The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story (Lifetime) - 9/1/14
09-01-14, 10:58 AM
#1
Moderator
Thread Starter
The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story (Lifetime) - 9/1/14
Lifetime takes a nostalgic look back at the '90s TV show that changed the landscape of Saturday mornings with America's favorite teens. The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story delves into the experiences of six unknown young actors placed into the Hollywood spotlight, exposing the challenges of growing up under public scrutiny while trying to maintain the squeaky clean image of their popular characters both on and off-screen. The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story is filming in Vancouver and the movie will premiere Labor Day, Monday September 1, at 9 pm PT/ET. With casting by the original series' casting director, Robin Lippin (Lizzie McGuire), Dylan Everett (Degrassi: The Next Generation) is set to play Mark-Paul Gosselaar in the role of mischievous ringleader "Zack Morris." Sam Kindseth (Shameless) is Dustin Diamond, everyone's favorite geek and loveable sidekick "Screech." Julian Works (Paranormal Activity, Modern Family) fills the shoes of superstar Mario Lopez as the hunky jock "A.C. Slater." Alyssa Lynch (The High Jumping Witch) plays the role of America's favorite sweetheart, Tiffani-Amber Thiessen, who originated the part of Kelly Kapowski. Tiera Skovbye (Supernatural, Girl in Progress) takes on the role of talented beauty Elizabeth Berkley and her beloved character "Jessie Sapano." Rounding out the cast is Taylor Russell McKenzie (Blink) who will portray Lark Voorhies and her on-screen persona, the privileged "Lisa Turtle."
PRINCIPAL CAST INFORMATION:
· Alyssa Lynch as Tiffani-Amber Thiessen
· Dylan Everett as Mark-Paul Gosselaar
· Julian Works as Mario Lopez
· Sam Kindseth as Dustin Diamond
· Taylor Russell McKenzie as Lark Voorhies
· Tiera Skovbye as Elizabeth Berkley
CREW INFORMATION:
· Harvey Kahn as EP
· Jason Lepeyre as DIR
· Ron McGee as WRTR
· Stephen Bulka as EP
PRINCIPAL CAST INFORMATION:
· Alyssa Lynch as Tiffani-Amber Thiessen
· Dylan Everett as Mark-Paul Gosselaar
· Julian Works as Mario Lopez
· Sam Kindseth as Dustin Diamond
· Taylor Russell McKenzie as Lark Voorhies
· Tiera Skovbye as Elizabeth Berkley
CREW INFORMATION:
· Harvey Kahn as EP
· Jason Lepeyre as DIR
· Ron McGee as WRTR
· Stephen Bulka as EP
Looks awful... but what the hell...
09-01-14, 11:02 AM
#2
DVD Talk Godfather
Re: The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story (Lifetime) - 9/1/14
I saw the clip a few weeks ago and it looks pretty bad, but I'm still curious. Have this set to record.
09-01-14, 11:05 AM
#3
DVD Talk God
Re: The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story (Lifetime) - 9/1/14
This is based off Dustin Diamond's tell all book. Probably all lies. Looks awful, but might be a fun train wreck. I grew up on Saved by the Bell. Might be interesting to see all of Diamond's lies.
09-01-14, 11:10 AM
#4
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story (Lifetime) - 9/1/14
^ Basically. And on top of that the douche backpeddled and said he had a ghost writer.
This TV special will be far from any truth and all cast members are not happy about it.
Dustin Diamond is a choad and I know Lifetime cant be that desperate to want to go to that guy for anything.
This TV special will be far from any truth and all cast members are not happy about it.
Dustin Diamond is a choad and I know Lifetime cant be that desperate to want to go to that guy for anything.
09-01-14, 11:42 AM
#7
DVD Talk God
09-01-14, 11:47 AM
#9
Suspended
09-01-14, 12:03 PM
#10
DVD Talk God
Re: The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story (Lifetime) - 9/1/14
Recent picture of Lark Voorhies.
09-01-14, 12:40 PM
#11
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story (Lifetime) - 9/1/14
She went on to Saved by the Bell: The (Clown) College Years
09-01-14, 12:49 PM
#12
DVD Talk Godfather
09-01-14, 12:57 PM
#13
DVD Talk God
Re: The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story (Lifetime) - 9/1/14
Yeah I know most SBTB fans know that line. I only added the visuals to refresh all your memories. 
09-01-14, 10:48 PM
#15
DVD Talk God
Re: The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story (Lifetime) - 9/1/14
Just finished watching all 2 hours.
Wasn't as awful as I was expecting. But certainly wasn't good. Was hoping that it would be more over the top & campy, but it ended up being a lot more serious in tone. They even went all the way back to the original show "Good Morning Miss Bliss" in telling the story.
The whole thing was written from the perspective of Dustin Diamond. The kid who played Dustin was decent. A dork who never seemed to quite fit in seemed to be his perspective on the whole experience. I thought the guy who played Mark-Paul was probably the best of the cast.
