(She Doesn’t Need to be Saved) By the Bell: a feminist critique of a 90s classic

My best friends an I were always dazed by the glitz and glamour of head cheerleader Kelly Kapowski and her absolutely, adorably charming boyfriend Zack Morris on “Saved by the Bell.” Our eyes glued to the screen, we wanted to be just like her. But today, I’d love to jump back to the neon colored days of the early 90s and change the portrayal of this seemingly ditzy head cheerleader.

While the show appears to be a happy-go-lucky tale of the lives of the kids of Bayside High, I believe that the show inappropriately defines the women, most notably Kapowski, by Zack Morris’ control and objectification of them. Throughout the shows seasons, Zack’s patriarchal view of Kelly becomes increasingly problematic until she leaves the show all together and is randomly replaced by a lookalike in a biker’s helmet.

For instance, in season 2 episode 10 “model students” Kelly gets the amazing opportunity to further her career as a model when she is offered a job in Paris for a few months. Worried that his potential prom date might actually be a successful independent woman, rather than supporting Kelly’s aspirations and congratulating her, he manipulates her into an emotional breakdown and almost succeeds in guilting her into staying. This misrepresentation of Kelly continues throughout the show as Zack and Slater constantly view her as a beautiful prize to be won.

 If I could join the seemingly perfect Bayside High Class of 1993, I would love to remind Kelly that she’s a strong, amazing woman that should follow her dreams and not let the immaturity of her peers tear her down. So basically, I’d be her best friend Jessie Spano but without the shoulder pads.