Peter Engel, ‘Saved by the Bell’ Creator, Dead at 88

88-year-old television executive Peter Engel, famed for revolutionizing teenage television content during the ’90s, passed away recently.

Engel’s family confirmed his death to Variety, noting that he passed away in his Santa Monica home.

1936 saw the birth of Engel in Manhattan. Kicking off his career at NBC, he served as a page at their iconic 30 Rock headquarters. In 1967, he moved to Los Angeles and climbed up the ranks to become a producer. His early TV projects included shows like “How to Survive a Marriage” and “The Paul Williams Show“, which aired in the late ’70s. However, it wasn’t until the next decade that Engel made a significant impact on television.

In a 2016 interview, Brandon Tartikoff, who was the president of NBC at the time, asked me to create a live-action program for Saturdays in the morning. However, I responded negatively, saying “No, find someone else instead! I don’t wish to work on a Saturday morning show!

Originally, Tartikoff titled his idea “Good Morning, Miss Bliss“, drawing inspiration from a sixth-grade teacher he knew personally. At first, Engel was hesitant, but ultimately decided to take on the project. The show premiered on the Disney Channel in 1989, but struggled to gain an audience. In an effort to revive it, Engel transformed the concept into a spin-off for NBC’s Saturday morning lineup. This revised series, which shifted focus from the teacher to the students, was titled “Saved by the Bell“.

In the 1990s, the television series “Saved by the Bell,” starring Zach Morris (Mark-Paul Gosselaar), A.C. Slater (Mario Lopez), Kelly Kapowski (Tiffani-Amber Thiessen) and Screech Powers (Dustin Diamond), unexpectedly gained massive popularity. This sitcom resonated with children nationwide, eventually transforming it into a significant cultural touchstone of the ’90s.

The popularity of “Saved by the Bell” prompted NBC to establish TNBC, a whole Saturday morning lineup tailored for young adults. Engel played a significant role in shaping TNBC and created several shows like “California Dreams”, “Hang Time”, and “City Guys”, based on the format of “Saved by the Bell”.

As interest in TNBC decreased, Engel shifted focus from the programming. His final show within that time slot concluded in 2001, and the network phased out TNBC altogether by the end of the following year.

In the year 2003, Engel moved into reality television, specifically with the comedian contest series titled “Last Comic Standing“. This show aired for nine seasons on NBC and played a significant role in boosting the careers of comics like Iliza Shlesinger, Amy Schumer, Doug Benson (and others). In 2016, Engel published his autobiography titled “I Was Saved by the Bell: Tales of Life, Love, and Dreams That Do Come True“.

’90s Bands That Deserve More Respect

Alice in Chains

Originally, Alice in Chains stood tall among the iconic figures on grunge’s Mt. Rushmore, alongside Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden. However, over the years since the genre’s birth, Alice in Chains hasn’t received the same level of reverence as these other bands. This could be due to their relatively small discography – they released only three albums during the ’90s – and the extended period of inactivity caused by lead singer Layne Staley’s drug addiction and eventual death. Despite this, Alice in Chains significantly influenced rock music, with their uniquely dark sound making them the heaviest mainstream act of their time. Their absence from the annals of rock history is hard to justify, given that they haven’t even been nominated for the Hall of Fame, let alone inducted.

Cranberries

The Irish rock group, the Cranberries, gained immense popularity throughout the ’90s, with Dolores O’Riordan’s unique voice leading the way. Their catalog includes numerous hits such as “Dreams,” “Linger,” “Ode to My Family,” “Salvation,” and the enduring classic “Zombie.” Over the course of the decade, they sold more than 10 million albums in America alone and over 50 million globally, making them the second most commercially successful Irish rock band after U2. However, following the new millennium, they were often overshadowed and reduced to a nostalgia act. O’Riordan’s passing in 2018 sparked renewed appreciation for their significant impact on music. They truly deserve more recognition.

Stone Temple Pilots

Stone Temple Pilots, known for multi-platinum albums, Grammy awards, and sold-out tours, might seem like they should be in the same league as rock’s greats. However, they often get overlooked. This can partly be explained by timing; they emerged during the peak of grunge, but their sound didn’t fit the “Seattle sound.” They were sometimes incorrectly categorized as leaders of post-grunge, a group that seemed to follow in the footsteps of bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam. In reality, STP charted their own course, blending hard rock, metal, and glam rock influences. Frontman Scott Weiland was a mesmerizing presence with one of the most unique voices of his era. The DeLeo brothers also demonstrated their songwriting prowess consistently. Despite a catalog that should elevate them to elite status, STP has not often been given the recognition they deserve.

