I met Mr. Belding!!! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

theTHRILL · 01-20-2004, 01:00 PM

I was at the mall in San Francisco over the weekend and you all will never guess who I ran into! MR. BELDING!!! I couldn't believe it! I noticed a bearded man standing in line to buy one of those jumbo pretzels, and I walked straight past him. I was almost ten paces past him when it hit me who he was. I ran back to him and screamed out "You're Mr. Belding!" He was obviously a little embarassed by my reaction and said that people don't notice him much any more since he grew a beard and added a few pounds. He said he was about to leave town after starring in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof for the past few weeks. He was very gracious about giving me his autograph (I got him to sign my t-shirt) and staying put while I bought a disposable camera and had my picture made with him. We probably talked for about 15 minutes all together and it's quickly apparant how much he loves/loved SBTB. He said all the cast members were great to work with except for Jessie who was always badmouthing the show and talking about how she couldn't wait to get out. Apparently she had her share of feuds with almost everyone on the show. He said his favorite person to work with was Ms. Bliss (!!!) and said that she was a true professional in every sense. He agreed with me that although the show was fantastic, it could've been even better if Ms. Bliss would've stayed. He said the episode where Zack delivers his baby in the elevator will always be his favorite because it allowed him to display his full range as an actor. On kind of a sour grapes note, he displayed some hard feelings towards the writers and producers because they didn't accept more of his input as far as the direction his character should head. He said he approached the producers with the idea for Zack's parents to move away and for him (Mr. Belding) to acquire custody. He feels they could've eventually spun it off into a primetime show. I thought it was a stupid idea, but I didn't tell him that because he was so nice to me. And now for the biggest bit of information he gave me...he's in the process of working on a reunion script and has already gotten assurances from Screech, Slater, Lisa and Torrie that they'd reprise their roles. It has something to do with them busting up an international terrorist ring. He says it will never fly unless Zack agrees to do it though. Zack apparently has expressed some interest, but his schedule may make it impossible. He said that even Jessie has shown that it may be a possibility for her, he thinks because her career is "down the tubes" (his quote). He said that Kelly is the only person to outright say NO, but that he will probably write into the script that she is killed by the initial terrorist act and that sets off the chain of events that brings the SBTB gang into the story. He said it's more of a "dramedy" because it combines the screwball antics that we're used to seeing with gripping drama so it will appeal to a wider audience. He encouraged me that if I'd really like to see a reunion to email NBC expressing how much I miss the show and enquire about a reunion. (I'd suggest that each of you do the same if you're interested.) Mr. Belding said to look for him next summer ('05) as the voice of Skippy the Clown in Disney's Skippy's Big Top. Overall it was one of those events in life that I'll never forget. Mr. Belding now joins Ms. Bliss as my favorite SBTB cast members.

SBTB Geek · 01-20-2004, 02:13 PM

Both his idea for a primetime sitcom, and the reunion special are beyond idiotic. If I would of met him I would of seriously told him he was (as Simon Cowell says,) "off his rocker!"

He is an old man, and should be more mature, why does he still have a grudge against Elizabeth?.. LOL. He makes Elizabeth seem like a bad person for wanting to move on after "Saved By The Bell", and that comment about her career being "down the tubes" wasn't needed, she has done more than him career-wise.

Thanks for posting.

theTHRILL · 01-20-2004, 02:31 PM

Maybe the way I typed it made it come off wrong, but Mr. Belding didn't seem as though he disliked Jessie, only that she CONSTANTLY bemoaned the fact that she was with SBTB and couldn't wait to be ANYWHERE else. I agree with you about his plot ideas and I think they seem a little farfetched even by SBTB standards but as you can imagine I didn't want to insult the man. He was very gracious.

barb1686 · 01-20-2004, 04:30 PM

I really HATE his idea for a reunion. I want a happy one and I would never want Kelly's character to die off. That'd make a sad Zack (not to mention the gang), and a sad movie for the fans. I want a happy reunion and I want it to be a comedy like it's always been, but that's just my opinion.

