Thanks for the response.
Zack was the hero, it was more or less his show, so that's understandable. Mark-Paul was also the better actor, so he was given the better storylines where his character would come out on top. I didn't see AC as inferior, he was zacks enemy at first then became his co-conspirator.
It could be but I'm going to take it out of content. Since this topic is about Slater's heritage I thought as a hispanic He really stood out, who cares about his name, he was a hispanic in a white environment who stood out and was really macho and represented the latino community very well. Though Zack was the main character he did a lot of great things to challenge him and at many times he took the throne and in many episodes he did end up on top and very often he had a good morale that Zach didnt even though he would win. Being hispanic, more passionate, more aggressive, more athletic I respected him many times more and the jokes and the playing around got tiring. At times he seemed to respect and appreciate Kelly more. Like if they were dating he'd want to be with her often seriously while Zack tried to take her away and many times Zack just lost her because he didnt appreciate her and wanted to fool around. Zach also had many more girls and hot ones too. Which adds to my Slater appreciated her more. For being the leading character Zack didnt seem to appreciate a lot. Like the girl, being rich, being womanizer, having success in school, being extremely smart and attractive. Slater seemed to take whatever came his way more and appreciate it. He was also more sentimental. He had several episodes that were really heartbreaking that to this day hurts me to think about. All of this made me like the character more and I feel had he gotten the lead girl at the end his character wouldve been given a lot more merit and respect that it deserves and a big credit does go to Mario who I think shouldve been a way bigger star.
Nah I think Mark-Paul and Tiffani had the best chemistry, that's what they were the golden couple on and off right up until the wedding in vegas finale.
I thought Slater and Jessie were a perfect couple. The feminazi and the jock. I think I remember a scene where Jessie had Slater in a headlock and Slater threatened to slap her, it all seemed to work because Elizabeth and mario had good chemistry as well. They dated in real life, you can tell, it helped.
Your right but in terms of reality what matters more is love, family, and commitment. I think Slater was way more family oriented, had what it takes to stay committed, and wanted loyalty. In terms of this, is why Saved by the Bell many times couldnt be taken seriously because it swayed just by looks and didnt push ground by progressing to mature themes. Though Slater and Jessie had great chemistry this was too predictable and having each pair end as it was throughout the show was ordinary and forgettable. I really really dont think Zack really appreciated Kelly and I really really think she deserved better. You bring up off show, but everybody dated everybody and they had no respect of anybody and Paul really liked Lark a lot and most. Im really embarrassed by what went on off show and really made me lose respect for the show and almost a fan as everytime I read about it gets worst and worst and it's just disgusting. They all ended up with forgettables and I think they all deserved better and shouldve had better careers. I liked that Berkley did the big box office Showgirls. Though Lark Got with Martin it was sadly a disaster. Paul's career to me has been forgettable. Mario I think at least does some good hosting. I thought him with Ali wouldve been good. It's ashame he blew that. Tiffany did a lot of fun Lifetime films and 90210. Whats a shame is how bad she looks now. She was perfect and looks like a total washed up drunk mess. Married a nobody and didnt really make it big. Screech was a total sad story. I just found out that the other day that Leanna was a lesbian. What a disappointment. This show had an outstanding supporting casts and what was truly amazing is how many they had.
I never thought AC was a femnazi, I saw him more of him being himself and femnazi's hating him.
Without strife, your victory has no meaning.
Without strife, you do not advance.
Without strife, there is only stagnation.

except at times he was seen as inferior to Zach and was on the losing side
Zack was the hero, it was more or less his show, so that's understandable. Mark-Paul was also the better actor, so he was given the better storylines where his character would come out on top. I didn't see AC as inferior, he was zacks enemy at first then became his co-conspirator.
At times I wanted him to end with Kelly instead of Zack
Nah I think Mark-Paul and Tiffani had the best chemistry, that's what they were the golden couple on and off right up until the wedding in vegas finale.
I thought Slater and Jessie were a perfect couple. The feminazi and the jock. I think I remember a scene where Jessie had Slater in a headlock and Slater threatened to slap her, it all seemed to work because Elizabeth and mario had good chemistry as well. They dated in real life, you can tell, it helped.
I really liked how he was portrayed and how he represented
I agree. The writing on the show was very good.

