Bonnie Russavage's performance as Vicki Needleman--any thoughts?

[EccentricGenius]

When SBTB: The New Class debuted on NBC's TNBC Saturday morning block in the autumn of 1993, viewers were introduced to six brand new characters that were now roaming the hallways of Bayside following the graduation class of '93 the previous May: charming schemer Scott Erickson (Robert Sutherland Telfer), leather jacket-wearing iconoclast Tommy "Tommy D." DeLuca (Jonathan Angel), overachiever Megan Jones (Bianca Lawson), Blossom-obsessed computer nerd Barton "Weasel" Wyzell (Isaac Lidsky), popular girl Lindsay Warner (Natalia Cigliuti), and neurotic Vicki Needleman (Bonnie Russavage).

As we all know by now, The New Class was lambasted by both critics and viewers upon its premiere that September; it was painfully obvious to the public Scott, Lindsay, Weasel, Tommy D., Vicki, and Megan were carbon copies of Zack, Kelly, Screech, Slater, Jessie, and Lisa, respectively...it's no surprise The New Class' executive producer Peter Engel terminated Telfer, Lidsky, and Russavage at the end of its abysmal debut season in late '93.

One of the cast members that was s**tcanned was Bonnie Russavage, who portrayed Vicki Needleman. As Vicki, Russavage brought an eccentric but overall annoying personality to her character, complete with her penchant for protecting the environment; Vicki actually had a crush on Scott throughout most of season one (most memorably in the episode "George Washington Kissed Here") which sadly never came to pass...I wanted to see Vicki and Scott both become an item, had Russavage and Tefler (as well as Lidsky) not received their walking papers by Engel.

What is your overall verdict of Bonnie Russavage's performance as neurotic freshman Vicki Needleman? Do you believe Vicki should've been retained for the second season along with Tommy D., Megan, and Lindsay? Or did she deserve to disappear into television oblivion?

Drop me a line...I'd love to hear from all of you. I always enjoy kicking back in my cowboy boots and reading your comments on the various threads I've started on this website.

Enjoy your Hump Day, everyone!

[TMC]

This is what SavedbytheBellReviewed.com had to say on the matter:

They also jettisoned Vicki, and with good reason. Vicki didn’t do **** this season. No episodes focused on her. She occasionally has a supporting role in one of the group’s schemes, but she had no personality or life outside the group. Her one thing was being a complete dumb ass, which grated on my nerves more than anything. They hinted at a running subplot with her having a crush on Scott but it only showed up a few times when it was convenient to the plot and was forgotten the rest of the time. Consider the fact that Vicki was jealous of Scott and Megan but not Scott and Rachel. In fact, she helped facilitate Scott and Rachel’s date!

[EccentricGenius]

Originally Posted by TMC

This is what SavedbytheBellReviewed.com had to say on the matter:

Interesting observation, TMC. After reading your comment, I can now see why Bonnie Russavage (Vicki Needleman)--along with her castmates Isaac Lidsky (Barton "Weasel" Wyzell) and Robert Sutherland Telfer (Scott Erickson)--was abruptly s**tcanned by executive producer Peter Engel after SBTB: The New Class wrapped up its lackluster inaugural season in late '93...it's painfully obvious she didn't connect with her co-stars. Thanks for commenting.