Screech as an overzealous (and bumbling) Barney Fife-esque mall security guard - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

EccentricGenius · 12-19-2023, 06:22 PM

At the beginning of the fifth season of Saved By The Bell: The New Class, Screech took a side job as a mall security guard at the Palisades Mall for five episodes, patrolling local businesses such as the Teen Machine, the Cookie Jar, Media Mania, Yukon Yogurt, Gadgets and Gimmicks, Petzilla, and Pumped!, to disastrous results. Despite his enthusiasm, Screech's overzealousness and overall ineptitude ultimately proved to be more of a hindrance than an asset. All in all, Screech's well-meaning but unfunny antics made The Andy Griffith Show's resident fumbling deputy Barney Fife (portrayed by the late, great Don Knotts) look like Sherlock Holmes by comparison.

I had hoped and prayed that the legendary Gary Coleman (of Diff'rent Strokes fame) would've made a guest appearance as Screech's superior officer--playing himself, of course--in those aforementioned five episodes, constantly berating and belittling Screech on a regular basis whenever Screech f**ked up big time. Talk about a missed opportunity...Gary and Dustin would've made one hell of a comedic duo. May they both continue to rest in peace.

(As we all know, Gary was forced to eke out a living as a mall security guard at the tail end of the nineties after his adopted parents foolishly squandered his earnings from his eight-season run on Diff'rent Strokes.)

Enjoy the remainder of your terrific Tuesday, and have a safe and happy holiday season!

TMC · 12-24-2023, 04:53 AM

All of this just reminds me how much Screech and Mr. Belding's antics proved to be a major detriment to The New Class. As others have pointed out, the show was ultimately dragged down by making Screech a clown show and adding Belding as his sidekick.

By Season 3, Screech really turned into a complete buffoon with that ridiculous voice that he put on after speaking normally in Season 2, and most episodes just ended up with Screech and Belding in dumb outfits.

EccentricGenius · 12-26-2023, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMC

All of this just reminds me how much Screech and Mr. Belding's antics proved to be a major detriment to The New Class. As others have pointed out, the show was ultimately dragged down by making Screech a clown show and adding Belding as his sidekick.

By Season 3, Screech really turned into a complete buffoon with that ridiculous voice that he put on after speaking normally in Season 2, and most episodes just ended up with Screech and Belding in dumb outfits.

I (sadly) couldn't agree with you more, bro. Screech and Mr. Belding both evolved into a bargain basement Laurel and Hardy at the start of Saved By The Bell: The New Class' fifth season, almost--if not entirely--similar to the equally outlandish antics Steve Urkel (Jaleel White) and Carl Winslow (Reginald VelJohnson) were both embroiled in on the equally long-running primetime sitcom Family Matters (1989-98); as I've rewatched SBTB: The New Class in the last year or so, I'm totally convinced that Dustin Diamond became Urkel to Dennis Haskins' Carl.

And don't even get me started on the gradual devolution of Screech's voice, beginning at the tail end of season four...Screech's vocal cords transitioned from relatively normal to almost Gilbert Gottfried-esque. I cannot even begin to describe how annoying his altered voice was throughout the remainder of SBTB: The New Class' interminable run; it reminded me of a three-way cross between Inspector Gadget, Skeletor, and longtime Match Game panelist Charles Nelson Reilly...it sounded even worse than the sound of fingernails sliding across a blackboard.

Thanks for commenting, TMC. Enjoy the remainder of your terrific Tuesday, as well as the rest of your holiday season.

TMC · 04-15-2024, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EccentricGenius

I (sadly) couldn't agree with you more, bro. Screech and Mr. Belding both evolved into a bargain basement Laurel and Hardy at the start of Saved By The Bell: The New Class' fifth season, almost--if not entirely--similar to the equally outlandish antics Steve Urkel (Jaleel White) and Carl Winslow (Reginald VelJohnson) were both embroiled in on the equally long-running primetime sitcom Family Matters (1989-98); as I've rewatched SBTB: The New Class in the last year or so, I'm totally convinced that Dustin Diamond became Urkel to Dennis Haskins' Carl.