There are many instances where they imply he is hispanic so why wasnt it woven into it?
I'm sure it was hard to find white actors to play white.
He suited the part because he is mostly white as the role.
SBTB has been highly criticized for many things and some have merits. A lot of things suck today that should also be criticized. The main problem I have with Saved By The Bell is what went on behind the scenes. As Slater was written and portrayed I have no problem with except at times he was seen as inferior to Zach and was on the losing side but seemed more passionate and centered. At times I wanted him to end with Kelly instead of Zack but in the Mix of things I really liked how he was portrayed and how he represented.
Without strife, your victory has no meaning.
Without strife, you do not advance.
Without strife, there is only stagnation.

His hispanic heritage never came through. He did white things and acted white. He played football and was in the wrestling team. His terms and style were white. We never see him addressed as anything but white.
Slater's character was written to be a white guy, and the people who wrote the show were obviously white, so race wasn't woven into it like you pointed out there. Also, unlike most tokens, Mario was cast only after they failed to find any good white actors to play Slater. That's why he's a natural, he's not been hired to fill a quota. He actually suited the part.
If SBTB was being made today, they would make a big deal about his race. That's why everything sucks today.
Mario Lopez doesnt really look all that latino
True. that's another reason why slater's race wasn't a big deal. Slater looks half white/mixed, even if he's probably not irl.

Boxing?
Valenzuela many years ago.
Is Tony Romo really Mexican? Who'd be proud of him?
You just said immigrants sometimes change their names but then you slam Slater's dad for doing so. You yourself said you changed your name. So whats wrong with Slater doing it?
Without strife, your victory has no meaning.
Without strife, you do not advance.
Without strife, there is only stagnation.

I live on LA's West Side. There's plenty of Jews and they go to public schools.
Mexican is really a nationality and they can be any race from white Spanish to indigenous aka 'Indians'.
There's plenty of Mexican-American athletes: Oscar de la Hoya, Fernando Valenzuela, Tony Romo etc.
Yeah, immigrants sometimes change their names. But Spanish names are common here in California. Nobody Anglicizes them. Slater's dad was a douche.
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lol. I never have known many jews and always assumed they go to high end private institutions.
But Mexican White is different than American White.
Never seen many. In professional sports you hardly see Mexicans.
So he was trying to appease to Americans.
Without strife, your victory has no meaning.
Without strife, you do not advance.
Without strife, there is only stagnation.

Yes, Jewish nerds are picked on and are class clowns. Look at our own JewFro. Lol.
In Mexico, the elite is white, yes. And jeezus, plenty of Mexicans play American sports.
My grandfather changed the family name when he got to Ellis Island because the Greek name was too long for Americans to pronounce. It's very common.
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In your world everything has to match black and white, logic and reason but there are so many people that have English names and other nations names as well and the reasons can be unpredictable.
Why did they change their name from latin to English ever thought of that?
Is white a cultural in Mexico? What would a Mexican be caught dead in American sports, cultural, or mentality? Because he is indoctrinatized. So when you say he is Hispanic but has an Anglo name that is no different that when you say he is Chicano or has suburban American Mentality.
lol. I doubt Jewish nerds get picked on and are class clowns. When you speak of these terms of location, heritages, and origins. I doubt that was the intention of the show.
Without strife, your victory has no meaning.
Without strife, you do not advance.
Without strife, there is only stagnation.