- Barbara

barb1686 · 01-20-2004, 04:31 PM

...Oh and sorry for Tori fans, but I don't want her in it either. No offense, but I want the REAL gang in it.

- Barbara

HuntingtonM15 · 01-20-2004, 04:36 PM

It's awesome that you got to meet him! Thanks for posting about it. I would love to see a reunion, just not the one he has in mind. It's pretty obvious that Tiffani wouldn't do it, but they could make it without her.

barb1686 · 01-20-2004, 05:18 PM

I'd really like a reunion movie too, but without a Kelly? Hmmm....that would be sooo hard for me. I'm a HUGE fan of Zack and Kelly...so I dunno. I want some more of them. But I guess it'd be better than no reunion at all....or wait a few more years and see if she's says yes?? Gosh, I really want her to say yes....BOTH her and MPG.

- Barbara

HuntingtonM15 · 01-20-2004, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by barb1686
I'd really like a reunion movie too, but without a Kelly? Hmmm....that would be sooo hard for me. I'm a HUGE fan of Zack and Kelly...so I dunno. I want some more of them. But I guess it'd be better than no reunion at all....or wait a few more years and see if she's says yes?? Gosh, I really want her to say yes....BOTH her and MPG.

- Barbara

Well they did manage the Facts of Life reunion movie without Nancy, so if they really wanted to, it could happen. Though, right now it seems kind of unlikely.

Pitooey · 01-20-2004, 08:09 PM

WoW... What a stroke of luck The thrill!!!..........

I enjoyed reading your post on meeting Mr. Belding. He seemed so sweet and nice to have given you so much time. I wish other actors and actresses were just as gracious. I would like a reunion movie. Imagine a movie just like FRIENDS........ With all the people living nearby and meeting at a diner or coffee shop. I would love that! Thanks Thrill for being at the right place at the right time.......

barb1686 · 01-20-2004, 09:39 PM

Aww....that would be cute....the Friends idea.

- Barbara

NickFullhousefan04 · 01-22-2004, 06:42 AM

LOL they couldn't do it without kelly.. Did u all forget they are married!!!!, lol

HuntingtonM15 · 01-22-2004, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NickFullhousefan04
LOL they couldn't do it without kelly.. Did u all forget they are married!!!!, lol

With the way writers work, it wouldn't be too hard for them to write her out.

Maxamillion · 01-22-2004, 02:18 PM

Not to mention that logic, timing and reality were never a factor in SBTB

But that is what I loved about it. They would carry a storyline and then drop it! Like whatever happened to the girl Slater hooked up with at Malibu Sands???? You know the one he saved from the fake drowning.

From the sounds of Thrills encounter it sounds like Mr B is losing it in his old age! I really cant believe he stuck up for Ms Bliss after all the controversary she started on the show! I will never forget that Hag for what she did to little Mikey (Max Battimo)

Hey does anyone remember Mr Belding before he was on SBTB??? I remember seeing him in an episode of Scrabble The Game Show I think. Well I know it was a game show. I also believe he did the Dating Game as one of the fresh faced Bachelors. It was back when he had a full head of hair. It is amazing what struggling actors will do!

theTHRILL · 01-22-2004, 02:49 PM

Max - I also so Mr. Belding on that episode of Scrabble. If I remember correctly he was on there a few days in a row. Also, he was on an episode of the Dukes of Hazzard from way back when.

I don't really appreciate you running down Mr. Belding by inferring that he's washed up. He's THE nicest celebrity I've ever met next to Miss Bliss so there's no need to get personal. I'm sure he's capable of making a comeback if given the right opportunity. I've got a feeling that his voiceover for Disney will be the perfect vehicle to put him back on top.

theTHRILL · 01-22-2004, 03:17 PM

I just did a thorough web search looking for more information on the project Mr. Belding said he's soon gonna be working on for Disney, Skippy's Big Top. I couldn't find an information whatsever on the movie. Can anyone help me out?

