- Sergei Bachlakov
- Jessie, Zack, A.C., Lisa, Kelly, and Screech versions 2.0
Even among not-terribly-avid viewers of the terribly unfunny late-80s teen sitcom Saved by the Bell, it’s common knowledge that the episode when Jessie Spano becomes addicted to caffeine pills was the show’s landmark moment. The 20-second clip of a manic Elizabeth Berkley straining every acting muscle in her body—a sort of thespian gusto we wouldn’t see again until the pool-sex scene in Showgirls—and wailing “I’m so excited. . . . I’m so scared!” has millions of YouTube views and remains a great example of why doofy shows should avoid serious subjects whenever possible. It’s every bad after-school special condensed into a tiny, erotic morsel.
Love blossoms all around poor Dustin. Mark-Paul Gosselaar (Dylan Everett) and Lark Voorhies (Taylor Russell) enjoy a heavy flirtation that’s thwarted by the fact that she’s a Jehovah’s Witness. Later Mark-Paul and Tiffani-Amber Thiessen (Rachael Ray dead ringer Alyssa Lynch) flirt lightly over a few sips of wine on a junket in Paris. Mario Lopez (played by the adorably simian Julian Works) is making out with all girls all the time because he’s so studly with his curly mullet. Dustin shares his first kiss—a scripted, on-screen kiss—with Tori Spelling, who later asks if Dustin can introduce her to Mark-Paul. As for partying, there’s one time we see the cast attend a party. Mark-Paul and Mario get invited to an afterparty, but we’re not invited to come with (rude). Presumably something wild happened there.
