NBC’s recent remake of Saved by the Bell hit many fans with a wave of nostalgia that they weren’t expecting. The original Saved by the Bell first premiered in 1989 and was recently picked up by Peacock for two additional seasons (2020-2021). The show follows a group of high school friends at the fictional Bayside High School. The overall story mainly focuses on light-hearted comedic situations, but also touches upon quite a few serious social issues such as poverty, drug abuse, and women’s rights. The remake follows the same basic premise, but the main cast of teens changes. This isn’t to say that the old cast does not return to the show. The majority of the original main cast, with the exception of a few, returned to the show to play older versions of themselves. This just shows how well-loved the original cast of Saved by the Bell is. Let’s take a look at some of the best characters from the show!
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7 Zack Morris
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Now it wouldn’t be Saved by the Bell if Zack Morris didn’t have one scheme or another hiding up his sleeve. Most of the fun and comedic elements in the show are a result of Zack’s antics. During his teenage years, Zack is mischievous, and a little self-absorbed, yet still quite charming. Perhaps one of the things that fans adore the most about Zack’s character is when he breaks the fourth wall by addressing the audience and freezing all the characters by calling, “Time out!”.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
Portrayed by Mark-Paul Gosselaar, both the younger version of Zack in the original show and the older version in the remake, are adored by fans of the show. Older Zack eventually grows up to become an attorney and then assumes the office of Governor of California. Of course, Zack also gets a taste of his own medicine as his own son, Mac Morris, ends up giving a little trouble along the way. It’s amusing to see how the tables turn for dear old Zack.
6 A.C. Slater
Zack’s best friend from high school and the quarterback of the football team, Albert Clifford Slater, also known as A.C., is one of the show’s most memorable characters. A.C., portrayed by Mario Lopez, is a little old-fashioned and somewhat of an army brat, which explains why initially he’s a little bit of an outsider in the school, but it’s not long before he starts developing bonds with the other characters in the show.
There’s no denying that A.C. can be a jerk at times, but there are also times when he’s an absolute sweetheart. As the saying goes, you win some, you lose some. Despite his flaws, A.C. is one of the more reliable characters, and one can’t help but root for him at times. It is a little sad to see that the friendship between the older Zack and A.C. has become a little strained over the years. Though it is interesting to see how the two deal with the struggle.
5 Max
Max, portrayed by Ed Alonzo, only appears in the first twenty episodes of the initial two seasons of Saved by the Bell. However, this does not prevent him from being a fan-favorite character. The owner of The Max; a restaurant the gang visits often, seems to really care about the group of friends, offering them genuine advice whenever they need it. In addition, one can’t help but be a little curious about what magic trick Max will demonstrate next as a visual to further explain the advice he has for the teens.
4 Lisa Turtle
Lisa Turtle, portrayed by Lark Voorhies, is quite the fashionista in Saved by the Bell. It’s interesting to note that her dream as a teenager is to become a famous fashion designer, which she does achieve once she’s an adult in the remake. Lisa is quite a fun, sweet character on the show. She’s a great friend to the rest of the gang, offering advice and comfort when needed. She also brings quite a lot of personality to the show. Perhaps what makes her most memorable is her relationship with Screech.
Throughout the show, it’s quite obvious that Screech has a crush on Lisa; there are quite a few comedic moments that result from the situation, too. While Lisa does not return his affections and does reject him on more than one occasion, it’s obvious that she has a soft spot for the boy. She treats him with fondness, respect, and sees him as a dear friend.
3 Jessi Spano
One of the easiest characters to like is Jessi Spano. Portrayed by Elizabeth Berkley, Jessi is strong, independent, and a truly inspiring character. She has her own set of morals and isn’t afraid to voice out her own opinions. It’s rather amusing to watch her tell A.C. off numerous times when he’s being a jerk.
In addition, she’s definitely one of the more relatable characters on the show. For instance, the one episode where she takes too many caffeine pills is definitely a relatable moment for students. Given the sort of personality she has, it’s no surprise that Jessi grew up to become a guidance counselor at Bayside High. It’s interesting to see her navigate through her new role at the school, while also being present as a mom for her teenage son, Jamie.
2 Kelly Kapowski
Model student and fashionista, Kelly Kapowski, portrayed by Tiffani Thiessen, is definitely one of the most likable characters in Saved by the Bell. Kelly is a cheerleader; she’s a good student, and an absolute sweetheart. She works hard and does her best to help others out when needed. In addition, fans absolutely adore her relationship with Zack. The two have an on-and-off relationship during their teenage years, but eventually, end up getting married to each other. Honestly, there isn’t much to dislike about Kelly, as she’s the perfect example of the all-American type of girl; she has a clean slate with no major flaws.
1 Mr. Belding
Portrayed by Dennis Haskins, Mr. Belding was the principal of Bayside High School in the original series. Sadly, he doesn’t make a reappearance in the reboot and is assumed to have retired. However, he still is considered to be the most beloved characters in the series. Interestingly, during his own teenage years, Mr. Belding was quite the troublemaker, much like Zack Morris. Perhaps that is why he seems so understanding towards Zack and his gang. Despite being a figure of authority and often seen by the teen troublemakers as a pain, Mr. Belding shows genuine concern for the well-being of his students. He often offered advice to the students when they were in need of guidance.