01-20-2004, 01:00 PM	#1
theTHRILL Banned Banned!! Occasional Poster Join Date: Sep 22, 2003 Posts: 74	I met Mr. Belding!!! I was at the mall in San Francisco over the weekend and you all will never guess who I ran into! MR. BELDING!!! I couldn't believe it! I noticed a bearded man standing in line to buy one of those jumbo pretzels, and I walked straight past him. I was almost ten paces past him when it hit me who he was. I ran back to him and screamed out "You're Mr. Belding!" He was obviously a little embarassed by my reaction and said that people don't notice him much any more since he grew a beard and added a few pounds. He said he was about to leave town after starring in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof for the past few weeks. He was very gracious about giving me his autograph (I got him to sign my t-shirt) and staying put while I bought a disposable camera and had my picture made with him. We probably talked for about 15 minutes all together and it's quickly apparant how much he loves/loved SBTB. He said all the cast members were great to work with except for Jessie who was always badmouthing the show and talking about how she couldn't wait to get out. Apparently she had her share of feuds with almost everyone on the show. He said his favorite person to work with was Ms. Bliss (!!!) and said that she was a true professional in every sense. He agreed with me that although the show was fantastic, it could've been even better if Ms. Bliss would've stayed. He said the episode where Zack delivers his baby in the elevator will always be his favorite because it allowed him to display his full range as an actor. On kind of a sour grapes note, he displayed some hard feelings towards the writers and producers because they didn't accept more of his input as far as the direction his character should head. He said he approached the producers with the idea for Zack's parents to move away and for him (Mr. Belding) to acquire custody. He feels they could've eventually spun it off into a primetime show. I thought it was a stupid idea, but I didn't tell him that because he was so nice to me. And now for the biggest bit of information he gave me...he's in the process of working on a reunion script and has already gotten assurances from Screech, Slater, Lisa and Torrie that they'd reprise their roles. It has something to do with them busting up an international terrorist ring. He says it will never fly unless Zack agrees to do it though. Zack apparently has expressed some interest, but his schedule may make it impossible. He said that even Jessie has shown that it may be a possibility for her, he thinks because her career is "down the tubes" (his quote). He said that Kelly is the only person to outright say NO, but that he will probably write into the script that she is killed by the initial terrorist act and that sets off the chain of events that brings the SBTB gang into the story. He said it's more of a "dramedy" because it combines the screwball antics that we're used to seeing with gripping drama so it will appeal to a wider audience. He encouraged me that if I'd really like to see a reunion to email NBC expressing how much I miss the show and enquire about a reunion. (I'd suggest that each of you do the same if you're interested.) Mr. Belding said to look for him next summer ('05) as the voice of Skippy the Clown in Disney's Skippy's Big Top. Overall it was one of those events in life that I'll never forget. Mr. Belding now joins Ms. Bliss as my favorite SBTB cast members.

01-20-2004, 08:09 PM	#9
Pitooey Member Forum Star Join Date: Feb 15, 2001 Location: Rocking in Transylvania. Posts: 15,042	WoW... What a stroke of luck The thrill!!!.......... I enjoyed reading your post on meeting Mr. Belding. He seemed so sweet and nice to have given you so much time. I wish other actors and actresses were just as gracious. I would like a reunion movie. Imagine a movie just like FRIENDS........ With all the people living nearby and meeting at a diner or coffee shop. I would love that! Thanks Thrill for being at the right place at the right time.......
	__________________ Pitooey... AKA JennyLee - I love the Monkees all over again! *SAY NO TO DRUGS* Jesus saves...

01-20-2004, 02:13 PM	#2
SBTB Geek Smooth Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 21, 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,004	Both his idea for a primetime sitcom, and the reunion special are beyond idiotic. If I would of met him I would of seriously told him he was (as Simon Cowell says,) "off his rocker!" He is an old man, and should be more mature, why does he still have a grudge against Elizabeth?.. LOL. He makes Elizabeth seem like a bad person for wanting to move on after "Saved By The Bell", and that comment about her career being "down the tubes" wasn't needed, she has done more than him career-wise. Thanks for posting.

