45 Things You Probably Didn't Know About 'Saved By The Bell'
`"Saved By the Bell" is turning 25 this year, and if you're going to properly celebrate the momentous event by throwing a rager of an anniversary party on August 20 (I'll be doing "The Sprain" while singing "I'm So Excited"), you'd better be brushed up on EVERYTHING "Saved By The Bell."
1. "Saved By The Bell" was almost called "When The Bell Rings."
2. "Saved By The Bell" was originally a spin-off of the show "Good Morning, Miss Bliss."
3. The show originally took place in Indiana and was placed in California after its title change from "Good Morning, Miss Bliss."
4. The show's theme song was written by Scott Gale. He also wrote music for the"Golden Girls".
5. There was only one classroom in Bayside High School, and it was rearranged for different scenes and subjects.
6. The "Saved By The Bell" set still exists and can be seen in “That’s So Raven” and “iCarly.”
7. Dustin Diamond almost wasn't Screech. The show's creator, Peter Engel, didn't know the actor was only 12 when he was cast -- and Diamond wouldn't have gotten the job if Engel knew his correct age.
8. Screech is the only character in every single original "SBTB" episode, spin-off of the series, and movie.
9. Zack and Screech are the only two characters to appear in every single episode of the original show.
10. The "A.C." in Slater's name stood for Albert Clifford.
11. Jesse Spano's middle name is Myrtle.
12. Engel wrote a "Saved By The Bell" musical. Unfortunately, it never happened. There is, however, a "Saved By The Bell" parody musical called Bayside! The Musical! currently running in New York City. (See it, Preppy!)
13. Elizabeth Berkley auditioned for the role of Kelly, but the producers liked Elizabeth so much they wrote the part of "Jesse" just for her.
14. The character of Lisa Turtle was originally supposed to be a spoiled Jewish girl from Long Island. The producers liked Lark Voorhies so much they changed the part so she could play it.
15. We never meet Slater's, Jesse's or Kelly's mom, nor Screech's dad.
16. When the characters graduated from high school, their real-life ages were: Mark-Paul Gosselaar (19); Mario Lopez (20); Elizabeth Berkley (21); Tiffani Thiessen (19); Lark Voorhies (19); and Dustin Diamond (16).
17. Every character has either dated or gone on a date with each other except Lisa and Slater.
18. Jennie Garth, Brian Austin Green, Jonathan Brandis and Jaleel White all auditioned to be on the show, with Green and White actually appearing in the scrapped pilot!
19. Scott Wolf, Denise Richards, Leah Remini and Soleil Moon Frye all made appearances.
20. Ed Alonzo, the guy who played magic aficionado "Max" (the owner of The Max), is really a magician and has even worked with Britney Spears, creating illusions for her 2009 "Circus" tour.
21. One of Mr. Belding’s degrees hanging on the wall in his office is a degree in Kung Fu.
22. The character of Tori Scott (played by Leanna Creel) was named after Tori Spelling.
23. The actual location of the Malibu Sands beach club episodes is now Annenburg Community Beach House off the Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica, California. But don't head west to snap a pic, because it's been remodeled beyond recognition.
24. During the entire run of "Saved By The Bell," we never ONCE see the outside of the school.
25. We never see any other part of Zack’s house except his bedroom and living room.
26. There is a "Saved By the Bell" soundtrack, and it even has the "School Song" the gang sang on it.
27. Whenever Zack calls a "time-out," everyone is frozen in time except Zack. In the glee club episode in season two, however, everyone except Screech is frozen.
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28. The nerdy characters usually had last names that contained the word "nerd" or something similar, such as Nerdstrom, Poindexter, and Geekman.
29. Diamond was three years younger than the rest of the cast.
30. Gosselaar dyed his hair blond for the role of Zack every two weeks. He's actually a brunette in real life.
31. The show was nominated for one Daytime Emmy... in "Outstanding Achievement In Lighting."
32. Swearing was banned on the "Saved By The Bell" set.
33. Gosselaar and Voorhies dated in real life -- for three years!
34. There is a "Saved By the Bell" comic book.
35. Bo Revere may be a fake singer whom Zack uses to hide subliminal messages for Kelly Kapowski, but the song is real. It's called "Don't Leave With Your Love."
36. Bayside's rival school, Valley High, actually exists.
37. Zack and Slater may have butted heads vying for the love of Kelly, but they were BFFs in real life.
38. Zack Morris' GIGANTIC cellphone brand was called a "brick."
39. In previous episodes, Kelly mentions she has six brothers and sisters but we only ever meet one sister and one brother.
40. We never see Zack's mom and dad together in any episode.
41. Mr. Belding had a brother named Rod, who filled in at Bayside as a substitute teacher in the episode entitled "The Fabulous Belding Boys." The actor who played Mr. Belding's brother is named Edward Blatchford, and he's now a real estate agent in California. (In case you were wondering.)
42. Speaking of Rod Belding, Edward Blatchford also co-wrote a short film called "Saved By The Belding," in which four young men journey to California to find Mr. Belding. The film was released in 2010, and yes, it stars Dennis Haskins.
43. Johny Dakota, the movie star who comes to Bayside to film an anti-drug PSA, was played by the actor Eddie Garcia. Garcia is also a dancer, and he appeared in Janet Jackson's "When I Think of You," "Nasty," and "What Have You Done For Me Lately" videos in addition to playing a dancer in the film "Boogie Nights."
44. Bayside's math teacher and detention master Mr. Dewey was never seen again after the infamous "Jessie's Song" episode, aka "the caffeine pill" episode.
45. Elizabeth Berkley channeled her Jesse Spano character and danced to "I'm So Excited" on "Dancing With The Stars" in 2013.
