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It’s a situation we’ve all found ourselves in at one time or another: The teacher pops a test, you’re a mess, and to make matters worse, the dog ate all your homework last night. So, how does one respond to this set of extenuating circumstances? The answer, obviously, is your turn to the teachings of Zack Morris, A.C. Slater, Kelly Kapowski, Lisa Turtle, Jessie Spano, Screech and Mr. Belding, the Saved By The Bell cast!
This formative television program, which premiered on NBC way back on August 20, 1989, is celebrating its 25th anniversary today. We’ve already wildly speculated at where the SBTB characters would be today, but now it’s time to cast our gaze back into the rearviewmirror and review the 10 Most Epic Episodes of Saved By The Bell.
"Jessie's Song" (Season 3, Episode 9)
WHAT’S IT ABOUT: “I’m so excited, I’m so excited … I’M SO SCARED!” This is the legendary (and widely mocked) episode where Jessie Spano (future Showgirl Elizabeth Berkeley) falls into a hellpit of emotional despair after becoming addicted to caffeine pills.
LESSON LEARNED? Caffeine pills are the ultimate gateway drug.
WATCH IT ON: Netflix
"The Fabulous Belding Boys" (Season 4, Episode 1)
WHAT’S IT ABOUT: “Please, call me Rod.” This is a semi-controversial selection, as it primarily revolves around one of the more maligned figures from the show, Principal Belding (Dennis Haskins), and not the Bayside gang. Mr. Belding’s cooler, younger brother arrives at Bayside as a substitute teacher, but everyone soon learns that he’s not really cool. He’s actually a huge flake.
LESSON LEARNED? You know what’s cool? No, not Rodney Belding. RESPONSIBILITY IS COOL!
WATCH IT ON: Netflix
"Masquerade Ball" (Season 6, Episode 3)
WHAT’S IT ABOUT: “Come out of your cave, guys … It’s the 90s!” Whenever fictional characters throw a themed costume party, they tend to either be toga parties—more on that in a few—or masquerade balls. This, as you can tell from the title of the episode above, is about the latter. Zack and Slater bet $50 to see who can kiss the leather jacket clad Tori first, but surprise surprise, each of their plans go awry when disguises enter the picture.
LESSON LEARNED? Gay panic was still in full bloom back then, as Slater nearly has a heart attack after kissing Screech.
WATCH IT ON: Netflix
"Fourth Of July" (Season 5, Episode 3)
WHAT’S IT ABOUT: “To me, the 4th of july celebrates something that our ancestors gave their lives for. something that makes our country stand apart from so many others. today, on our nation’s birthday, let us remember that one gift that makes America so special … freedom.” Kelly Kapowski, ladies and gentleman!
LESSON LEARNED? Mr. Carosi was a dick.
WATCH IT ON: Netflix
"The Friendship Business" (Season 2, Episode 11)
WHAT’S IT ABOUT: Buddy bands, y’all!
LESSON LEARNED? Never go into business with your friends.
WATCH IT ON: Netflix
"Drinking And Driving" (Season 6, Episode 5)
WHAT’S IT ABOUT: This Very Special Episode™ of Saved By The Bell revolves around the consequences of drinking and driving. After a kegger at the house of someone on the Bayside football team, Zack drives himself, A.C. Slater, Lisa Turtle and Screech home, but gets in an accident on the way that costs Lisa her shot at homecoming queen. All that, plus TOGAS!
LESSON LEARNED? Drinking and driving is terrible, but drinking, driving AND listening to “Wild Thing” is even worse.
WATCH IT ON: Netflix
"Rockumentary" (Season 5, Episode 10)
WHAT’S IT ABOUT: This is one of the more surreal episodes in the SBTB canon. Narrated by the late Casey Kasem, the entire episode is one long dream sequence of Zack’s in which his band, the Zack Attack, gets famous and then subsequently breaks up. It’s worth it just to see Zack aping Vanilla Ice alone.
LESSON LEARNED? Friendship > Fame.
WATCH IT ON: Netflix
"Fake I.D.s" (Season 4, Episode 8)
WHAT’S IT ABOUT: It’s been so long since this author has been in this age bracket that he forgot there were such things as “over 18” clubs. Well, this episode revolves around fake IDs, the ongoing relationship strife between Zack and Kelly, and what REALLY happens at over 18 clubs.
LESSON LEARNED? Your boyfriend will cheat on you if he goes to an over 18 club without you.
WATCH IT ON: Netflix
"No Hope With Dope" (Season 4, Episode 15)
WHAT’S IT ABOUT: Another Very Special Episode™ (this series had a lot of them), this one revolves around the exploits of drug-fueled exploits of movie star Johnny Dakota, who shows up at Bayside to film an anti-drug PSA. META! Things go awry when the Bayside gang learns that Johnny isn’t as clean cut as he pretends to be on TV, and the spirit of overdose victims Len Bias and John Belushi are invoked.
LESSON LEARNED? Famous people are not to be trusted.
WATCH IT ON: Netflix
"The Time Capsule" (Season 5, Episode 22)
WHAT’S IT ABOUT: So maybe you don’t have the 3 hours to watch all of the 9 episodes we listed out for you above. If you only have 21 minutes to spare, why not sample “The Time Machine.” This is a clip show of SBTB highlights, all framed by the discovery of a time capsule the class of 1993 left behind by some precocious students … in 2003!
LESSON LEARNED? Clip shows are the greatest.
WATCH IT ON: Netflix
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