The anticipated reboot of Saved by the Bell has many things that will make fans very happy. Some original characters are back, from Zack Morris and Kelly Kapowski to A.C. Slater and Jessie Spano, and the new characters are interesting and very watchable. The reboot is fun, nicely paced, brightly colored, and perfect for anyone looking for a heartwarming show that still has a good message.
Showrunner Tracey Wigfield has explained that the reboot has many fresh elements. But fans can’t help but watch the new episodes and see a few things that are comforting, familiar, and very 90’s.
Daisy Has A 90s Phone
Some things about Saved By The Bell have aged poorly. However, fans are always going to feel a certain level of nostalgia for it, and people always loved that Zack carried about a massive phone.
Today, of course, everyone has a slim and sleek iPhone (or at least a smartphone of some kind) and those huge phones are a thing of the past… except not on the reboot of this 90’s show. Haskiri Velazquez’s character Daisy has a phone that is the same size as the one that Zack used to have, and it’s a great reference to the 1990s.
Zack Mentions The PSA About Not Doing Drugs
Part of the fun of watching the Saved By The Bell reboot is seeing Zack deal with his son, who is exactly like him in good ways (he’s friendly and confident) and bad (he gets into trouble and seems super entitled).
Zack says to Mac, “When I was your age, I did a PSA with the president of NBC that solved drugs,” which is a perfect 90’s reference. Back in the day, teen shows always had some episodes that shared lessons about avoiding drugs. And, of course, the ’90s was a time of after-school specials.
The Max Is Back
Just like Luke’s diner is a prime location on Gilmore Girls, the characters on Saved By The Bell hung out at The Max. It was their absolute favorite place to catch up, have a laugh, and enjoy some junk food. Mac brings Daisy to the restaurant and explains that it’s the best place to spend time (and notes that he goes there before, after, and during school).
There was no way that this retro diner couldn’t be part of the reboot and thankfully the characters still go there. It’s got the same old-fashioned vibes that it always did and the bright red booths take viewers back in time. What’s more 90’s than a group of friends enjoying some burgers and soda in a booth while dealing with all the problems that teenagers have to face?
Jessie’s Book Title
When fans think of a Saved By The Bell storyline from the old show, the episode when Jessie Spano takes caffeine pills comes to mind. Is there a more famous plot than the one from the season two episode “Jessie’s Song”? Probably not.
In the reboot, there’s a perfect 90’s reference and it has to do with the title of Jessie’s book. She wrote a book called I’m So Excited, I’m So Scared … of Becoming a Parent and fans couldn’t love this more. This is a nice way of blending the old and new together.
The Brightly Colored Clothing
The new characters on the show are Daisy, Kelly and Zack’s son Mac, Aisha, Lexi, Devante, and Jessie’s kid Jamie. They all wear brightly colored clothing that is a fun reminder of the outfits that the original characters wore the first time around.
Lexi, for example, wears an orange patterned shirt and lime green skirt in one scene, and that’s a totally 90’s outfit.
Daisy Says “Time Out”
Zack was never a well-behaved character, but he would often say “time out” and chat right to the camera. This is often referred to as “breaking the fourth wall” and has been used on shows ranging from The Real Housewives franchise to Modern Family.
In the reboot, Daisy says “time out” and talks to the camera, and it’s a really great reference to the ’90s and the old show. It definitely feels very old-school but it’s still fun.
A Caffeine Pills Scene
The trailer shows a scene where Jessie Spano is talking to Mac and Daisy, as Mac has some caffeine pills that he thinks will be a big help when they do some schoolwork. Jessie says, “At first, they’re so exciting, and then, it gets even more exciting. But after that, it gets so scary. And in the end, you ruin your girl group’s shot at a recording contract.”
This dialogue, of course, is referring to the infamous episode when Jessie got addicted to caffeine pills and started feeling really terrible, and Zack helped her. Fans will appreciate that this important and memorable storyline is a small part of the reboot.
Slater’s Backward Chair Sit
A.C. Slater and Zack Morris might have had a tough friendship back in the day but there’s no denying the fact that Mario Lopez’s character was very cool. Or at the very least, he thought that he was very cool.
The “backwards chair sit” couldn’t possibly be more 90’s as no one does this anymore. Slater is still holding on to this part of his personality, though, and in the reboot, he sits backward on a chair to chat with a student.
Devante’s Reference To Montell Jordan
Devante is one of the new characters. Portrayed by Dexter Darden, he sings a beautiful song in the first episode, and Slater gives some good advice about staying true to himself.
Also in the reboot’s pilot, Devante makes a reference to Montell Jordan, the singer famous for his 90’s song “This Is How We Do It.” The tune came out in 1995 and was a huge hit.
There’s Some 90s Slang
Saved By The Bell had some iconic lines that the character said all the time. Slater still calls Jessie “Mama” and says that after an H.R. seminar, he realizes that he has to call her “Dr. Mama.”
Slater used to call Zack “Preppy” all the time and the show brought this back with Lexi calling Zack’s son Morris “Preppy” in a few scenes. There are definitely enough 90’s references that fans of the OG show will enjoy this one.
