Watch Zack Morris Is Trash
- TV-14
- 2017
- 5 Seasons
-
7.7 (182)
Zack Morris Is Trash is a hilariously accurate and biting parody series from Funny or Die that takes a deep dive into the world of classic 90s sitcom Saved by the Bell and exposes its hero, Zack Morris, for the manipulative, self-centered, scheming narcissist that he truly is.
In each episode of the series, charmingly cynical narrator Dashiell Driscoll examines an episode of Saved by the Bell and breaks down the many ways in which Zack Morris (played to perfection by Mark-Paul Gosselaar) uses his good looks, charm, and position of authority to manipulate and mistreat his friends, peers, and even his own girlfriend, Kelly Kapowski (Tiffani-Amber Thiessen).
From selling tickets to a fake dance to lying about being a Native American to impress a college admissions officer, Zack Morris's actions are repeatedly shown to be self-serving, deceitful, and downright cruel. Driscoll's deadpan delivery and use of hilarious visual gags make the already absurd situations in the show even more absurd, and the entire tone of the series is one of constant disbelief and amusement at how ridiculous Zack Morris's antics truly are.
Throughout the show's three seasons, Driscoll takes on some of the most infamous Zack Morris moments, including when he sabotages Screech's (Dustin Diamond) chess match to win a bet, when he lies to Kelly to go on a ski trip with a different girl, and when he sets up a fake detention in order to impress a girl who likes "bad boys." In each episode, the show takes great joy in exposing the many ways that Zack Morris's behavior is not just morally objectionable, but also laughably over-the-top.
One of the key strengths of Zack Morris Is Trash is its use of clever editing and visual gags to highlight the hypocrisy and absurdity of Zack Morris's actions. For example, when Zack belittles Screech for his love of robots, the show includes a clip of Zack himself excitedly declaring, "I love machines!" When Zack cheats on Kelly with a college girl, the show edits in footage of a romantic moment between Kelly and a random passerby to show how hurtful Zack's actions truly are. These moments not only provide laughs, but also serve to underscore the central thesis of the show: that Zack Morris is a terrible person who deserves to be called out for his many misdeeds.
In addition to the hilarity of the series, Zack Morris Is Trash also serves as a fascinating look at the darker side of 90s teen sitcoms. While Saved by the Bell is often remembered as a lighthearted, feel-good show, this series points out how many of its storylines revolved around deceit, manipulation, and cruelty, often with little to no consequences for the characters involved. By shining a light on this darker underbelly of the show, Zack Morris Is Trash not only provides entertainment, but also invites viewers to re-examine the messages and values present in many of their favorite childhood sitcoms.
Overall, Zack Morris Is Trash is a brilliantly funny and biting parody series that expertly skewers one of the most notorious characters in 90s television history. With its sharp writing, hilarious editing, and pitch-perfect performances from both Driscoll and Gosselaar, this show is a must-watch for anyone who grew up on Saved by the Bell or just loves a good laugh.
Zack Morris Is Trash is a series that ran for 5 seasons (54 episodes) between September 29, 2017 and on Funny Or Die