I Discovered A Connection Between The Fantastic Four: First Steps And Saved By The Bell, And Now I Can’t Stop Thinking About It

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As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, I can hardly contain my excitement for “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” set to grace our screens in 2025. This highly anticipated superhero blockbuster marks the long-awaited introduction of Marvel’s original family into the MCU, and I simply cannot wait to experience Matt Shakman’s vision of this beloved comic book adaptation. The prospect of witnessing how it intertwines with the broader MCU narrative, particularly as we inch closer to the Russos’ epic saga, “Avengers: Doomsday,” is truly exhilarating.

While struggling with sleeplessness, I stumbled upon an intriguing piece of trivia that links the comic book series “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” with the popular ’80s sitcom “Saved by the Bell.” This early version of the high school-based show seems to share a connection with the former, and it’s been on my mind ever since. I can’t help but share this fascinating find!

I Didn’t Know This Until Recently, But Matt Shakman Was In The Good Morning, Miss Bliss Pilot

It’s possible that some of you may not recall, but “Saved by the Bell” originally began as “Good Morning, Miss Bliss,” which was set in Indiana rather than the fictional town of Bayside, California. Although characters like Zack Morris (Mark-Paul Gosselaar), Screech (Dustin Diamond), Lisa Turtle (Lark Voorhies), and Mr. Belding (Dennis Haskins) were present in both versions, “Miss Bliss” was a significantly different show from its California counterpart.

The TV show titled “The Pilot” originally aired on NBC in 1987, but later got revamped and was shown on the Disney Channel with an entirely new cast, except for Hayley Mills’ character who remained consistent across both versions. Interestingly, Matt Shakman, who portrayed middle schooler Georgie Winslow, was part of the original cast in this pilot episode. If you revisit the “Good Morning, Miss Bliss” pilot, you can spot him among the initial students introduced.

Watching The Original Pilot Is Like Stumbling Across An Alternate Universe

Should you decide to revisit the pilot episode of “Good Morning, Miss Bliss,” be mindful that it appears to hail from a distinct reality or dreamlike state. Characters portrayed by Brian Austin Green, Jonathan Brandis, and Jalelle White may seem familiar, but don’t expect to see Zach, Screech, or other characters you recognize from the series. Interestingly, this show shares similarities with what you know, yet it feels slightly off-kilter – as if a crucial piece is missing. This is because these actors were part of the cast two years before they joined the Winslow family in “Family Matters.

It feels like Miss Bliss walked into a different dimension at the finale of the initial episode, only to reappear in the series that ran for a single season and later morphed into what we know today as “Saved by the Bell”.

I Was Fully Aware Shakman Was A TV Director, But Had No Idea He Was A Former Child Actor

For quite some time, I’ve been acquainted with Matt Shakman’s work as an accomplished director for television series, such as The Boys, Succession, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (he directed several of its standout episodes). Yet, it was unexpected to learn that he had a past as a child actor before he achieved success behind the camera, which culminated in his debut within the MCU with WandaVision in 2021.

Apart from starring in the initial episode of “Good Morning, Miss Bliss,” Shakman also made appearances on shows like “Just the Ten of Us,” “The Facts of Life,” “Webster,” and “Night Court” (among others).

As I stumbled upon these two titles, I found myself unexpectedly amused by their peculiar link. Here’s a fun fact: “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” and “Good Morning, Miss Bliss” share an unusual bond.

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2025-07-25 13:08