01-20-2004, 02:31 PM	#3
theTHRILL Banned Banned!! Occasional Poster Join Date: Sep 22, 2003 Posts: 74	Maybe the way I typed it made it come off wrong, but Mr. Belding didn't seem as though he disliked Jessie, only that she CONSTANTLY bemoaned the fact that she was with SBTB and couldn't wait to be ANYWHERE else. I agree with you about his plot ideas and I think they seem a little farfetched even by SBTB standards but as you can imagine I didn't want to insult the man. He was very gracious.

01-20-2004, 04:30 PM	#4
barb1686 Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 02, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,120	I really HATE his idea for a reunion. I want a happy one and I would never want Kelly's character to die off. That'd make a sad Zack (not to mention the gang), and a sad movie for the fans. I want a happy reunion and I want it to be a comedy like it's always been, but that's just my opinion. - Barbara

01-20-2004, 04:31 PM	#5
barb1686 Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 02, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,120	...Oh and sorry for Tori fans, but I don't want her in it either. No offense, but I want the REAL gang in it. - Barbara

01-20-2004, 04:36 PM	#6
HuntingtonM15 That Bothers Me Moderator Forum Star Join Date: Jun 20, 2003 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 11,060	It's awesome that you got to meet him! Thanks for posting about it. I would love to see a reunion, just not the one he has in mind. It's pretty obvious that Tiffani wouldn't do it, but they could make it without her.

01-20-2004, 05:18 PM	#7
barb1686 Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 02, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,120	I'd really like a reunion movie too, but without a Kelly? Hmmm....that would be sooo hard for me. I'm a HUGE fan of Zack and Kelly...so I dunno. I want some more of them. But I guess it'd be better than no reunion at all....or wait a few more years and see if she's says yes?? Gosh, I really want her to say yes....BOTH her and MPG. - Barbara

01-20-2004, 09:39 PM	#10
barb1686 Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 02, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,120	Aww....that would be cute....the Friends idea. - Barbara

01-22-2004, 06:42 AM	#11
NickFullhousefan04 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 06, 2004 Location: Louisville ky Posts: 25	LOL they couldn't do it without kelly.. Did u all forget they are married!!!!, lol

01-22-2004, 02:18 PM	#13
Maxamillion Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Oct 07, 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 79	Not to mention that logic, timing and reality were never a factor in SBTB But that is what I loved about it. They would carry a storyline and then drop it! Like whatever happened to the girl Slater hooked up with at Malibu Sands???? You know the one he saved from the fake drowning. From the sounds of Thrills encounter it sounds like Mr B is losing it in his old age! I really cant believe he stuck up for Ms Bliss after all the controversary she started on the show! I will never forget that Hag for what she did to little Mikey (Max Battimo) Hey does anyone remember Mr Belding before he was on SBTB??? I remember seeing him in an episode of Scrabble The Game Show I think. Well I know it was a game show. I also believe he did the Dating Game as one of the fresh faced Bachelors. It was back when he had a full head of hair. It is amazing what struggling actors will do!

01-22-2004, 02:49 PM	#14
theTHRILL Banned Banned!! Occasional Poster Join Date: Sep 22, 2003 Posts: 74	Max - I also so Mr. Belding on that episode of Scrabble. If I remember correctly he was on there a few days in a row. Also, he was on an episode of the Dukes of Hazzard from way back when. I don't really appreciate you running down Mr. Belding by inferring that he's washed up. He's THE nicest celebrity I've ever met next to Miss Bliss so there's no need to get personal. I'm sure he's capable of making a comeback if given the right opportunity. I've got a feeling that his voiceover for Disney will be the perfect vehicle to put him back on top.

01-22-2004, 03:17 PM	#15
theTHRILL Banned Banned!! Occasional Poster Join Date: Sep 22, 2003 Posts: 74	I just did a thorough web search looking for more information on the project Mr. Belding said he's soon gonna be working on for Disney, Skippy's Big Top. I couldn't find an information whatsever on the movie. Can anyone help me out?