This extremely corny Lifetime-aired look behind-the-scenes of the 1989-93 campy teen sitcom Saved by the Bell is executive produced by (obviously still bitter) former child actor Dustin Diamond, who was featured on the series as nerdy group scapegoat “Screech.” Looking at the show's origins—it actually started off as a comedy vehicle for Hayley Mills as the titular teacher on the original show Good Morning, Miss Bliss—this TV movie touches on cast interactions and adjustments to fame, but heavily focuses on Diamond's (Sam Kindseth) whiny point-of-view. Coming from someone who as a 7-year-old religiously watched the series, I can say with authority that even back then no one gave a glittery neon leg-warmer about Screech; it was all about hunks Mark-Paul Gosselaar (here played by Dylan Everett) and Mario Lopez (Julian Works). Jabs at former costars (Elizabeth Berkley's starring role as a stripper in Showgirls is, of course, snidely mentioned) get boring quickly. Overall, SBTB superfans (and who else would watch this?) learn nothing new, although the soundtrack featuring period staples such as Bell Biv DeVoe and Sir Mix-a-Lot is pretty fresh. Not a necessary purchase. (J. Williams-Wood)
The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story
Lionsgate, 90 min., not rated, DVD: $14.98, Nov. 4 Volume 30, Issue 1
The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story
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