Did SBTB seem socially regressive for a show in the '90s

[TMC]

For example, Jessie you could argue, fit every negative stereotype of a rich feminist while Kelly and Lisa were portrayed as vapid valley girls. I've heard the suggestion elsewhere, that Saved by the Bell seemed too 1950s wholesome for the '90s just like The Brady Bunch did for the '70s as well. The key differences however, are that The Brady Bunch actually had some progressive elements like the blended family aspect and implication that Carol was a divorcee. Plus, Marcia and Jan did have depth and multiple interests which were explored in episodes.

[irehtman]

Now it is, yes. We all noticed that Sam Bobrick was abused in real-life by the antisemitic group, both mentally and physically, back in his teen years, which caused his dangerous relationship to form with both deceased actor Dustin Diamond and his Screech Powers role.
That really led to:

1.) Actor Dustin Diamond to get lured into evil, get sick and doomed to his death/
2.) Actress Lark Voorhies to suffer a long-time sickness to recover for her survival.
3.) Actor Dennis Haskins to suffer a short-time sickness and then recovered.
4.) Actor Mark Paul Gosselaar to suffer too much post-SBTB luck.
5.) Both actresses Tiffani Amber Thiessen and Elizabeth Berkley to automatically commit to other projects in a hurry to each survive their own real-life family success without each suffering a single divorce. Their own husbands already know the awful truth about Bobrick, besides both Diamond and Screech situations, seriously each.

[irehtman]

Now it is, yes. We all noticed that Sam Bobrick was abused in real-life by the antisemitic group, both mentally and physically, back in his teen years, which caused his dangerous relationship to form with both deceased actor Dustin Diamond and his Screech Powers role.
That really led to:

1.) Actor Dustin Diamond to get lured into evil, get sick and doomed to his death/
2.) Actress Lark Voorhies to suffer a long-time sickness to recover for her survival.
3.) Actor Dennis Haskins to suffer a short-time sickness and then recovered.
4.) Actor Mark Paul Gosselaar to suffer too much post-SBTB luck.
5.) Both actresses Tiffani Amber Thiessen and Elizabeth Berkley to automatically commit to other projects in a hurry to each survive their own real-life family success without each suffering a single divorce. Their own husbands already know the awful truth about Bobrick, besides both Diamond and Screech situations, seriously each.

[RetroGuy2000]

No, it wasn't socially regressive. It was very vanilla because the network knew their Saturday morning audience was very young. Thus, Slater's puppy doesn't die; instead his lizard dies. Jessie gets hooked on caffein pills instead of hard drugs. These changes to the scripts made the show more gentle; the producers did try to tackle real issues... just in a very gentle way.

[irehtman]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

No, it wasn't socially regressive. It was very vanilla because the network knew their Saturday morning audience was very young. Thus, Slater's puppy doesn't die; instead his lizard dies. Jessie gets hooked on caffein pills instead of hard drugs. These changes to the scripts made the show more gentle; the producers did try to tackle real issues... just in a very gentle way.

Except for that antisemitic abuse scandal at the entire original SBTB crewmember group part in it, which made it socially regressive, nothing else, that's all, TBH, IMO.

[JO Sweet Heart]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

No, it wasn't socially regressive. It was very vanilla because the network knew their Saturday morning audience was very young. Thus, Slater's puppy doesn't die; instead his lizard dies. Jessie gets hooked on caffein pills instead of hard drugs. These changes to the scripts made the show more gentle; the producers did try to tackle real issues... just in a very gentle way.

Maybe with the show being a Saturday morning program, gentle ways were the only option, but to me, they got the job done. The episode about drunk driving was well done in my opinion. Slater was lucky that missing the football game due to his injury was the only downfall that he suffered.

God bless you always!!!

Holly