Saved by the Bell is an American television sitcom that aired from 1989 to 1993. The series first season aired on The Disney Channel as Good Morning, Miss Bliss, and was renamed Saved by the Bell when it began airing on NBC for its second season. The title "Saved by the Bell" is an idiom for when a student, unprepared to answer a question, is "saved" at the end of class by the school bell ringing.
The show follows the exploits of a group of friends and their principal, and although the series primarily showcases light-hearted comedic situations, it occasionally touches on serious social issues, such as drug use, driving under the influence, homelessness, divorce, death, and environmental issues. This made Saved by the Bell a precursor to more recent shows (such as Beverly Hills, 90210, Dawson's Creek, and The O.C.) that introduce young audiences to critical moral dilemmas.