Peacock Gives the Boot to LGBTQ+-Inclusive 'Saved by the Bell' Reboot

Peacock's revival of classic sitcom "Saved by the Bell" is critically acclaimed and brims with LGBTQ+ representation, but that wasn't enough to save the show from cancellation. The series, which featured an openly transgender main character (played by a trans actor), a bromance between two male characters that seemed like it might be something more, and a late-breaking coming out by a bisexual character, has been axed after two seasons.

Deadline reported that the show's cast were informed of the cancellation on May 2, with the news coming "only a month after the reboot of the classic NBC comedy won Outstanding Comedy Series at the GLAAD Media Awards."

"In the reimagined series, when California governor Zack Morris gets into hot water for closing too many underfunded high schools, he proposes they send the affected students to the most well-funded schools in the state – including Bayside High," Deadline summarized.

Many of the original sitcom's cast returned to play adult versions of their characters, while the new cast members were cited by critics as a highlight of the reboot, Variety noted.

Variety's own Caroline Framke called the show "a canny Los Angeles heir to the '30 Rock' throne," marveling at its plentiful "jokes about celebrities, generation divides, and the crisscrossing intersections of race and class."

The streamer issued a statement in which it praised the show it had just canceled, saying, "'Saved by the Bell' has been a cultural mainstay for more than 30 years and the new series, led by Tracey Wigfield's superfan enthusiasm and signature witty humor, seamlessly continued the show's legacy, all while allowing more audiences to feel seen."

Autostraddle praised the show's LGBTQ+ representation during its first season, writing in late 2020 that the transgender character, Lexi (Josie Totah), "spends some time struggling with self-confidence, but that's true of all teenagers; and, unlike, say, 'Glee,' she's never a lightning rod for anyone's transphobia, nor is she used to teach the audience a lesson."

At the GLAAD Media Awards last month, the group's president and CEO, Sarah Kate Ellis, praised "Saved by the Bell" – along with other shows that were honored, including "Hacks," "We're Here," and "RuPaul's Drag Race" – as "showcas[ing] the beautiful diversity of LGBTQ people."

"At a time when we need it most, these stories, these stories rise against hate, enlighten, entertain, and send an undeniable message: we are not going anywhere," Ellis added.