Cake

In the ’90s music scene, Cake stood out among rock bands due to their distinct blend of humor and lyrics, which was adored by some but puzzling to others. Musically, they were versatile, incorporating influences from disco, norteño, rock, and folk into their songs. Their album “Fashion Nugget” (1996), with the popular track “The Distance,” went double platinum, while their subsequent albums, “Prolonging the Magic” (1998) and “Comfort Eagle” (2001), each sold more than a million copies. However, in the last 20 years, they’ve mostly slipped out of the limelight without releasing a new album since 2011. There are whispers of a potential comeback in 2025; let’s cross our fingers that it brings them back into the spotlight again.

Garbage

In a league of their own during the ’90s, Shirley Manson and Garbage held their ground alongside Gwen Stefani as formidable figures in rock music. While No Doubt maintains its mainstream success, with appearances like their 2024 Coachella performance showcasing this, and seems poised for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Garbage’s legacy remains somewhat unclear. However, it shouldn’t be. Songs like “Only Happy When It Rains,” “Stupid Girl,” “#1 Crush” and “I Think I’m Paranoid” were anthems that transcended the era, while their later work often goes underappreciated. Not only was Manson one of the defining voices of her generation, but drummer Butch Vig is recognized as one of the most influential producers in rock music history.

Blur

In the ’90s Britpop era, Oasis and Blur were the main attractions, yet it’s been Oasis that has maintained the limelight, filling stadiums and headlines, while Blur has taken a back seat. This could be due to several reasons, one of them being the achievement of Damon Albarn, their lead singer, with his other band, Gorillaz. Additionally, Blur didn’t quite replicate Oasis’ success in America, though “Song 2” was undeniably a chart-topper. Nonetheless, this English alternative group was daring and groundbreaking, blending electronic, art rock, and hip hop into their music. Although they are respected in the U.K., we believe it’s high time for the rest of the world to appreciate Blur too.

Hole

Regardless of your perspective, Courtney Love’s band gained popularity due to or in spite of its lead singer. Unfortunately, Hole could never break free from the persistent shadow cast by Kurt Cobain’s band, Nirvana, which is unfortunate because they truly deserved more recognition for their own merit. Their 1994 album, “Live Through This,” was a powerful, raw, and captivating experience, while their follow-up, “Celebrity Skin” in 1998, saw Love and the band members adopting a pop-friendly sheen while maintaining their distinctive attitude. The only possible reason Hole isn’t more highly regarded might be due to their limited activity since the end of the ’90s. The band has experienced several lengthy breaks and has released only one studio album, “Nobody’s Daughter,” since the turn of the millennium, and even that album was essentially a solo project by Love.

Third Eye Blind

If you consider Third Eye Blind as being on par with late-’90s pop rock bands like Matchbox Twenty and Goo Goo Dolls, you might want to reconsider. Beneath the appealing and radio-friendly surface of Third Eye Blind, there lies deep, emotional lyrics with significant depth. Lead vocalist Stephan Jenkins delved into heavy themes such as drug addiction, suicide, depression, and mortality, but he did so through irresistibly catchy tunes. Consequently, the darker aspects were frequently missed by many listeners, but the complexity of the band’s duality deserves acknowledgement.

Blind Melon

Similar to other musicians on this list, such as Alice in Chains and Stone Temple Pilots, the lead singer of Blind Melon, Shannon Hoon, suffered a premature death at the age of 28 due to an accidental overdose during their tour. Tragically, this occurred when Blind Melon was experiencing great success with their single “No Rain,” which would be their only Top 40 hit. Their second album, “Soup,” released just two months before Hoon’s death, received mixed reviews and the band disbanded following his passing. With time, Blind Melon has amassed a devoted fanbase. Their music offers a broader sound than the acoustic twang of “No Rain,” encompassing elements of psychedelic, blues, folk, and heavier tunes. This sonic variety invites speculation about how the band might have evolved had Hoon not passed away.

311

311, who debuted their first album in 1993, is frequently misclassified due to the rise of rap rock at the turn of the century. However, their music transcends this genre, drawing inspiration from funk and reggae. The driving force behind the band is their dynamic rhythm section – drummer Chad Sexton provides powerful beats, while bassist P-Nut lays down groovy rhythms. Their first six albums achieved gold status or better, with their self-titled 1995 album selling over 3 million copies in the U.S. Though their mainstream popularity has waned, 311 continues to draw a devoted fan base through their energetic live shows.

2025-03-05 04:26