Saved By The Bell: Season 1 Box Set

If you asked me what shows I watched when I was young, it would go: WWF, Thundercats, Knightmare, Animaniacs and Saved by the Bell. Most of these shows suffer greatly from what we call in my circle of friends 'The Knightrider Effect'. Those who remember that show will only remember three things, the Hoff, the car and… erm? … is there anything else? Watch an episode now and you will wonder what the big deal was.
 
Saved by the Bell seems to have escaped this and I think I know why. No reruns. Unlike every other show, played again and again until they hold no significance to anyone, this one seems to have been left alone. In fact, when this set fell on my doormat I couldn't even remember it. That was until I watched it and all the memories kept flooding back: Zack, Screech, Mr Belding… and Kelly, lovely Kelly. How I was going to marry Kelly. She would be mine…
 
Anyway, the show follows the adventures of Zach Morris who in quite an edgy idea speaks directly to the audience. At times he would call for a 'time out' and in a Police Squad-like way everyone would freeze while he made some comment on the current developments of the story. This was such an interesting idea and I'm surprised that few stole it as it is certainly one of the highlights. He is friends with Slater the sports jock and Screech, the class clown, all round geek, but super genius. On the other side are Kelly who is Zack's girlfriend or (when she isn't) the love of his life, Jessie almost the Lisa Simpson of the group, activist and protester and Lisa who really only cares about what she'll be wearing that day. Overseeing all the anarchy they get into is Mr Belding who is the typical 'trying to get down with the kids' Principal.
 
Watching the show and one thing I noticed was how simple it is. Kids come up with an idea, get into a mess and learn a lesson at the end all the while trying to outsmart the Teachers or Principal. This is the basic formula for every high school show and can even be seen in the current smash Glee. (A show everyone should watch!) The other thing that many will think as soon as Elizabeth Berkley enters the screen is 'Holy ----! That's the chick from Showgirls!??!' Yes, the girl who stripped naked, gave Kyle McLaughlin a lap dance and appeared in the most hilarious sex scene in cinema history starred in this teen comedy show. Well, we all have to start somewhere!
 
Now I won't lie that this show is dated. At over twenty years old, there are definitely points where you go 'What are they wearing?' But it's still a pretty fun show. Sure, the stories are cheesy and moralistic, but that's to be expected (Honestly, try and watch any Cosby Show episodes and not choke on the saccharine sweet storylines) but the comedy at times is simple and spot on and it's sometimes entertaining just watching for the reaction of the studio audience who react to absolutely everything they see.
 
Saved by the Bell is a nice time capsule of late 80s/early 90s culture. A time when everyone was under the spell of Vanilla Ice, Russia was still the enemy and Michael Jackson was still… too soon? Anyone who is sick of their kids singing and dancing to High School Musical may want to sit them in front of this just be warned if they are influenced and start with the hi-jinks of their own.