2008 Woodie Awards
Belding relives 'Bell' years
Dennis Haskins motivates students to live their dream
Dan Martin
Issue date: 5/18/04 Section: News
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Dennis Haskins waits for the applause to die down. The applause is for Haskins' 11 seasons starring as Mr. Belding, the principal of Bayside High, in the 1980s television hit "Saved By The Bell."
DU is just another stop on Haskins' new, motivational-speaking college tour. Despite the new title, Haskins could not escape his roots Tuesday night.
The program began with a few opening remarks from Haskins, immediately moving into an onstage interview by DUPB Lectures and Speakers Department member Heather Kraich. During the interview, Haskins went into detail about his experiences with the show, eventually even dealing with the situation involving the nude appearance of Elizabeth Berkeley, who played Jessie, in the film "Showgirls" after the cancellation of "Saved by the Bell."
"Just for the record, Elizabeth did not ask my opinion on the issue so I cannot judge her for it," he said. "Sometimes we make choices, and they may not be the best choices, but we have to take responsibility for those choices."
Haskins was quick to point out that Berkeley recovered from the situation to begin a successful career. Though Haskins elected to answer the risqué Berkeley question on his own, the interview was completely devoted to his personal life and times on the show. He revealed his close relationship to Mark Paul Gosselaar, Zach Morris, his most embarrassing show moment-becoming a human milkshake with Screech, and some interesting "Saved by the Bell" facts, such as that the show was the first American television show ever to air in Romania.
The actor engaged the audience, telling everyone who left "goodbye" and taking the constant interruptions caused by four unidentified and intoxicated female DU students in stride.
"What, did you bring a pitcher here?" Haskins joked. "Have you got enough for everyone?"