worm ears, bad music and picnic tables=true love.

Going back to the roots of this blog. Saved By The Bell!!

This morning I had the pleasure of watching a well-rounded episode.

How is that possible? What episode you ask? Well none other than "The Prom" episode.

This is a classic episode. Usually all prom episodes of any teen-targeted show are a big deal.
Examples include: 90210...If you'll remember, Donna got drunk off of (literally) one glass of champagne and almost didn't graduate and there was something about this tee shirt (see below) andddd well thats really my only example, but its a good one.ANYWAY...

In this particular SBTB, we have a few story lines going on.

To start, the main story line features Kelly finally making a decision between her two male suitors--Zack and Slater. The boys finally give Kelly an ultimatum...she has to pick one of them to join at prom.


1. Dream sequence (the infamous pink border around television)
-This dream featured Screech as "Geraldo Screech" also combining a competition between Zack and Slater. There was an evening wear competition and Slater was actually wearing a white suit a la Miami Vice. Kelly chooses Dream Slater in the dream, but somehow Dream Zack wins her over so when she wakes up, she decides to choose Zack instead. Seems sort of fishy to me.

2. Kelly chooses Zack over Slater as a prom date
-This is a pivotal moment...its starts the Zack/Kelly relationship and leaves Slater available to date Jessie. Zack begins preparation right away-securing a limo, etc. Come on. We knew all along that Kelly wouldnt be able to resist Zack's charm and technological savvy (his 10lb cell phone).

3. Kelly's Dad loses his job
-Mr. Kapowski informs Kelly that he has lost his job and needs her to stay positive and help the family. There is some sort of exchange about peace breaking out, the defense department, etc etc. It was way too intense for me to follow. Kelly offers to give up her money for the prom dress...Mr. Kapowski refuses at first but then the bastard gives in and takes the money back. This is where Kelly first mentions her "7 siblings". The rarely seen little Kapowskis. I believe there is a sister that makes an appearance in later episodes and also who could forget Baby Billy? Kelly cries after her Dad leaves and exclaims "This is the first time I've lied to my father!!" The emotions in the scene are overwhelming.

4. Box of worms
-Ah Screech. Never gives up on Lisa no matter how mean she is to him. Lisa said she would go out with Screech when "worms have ears!" Well, Screech sent her a box of worms with little taped on ears. Classic.

5. The date
-Screech and Lisa went on their first date, but sat in this order: Screech, Slater, Jessie, Zack, Kelly, then Lisa. Hilarity ensues...Lisa wont sit next to Screech, there is some yelling, then Screech finally sits next to Lisa and buys her popcorn/soda combo. Lisa proceeds to talk the whole time and annoys Screech...asking each time if the zombie is "Matt Dillion"...to which Screech replies with one of the best lines of the episode, "Alan Thicke is the zombie, everyone knows that!!"

6. Jessie and Slater go to prom together
-This is where their relationship finally started to blossom. There is numerous name-calling and arguing. Examples-- Jessie calls Slater a "Chair pig", Jessie says that Slater only likes the lambada, Slater says Jessie only likes protest music, etc etc.

Then Jessie criticizes Slater's TAPES--being that he only showed up with Paula Abdul and Janet Jackson. And just to point out...they mentioned real artist names, but I guess couldn't afford the rights to the music...because when Jessie and Slater (the music chairs for the prom committee) finally decided on music, it turned out to be that crazy-ass SBTB instrumental music that they play at The Max. To top it all off, poor Screech was the DJ. You know he didnt get paid. WTF did Bayside spend their money on?

7. Actual Prom
-Jessie and Slater wow-ed the crowd with their dancing skills. Which included Jessie's highly inappropriate leg on Slater...seems that she had more experience pole dancing in preparation for her role in "Showgirls" than previously suspected. Slater was really dancing up a storm too. I keep bringing this up in these blogs because he totally he did have dancing experience yet tried to pretend that he didnt when he was on "Dancing with the Stars". He donned a tutu one too many times. Kelly/Zack had their own special prom outside on a picnic table.


It showed Zack's sweet side as he planned a prom complete with their own personalized party banner that said "Kelly and Zack's Prom". They had their first dance and kiss and eventually because of this pivotal episode...although there were some bumps along the way (ie Jeff)...they got married.

Therefore, this episode plays out like some sort of madcap Shakespearean comedy. Um, of course, that's only if I pretend that this one episode combines with the wedding episode that actually aired like 5 years later. Whatever, I love SBTB.