vivid storytelling and memorable characters,” ranking it fifth on the list of the best teen sitcoms.
OnIMDb, the series has a 7.1/10 rating, withreviewers calling it“one of the best shows that ever aired on Saturday mornings.” While some admit that storylines were too far out there and the acting was even bad at times, it doesn’t matter. “I think the reason I love this show still is because of its innocence,” writes one reviewer.
When all is said and done,Saved by the Bellis one of those iconic teen sitcoms that Gen-Xer adults who watched back in the ‘90s can rewatch todayfor the nostalgia. A younger audience may appreciate it too, for a look at a simpler high school life without technology, but with the same overarching challenges about fitting in and finding oneself.StreamSaved by the Bellfor free onTubi.
