EXCLUSIVE: Saved By The Bell's Mr. Belding Weighs In On Screech's Sex, Drug Claims
Sept. 25 2009, Published 11:05 a.m. ET
Dennis Haskins, who played Mr. Belding, the high school principal on Saved by the Bell, told RadarOnline.com exclusively that Dustin Diamond (aka Screech) "was not trying to be hurtful" when he made claims that the hormone-crazed, funny-smelling conduct of his cast-mates was worthy of a trip to the Principal's office.
"I don't want to comment on what Dustin said," Haskins told RadarOnline.com at Dimples Karaoke Bar in Burbank, California on Thursday. "I don't know anything about it. I don't want to know anything about it. I loved all those kids and I still do."
EXCLUSIVE: Saved By The Bell Screech Sued For Taxes, Has Car Repossessed
Haskins said Diamond, who played the dorky-but-lovable character Screech, "was like my sidekick."
"We worked together more than any other cast members and we became very close friends," Haskins, who has a new karaoke CD out entitled Karaoke With Your Favorite Principal, said. "Dustin is a great kid."
EXCLUSIVE: Dustin “Screech” Diamond Banned From Saved By The Bell Reunion By Costars
Diamond's cast mates reportedly asked he be left out of a recent People Magazine cover and festivities connected to a SBTB reunion, due to being uncomfortable with their one-time colleague over his post-show antics, which have included: a "leaked" porn movie where the former child actor raves of his fondness for "poop" and multiple publicity stunts to raise money for his foreclosed-upon home.
Diamond said he could smell a certain kind of smoke emanating close to his castmates' dressing rooms, according to published reports released Thursday. Diamond also fingered castmate Mark Paul Gosselaar (the blond heartthrob who played Zack Morris), as a steroid-user prior to 1994's short-lived spin-off, Saved by the Bell: The College Years. Diamond, according to reports, said Gosselaar suddenly added 25 pounds of muscle onto his lithe frame.
Never Miss an
Daily updates from the heart of Hollywood, right to your inbox
By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you’re agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Diamond said the hormone-crazed SBTB teens they played in the scripts sometimes manifested in dressing room, as well.
Dustin Diamond Implies Pot Smoking, Sex & Steroids On Saved By The Bell Set
"If Kelly Tiffani Thiessen was interested in Slater Mario Lopez one week, then backstage there was a lot going between them in Mario Lopez's room," Diamond said, according to published reports. "Then, if Jessie Elizabeth Berkley kisses Zack, then you know Elizabeth Berkley is going in Mark-Paul's room."
