‘Saved by the Bell’ gang returns
Is anybody ready for a “new” version of “Saved by the Bell”? A revival starring many of the series’ original cast members begins streaming on Peacock today.
Come 2020, Zack Morris (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) has become governor of California. Glib and brainless, he has cluelessly defunded the public education system to pay bribes to the oil industry. This forces students from a low-income school to matriculate at the shiny, Disneyfied Bayside High, the setting of the original series.
“Saved by the Bell” was itself a remake of a Disney Channel series, “Good Morning, Mr. Bliss.” As such, it’s an early example of a network show spun off from cable. It’s best known for generating a generation of talent. Or at least wellknown young actors, including Gosselaar, who would later star on “NYPD Blue,” “Pitch” and “mixed-ish.” Tiffani Thiessen, who has shed an “Amber” since “Bell,” has been busy as well. She’s best remembered for “White Collar” on USA. Elizabeth Berkley’s post-“Bell” career even survived her role in Paul Verhoeven’s ghastly backstage Las Vegas drama “Showgirls,” arguably the most ridiculed movie of the 1990s. Mario Lopez has become a ubiquitous presence as a host over the past two decades, associated with everything from “Extra,” to “Dancing With the Stars,” “X-Factor” and “Candy Crush.”
Members of the original “Saved by the Bell” cast will appear on “The Tonight Show” this evening.
› Abby (Kristen Stewart) and Harper (Mackenzie Davis), a seemingly happy couple, spend an awkward Christmas holiday with Harper’s parents (Victor Garber and Mary Steenburgen), who appear to have no idea that Harper (or for that matter, Abby) is gay in the 2020 holiday romance “Happiest Season” streaming on Hulu. Look for Dan Levy (“Schitt’s Creek”) as their neurotic friend.
› “The Mystery of D.B. Cooper” (9 p.m., HBO, TV-14) recalls the hijacker who parachuted from a plane in 1971 carrying more than $1 million. Unseen since, he has confounded experts for nearly 50 years. The premiere episode of the History channel’s “History’s Greatest Mysteries” recently covered the same territory.
The Cooper story says a lot about what becomes “myth” and what is forgotten. Is he legendary because of his audacity? For his ability to remain at large? Or for the fact that he stole a lot of money? Or all three? If he weren’t associated with $1 million, would anybody care?
› TCM salutes the late Sean Connery with a festival of his films, including “Thunderball” (8 p.m., TV-PG), “You Only Live Twice” (10:30 p.m., TV-PG), “Marnie” (12:45 a.m., TV-PG); “The Hill” (3:15 a.m., TV-14) and “The Man Who Would Be King” (5:30 a.m., TV-MA).
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
› Zombies overwhelm a small town in director Jim Jarmusch’s 2019 horror spoof “The Dead Don’t Die” (7:15 p.m., HBO). An ensemble cast includes Bill Murray, Chloe Sevigny, Steve Buscemi, Tilda Swinton, Tom Waits, Danny Glover, Rosie Perez, Iggy Pop, Carol Kane, Selena Gomez and Adam Driver.
› “Women of Worth” (8 p.m., NBC) salutes local volunteers and philanthropists.
› “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life” (8 p.m., CW, TV-14) enters summer.
› Cynical TV hosts can’t fight the mistletoe in the 2020 romance “Good Morning Christmas!” (8 p.m., Hallmark, TV-G).
› “Saturday Night Live” (9 p.m., NBC, TV-14) tackles Thanksgiving, our least funny holiday.
› “NOVA” (9 p.m., PBS, TV-G, check local listings) profiles the engineers repairing Notre Dame cathedral.
› Aaron adjusts on “For Life” (10 p.m., ABC, TV-14).
SERIES NOTES
› Two hours of “The Amazing Race” (8 p.m. and 9 p.m., CBS, TV-PG).
› “The Masked Singer” (8 p.m., Fox, repeat, TV-PG).
› A message movie on “The Goldbergs” (8 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).
› Background scenery on “American Housewife” (8:30 p.m., ABC, TV-14).
› “I Can See Your Voice” (8 p.m., Fox, repeat, TV-PG).
› Darlene makes an awkward impression on “The Conners” (9 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).
› Diane’s social media activities prove surprising on “black-ish” (9:30 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).
› Hondo casts a long shadow on “S.W.A.T.” (10 p.m., CBS, TV-14).