Critical Investigation Task #3

Historical text analysis and research

Saved By the Bell

Saved By the Bell

Saved by the Bell is an American television sitcom that aired on NBC from 1989 to 1993. Primarily focusing on light-hearted comedic situations, it occasionally touches on serious social issues, such as drug use, driving under the influence, the show has been classified as “educational and informational.”  Bayside High school, where the show is set, has desirable conveniences such as the swimming pool, countless athletic teams, and huge chemistry labs and very own ’50s styled restaurant. There are many characters, for instance there is Zack Morris, the lead protagonist and charming schemer, Kelly the cheerleader, Albert Clifford “A.C.” Slater the jock, Jessie the gang’s crusader, Screech the nerd, Lisa the fashionable trendy one and Mr. Belding the principal and authoritative figure. The show has been established for its height of unintentional comedy, not just in the 90s but of all time.

Saved by the Bell marks are transition in society, particularly with the use of huge mobile phones and the bright fashionable clothing. The show embodies a transition in time, with the use of mobile phones it shows developments in new and digital technology, as well as embracing other ethnicities (as it’s not an all-white cast). Also, with the use of mise-en-scene, the clothing demonstrates a change in fashion. In comparison to my primary text, The Inbetweeners, there are many similarities. This is evident through the advances in technology, the use of mobile phone which is typically popular amongst teenagers.

However, there are many differences which are notable. For instance, the inbetweeners cast are all white, British males. In Saved by the Bell, there is a variety of ethnicities and both male and female characters in the group. This could demonstrate how the British culture are more of a patriarchal society, whereas the American society are more relaxed and open-minded to both genders. 

Furthermore, in today’s society the youth are not as restricted and this is most evident as the boys in the inbetweeners go on a “lad’s holiday”. This shows how society has changed, typically as the youth have more responsibility and have the liberty to be trusted to go on vacations at a young age. Also, in today’s society is it noticed that slang is used more broadly, compared to twenty years ago. Both texts demonstrate similar character traits, such as having the typical nerd, lady charmer and principal as an authoritative figure. Both are also school-based and show daily routines of what school life is like. 

Also, both shows have different culutures: American vs. British. Saved by the Bell has a group of friends who are like a "family" and this depicts how British comedy is more explicit and this is evident in The Inbetweeners through the consistent swearing and the use of sexual innuendos. American programmes are very traditional is terms of embracing family values, British comedy is more relaxed as people in Britain are more open-minded and liberal.