Watch Saved by the Bell: The College Years
- TV-PG
- 1993
- 1 Season
-
6.3 (5,452)
Saved by the Bell: The College Years is a spin-off of the popular show Saved by the Bell that aired from 1989 to 1993. The College Years premiered in 1993 on NBC and followed the lives of Zack Morris (played by Mark-Paul Gosselaar), A.C. Slater (played by Mario Lopez), and Screech Powers (played by Dustin Diamond) as they attend California University.
The show introduced new characters, including Leslie Burke (Anne Tremko), a love interest for Zack, and Alex Tabor (Kiersten Warren), a love interest for Slater. Tiffany Thiessen also reprised her role as Kelly Kapowski, who joins the group later on in the season. Bob Golic played Mike Rogers, the resident advisor in the dormitory where the main characters lived.
The College Years saw the cast tackling more adult-oriented issues as they navigated college life. Topics such as relationships, politics, and careers were explored in the show, reflecting the challenges that many college students face. The introduction of new characters and the change in setting allowed for fresh storylines to be explored while maintaining the core values and humor of the original show.
The dynamic between the three main characters remained largely the same as it was in the earlier series. Zack is still the charming womanizer, Slater still the jock with a heart of gold, and Screech still the lovable nerd who provides comedic relief. However, in The College Years, they are all facing new responsibilities and are forced to adjust to a new environment.
One of the most interesting aspects of the show was the portrayal of campus politics. In one episode, Zack decides to run for student council president against Leslie, but soon realizes that he is not prepared for the job. The show also tackled issues such as censorship, as the characters fight to keep the campus radio station from being shut down due to controversial content.
Another important theme in The College Years was career exploration. Several of the characters struggle to figure out what they want to do after college. Leslie, for example, wants to be a successful journalist but faces discrimination due to her gender. Slater, on the other hand, contemplates leaving college to pursue a career in the military.
Romantic relationships were also a major focus of the series. Zack and Leslie's relationship provides much of the drama in the first season, as Zack tries to juggle his responsibilities as student council president with his growing feelings for her. Slater and Alex's relationship is also explored, as the two navigate their different backgrounds and cultures.
Overall, Saved by the Bell: The College Years was a successful continuation of the original series. It provided a fresh take on the characters and their lives while still maintaining the humor and charm that made the original show so popular. The show tackled important issues and themes that are relevant to college students and young adults, making it relatable and engaging. While The College Years only lasted for one season, it remains a beloved part of the Saved by the Bell franchise.
Saved by the Bell: The College Years is a series that ran for 1 seasons (19 episodes) between May 22, 1993 and on NBC