14 Things You Never Knew About ‘Saved by the Bell’
Saved by the Bell Started as ‘Good Morning, Miss Bliss’
Before it became a pop culture phenomenon, Saved by the Bell began its life as Good Morning, Miss Bliss, a Disney Channel sitcom that focused on the trials of middle school teacher Miss Carrie Bliss, played by Hayley Mills. Set in Indiana, the show featured a young Zack Morris, Screech, and Lisa Turtle, but lacked the high-energy antics and SoCal vibe that defined Saved by the Bell. When Good Morning, Miss Bliss struggled in ratings, NBC retooled the series, shifted the setting to sunny California, and made the students the stars. The rest, as they say, is history. Interestingly, Good Morning, Miss Bliss episodes were later rebranded as part of Saved by the Bell reruns, complete with Zack’s trademark narrations.
Zack Morris Was Almost a Different Character
Mark-Paul Gosselaar’s portrayal of Zack Morris as a charming but scheming troublemaker became iconic, but the character wasn’t originally written that way. Early drafts of the show envisioned Zack as more of a straight-laced, all-American kid. It was Gosselaar’s natural charisma and knack for comedic timing that inspired producers to tweak the role, turning Zack into the lovable rule-breaker who could talk his way out of almost anything. Fun fact: Gosselaar had to dye his naturally brown hair blonde for the role, a process he maintained for the entire run of the series.
The Role of Lisa Turtle Was Written As An Entirely Different Character
Lisa Turtle, played by Lark Voorhies, was initially conceived as a rich Jewish girl, but producers reimagined the role after Voorhies auditioned and blew them away. Her impeccable comedic timing and undeniable charm made her a perfect fit for the part, transforming Lisa into Bayside High’s fashionable gossip queen. Voorhies not only made history as one of the few African-American characters in a teen sitcom of the time but also became a role model for young viewers everywhere.
Mario Lopez Was Cast as Slater at the Last Minute
A.C. Slater was originally envisioned as a bookish, preppy Army brat, but casting Mario Lopez changed everything. Lopez brought a confident, athletic energy to the role, prompting the writers to rework Slater as a jock with a sensitive side. Lopez nailed his audition so close to the start of production that he barely had time to prepare. Despite the rush, he quickly became one of the show’s standout stars, and his signature tank tops and wrestling moves became part of Bayside’s charm.
Elizabeth Berkley Originally Auditioned for The Role Of Kelly
Elizabeth Berkley, who played the ambitious Jessie Spano, initially auditioned for the role of Kelly Kapowski. Although Berkley didn’t land the part, the producers were so impressed with her that they created Jessie specifically for her. Jessie’s feminist, socially conscious persona provided a nice contrast to Kelly’s sweet girl-next-door vibe, and Berkley’s iconic “I’m so excited!” caffeine pill meltdown is still one of the most memorable moments in TV history.
Tiffani Thiessen Beat Out Some Big Names for Kelly Kapowski
Landing the role of Kelly Kapowski was no small feat. Tiffani Thiessen reportedly beat out several well-known actresses for the part, including future 90210 co-star Jennie Garth. Thiessen was initially up for a role in Good Morning, Miss Bliss, which is why the producers were able to slot her into the role so easily. Thiessen’s natural sweetness and undeniable screen presence made her the perfect choice to play Zack’s longtime crush and the quintessential high school dream girl.
Screech Was the Youngest Cast Member
Dustin Diamond, who played the lovable but nerdy Screech Powers, was significantly younger than his castmates. While the rest of the cast were teenagers or young adults playing high schoolers, Diamond was just 11 years old when Good Morning, Miss Bliss started, that age difference can feel insurmountable at the time, but Diamond held his own among the older actors, delivering some of the show’s most hilariously awkward moments.
Nobody Got Paid
This one’s brutal. According to Gosselaar, none of the actors made very much money from the series even when it was playing heavily in syndication. At the time, Saved by the Bell was one of the few non-animated hits on Saturday mornings, a hit that no one saw coming by the way, so everyone had kind of a bad deal. Gosselaar told Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live, “We made really bad deals. Poor deals, back then. It is what it is. You move on, you learn. Great experience.”
The Show Broke the Fourth Wall Before It Was Cool
Zack Morris was one of the first TV characters to regularly break the fourth wall, addressing the audience directly. His time-stopping “Timeout” moments became a hallmark of the show and allowed Zack to share his schemes and thoughts with viewers. This narrative device helped make the show feel fresh and innovative, paving the way for similar techniques in later sitcoms.
The Show’s Budget Was Surprisingly Low
Despite its popularity, Saved by the Bell was produced on a tight budget. Sets were reused extensively, and the actors often wore their own clothes to save on wardrobe costs. The cafeteria and classroom sets, for instance, were repurposed repeatedly with minimal changes. This thriftiness didn’t hurt the show’s appeal—in fact, it added to its charm.
Zack and Kelly’s Wedding Was a Made-for-TV Event
After the series ended, fans clamored for closure on Zack and Kelly’s relationship. NBC delivered with the 1994 TV movie Saved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas. The movie followed the couple’s chaotic journey to the altar, complete with car chases, Elvis impersonators, and a heartwarming ending. It was a fitting finale for the duo and gave longtime fans the happy ending they craved.
The Show Was a Mega-Hit Internationally
Saved by the Bell wasn’t just a U.S. sensation—it found a global audience as well. The show aired in over 80 countries, from Canada to Japan, and was dubbed into numerous languages. The universal themes of friendship, love, and high school shenanigans resonated with viewers worldwide, cementing its place as a cultural touchstone.
Bayside High Wasn’t Real
Although Bayside High felt like a real place to fans, the show was filmed on soundstages in California. The iconic exterior shots of Bayside High were actually stock footage of a real school in Los Angeles which were mixed with interior shots that were basically a hallway set and a classroom set that were re-dressed over and over again.
Everyone Was Hooking Up
This probably shouldn’t come as a surprise since the cast were all in their teens while working on the show, but the kids of Bayside High were all hooking up, breaking up, and making up while filming the show. In his biography, Mario Lopez says that he dated Thiessen during the run of the show, while Gosselaar and Voorhies (Zack and Lisa!!) dated for three years. Production went on so long that Gosselaar also dated Elizabeth Berkley. He later told The Hollywood Reporter, “Sometimes we loved each other and sometimes we hated each other. There were moments where Peter Engel had to sit us down and say, ‘Guys we have to film a show here,’ because sometimes we weren’t talking to each other.'”
