“Saved by the Bell” is actually a spin-off of another show, “Good Morning, Miss Bliss,” which followed Zach, Lisa, and Screech while they were in junior high. That show was set in Indiana, but when they moved to high school along with Mr. Belding, the setting inexplicably shifted to California. The continuity is completely fucked. In syndication, “Miss Bliss” was called “Saved by the Bell: The Junior Years” and each episode was introduced by one of Zack’s dream sequences. Miss Bliss, by the by, was played by Hayley Mills, who played the twins in the original 1961 Parent Trap.
“Good Morning, Miss Bliss” aired on the Disney Channel. After it was cancelled, NBC picked up the rights to “Saved by the Bell,” although its original working title was “When the Bell Rings.”
Jennie Garth, Jaleel White, Jonathan Brandis, and Brian Austin Green all auditioned for the show. In fact, the latter three had roles in the pilot episode of “Good Morning, Miss Bliss.” Zack, Lisa, and Screech, however, were not in the pilot, but they would star in the show and subsequently “Saved by the Bell.”
During the last year of the series, 1993, NBC doubled the order of episodes, but Tiffani Thiessen and Elizabeth Berkley did not sign on. Instead, a character — Tori Scott (Leanna Creel) — was added to replace them. However, the graduation episode was filmed before Thiessen and Berkley left the show. When the graduation finale aired, suddenly Thiessen and Berkley were back and no explanation was provided for the absence of Scott.
Tori Scott was named after Tori Spelling, who would make three appearances on the show. Leanna Creel, who played Tori Scott, looked like this on the show:
Now she looks like this:
Creel, a lesbian, married her partner in a legalized same-sex ceremony in California in 2008.
“Saved by the Bell” has aired on TBS nonstop since 1992.
John Moschitta taught a history class in one episode, and gave lessons in speed talking. John Moschitta is best known from the Micro Machine commercials.
Notable actresses who appeared in the series included: Tori Spelling; Soleil Moon Frye, also known as TV’s Punky Brewster; Denise Richards, and Leah Remini, who appeared in six episodes known as the Malibu Sands Era. Scott Wolf also appeared in an episode.
The school that “Saved by the Bell” took place in has since been used in the Disney series, “That’s So Raven” and Nickelodeon’s “iCarly.”
Lisa Turtle, the character played by Lark Voorhies, was originally written as a white, Jewish princess from Long Island.
During three years of the show’s run, Lark Voorhies (Lisa) was Mark-Paul Gosselaar’s (Zack) real-life girlfriend. Gosselaar also dated Berkley and Thiessen.
Dustin Diamond (Screech) is the only actor to appear as a regular in all “Saved by the Bell” episodes, spin-offs and movies.
Elizabeth Berkley’s real name is Nehama Pnina. She has a literature degree from UCLA. Her best friend is Jennifer Beals. In 2000, Berkley was involved in a $45 million lawsuit in which a screenwriter, Roger Wilson, sued Leonardo DiCaprio and his friends for allegedly assaulting him when Wilson attempted to defend Berkley from DiCaprio and his friends’ advances. Berkley — winner of two Razzie awards for “Showgirls” — now writes a popular girl’s column, Ask Elizabeth, which is being developed for an MTV series.
Tifanni Thiessen was involved with Brian Austin Green during the 90s during her stint on “Beverly Hills 90210”. She was also once engaged to actor Richard Ruccolo, that guy from “Two Guys, a Girl, and a Pizza Place” that no one cared about (Thiessen also had a recurring character on that show). More recently, Thiessen was maid of honor for her best friend Jennie Garth’s marriage to Peter Facinelli. Facinelli met Garth through Thiessen while he and Thiessen were on the show, “Fastlane.”
When the characters graduated from high school, their real life counterparts were: Mark Paul Gosselaar (19); Mario Lopez (20); Elizabeth Berkley (21); Tiffani Thiessen (19); Lark Voorhies (19); and Dustin Diamond (16).
Lark Voorhies, who apparently has never had a drug problem (despite rumors), was a Jehovah’s Witness. She was also at one time engaged to Martin Lawrence. Her first television role was on “Small Wonder.”
