Zack and the gang are back for more

“Saved by the Bell” may only be airing on TBS, but that doesn’t mean you have to skip your noon classes to relive the thrilling adventures of Zack and the Gang. The “Saved by the Bell: Seasons One and Two” DVD set offers viewers 750 minutes of pure “Saved by the Bell” pleasure.If you’re like me and you’ve seen every episode enough times to stage a SBTB play in your dorm room, don’t worry, the DVD is totally worth the $34.99. It’s probably been a while since you’ve seen some of your favorite episodes. The benefit of purchasing the DVD set is the ability to watch hours and hours of SBTB on end. Viewers be warned – one episode of “Saved by the Bell” can be compared to the gum that comes in a pack of baseball cards. It’s sweet and fun, but completely past its expiration date. But watching two seasons of SBTB is completely different. SBTB is a dangerous drug and watching multiple episodes of the show will lead to an overdose. After the third or fourth episode, you will find yourself marveling at Kelly’s ’80s bangs, comparing your cell phone to Zack’s and staring in awe at Slater’s ability to pull off tight shorts and spandex. Suddenly the bells in the library ring or your friend knocks on your door for dinner and you’re sucked back into reality. How did you allow yourself to be sucked up in such absurdity? Was it the early ’90s fashion, the horrible acting or the absurd plot lines? We may never know.The DVD contains some inconsequential episodes, such as “Pinned to the Mat,” “Save the Max” and “Slater’s Friend.” It does, however, include many classics, such as the episode where Kelly can’t afford to go to the prom, the friendship bracelet episode and my personal favorite, the episode where Jessie gets addicted to caffeine pills. There is even an appearance of the Zack Attack!The only thing that this DVD lacks is bonus material. The SBTB actors are obviously hard-up for work, what with Dustin Diamond, who played “Screech,” and Elizabeth Berkley, known as “Jessie Spano,” being the most successful and having only appeared on “Celebrity Boxing” and in “Showgirls,” respectively. The studio obviously felt that the couple extra buyers drawn to special features didn’t validate the cost to gather some up.SBTB isn’t just Saturday morning television, it’s 15 hours of life lessons. From over-the- counter drug abuse, to dating and friendship, Zack and the gang teach us how to deal with life’s real issues. If you still need a reason to purchase the SBTB DVD set, here it is. Simply put, SBTB is the best show ever. If I looked in its closing credits, I wouldn’t be surprised if I saw God as a writer for the show. Gorode can be reached atkgorode@campustimes.org.