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Mr. Belding must be having a heart attack right about now. Remember when those giggling teen actors from the original Saved by the Bell seemed so perky and full of fun? No more. After graduating from the so-bad-it's-good high school sitcom, these former role models have embraced the dark side faster than you can say Dana Plato. Consider:
TIFFANI-AMBER THIESSEN
On Bell: Kelly, the cutesy high school sweetheart who campaigned for new cheerleading uniforms. And now: Valerie Malone of Beverly Hills, 90210, the dope-smoking, boyfriend-stealing, cleavage-revealing successor to Shannen Doherty's Brenda Walsh. Why Change? ''Playing a bitch is much more fun than playing a nice girl,'' says Thiessen. ''Everyone knows that.''
ELIZABETH BERKLEY
On Bell: Jessie, the spunky valedictorian, class president, and enviromental activist. And now: In Showgirls, Berkley plays a driven lap dancer who rises from sleazy nudie clubs to become a topless Vegas headliner. Why Change? ''She always wanted to do films,'' says her mother, Jeri Berkley. ''Doing Saved by the Bell was fine for what it was. It was a good learning experience.''
MARK-PAUL GOSSELAAR
On Bell: Zack, the blond track star and class clown. And now: In ABC movie of the week Brothers of the Frontier, he sports Meat Loaf-length hair, packs a gun, and hunts down Joey Lawrence. Why Change? ''I think it started when I did an episode of Robin's Hoods where I played a rapist,'' says Gosselaar. ''The a -- -- -- roles are great because it's totally unlike me.''
-- A.J. Jacobs and Jason Kaufman
