Peter Engel, ‘Saved by the Bell’ Executive Producer, Dies at 88

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88-year-old Peter Engel, recognized for producing hit series such as “Saved by the Bell” and “Last Comic Standing,” passed away on Tuesday at his residence in Santa Monica.

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The family of Engel confirmed his passing to EbMaster. Throughout his professional journey, Engel executive produced over 1,000 television episodes, such as “California Dreams,” “City Guys,” “USA High,” and “Hang Time.” These shows were created post the establishment of TNBC Block. The majority of his productions were for NBC as part of a lasting collaboration.

From 1989-1992, the TV show “Saved by the Bell” aired, focusing on a gang of friends attending a California high school. They dealt with the pressure of academics, friendships, and exams throughout their time there. Initially created by NBC executive Brandon Tartikoff for another sitcom titled “Good Morning Miss Bliss,” featuring Hayley Mills, it was reimagined as “Saved by the Bell” when the original series was canceled. Tartikoff then shifted the storyline to revolve around teenagers instead of its initial setting in Indiana, moving it to the fictional Los Angeles suburb of The Palisades.

One of Norman Engel’s highly acclaimed shows, titled “Last Comic Standing,” was a reality competition series that aired from the years 2003 to 2010 and then again from 2014 to 2015. This show brought Engel a Primetime Emmy nomination in the year 2004.

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Engel was born in Manhattan, New York, in 1936. He earned his bachelor’s degree from New York University and kicked off his long-lasting career at NBC’s 30 Rock in his early thirties. In 1967, he relocated to Los Angeles, and for a brief period in 2003, he taught at Regent University.

More recently, I penned my memoir titled “Saved by the Bell: Tales of Life, Love, and Dreams Fulfilled,” which hit shelves in 2016. This book chronicles my journey through my career and the creation of the beloved teen sitcom that bears its name. (First-person perspective as a movie buff might not be feasible in this context since it’s about someone else, but I tried to make it engaging for a reader interested in movies and memoirs.)

Engel leaves behind his children – Lauren, Joshua, and Stephen – as well as his grandchild, Ezra Alhadeff.

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2025-03-04 21:24