The guy who they cast as Mario Lopez was freaking ugly as shit.
He did got some of Mario's mannerisms right from the show.
I was impressed that they paid some attention to detail and the "filmed scenes" were 4:3 as opposed to letterbox.
Funny at the end when Dustin gave a recap of what happened to everyone after the show. He mentioned the college years lasted only 1 season, but he forgot to mention that Saved by the Bell: The New Class lasted 7 seasons (longer than the original) and he freaking starred in it.
Wasn't as awful as I was expecting. But certainly wasn't good. Was hoping that it would be more over the top & campy, but it ended up being a lot more serious in tone. They even went all the way back to the original show "Good Morning Miss Bliss" in telling the story.
The whole thing was written from the perspective of Dustin Diamond. The kid who played Dustin was decent. A dork who never seemed to quite fit in seemed to be his perspective on the whole experience. I thought the guy who played Mark-Paul was probably the best of the cast.
The guy who they cast as Mario Lopez was freaking ugly as shit.
He did got some of Mario's mannerisms right from the show. I was impressed that they paid some attention to detail and the "filmed scenes" were 4:3 as opposed to letterbox.
Funny at the end when Dustin gave a recap of what happened to everyone after the show. He mentioned the college years lasted only 1 season, but he forgot to mention that Saved by the Bell: The New Class lasted 7 seasons (longer than the original) and he freaking starred in it.
Last edited by DJariya; 09-01-14 at 10:54 PM.
09-01-14, 11:18 PM
#16
Suspended
Re: The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story (Lifetime) - 9/1/14
Far too tame...and boring. It's on Lifetime, not sure what I expected.
09-02-14, 08:03 AM
#17
Moderator
Thread Starter
Re: The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story (Lifetime) - 9/1/14
Didn't hate it.
I wish they would've gone into more details about their private lives though. It was actually quite tame compared to what I've heard about the book. Maybe Dustin Diamond was using this as a somewhat apology to everyone? I don't think it really portrayed anyone too negatively.
The girls they cast as Elizabeth and Lark were very cute. Tiffani was OK...but has nothing on Kelly Kapowski in her prime.
I wish they would've gone into more details about their private lives though. It was actually quite tame compared to what I've heard about the book. Maybe Dustin Diamond was using this as a somewhat apology to everyone? I don't think it really portrayed anyone too negatively.
The girls they cast as Elizabeth and Lark were very cute. Tiffani was OK...but has nothing on Kelly Kapowski in her prime.
09-02-14, 02:49 PM
#19
Moderator
Thread Starter
Re: The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story (Lifetime) - 9/1/14
Lifetime's The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story failed to capture an audience on Labor Day, premiering to just 1.6 million total viewers to the 9 p.m. telecast. For comparison's sake, that's less than half the audience tuning in to Flowers in the Attic sequel Petals on the Wind that earned 3.4 million in May. Unauthorized averaged 1.1 million among the 18-49 and 25-54 demos.
09-02-14, 04:21 PM
#20
DVD Talk Godfather
Re: The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story (Lifetime) - 9/1/14
I have no idea what Flowers in the Attic or Petals on the Wind even is. I DVR'd this and watched it late last night; it was ok, but did seemly awfully tame and none of the drama seemed particularly crazy or bad in the portrayal. I didn't care for the actors that played Zack and Slater, although Screech and the girls seemed decent. Kind of a waste of time overall, lol.
09-02-14, 07:39 PM
#21
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Re: The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story (Lifetime) - 9/1/14
Awful and not in a Sharknado kind of way.
Weird thing is that I never knew about SBTB when it was originally on. I was past teen at that point. I only watched it in reruns in the mid-late 90s, right around the time Tiffany signed on to 90210 (loved Valerie).
Weird thing is that I never knew about SBTB when it was originally on. I was past teen at that point. I only watched it in reruns in the mid-late 90s, right around the time Tiffany signed on to 90210 (loved Valerie).
09-02-14, 07:42 PM
#22
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story (Lifetime) - 9/1/14
The girl who played Elizabeth Berkley was great. I realize finding a match for Mario Lopez was probably difficult .... but that guy was a joke!
09-02-14, 07:54 PM
#23
Moderator
Thread Starter
Re: The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story (Lifetime) - 9/1/14
I'm now going back and watching the show on DVD. I've got the bug. 
09-02-14, 09:17 PM
#24
Suspended
09-02-14, 10:03 PM
#25
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story (Lifetime) - 9/1/14
I have no idea what Flowers in the Attic or Petals on the Wind even is. I DVR'd this and watched it late last night; it was ok, but did seemly awfully tame and none of the drama seemed particularly crazy or bad in the portrayal. I didn't care for the actors that played Zack and Slater, although Screech and the girls seemed decent. Kind of a waste of time overall, lol.