Saved by the Bell reveals how season 2 will honor the late Dustin Diamond. Created by Sam Bobrick, Saved by the Bell was one of the most influential young adult sitcoms of the ‘90s and propelled Diamond to fame among teenage circles for his role as dorky sidekick Screech Powers. Portraying Screech for over a decade of his life, Diamond appeared in Saved by the Bell from its early days of Good Morning, Miss Bliss through Saved by the Bell: The College Years.
Last year, Peacock debuted the Saved by the Bell revival series, which became a success and was quickly renewed for season 2. Season 1 of Saved by the Bell featured a new influx of students, including the son of Zach Morris and Kelly Kapowski, and returned to the halls of Bayside High. Touting several Easter eggs referencing the original show, the reboot featured the return of many original cast members, sans Screech. Sadly, Diamond passed away earlier this year at the age of 44 after a battle with cancer. Following his death, it was revealed that Saved by the Bell season 2 would honor Diamond.
Per Variety, the Saved by the Bell season 2 premiere episode will pay a special tribute to Diamond. Slated to debut on Peacock on November 24, the first episode of season 2 will feature an emotional scene between the original five cast members, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Tiffani Thiessen, Lark Voorhies, Mario Lopez, and Elizabeth Berkley, who reunite at The Max to remember their friend. Read what Saved by the Bell showrunner Tracey Wigfield said about Diamond’s tribute below:
At the beginning of this season, we already were coming into writing Season 2 [where] obviously Dustin was one thing, but we also were like in a pandemic and in general in the first episode, everyone was feeling the same sense of everyone understands how heavy this last year has been. It would have been wrong to not acknowledge that in a real way and to not have our OG characters mourning this character that we’ll never get to see again. That, I wanted to put on the screen, but I just wanted to make sure we were being as sensitive as possible. There was a real guy who had people who loved him. You don’t want to make any jokes or talk about it in any way that might hurt anyone’s feelings.
Of course, it appears Saved by the Bell will ensure Diamond is respectfully remembered and original cast members have been workshopping a way to pay tribute to their former co-star since his passing. The Saved by the Bell season 2 premiere episode will also include a selection of clips of Screech that will highlight his importance to the series. Recently, Peacock released the teaser trailer for Saved by the Bell season 2, which shows the students of Bayside High gearing up to compete in the Southern California School Spirit Competition. Saved by the Bell season 2 will continue to focus on real-life issues and is expected to address how high-school students around the country have been affected by the pandemic.
Indeed, the news of Diamond’s passing sent a shock wave through fans of the iconic series. Saved by the Bell season 2 kicking off with a scene devoted to the remembrance of Screech — and the actor who portrayed him — is the best way for the series to remember the good times between the old friends. For now, fans of Saved by the Bell can expect an emotional, exciting, and relevant season 2 ahead.
Source: Variety