I didn't know it was set here. I took a Spanish class at community college a few years ago and the class was almost entirely Mexican-American. The second and third generations are like any immigrant group and many don't speak Spanish.
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But I disagree with you that Slater is not like many American Chicanos. I went to school with Mexican-Americans. Many or most don't speak Spanish. When they play sports they mix with the jocks. In a mixed community where I'm from, that's not considered "acting white".
Correct. Especially in SoCal, where the show is set.
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So I think you're agreeing with my ultimate conclusion that AC Slater was written as a generic character. Slater is an Anglo name. So a Latino got the role. But the name didn't match the actor's ethnicity. As was said earlier in the thread they came up with the explanation that his immigrant parents changed their surname from Sanchez to Slater.
But I disagree with you that Slater is not like many American Chicanos. I went to school with Mexican-Americans. Many or most don't speak Spanish. When they play sports they mix with the jocks. In a mixed community where I'm from, that's not considered "acting white". It's just the general suburban mentality in Amerika … America.
Screech played the stereotypical Jewish nerd. Spano is an Italian name. I'd bet that Jews and Italians are pretty much integrated into the general population everywhere in America. In California American-born Mexicans are integrated as well. Maybe Latinos are more ghettoized back east.
In prison, the Mexicans are separated into two groups - Chicano, born here, Paisa, born in Mexico. In the LA suburbs there are no Paisas unless they're housekeepers catching the bus home at night. But Chicanos are integrated here.
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Since this show I grew on it when I was a kid I didnt have a concept of racism. The idea is still bewildering to me. AC was in a very white environment where the premise and jokes were of white society. He acted mostly white, and acted mostly white while doing mostly white things. He went after white girls. Mario Lopez doesnt really look all that latino. If it werent for his name he could pass by anything including white. Slater though sounds American could be from many different origins plus it just be a variation. I am still surprised how many famous American people come from other places and either completely change their names, slant their names to sound American, or use their American Version. So when I think of Slater, the nemesis of Zach, they fought for the same White Girls though Jessie Spano was mainly his girl and the name Spano sounds hispanic she looks super white. His hispanic heritage never came through. He did white things and acted white. He played football and was in the wrestling team. His terms and style were white. We never see him addressed as anything but white. We generally never got a hint of him being not accepted or different. It wouldve made more sense had his girl been Lisa. I think a big credit to this was on Mario's acting ability as this couldnt have been easy. He made it seem seamless and for the better of it because as kids learning from shows it certainly did help to act white and learn white cultural. Though Jessie was his girl he had a number of run-ins with Kelly which heighten his portrayal and many can say Jessie was hotter. In either case he wasnt the dork or nerd as he couldve and shouldve been like Screech who was white if anything they did a service to the Latin Community.
Without strife, your victory has no meaning.
Without strife, you do not advance.
Without strife, there is only stagnation.

Just give me your view, Big Bad Wolf Boy.
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I dont know if to answer you with my view on what you just said or set you free with the answer you've been looking for. I've decided to let you choose.
Without strife, your victory has no meaning.
Without strife, you do not advance.
Without strife, there is only stagnation.

That's possible in real life, sure.
However, remember, this was on a tv show where his entire character was an invention of script writers. The fact they chose an Anglo last name for a Latino is more likely just racism, trying to make the character appeal to a mainstream white audience.
It could also be that the character was never written as a Latino. Maybe the Latino actor just got the role after the character had been named. In that case, it was an honest oversight.
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so you think some ancestor along the line couldnt have been a male with an American Last name?
Without strife, your victory has no meaning.
Without strife, you do not advance.
Without strife, there is only stagnation.

If we take the time to see with the heart and not with the mind, we shall see that we are surrounded completely by angels ~ Carlos Santana

I like Tomás

My Italian grandfather's name was Amadeo
If we take the time to see with the heart and not with the mind, we shall see that we are surrounded completely by angels ~ Carlos Santana

I have a Paisa friend named Blas. It's so kewl - like Bloss. Lol.
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I like the name
If we take the time to see with the heart and not with the mind, we shall see that we are surrounded completely by angels ~ Carlos Santana

That's unique!
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My dad was named Delfino after his dad
If we take the time to see with the heart and not with the mind, we shall see that we are surrounded completely by angels ~ Carlos Santana