'Saved By The Bell' Preview: Will new entrants from underfunded schools gel with the privileged lot at Bayside?
The original series 'Saved By The Bell' that ran from 1989-1993 had more than just comedic highschoolers as its premise; it ranged from shedding light on issues such as homelessness and addiction and also touched upon women's rights and environmental issues. The 2020 sequel/revival of the series by Peacock, with the same name, has a significant storyline to it, but just by watching the trailer, we see they have added more than just compelling nostalgia to its modern version. We're expecting the plotline to highlight social awareness, representation, systemic racism and how privilege works.
The premise of this series is more than vaguely seen in the trailer, as new kids from closed-down underfunded schools are excited to start their days at Bayside High, only to realize they are in the midst of spoiled privileged children. We hear one of the students, Aisha (Alycia Pascual-Pena) ask "Why is everyone so rich?" as we see school returning character, now doctor Jessie Spano (Elizabeth Berkley Lauren) hope to find a middle ground with the new kids coming into Bayside. She wants to get to know them and make them feel welcome. "What is up with these kids?" asks Daisy (Haskiri Velazquez) as the audacity of the privileged kids is brought to the limelight with Lexi (Josie Totah) letting Jamie Spano (Belmont Cameli) know that his party is set because DJ Khaled's baby made him an 'all right' playlist. With Daisy adding, "You only know how Bayside works for kids like you" and Lexi replying, "Hot kids?" we can see that the tensions will probably run high before they settle.
Although, the trailer is also quick to show that the kids do end up finding a middle ground as we see the privileged gang interact with the new kids with friendships, new romances and our favorite Bayside shenanigans. With the 'old gang' returning and somehow guiding the 'new squad' we expect the series to take us through many journeys when it comes to the new characters, as it manages to continue to keep the characters we grew up with relevant. The premise of the series is relatable to many students watching or not as underfunded state schools are shut down and merged with bigger schools where issues such as bullying and peer pressure become part of the norm. We're hoping to see social acceptance as an end result with a bit of reality sprinkled into the comedic reboot.
The official synopsis of the series reads, "In the new series when California governor Zack Morris gets into hot water for closing too many underfunded high schools, he proposes they send the affected students to the most well-funded schools in the state – including Bayside High. The influx of new students gives the privileged Bayside kids (who never have a problem that can't be solved in twenty-two minutes) a much-needed dose of reality."
'Saved By The Bell' will premiere on November 25, 2020, on Peacock. Don't miss it! Watch the trailer below.