I Was Saved by the Bell: Stories of Life, Love, and Dreams That Do Come True
by Peter Engel
NEW MEMOIR REVEALS INCREDIBLE LESSONS IN TV & LIFE FROM THE EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF AMERICA’S FAVORITE TEEN SITCOM
Every episode of the iconic teen sitcom Saved by the Bell ended with the same four words: “Executive Producer Peter Engel.” While this name has become synonymous with Zack, Kelly, The Max, and Bayside High, most are unaware of the incredible legacy in television — and in life — on which Engel has left his magical mark. Until now!
With the release of his new memoir, I Was Saved by the Bell: Stories of Life, Love, and Dreams That Do Come True, Engel shares a lifetime of memories from his personal and professional life. From the early days of Bell through his later TV successes with California Dreams, Hang Time, City Guys, and Last Comic Standing, among other shows, he reflects on his career that began with the coveted “entry” job as an NBC “page” and led him on a journey through television that spanned decades, and that led him to encounter, over the years, some of the most iconic personalities of his times—including John Lennon, Orson Welles, Bette Davis, Jacques Cousteau, John DeLorean, and, most significantly, John F. Kennedy, on whose Presidential campaign he worked. As he tells his story, Engel aims to entertain the many generations who grew up watching his shows, and to pass on to them the important lessons he’s learned about family, faith, and the never-ending passion that led him to achieve his dreams.
“June 8, 1948 was the day that forever changed my life,” shares Engel. “It was the day my family got our first television and the day I fell in love with a medium that would be the keystone of my journey through life. I am thrilled to share not only my more than 50 years in the industry, but, also, my own personal journey that led me to find my greatest successes where I least expected.”
In I Was Saved by the Bell, Engel details how his life and work touched and inspired an entire “Bell” generation, whose values and views of a diverse world were shaped by the stories and plain old fun of his shows. It also delves further into:
• A lifetime of love for television and how that led him never to give up on his dream of making shows that matter, with the greatest and most unexpected success being Bell.
• Behind-the-scenes stories about the Bell “family”— Zack, Kelly, Slater, Screech, Jessie, Lisa, and Mr. Belding—and how they became his own “other” family.
• His great stories of the encounters he had with iconic figures such as John Lennon, Orson Welles, Bette Davis, Jacques Cousteau, John DeLorean, and, of course, John F. Kennedy.
• What he considers to be his greatest achievements in life, both professionally and personally.
• His advice to readers that perhaps will inspire them to stay true to their values and passions, so they can find their own “Bell” and impact the world—in their own ways.
• And much more!
Throughout I Was Saved by the Bell, the chronicle of Engel’s amazing journey is a master class on life from the perspective of a man who grew up during a time of great uncertainty and came of age in an era of hope and promise. With the ups and downs of the decades as a backdrop, he opens his heart and shares the experiences of his own good times, bad times, reflection, redemption, and, ultimately, joy and satisfaction of a life lived the only way he could—with passion.
Peter Engel, one of the most prolific producers in television with more than 1,000 episodes produced under his banner, single handedly created the teen sitcom with Saved By The Bell, which he executive produced through all of its many incarnations, and which led to his many other teen series, including California Dreams, Hang Time, City Guys, and USA High. As if defining and conquering the teen arena wasn't enough, Engel produced the iconic Last Comic Standing, enabling the discovery of an entirely new, fresh generation of comedians.
All of this would be more of a career than any producer could ever dream of having, and with more than 50 years in the television industry, Engel has forgotten more than most will ever know. Engel’s life and work touched and inspired an entire “Bell” generation, whose values and views of a diverse world were shaped by the stories and plain old fun of Peter’s shows.
I Was Saved by the Bell can be purchased from Amazon, BarnesandNoble.com, and through all major booksellers.
by Peter Engel
NEW MEMOIR REVEALS INCREDIBLE LESSONS IN TV & LIFE FROM THE EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF AMERICA’S FAVORITE TEEN SITCOM
Every episode of the iconic teen sitcom Saved by the Bell ended with the same four words: “Executive Producer Peter Engel.” While this name has become synonymous with Zack, Kelly, The Max, and Bayside High, most are unaware of the incredible legacy in television — and in life — on which Engel has left his magical mark. Until now!
With the release of his new memoir, I Was Saved by the Bell: Stories of Life, Love, and Dreams That Do Come True, Engel shares a lifetime of memories from his personal and professional life. From the early days of Bell through his later TV successes with California Dreams, Hang Time, City Guys, and Last Comic Standing, among other shows, he reflects on his career that began with the coveted “entry” job as an NBC “page” and led him on a journey through television that spanned decades, and that led him to encounter, over the years, some of the most iconic personalities of his times—including John Lennon, Orson Welles, Bette Davis, Jacques Cousteau, John DeLorean, and, most significantly, John F. Kennedy, on whose Presidential campaign he worked. As he tells his story, Engel aims to entertain the many generations who grew up watching his shows, and to pass on to them the important lessons he’s learned about family, faith, and the never-ending passion that led him to achieve his dreams.
“June 8, 1948 was the day that forever changed my life,” shares Engel. “It was the day my family got our first television and the day I fell in love with a medium that would be the keystone of my journey through life. I am thrilled to share not only my more than 50 years in the industry, but, also, my own personal journey that led me to find my greatest successes where I least expected.”
In I Was Saved by the Bell, Engel details how his life and work touched and inspired an entire “Bell” generation, whose values and views of a diverse world were shaped by the stories and plain old fun of his shows. It also delves further into:
• A lifetime of love for television and how that led him never to give up on his dream of making shows that matter, with the greatest and most unexpected success being Bell.
• Behind-the-scenes stories about the Bell “family”— Zack, Kelly, Slater, Screech, Jessie, Lisa, and Mr. Belding—and how they became his own “other” family.
• His great stories of the encounters he had with iconic figures such as John Lennon, Orson Welles, Bette Davis, Jacques Cousteau, John DeLorean, and, of course, John F. Kennedy.
• What he considers to be his greatest achievements in life, both professionally and personally.
• His advice to readers that perhaps will inspire them to stay true to their values and passions, so they can find their own “Bell” and impact the world—in their own ways.
• And much more!
Throughout I Was Saved by the Bell, the chronicle of Engel’s amazing journey is a master class on life from the perspective of a man who grew up during a time of great uncertainty and came of age in an era of hope and promise. With the ups and downs of the decades as a backdrop, he opens his heart and shares the experiences of his own good times, bad times, reflection, redemption, and, ultimately, joy and satisfaction of a life lived the only way he could—with passion.
Peter Engel, one of the most prolific producers in television with more than 1,000 episodes produced under his banner, single handedly created the teen sitcom with Saved By The Bell, which he executive produced through all of its many incarnations, and which led to his many other teen series, including California Dreams, Hang Time, City Guys, and USA High. As if defining and conquering the teen arena wasn't enough, Engel produced the iconic Last Comic Standing, enabling the discovery of an entirely new, fresh generation of comedians.
All of this would be more of a career than any producer could ever dream of having, and with more than 50 years in the television industry, Engel has forgotten more than most will ever know. Engel’s life and work touched and inspired an entire “Bell” generation, whose values and views of a diverse world were shaped by the stories and plain old fun of Peter’s shows.
I Was Saved by the Bell can be purchased from Amazon, BarnesandNoble.com, and through all major booksellers.