Mark-Paul Gosselaar is a natural brunette. He had to dye his hair every two weeks during filming of the show.
Mario Lopez is apparently something of a douche. During the show’s run, he was once accused of date rape. The case eventually went away, although Dustin Diamond claims that NBC paid the alleged victim off. Then, in 2004, he married Ali Landry, but that marriage was annulled after he was caught cheating on her.
It’s hard to say the exact amount of royalties that the cast of “Saved by the Bell” receives, but bankruptcy papers from 2001 suggested that Dustin Diamond received a little more than $63,000 a year.
In a 2009 interview with Newsweek, asked what the greatest thing about his “Saved by the Bell” experience was, Gosselaar said, “I met my wife on Saved by the Bell: The College Years. She literally walked by in the hallway and said one word to Zack. Zack looks at her, and gives a look at the camera and winks. It was 16 years ago. We’ve been together ever since.” They divorced soon after that interview.
Earlier this month, Mark-Paul Gosselaar got engaged to advertising executive Catriona McGinn. She looks like this:
The “Saved by the Bell” spin-off, “Saved by the Bell: The College Years,” lasted 18 episodes, ranked 88th overall in the ratings, and was cancelled after one season. It’s 7.2 million viewers, however, is 3 million more viewers than NBC’s “Community” averages.
Patrick Fabian was a cast member and played a professor in “Saved by the Bell: The College Years.” You may recognize him as the skeevy professor in “Veronica Mars” or as one of the leads in last year’s The Last Exorcism.
Dustin Diamond was host of the 12th Annual Gathering of the Juggalos.
Interestingly, Entertainment Weekly gave “Saved by the Bell” a D in its review of the show, and “Saved by the Bell: The College Years” an F. Ken Tucker noted, of the original series, “Kids’ TV should provide intelligent escapism, not dumb sanctimony.” Ken Fox, who now writes for TV Guide, was likely abused as a child.
Many have referred to “Saved by the Bell: The New Class” as a failure. In fact, that show — which had frequent cast changes, with Dennis Haskins’ Mr. Belding the one constant — ran three years longer than the original “Saved by the Bell” and produced some 60 more episodes.
Each Time You Like, Share, Tweet or Stumble a Pajiba Post, An Angel Does the Paul Rudd Dance
Are all the Pajibans in the earthquake zone alright? I have chronic vertigo so feelin' the earth move under my feet pushes ALL my freak out buttons. It's always best when you manage not to cry in front of your boss.
Oh, and I'm way too old to have been Saved by the Bell. Or to paddle Dawson's Creek. Or worry about My So-Called Life. There are advantages to being older. (Although even I could understand the appeal of the way Jordan Catalano leans.)
So, Mark-Paul Gosselar is a bit of a man-slut, is what I'm getting from this.
Posted by: MM at August 23, 2011 3:43 PM
That "Miss Bliss" show looked terrible.
Seeing Jaleel White, Jonathan Brandis, and Brian Austin Green as tiny children just creeped me out.
The intro to "Miss Bliss" was horrible.
I still want to have sex with Tiffani-Amber Thiessen.
Posted by: DeistBrawler at August 23, 2011 3:44 PM
I just like the way he's always leaning. Against stuff. He leans great.
Posted by: nix at August 23, 2011 3:47 PM
I feel like the reunion for this show could be "Everyone is Actually a Jerk." Childhood illusions, ruined.
Although, Gosselaar on Weeds was a tasty tasty treat.
Posted by: nix at August 23, 2011 3:49 PM
Your failure to mention the "Zach & Kelly: Wedding Special" leads me to believe that I was the only 12 year old that recorded it on the VCR and watched it over and over and over and over. Pity.
Posted by: cbdubs at August 23, 2011 3:55 PM
oh Jonathan Brandis... now I'm sad.
Posted by: rio at August 23, 2011 4:05 PM
Wrong cbdubs...I also had a VHS version of this movie copied from the TV.
Posted by: Petrie at August 23, 2011 4:10 PM
I can count three people my age who DONT know every single word to the theme song. And they're crazypants.
