Being a 90s kid, I woke up every Saturday to watch my favorite TV shows. So of course, most of them were cartoons and on Saturday, they were always new. Regardless of soccer games or whatever practice was scheduled, I always got up to watch my shows. And even now, I watch shows that remind me of the “the good ol days” and actually find them more enjoyable. Is it because of the adult content they plugged into each show that I was too young to notice? Or is it the simplicity of the writing that makes me still watch it today? No matter what it is, I still continue to watch.
Ever since I had 8 am classes in college, and now that I have to be at work at 8, I wake up rather early. Let’s just say earlier than most of my friends can remember me rising from the dead. Good for me because I get the day started and I am awake. But the best part for me is the 2 hours every morning that are dedicated to the greatest teen show of the 90s, Saved by the Bell. This show has everything; cool guys, jocks, nerds, geeks, babes, life lessons, friendship, and all those other good things associated with high school…right? Well no normal high school is like that but some of the pieces are the same. But there is one character that makes that show work without flaw. Zack Morris. Yes he is obviously the main character, (Mark-Paul Grosselaar) but he is just so awesome that it is just worth dissecting his life on the show.
As everyone knows, the early years, (middle school) and the later years (college years) were not the best of the show. The shenanigans were not as believable or even fun. There were too many life lessons. Almost like if Tyler Perry was white and wrote a TV show about young kids in different stages of school. But he really took shape in the high school years, which are everyone’s favorite. So let’s start from the top.
His hair
· “Feathered and Flawless.” I am pretty sure that Zack Morris always had the best and newest hair styles. Always a perfect part on one side and always gelled to perfection. Sleeking back the sides just topped it all off, with a short guard to shave each side of his head. A classic 90s move in hair styling. I am pretty sure I had that look at some point as I am sure you did too. Even in the college years, he had the longer, Tom Brady style hair. When you have a mane like that, it’s better to grow it than blow it.
90s attire
· This just screams out 90s from all angles. Tucked in T-Shirts, high waisted jeans, sweaters and shirts with crazy patterns and color schemes just to name a few. There was no way around it, he was the epitome of style. Not to mention his high tops that came back in style recently. Reebok and Nike wish they would have signed a deal with him, because he was always sporting their shoes over his jeans. Yet another classic 90s move.
Technology
· Zack had all the correct up-bringing. His dad was a successful computer salesman, his best friends Screech had a talking/thinking robot, he had unlimited access to the coolest phone ever invented …what more could you ask for? Not only that, growing up in California yielded the perfect surroundings for all the gangs fun and adventure. All of which he planned himself. Probably using a computer, I’m sure. Not to mention the cost of computers then were probably the amount of a small car loan. But since his dad was number one in the company, it never became an issue.
Money
· I am pretty sure that Zack’s pocket book could be described by modern day rappers as “pockets stuck on overload, my rain never evaporate.” It never was an issue. Yes, he did bet constantly to increase his wealth. But who doesn’t do that already. The more money you have, the more risks you take. Granted the bet amounts with A.C. Slater were for nothing more than 50 bucks at a time, but that went a little further back in the early 90s. Back to the dad thing, since Zack did not work and obviously did not pay for that cell phone bill, I can only imagine that dad was the financial backing for everything. Especially for all those dates he went on. It seems like every episode, more toward the end, the Macks appeared to step up pricing and Zack was stepping up his dating game. Thanks a lot Kelly Kapowski for making Zack drain his allowance all on you.
Brains
· Zack scored a 1502 on his SAT. Como say what? Baking powder? Some people just have it all. He also knew how to manipulate every game and bet he was in. It did not always work out in his favor, but he always had his hand in the game some way or another. Maybe the creator of “the game”? The world may never know.
Babes
· I use this term because it was the exact phrase used throughout the show and also in the 90s to refer to good looking women. Let’s just say that there was no limit to the amount of girls Zack had. If she was new, she was on a date with Zack instantly. Even if the person casted had been an extra on the show for years, she was always deemed a “hey baby” look from Zack at some point. But do you ever wonder exactly what Zack had done with each girl? Was he just a womanizer, using each one for sex and pleasure? Or was he a gentleman, taking each girl on a date and treating them correctly? Maybe things did work out every time (they never did) and he was just “friends” with each girl after. Who knows?! Nobody will ever know that one. There were no signs of what really went on after the Macks or after that movie date. Zack even scored with a college girl and utilized a fake idea to party at the Attic. Good for him.
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| Yes please! |
Kelly Kapowski
· Babe of all 90s teen babes. She played every sport imaginable at Bayside. Captain of the 3 girl cheerleading squad (like she couldn’t beat out Lisa), all star volleyball player, softball ace, this girl had it all. Not to mention she was the “one” for Zack. Just took a few goons she dated to get it out of her head that there was no other like Zack.
Notable achievements
· Not to mention his almost perfect SAT score, Zack also birthed a baby in an elevator, saved animals from an oil spill, created buddy bands (the hottest selling item since the slinky), and he was also in the famous band Zack Attack. Do you think Screech could write a song like “friends forever”? I think not. No nerd could ever be that creative and look that good. All while making it to school on time because…you guessed it, he was saved by the bell.
This character had many facets to him. All of which everyone knows. But do you really sit and think about what made him successful? Maybe I just really like the show and that’s why I think about it. Or maybe I wanted to be Zack in high school. Probably not the second part but he was really cool. Right? If Zack was a real person, would you want to be in his crew? I know I sure would.
Here’s to you Zack Morris, may your name live on forever in the halls of Bayside and in the halls of our young, teenage 90s hearts.
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