Saved by the Bell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saved by the Bell |
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| Genre | Teen sitcom |
| Created by | Sam Bobrick |
| Starring | |
| Theme music composer | Scott Gale |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 4 |
| No. of episodes | 86 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Peter Engel |
| Camera setup | Videotape; Multi-camera |
| Running time | 22–24 minutes |
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| Release | |
| Original network | NBC |
| Original release | August 20, 1989 – May 22, 1993 |
| Chronology | |
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Saved by the Bell is an American television teen sitcom. The show was created by Sam Bobrick for the television network NBC. It was produced by Peter Engel and NBC Productions. The series aired from August 20, 1989 to May 22, 1993. It was a reboot of an earlier Disney Channel show called Good Morning, Miss Bliss. The story takes place in Los Angeles at the make-believe Bayside High School. It follows six high school friends and their goofy principal. Most episodes show funny situations at school. Sometimes the characters solve real problems, like protecting the environment and standing up for women's rights. The program was later labeled as an educational and informational show for young viewers.
Contents
Who Are the Main Characters at Bayside High?
The main group of friends includes six very different students. Zack Morris is a charming boy who often plans clever tricks. He was played by actor Mark-Paul Gosselaar. Samuel "Screech" Powers is Zack's nerdy best friend. Screech was played by Dustin Diamond. A smart, fashion-loving girl named Lisa Turtle was played by Lark Voorhies. Dennis Haskins played the role of Mr. Richard Belding, the school principal who tries to keep order.
Producers also added three new teenagers to the team. A.C. Slater is an athletic army brat who loves sports. He was played by Mario Lopez, a skilled dancer of Latino heritage from Kids Incorporated. Kelly Kapowski is a popular, friendly cheerleader played by Tiffani-Amber Thiessen. Jessie Spano is an outspoken student leader who cares deeply about women's rights. Jessie was played by Elizabeth Berkley. Magician Ed Alonzo also appeared as Max, the owner of a restaurant named The Max. In later episodes, actress Leanna Creel joined the school as Tori Scott.
How Was the Popular Television Series Created?
The series started because television executive Brandon Tartikoff wanted a show about a great teacher. In 1986, he asked Peter Engel to make a prime time show called Good Morning, Miss Bliss. The pilot aired on NBC in 1987. It starred British actress Hayley Mills as a teacher in Indianapolis. It also featured young actors like Jonathan Brandis, Brian Austin Green, and Jaleel White. The original show moved to the Disney Channel for thirteen episodes, but not enough people watched it.
Moving to Saturday Mornings
Network bosses realized that young viewers really enjoyed the student characters. They decided to remove the teacher character and focus completely on the teenagers. NBC wanted a fun live-action show to air on Saturday mornings. Producer Peter Engel moved the setting to a sunny area near the Palisades in California. The producers chose the name Saved by the Bell for this new project. The show was filmed using a multi-camera method in front of a live studio audience. Composer Scott Gayle wrote the famous theme song, which featured the show title in the lyrics.
What Movies and Spin-off Shows Were Made?
The series became so popular that it created several movies and other shows. In 1992, NBC aired a television movie called Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style. In this story, the students visit Hawaii with Kelly's grandfather, played by Dean Jones. Later, in 1994, a second movie called Saved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas showed the gang taking a trip to Las Vegas.
Other Shows in the Franchise
Two spin-off shows premiered in 1993. The first was Saved by the Bell: The College Years. This series followed Zack, Slater, and Screech as they attended a university together. The second spin-off was Saved by the Bell: The New Class, which lasted from 1993 to 2000. It took place back at Bayside High with a brand new group of students. Principal Belding remained at the school to guide the new kids. A modern sequel series, named Saved by the Bell, was developed by Tracey Wigfield for the streaming service Peacock. In that show, Zack Morris became the Governor of California. Original cast members returned to help a new generation of Bayside students.
Books and Comic Books
Fans could also enjoy the characters in printed stories. A writer named Beth Cruise wrote 22 chapter books about the gang's adventures. In 1992, Harvey Comics made a short series of comic books. Later, Lion Forge Comics published brand-new comics based on the show's early high school days.
See also
In Spanish: Saved by the Bell para niños