And don't even get me started on the gradual devolution of Screech's voice, beginning at the tail end of season four...Screech's vocal cords transitioned from relatively normal to almost Gilbert Gottfried-esque. I cannot even begin to describe how annoying his altered voice was throughout the remainder of SBTB: The New Class' interminable run; it reminded me of a three-way cross between Inspector Gadget, Skeletor, and longtime Match Game panelist Charles Nelson Reilly...it sounded even worse than the sound of fingernails sliding across a blackboard.

Thanks for commenting, TMC. Enjoy the remainder of your terrific Tuesday, as well as the rest of your holiday season.

There are at least, two completely separate discussions on the SBTB subreddit that details Screech and Mr. Belding's Flanderization on The New Class. Simply put, Mr. Belding went from being a lovable, often clueless but well-meaning oaf to a total buffoon. And Screech went from being a smart yet dorky nerd stereotype to an impulsive, screeching (no pun intended) idiot.

rusty spike · 04-15-2024, 01:46 PM

I finally gave in and began watching the series (The New Class). I'm going to dissent and give my approval to Screech and Mr B during the last seasons.

I admit that I was a snob and never gave it a chance. I was very loyal to the original series. However, I finally lowered my expectations, and I started to enjoy the Belding-Screech storylines, albeit very childish and juvenile humor.

I changed my attitude and approach to this series when there were too many cast changes to keep track. It's easier to watch the show with their hijinks. I reached the point where only Mr. Belding and Screech became the anchors of the show even if Screech was using that false (and annoying) voice.

I may not have agreed where the show went in terms of character development, but it is what it is~ even lasting longer than the original SBTB.

12-19-2023, 06:22 PM	#1
EccentricGenius Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 30, 2015 Posts: 767	Screech as an overzealous (and bumbling) Barney Fife-esque mall security guard At the beginning of the fifth season of Saved By The Bell: The New Class, Screech took a side job as a mall security guard at the Palisades Mall for five episodes, patrolling local businesses such as the Teen Machine, the Cookie Jar, Media Mania, Yukon Yogurt, Gadgets and Gimmicks, Petzilla, and Pumped!, to disastrous results. Despite his enthusiasm, Screech's overzealousness and overall ineptitude ultimately proved to be more of a hindrance than an asset. All in all, Screech's well-meaning but unfunny antics made The Andy Griffith Show's resident fumbling deputy Barney Fife (portrayed by the late, great Don Knotts) look like Sherlock Holmes by comparison. I had hoped and prayed that the legendary Gary Coleman (of Diff'rent Strokes fame) would've made a guest appearance as Screech's superior officer--playing himself, of course--in those aforementioned five episodes, constantly berating and belittling Screech on a regular basis whenever Screech f*ked up big time. Talk about a missed opportunity...Gary and Dustin would've made one hell of a comedic duo. May they both continue to rest in peace. (As we all know, Gary was forced to eke out a living as a mall security guard at the tail end of the nineties after his adopted parents foolishly squandered his earnings from his eight-season run on Diff'rent Strokes*.) Enjoy the remainder of your terrific Tuesday, and have a safe and happy holiday season!
	Last edited by EccentricGenius; 02-14-2024 at 08:40 PM.

12-24-2023, 04:53 AM	#2
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,021	All of this just reminds me how much Screech and Mr. Belding's antics proved to be a major detriment to The New Class. As others have pointed out, the show was ultimately dragged down by making Screech a clown show and adding Belding as his sidekick. By Season 3, Screech really turned into a complete buffoon with that ridiculous voice that he put on after speaking normally in Season 2, and most episodes just ended up with Screech and Belding in dumb outfits.

04-15-2024, 01:46 PM	#5
rusty spike Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 08, 2015 Location: Southwest Posts: 1,124	I finally gave in and began watching the series (The New Class). I'm going to dissent and give my approval to Screech and Mr B during the last seasons. I admit that I was a snob and never gave it a chance. I was very loyal to the original series. However, I finally lowered my expectations, and I started to enjoy the Belding-Screech storylines, albeit very childish and juvenile humor. I changed my attitude and approach to this series when there were too many cast changes to keep track. It's easier to watch the show with their hijinks. I reached the point where only Mr. Belding and Screech became the anchors of the show even if Screech was using that false (and annoying) voice. I may not have agreed where the show went in terms of character development, but it is what it is~ even lasting longer than the original SBTB.