The Bitter Truths Unveiled: An Eye-Opening Look at Saved By The Bell 34 Years Later
Unearthing the Hidden Depths: Exploring the Dark Realities of Saved by the Bell after 34 Years - From controversial portrayals to questionable humor, this article dives into the untold stories and uncomfortable truths behind the beloved sitcom
Summary
Saved By The Bell
The '80s and '90s were accurately portrayed in terms of attitudes and societal norms, but certain aspects of it haven't aged well.
Within the series, Zack Morris consistently displayed problematic behavior, including charging his classmates to kiss Lisa without her consent and fabricating stories about people dying for his own benefit.
The portrayal of Screech, coupled with the show's jokes about disability, is unsettling to watch, creating confusion regarding the show's overall intention. Despite its initial popularity among young viewers, Saved By The Bell has not aged well over the past 34 years. It is challenging for any TV series to withstand the test of time, especially when targeting teenagers. Teenage culture evolves rapidly, and television networks often struggle to keep up with changing trends. As a result, shows that strive to be hip often end up feeling awkward and out of touch to their intended audience. Even when successful at attracting teenage viewers, these shows tend to age poorly.
10 Zack Dressed As A Stereotypical Native American
Despite the 2020 reboot of Saved By The Bell making an effort to address problematic aspects of the original series, it only scratches the surface of the show's numerous issues. Now, 34 years after its initial airing, Saved By The Bell serves as a time capsule, reflecting the attitudes, social norms, and cultural values prevalent among middle-class American teenagers in the late '80s and early '90s. However, the show's portrayal of this era is quite damning, featuring morally ambiguous characters presented as lovable troublemakers, persistent instances of bullying, and even elements that are deeply offensive.
In episode 13 of Saved By The Bell season 2, titled "Running Zack," Zack Morris is shocked to discover that he has Native American ancestry. However, his reaction to this revelation is highly problematic, as he chooses to wear a stereotypical headdress in a way that is offensive and disrespectful. Mark-Paul Gosselaar, the actor who portrayed Zack, has since apologized for this scene, recognizing its insensitivity and the need for accountability (as reported by Entertainment Weekly). It is crucial to acknowledge that even though this episode aired in the 1990s, the portrayal of indigenous people through stereotypes had already been extensively discussed. Therefore, this depiction remains highly embarrassing and offensive, warranting criticism and reflection.
9 Zack Charged Boys To Kiss Lisa Without Her Consent
As far back as
8 Screech Used To Be Much Better
, Zack engaged in mischievous behavior that his actor would later regret. In this particular episode titled "The Lisa Card," Zack devised a scheme where he charged his fellow classmates a fee to kiss Lisa, without her knowledge or consent. What's even more troubling is that he also sold her intimate undergarments to Screech, making it one of the most inappropriate actions ever committed by the show's supposed hero. To compound matters, the show vaguely implied that all was forgiven when Lisa received the profits from this invasive plot.
As Saved By The Bell progressed, Screech's character underwent a transformation that divided the show's fanbase. The series gradually portrayed him as more eccentric and irritating with each passing season. Initially, Screech was an adorable nerd who showcased his scientific brilliance by constructing a fully operational robot from scratch. Despite being an outcast, he was lovably awkward and well-liked despite his silly persona. However, as the show went on, he regressed into a mindless fool who faced open resentment from his supposed friends.
7 Zack Lied About People Dying (Twice)
Returning to Zack’s numerous questionable schemes, it is worth highlighting that the protagonist of the show dishonestly fabricated two incidents involving death. Initially, he asserted that he himself was terminally ill, aiming to manipulate a popular singer into kissing him. Subsequently, he falsely claimed that Slater was facing a life-threatening condition, solely to outcast him due to Slater's rising popularity posing a threat to Zack’s ego. In Truffaut’s The 400 Blows, the antihero's deceit regarding his mother's demise is regarded as indicative of severe maladjustment. Conversely, in Saved By The Bell, such fabrications were just average occurrences in Zack Morris's everyday life.
6 Jessie’s Caffeine Pill Addiction Was (Sort of) Serious
Although caffeine pills are not as dangerous as other substances, they can lead to severe health problems if misused. Despite the humor in Jessie's viral freakout, her portrayal of stress from studying and subsequent addiction to caffeine pills is not as comical as some of the other storylines in Saved by The Bell. However, many other television shows have addressed similar plots without resorting to such exaggerated melodrama.
5 Screech’s Treatment Is Hard to Watch
4 All Cast Members Struggled For Roles After Saved By The Bell
The constant ridicule of Screech, paired with Dustin Diamond's disdain for his co-stars, is cringe-worthy. Screech, amongst the original characters of Saved By The Bell, was often the target of jokes, and while his entitled attitudes were distasteful, they were no worse than Zack's reprehensible behavior. Consequently, re-watching the show makes his mistreatment uncomfortable.
Upon the release of Saved By The Bell, it appeared that the show would be a launching pad for the cast's A-list careers. However, similar to numerous teenage actors, the majority of the cast members faced difficulties in securing roles following their breakthrough on the series. Their success became a hindrance as audiences couldn't envision them in any other character, resulting in notorious failures such as Showgirls in 1995.
3 No One’s Attitude Toward Dating Is Normal
2 The Jokes About Disability Are Almost Unwatchable
Despite the flawed portrayal of dating in Saved By The Bell, there is another issue with the series that is even more concerning.
The depiction of individuals with developmental conditions in Saved By The Bell was highly offensive both then and now. The show's portrayal of using a limp arm gesture to imply a lack of intelligence was already uncomfortable during its original airing. Looking back, this type of humor is incredibly shameful and renders episodes like season 4, episode 24, "School Song," unwatchable.
1 The Gang’s Antics Are Wildly Inconsistent
In one episode, the Bayside High School gang partakes in reckless behavior, including drinking, crashing a car, and deceiving their parents. In another episode, Zack and Slater find themselves in trouble with the law and attempt to bribe the police with promises of dates with high school girls. However, in a different episode, the gang is shocked to discover that a famous actor they admired smokes marijuana. While the reboot of Saved By The Bell criticizes the original show's questionable depiction of drug use, it is ironic considering the teenagers are involved in much more serious crimes. Consequently, the stakes in Saved By The Bell are difficult to comprehend.
