If you grew up in the ’90s, you wouldn’t dare miss an episode of ‘Saved by the Bell.’ After all, think of all the cred you’d lose if you lost track of what Zack, Slater, Lisa, Screech, and all the rest were up to! And if you grew up in the 80s? Well, chances are the gang from Bayside High School were one of your guilty pleasures. Either way, when you’ve seen ever episode of the Bell enough times to make your eyes bleed, maybe it’s time to move on to these other great shows like ‘Saved by the Bell’ that can satisfy your hankering for high school nostalgia.
The Wonder Years
Set in the late 1960s,this show centers around Kevin Arnold (played by Fred Savage), a boy who is growing up in the suburbs of Philadelphia. In addition to dealing with all of the usual teenage drama and angst, he also has to deal with his family: an devoted mother, a strong-willed father, and an older sister and brother.
The Wonder Years ran from 1988-1993.
Dawson’s Creek
Set in fictional Capeside, Massachusetts and starring James Van Der Beek as Dawson Leery, this show explores the lives of a group of teens during their last year at school (dubbed “senior year”). The series ran from 1998 – 2003.
That ’70s Show
Set in the fictional town of Point Place, Wisconsin, during the 1970s and starring Ashton Kutcher as Michael Kelso and Mila Kunis as Jackie Burkhart. The show ran from 1998-2006 (with a reunion movie released in 2014).
Head of the Class
Set in a public high school in the fictional suburb of San Lorenzo, California, and starring Howard Hesseman as Charlie Moore The show ran from 1986-1990. Some of Moore’s students included Dennis Blunden (played by Dan Schneider), Simone, Arvid, and Darlene (played by Robin Givens).
Welcome Back, Kotter
Set in the fictional John Adams High School in Brooklyn, New York and starring Gabe Kaplan as teacher Game Kotter, who spends his days in front of a group of “Sweathogs” — students who included Arnold Horshack(Ron Palillo), Vinnie Barbarino (John Travolta), and others. The show ran from 1975-1979.
The Facts of Life
Set in the fictional Eastland School for Girls, an all-female boarding school in Peekskill, New York, and starring Lisa Whelchel, Kim Fields, Mindy Cohn and Nancy McKeon as students alongside Charlotte Rae as Mrs. Garrett. This show ran from 1979-1988.
Boy Meets World
Set in Philadelphia and starring Ben Savage as Cory Matthews, who navigates the challenges of being a teenager in his “Boy Meets World” neighborhood. The show ran from 1993-2000. And, yes, Ben Savage is the brother of Fred Savage, who starred in “The Wonder Years.”
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Set in Bel-Air, the series follows Will Smith as a streetwise teenager from West Philadelphia who’s sent to live with his wealthy relatives in their Bel-Air mansion. Aside from Smith’s titular role, other popular characters included Will’s cousin Carlton (Alfonso Ribeiro), Will’s aunt Vivian (Janet Hubert) and Will’s uncle Phil (James Avery). The show ran from 1990-1996.
Happy Days
Set in the 1950s and starring Ron Howard as Richie Cunningham, this show ran from 1974-1984. Focusing on the Cunningham family, Happy Days also developed Richie’s friendships with Fonzie (Henry Winkler), Ralph, Potsie,and his sister Joanie’s boyfriend, Chachi (played by Scott Baio). Happy Days proved to be a fertile program, with spinoffs that includedJoanie Loves Chachi, Laverne and Shirley, and Mork & Mindy.
Happy Days’ place was as part of the ’50s nostalgia craze that swept society a few decades after World War II ended.
My So-Called Life
This 1994 teen drama, which starred Claire Danes as angst-ridden high schooler Angela Chase and Jared Leto as her first love Jordan Catalano, followed the ups and downs of a teenager’s life.
(Do you like show nostalgia? Then you might like Summer Camp Movies nostalgia, click here. How about TV Shows from the 70s, click here.)
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