Does anyone remember California Dreams? 'Surf duuuudes with attitude(kinda grooooovy)Laid back tuuunes. Blue sky above, sand below(good vibraaaaaations) feelin' mellloowww'
Posted by: Nadine at August 23, 2011 4:12 PM
[i]More recently, Thiessen was maid of honor for her best friend Jennie Garth’s marriage to Peter Facinelli. Facinelli met Garth through Thiessen while he and Thiessen were on the show, “Fastlane.”[/i]
I can't BELIEVE I felt compelled to look this up, but this would have taken some interesting time travel. Garth and Facinelli married in Jan. 2001, and Fastlane didn't start until 2002.
Sigh. Yes, I'll crawl back into my hole now.
Posted by: Meggrs at August 23, 2011 4:13 PM
.....aaaaand, HTML fail.
Posted by: Meggrs at August 23, 2011 4:13 PM
How did anyone not know that Mario Lopez is an egomaniacal douche? He burned through all the good will he earned from playing Greg Louganis in about five minutes.
Posted by: Jerry at August 23, 2011 4:14 PM
cbdubs, that was NOT just you.
Mrs.Julien - Things seem to be mostly fine here in NJ. TheMaskedEmu's office was evacuated, but they returned within half an hour. Freaky though.
Posted by: KatSings at August 23, 2011 4:17 PM
The Cracked article where one of the boys hangs out with Lopez and realises he's an ancient, horrific evil possessing the body of Lopez, and has been for decades, is incredible.
'Let's go to a nursery and pinch the pre-verbals. They cry but can't tell anyone why'
Posted by: Nadine at August 23, 2011 4:22 PM
That Cracked article about Lopez is my favorite thing they've ever done.
And I like to think that the Veronica Mars writers named Patrick Fabian's character Professor Landry as a shout out to SBTB: The College Years fans.
cbdubsWedding in Vegas is a classic. I watched it so many times.
Posted by: Mel C. at August 23, 2011 4:45 PM
I remember reading about the date rape thing at the time and I've never put it out of my head. Ever since, it's the first thing I think of when his name comes up, which until a year or two ago, was almost never. He's everywhere now, and I don't even know what he does. Host a reality show? Access Hollywood? He definitely has that 'I've hosted a Miss USA pageant' vibe.
cbdubs, I watched the shit out of that Vegas movie. I completely coveted Kelly's hair and dress if I recall. And Zack with longer hair was so dreamy. I think the longer hair on Zack is the only reason I watched The College Years in its entirety. Oh, and Professor Jeremiah Laskey of course.
Never knew that Voorhies and Gosselaar were an item, but it explains the palpable chemistry during the one episode where they kind of got together (Lisa's fug-ass fashion show at The Max).
Lastly, I googled Leanna Creel and found a picture of her holding hands at the 1989 Emmys with post-born again Kirk Cameron. Interesting. Vintage beards? I used to think her and her triplet sisters were so cool. They were in a bunch of Disney tv movies that I used to love. Glad so see she seems really happy!
Posted by: Nicole at August 23, 2011 4:52 PM
OMG, that's where I know Patrick Fabian from! The entirety of The Last Exorcism I kept thinking, "Damn, that guy looks SO familiar!"
One life mystery solved, thanks to Pajiba!
Posted by: TWoPFan at August 23, 2011 5:11 PM
"School is a booore, when you're in-doooorrrs,
Let's make it fuuuuunnn, get on out in the sun!
Hit the beach, teach!
Let us learn as we buuuuuuuuurrrrrrnnnnnn!!!!"
I'm sorry you guys, that's inexplicably been in my head for about a month now, I just had to do it.
I went to high school (and, I think, junior high) with Mario Lopez. He was a year or two older and was pretty much how you think he'd be, and not far off from his SBtB character. He did come visit, with Tiffany Amber Thiessen, no less, after the show went on the air, They kind of talked to, and answered questions from, us (School for Creative and Performing Arts) about TV and Hollywood and whatnot. This was pre-rapiness. His sister was nice though. And cute.
Posted by: JapJay at August 23, 2011 5:54 PM
NOT shocked that Mario Lopez is a douchebag. Also wouldn't be surprised if he was just a little gay.
