It turns out that not all of Saved by the Bell’s cast got approached for the revival. Earlier this week, the news that the sitcom would be making a comeback was announced. Front, center and already set to star are Elizabeth Berkley (Jessie) and Mario Lopez (Slater). But, what about the rest of the cast?
Mark-Paul Gosselaar, who played Zack Morris, on the NBC comedy, offered insight into why you did not see his name among the cast list. The actor revealed that he was not even asked about it. He went on to share that he believes he is not the only Saved by the Bell star to not get contacted. Regarding revival talks, Gosselaar told TMZ:
I believe that Tiffani [Thiessen, who played Kelly] and I, and the rest of the cast, have not been approached yet.
Interesting. What makes Mark-Paul Gosselaar not being contacted about the revival all the more strange is how integral his character is in the Saved by the Bell sequel series’ plot. Not only is Zack heavily referenced. He also gets a significant promotion. In the revival, Zack Morris is the Governor of California. Yes, the Zack Morris.
Given that info, you would think that those behind the Saved by the Bell revival would have contacted Mark-Paul Gosselaar. Maybe they are just taking their time? But, Gosselaar already has a show he is starring in; the actor will be in ABC’s upcoming black-ish prequel spinoff, mixed-ish. Despite not being contacted to star in the Saved by the Bell revival, Gosselaar told Variety:
I kind of understand it… the business side of things. But I had no idea [the revival idea] was that far along.
I'm not sure what he means about leaving himself and other original cast members out being related to "the business side of things," but given what Mark-Paul Gosselaar is saying, even he is surprised by how advanced production on the Saved by the Bell revival is now. In 2015, the cast (including Gosselaar) reunited for a bit on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Four years later, an actual revival is really happening!
Back in April, Mark-Paul Gosselaar joined his Saved by the Bell co-stars: Tiffani Thiessen, Mario Lopez and Elizabeth Berkley for a reunion-type dinner. A, not entirely surprising, development considering that it is known that at least two of the show’s stars have maintained a long-running friendship.
When it came time to approach Saved by the Bell cast members for the revival, those in charge somehow skipped over Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Tiffani Thiessen, and the rest of the cast. Gosselaar only named Thiessen in his aforementioned comment, and fans will recall that Gosselaar and Thiessen memorably portrayed Bayside High students, Zack Morris and Kelly Kapowski.
Their characters were also the subject of Saved by the Bell’s most tumultuous coupling in Zack and Kelly. Their future post-finale is still a matter of speculation. One of Bayside High’s on-again-off-again couples that will be back is A.C. Slater and Jessie Spano. Stay tuned to find out what happens next and if anyone else joins them!
A premiere date for the Saved by the Bell reboot has not been set yet. When the revival does make its debut, it will do so on NBCUniversal’s upcoming streaming service – Peacock. In the meantime, there are plenty of fall premieres to keep you entertained until the bell rings.
