After California Governor Zack Morris slashes the education budget, low-income schools are forced to close. Faced with condemnation for this, the rattled Governor makes an impromptu announcement that the students from these schools will be given transportation to schools in more affluent areas - including to his own alma mater, Bayside High.
Suddenly finding themselves as Bayside students, newcomers Daisy, Aisha and Devante must now adapt to glamorous, wealthy and somewhat surreal environment of their new school. There to help them make the adjustment are the governor's son Mack, his dim but sweet best friend Jamie, and his diva-tastic "best frenemy" Lexi.
On hand to help all the kids - or at least try to - are two other former students who were high school friends of the Governor; football coach Slater and guidance counsellor Jessie Spano.
The stage is set for wacky hijinks aplenty, and Saved by the Bell duly delivers.
This is a sequel-slash-reboot of the 90s TV series of the same name, and like that series it embraces an over the top, hyper-stylised version of reality where characters have massively exaggerated personality traits. This is particularly true of the long term Bayside students. For instance Mack's only way of dealing with the world in general, and his father in particular, is through elaborate pranks, while Jamie still needs his mom to cut the crusts off his sandwiches.
New student Daisy, meanwhile, is literally able to call 'time out' and break the fourth wall to directly address the audience.
So 'realistic' is not something that this show in any way attempts to be, but I don't personally think that is in any way detracts from its entertainment value. It leans into the madcap possibilities of its own absurdity, while still telling engaging stories about flawed but likeable people trying to sort out their lives (the adults as much as the teens).
Great cast, funny situations, heart in the right place. I like it.
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