One notable aspect of the show at the time was how often it broke the fourth wall. Unusual for a children's show, the main character, Zack, would routinely break the fourth wall and address the audience. Functionally, this was similar to the approach taken in the film Ferris Bueller's Day Off, as Zack would generally use this instance to offer exposition or side-commentary on events which were taking place on-screen. Stylistically, Zack's instances of breaking the fourth wall generally involved him freezing the action at will by saying "Time out" as he turned to address the camera. Zack would generally resume the action by saying "Time in." However, in at least one instance, Zack used the frozen action of the scene to escape from someone who was about to punch him, thus breaking the fourth wall even further, by allowing the fictional nature of the show to impact the action of the plot.
The only other character to interact with Zack during a "Time-Out" was Screech in the episode entitled, "The Glee Club." However, it is unclear whether Screech was unfrozen because Zack was addressing him or simply because Screech was not present in the main scene (i.e. Zack calls for time-out on-stage while Screech is standing backstage).
[edit] The Tori Paradox
As mentioned above, the character of Tori Scott (Leanna Creel) was added in later episodes as an initial sparring partner and later girlfriend for Zack. Originally, the final season consisted of thirteen episodes featuring the original cast and the cast members' contracts with the show expired after those episodes were completed with the final graduation episode. However, NBC ordered more episodes of the show and Thiessen and Berkley refused to sign new contracts. Rather than producing new episodes with only four cast members, a new character, Tori Scott, was added to serve as a replacement for Kelly and Jessie.
Oddly enough, the promos for the final season of the show featured Kelly, Jessie and Tori together, despite the fact that the actresses never actually appear in an episode together. Rather, the network alternated between "Kelly and Jessie" and "Tori" episodes each week.
During the "Tori" episodes, it was never explained why Jessie and Kelly were not present and likewise for the "Kelly and Jessie" episodes, no mention was made of Tori. When the season aired in the UK, the episodes tended to be reordered so that the Tori episodes and the Jessie and Kelly episodes were shown together. This was scarcely less confusing, since no mention was ever made of Tori's sudden disappearance and Kelly and Jessie's equally sudden reappearance partway through the season.
The term "Tori Paradox" is derived from Chuck Klosterman's essay about the show in his book, Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs: A Low Culture Manifesto.
Dior Homme
The best episode was when Jessie took speed and burnt out.
It was the best drug related episode of that show. I'm so excited! LMAO
VDub
Elizabeth Berkley is frickin hot.....
Showgirls was seeeeexxxxxyyyyyyyy...
movie...but sexy as hell...
Jeff Button
quote:
Originally posted by Dior Homme
The best episode was when Jessie took speed and burnt out.
It was the best drug related episode of that show. I'm so excited! LMAO
