TV - Movies
The Saved by the
Bell Episode That
Aged So Poorly
The Actor Had To
Apologize
By C.M. CROCKFORD
"Saved by the Bell" was a classic Saturday morning staple for a generation, but it has also been mocked for the sometimes problematic storylines and corny tone. Star Mark-Paul Gosselaar issued a "mea culpa" in 2016 for one especially egregious episode of the show.
In "Running Zack," Morris discovers that he has Native American ancestry and gives two racist presentations about native tribes. Gosselaar pointed out that even when Zack has supposedly learned to take his ancestry seriously, "he gets into full Native American costume with face paint and a headdress."
He called Zack's first presentation "completely racist" and was horrified by a picture of himself online in stereotypical Native garb. The actor said, "I hope the kids don't catch that episode."