Posted by: Sassafrass Green at August 23, 2011 6:53 PM
Sadly, I knew almost every single one of these facts. I was so, SO obsessed with this show for probably much longer than was really warranted.
Nadine, yes! California Dreams was cheesetacular and I loved every second of it
Posted by: Even Stevens at August 23, 2011 7:21 PM
"He definitely has that 'I've hosted a Miss USA pageant' vibe."
"Lopez has also hosted prime time television pageants: Miss Teen USA in 1998, 2003 and August 2007; Miss America in January 2007, 2009 and 2010; and Miss Universe in May 2007, giving him the distinction of being the only individual to have served in hosting capacity for both of the major pageant system organizations."
Posted by: Matt at August 23, 2011 7:25 PM
Matt, that is awesome. Not only has he hosted, but he's hosted with distinction. Hopefully he gave up date-raping by then.
Posted by: Nicole at August 23, 2011 7:55 PM
Wow, who knew that if you're accused of a crime, you're a douche!
You cite two "I heards" to back up an accusation. Yah, Journalism!
Posted by: Joe at August 23, 2011 10:34 PM
NBC needs to heavily feature Alison Brie in a marketing campaign. There is no reason Community shouldn't pull in as many viewers as Big Bang Theory. It has the aforementioned Ms Brie, who is way hotter than Kaley Cuoco, as is Gillian Jabobs. And it can be just as geeky, but with the benefit of being smart at the same time.
Don't forget, Dave, that it also doesn't put money in Chuck Lorre's pocket. Two and a Half Men is unforgivable.
Posted by: Sassafrass Green at August 24, 2011 1:33 AM
I once tried to watch an episode of Saved By the Bell. I found it so thoroughly horrifying that I could not stomach it for more than five minutes. True story. It was so grotesquely insulting to my intelligence -- not to mention my artistic taste (though that phrase and Saved By the Bell ought NEVER be uttered in the same sentence) -- that I spent at least twice as much time trying to imagine how on EARTH it could remain on the air than I had spent trying to sit through it. Like -- who sucked whose cock? And how many times, for how long, and obviously, did he or she swallow? That must have been some serious goddamned head. And performed on at least a semi-regular basis. The ONLY way Saved By the Bell gets and stays on the fucking air must, perforce, be vis a vis a massive amount of ungodly good fellatio.
I do not understand how any sentient being could act in it, work on it or watch it without losing more brain cells per minute than one loses when drinking a pitcher of margaritas. That show was and is, by dint of the permanence of videotape, an abomination.
And Leanna Creel is an identical triplet right? She didn't just play one in the Parent Trap 3? My memory isn't what it used to be, but I think it's her.
Posted by: Carrie at August 24, 2011 4:14 AM
"Then, in 2004, he married Ali Landry, but that marriage was annulled after he was caught cheating on her."
Didn't that happen DURING their honeymoon???
Posted by: Chich at August 24, 2011 5:22 AM
@Maryscott - Well, it helps immensely if you're a preteen girl while viewing the show. I can look back now and realize how horrible the show is, but at the time? All I cared about was seeing Zach Morris flirt with girls and swooning every time he or A. C. Slater took his shirt off (which happened a lot).
I'd like to think that, in 10-15 years, there will be a flood of girls laughing at the memory of swooning over Bieber and the Jonas Brothers.
"Creel, a lesbian, married her partner in a legalized same-sex ceremony in California in 2008."
Is the Department of Redudancy Department writing posts now?
Posted by: jackie boy at August 24, 2011 3:30 PM
"Ken Tucker noted, of the original series, “Kids’ TV should provide intelligent escapism, not dumb sanctimony.” Ken Fox, who now writes for TV Guide, was likely abused as a child."
So which Ken should I be googling?
Posted by: James at August 27, 2011 1:28 PM
Am I the only one who noticed the director of the Miss Bliss pilot is Peter Bonerz?
Someone named Peter Bonerz should never direct children's programming.
Posted by: gossipninja at August 28, 2011 12:41 AM
Okay, I'm enlightened now.