What Zach Morris Taught Me

This post is 100% inspired by a recent evening I had at home. My parent’s have basic cable. By basic, I mean a good 10 – 15 channels. We get the regulars like ABC and few extras like Hallmark and no name family stations. What makes me laugh is that my parents love the Hallmark Channel. They watch it religiously. The other night I walked past the living room a few times and I saw a great lineup of I love Lucy and Little House on the Prairie. Although I didn’t see his super badass skills that particular night, Walker, Texas Ranger might be my dad’s favorite show, (after 24). It was classics night to the core.

I started thinking about what classifies as “classic” for me and came up with the following top three. I took it a step further and narrowed down the top three lessons learned from these sitcoms:

1. Saved By The Bell. Whether it’s the Early Years, the College Years, the Summer Episodes at the beach club, the Hawaiian Years, or any of the movie specials, this show rocked. (And FYI, I loved the wedding movie special where Zach and Kelly tied the knot.) Zach and the gang always made me laugh with their uncanny, humorous, and oh so realistic situations. I learned about drug use, sex, alcohol, teen love, and so much more from this show.

2. Full House. I can’t believe I’m about to admit this, but when I was a kid, I was convinced Mary Kate Olsen and I were going to get married. Why not Ashley? I have no idea. I always liked the episodes where both of the twins were on together. Other than that, this show really improved with each season. (And I use the word improved lightly.) Additions to the cast like Aunt Becky, maturing storylines, and the Olsen twins actually having dialogue other than baby gibberish kept me glued for eight years.

My life really wasn’t that sad as a kid but I had protective parents and the two shows above were ALWAYS on the approved list. So I watched them…a lot.


3. Boy Meet World. Friday’s used to be so great when ABC had TGIF, and Boy Meets World was part of that line up. So was Sabrina, the Teenage Witch but I could only watch that when the parents weren’t around. (I wasn’t joking about being sheltered.) I always wanted friends like Cory, Topanga, and Shawn. Eventually, I got friends like that.

And now, for the top three life lessons learned.

1. Not matter what happens, who you cheat on, lie to, stab in the back, spread a rumor about, make fun of, copy homework off of, and steal from, your family and friends will always be there for you in the end. (Even if they die, they always come back in a heart touching dream or flashback.)

2. No matter what happens, who you break up with, who you make out with, who you marry, or what you decide to do with the rest of your life after graduation, every problem can be solved with two things – an encouraging talk from a parent, friend, close relative, or important guest star, and a hug. Oh, and everything can be solved in thirty minutes minus commercial breaks, unless it’s a serious issue like losing your memory and then it will take about 60 minutes, minus commercial breaks.

3. No matter what happens, good looks, charm, and a clever tongue go a long way in life. That’s the Zach Morris philosophy, and one I live out every day.

What about you? What are the TV classics you remember from your childhood? By the way, I was on the phone with the cable company today and I’m proud to say as of next Monday I will be officially upgraded to digital cable with an HD-DVR. Can I get a “holla”?