Thirty-two years ago, a beloved sitcom's attempt at a follow-up series fizzled out after a mere nineteen episodes! It's a tough game, launching a successful spinoff, even when you've got a massive hit to build upon. Sometimes, these continuations stumble because they lean too heavily on just one or two familiar faces from the original. Other times, the whole premise gets a makeover that strays too far from the magic that made us fall in love with the first show. But then, there are those rare occasions where, even with most of the key ingredients still present, the new series just can't capture an audience. And exactly 32 years ago today, a particularly popular sitcom experienced just that when its sequel series met an untimely end after only 19 installments.
Back in 1993, NBC was brimming with optimism, believing they had another surefire hit on their hands with Saved by the Bell: The College Years. This was the direct continuation of the much-loved '90s phenomenon, Saved by the Bell. The network's confidence was sky-high, to the point where the show was even scheduled for primetime viewing. However, despite the return of several fan-favorite characters, the series was ultimately canceled after just one season, comprising 19 episodes. Since a second season was never to be, the story of Zack and Kelly's eventual marriage was neatly tied up in a television movie, which was later cleverly divided into four episodes and incorporated into the series during syndication.
But why, oh why, didn't Saved by the Bell: The College Years manage to last longer than a single season?
Saved by the Bell stands as a true icon of the 1990s, a staple of Saturday morning television for an entire generation of fans. It only seemed natural that once the original series concluded, some form of spinoff would be in the works. This is precisely when Executive Producer Peter Engel brought together a selection of the original cast members to create The College Years.
On paper, it sounded like a winning formula. The audience would, in theory, be growing up alongside their beloved characters, entering a new and more mature college environment. Yet, the show aimed to retain the signature Zack-Morris-led shenanigans that had made the original so unforgettable. The series welcomed back Mark-Paul Gosselaar as Zack Morris, Tiffani Thiessen as Kelly Kapowski, Mario Lopez as A.C. Slater, and Dustin Diamond as Samuel “Screech” Powers. However, Lark Voorhies’ Lisa Turtle didn’t make her appearance until the very last episode of the season for a guest spot, and Elizabeth Berkley’s Jessie Spano never graced the series with her presence at all.
Stepping into the void were several new characters, including Anne Tremolo as Leslie Burke and Kiersten Warren as Alex Tabor. Adding to the mix was Bob Golic, playing the role of the authority figure tasked with maintaining order in the dorms. While these new characters certainly had their moments to shine, there was a palpable sense of something missing right from the pilot episode. This was particularly true as the pilot featured a third new addition, Essence Atkins as Danielle Marks. She was only present in that initial episode, as Thiessen reprised her role as Kelly from the second episode onwards.
Having Thiessen back was undoubtedly a significant plus. However, while it certainly helped, the absence of Lisa and Jessie was still keenly felt. This became even more apparent when Voorhies made her return in the season finale and in the subsequent movie, Saved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas. In a candid interview with The Wrap in 2016, Engel himself admitted his regret, stating, “I should’ve taken all the six kids to college. I should’ve insisted we take them all and I didn’t. It was my decision and I made a mistake.”
And here's where it gets controversial... The show was also airing in primetime. While this might have seemed logical, aiming for a more mature, college-aged audience, it's arguable that the show would have fared much better by sticking to its predecessor's original Saturday morning slot. That was the familiar viewing time for its loyal fanbase, and it's highly probable that more viewers would have continued to follow the characters' college adventures had the show remained in that same comfortable timeframe. Do you agree that a primetime slot was a misstep, or do you think it was a necessary evolution?
Fortunately, the series wasn't left without a definitive conclusion, despite its cancellation. NBC did greenlight a 90-minute TV movie intended to wrap up the story, serving as the official series finale not just for The College Years but also for the original series. At least the show received a true ending! And, amusingly enough, several of the characters, including Jessie, would later return for the delightful 2020s reboot series, continuing their storylines.
What are your thoughts on Saved by the Bell: The College Years? Do you think the cast changes or the primetime slot were the biggest factors in its short run? Let us know in the comments below!
