Sam Bobrick Movies

A sequel to the popular NBC weekend seriocomic series Saved by the Bell, Saved by the Bell: The New Class, which first aired September 11, 1993, was set not long after the familiar regulars from the original series had graduated from Bayside High School. During the sequel's first season, only the character of Principal Richard Belding (Dennis Haskins) was carried over from the first Saved by the Bell. The sequel's initial episodes introduced Bayside's incoming sophomore class: Scott Erickson (Robert Sutherland Telfer), Barton "Weasel" Wyzell (Isaac Lidsky), "Tommy D." DeLuca (Jonathan Angel), Megan Jones (Bianca Lawson), Lindsay Warner (Natalia Cigiluti), and Vicki Needleman (Bonnie Russavage). Fans of the earlier series could not help but notice that the new cast bore many of the character traits associated with the Saved by the Bell regulars -- notably Scott, who came off as the new incarnation of the earlier show's inimitable Samuel "Screech" Powers (Dustin Diamond). This may be why Scott was among the characters eliminated during The New Class' second season, when, in a ratings-boosting move, "Screech" returned, this time as a college student working on a trial basis as Mr. Belding's administrative assistant. (Other Saved by the Bell favorites would pop up as guest stars in later New Class episodes.)

Each successive season of Saved By the Bell: The New Class found a handful of new students either joining the existing cast members or replacing departing regulars. Newcomers in season two included Rachel Myers (Sarah Lancaster, who'd played the role on a sporadic basis in the previous season), Brian Keller (Christian Oliver), and Bobby Wilson (Spankee Rogers). Season three brought forth R.J. Collins (Salim Grant), Maria Lopez (Samantha Becker), and Ryan Parker (Richard Lee Jackson). In season four we met Nicky Farina (Ben Gould), Katie Peterson (Lindsey McKeon), and Eric Little (Anthony Harrell). New to the cast in season five was Liz Miller (Ashley Lyn Cafagna). And in season six, Tony Dillon (Tom Wade Huntington) joined the student body. Plot-wise, Saved by the Bell: The New Class followed the formula established by its predecessor: zany comedy set pieces, intramural romances, seemingly insurmountable crises, brushes with such social problems as drunk driving, smoking, drug use, and premarital sex, impromptu musical numbers, and exotic "field trips" to faraway locales. Although only six seasons of The New Class episodes were produced, the series lasted seven first-run years on NBC, its final season split into two 13-episode segments and spread out over a two-year period. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Gary Coleman stars as the title character, the bratty son of wealthy parents, who is kidnapped by a pair of bumbling crooks. The experience winds up teaching the pampered boy the realities of childhood. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide

After wife Beatrice (Pearl Bailey) runs off to Mexico, a despondent Ben Chambers (Redd Foxx) travels to California to visit his son, Norman (Michael Warren). To Ben's dismay, Norman admits that he's gay -- and that his lover is a white man. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide

Captivated by her niece Martha's baby, Aunt Bee offers to take care of the infant. Andy expresses reluctance at this notion, but Bee is insistent-only to have the baby burst into tears whenever she picks the kid up. Heartbroken, Bee is convinced that the child hates her, but the real reason for the baby's crying jags have nothing to do with likes or dislikes. Alvy Moore, better known as Hank Kimball on Green Acres, is here cast as a salesman. First telecast on March 7, 1966, "A Baby in the House" was written by Bill Idelson and Sam Bobrick. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Novice fisherman Howard Sprague joins Mayberry's veteran anglers on the first day of fishing season. Almost immediately, Howard hooks "Old Sam", the legendary silver carp of Myers Lake. In so doing, Howard almost single-handedly destroys the morale of the town. Originally broadcast on November 28, 1966, "Big Fish in a Small Town" was one of several top-rank Andy Griffith Show episodes written by Bill Idelson and Sam Bobrick. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Too shy to ask a girl on a date, Deputy Warren envies the womanizing techniques demonstrated by the hero of his favorite TV spy show. Then, suddenly, Warren begins to emulate his TV idol-but only when he is walking in his sleep. Unfortunately, the bold "new" Warren has selected Andy's girlfriend Helen as the object of his affections. First telecast on December 20, 1965, "Girl-Shy" was written by Bill Idelson and Sam Bobrick. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Hoping to contribute to the Taylor household's bank account, Aunt Bee takes a job as a part-time receptionist. Little does she suspect that the print shop where she works is the headquarters of a counterfeiting gang. Even Andy is a bit slow on the uptake in this episode! The supporting cast includes Milton Frome as Kingsley, James Milhollin as Finch and Herbie Faye as Clark. Written by Bill Idelson and Sam Bobrick, "Aunt Bee Takes a Job" first aired on December 6, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Andy, Opie and Aunt Bee arrive in Hollywood, there to witness the filming of Andy's life story Sheriff Without a Gun. But upon paying their first visit to Belmont Studios, the Taylors are none too pleased with the liberties taken by the scriptwriter. Aunt Bee in particular is aghast to discover that her movie counterpart is a shapely young blonde! Featured in the cast are two sitcom favorites: Hayden Rorke (I Dream of Jeannie) as Considine, and Gavin McLeod (The Mary Tyler Moore Show) as Bender. First telecast November 1, 1965, "Taylors in Hollywood" was written by Bill Idelson and Sam Bobrick. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Hoping to increase his income, Deputy Barney begins moonlighting as a real estate salesman. His first client is Andy, who is resistant to the notion of selling his house and purchasing another. As it turns out, however, Barney's big sale is thwarted when he fails to take into consideration that certain people, namely children-have a disturbing habit of telling the truth. Dabbs Greer and Amzie Strickland appear as a couple of prospective homeowners named Sims. First telecast on January 4, 1965, "Barney Fife, Realtor" was written by Bill Idelson and Sam Bobrick. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Anticipating the imminent departure of Don Knotts from The Andy Griffith Show, the series' producers tested a number of actors to replace Knotts as Griffith's sidekick. One such actor was comedian Don Rickles, who played the title role in the April 12, 1965 episode "The Luck of Newton Monroe." A spectacularly unsuccessful travelling salesman, Newton suffers from a distinct lack of self-esteem. In trying to help Newton find his proper place in life, Andy hires him to paint the Taylor house-but Newton is as inept a painter as he is a peddler. "The Luck of Newton Monroe" was written by Bill Idelson and Sam Bobrick. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this stone-age spin on The Prisoner of Zenda, Fred discovers that he is the spitting image of the King of Stonesylvania, who has come to Bedrock in hopes of floating a $10,000,000 loan. When the King disappears, his nervous aides Rosencave and Gildenstone persuade Fred to pose for the missing monarch. Meanwhile, Barney confronts the real King--and is quite surprised by the aloof and imperious behavior of his "old buddy"! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Mayberry's customary calm is disrupted when Walker's Department Store is plagued with a wave of thefts. To catch the shoplifter red-handed, Barney poses as a store mannequin, with hilariously chaotic results. Andy and Barney eventually trap the crook, but in doing so they risk public ostracization (tune in, and see why). This episode was written by Bill Idelson and Sam Bobrick. "The Shoplifters" made its network broadcast premiere on March 2, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Incensed when Deputy Barney gives him a ticket for littering, tough guy Fred Plummer (Allen Melvin) threatens to beat Barney senseless if he ever catches him out of uniform. Accordingly, the nervous Barney wears his uniform on a "24/7" basis-until, fed up by his own cowardice, he finally decides to don his "civvies" and face the music. To save Barney from a pummelling, Andy enlists the aid of local judo instructor Izamoto (Yuki Shimoda) First broadcast on November 9, 1964, "Barney's Uniform" was written by Bill Idelson and Sam Bobrick. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide