SBTB 02.14 - The Babysitters

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Let's get the guest stars out of the way first. Madame Oeuf (which, oddly, translated to "egg") is played by the fun-yet-very-lunch-lady-looking Mary Pat Gleason.

Mary Pat Gleason

She has made the rounds and you will have no doubt seen her somewhere, as she has been everywhere. Think with Hilary Duff in "A Cinderella Story" or with Scarlett Johansson in "The Island" or with Adam Sandler in "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry" or with Jennifer Garner in "13 Going on 30." She has graced television with the likes of "Chuck," "Desperate Housewives," "Getting By," and "1600 Penn." You have to have seen her somewhere. Somewhere.

And on the topic of our French teacher: I could not help but laugh when the she says that crying like a baby is not a French sound. My Amuricah-iz-th-best upbringing has taught me that all the French do is cry. This is only sort of ironic.

Our Home Ec teacher Mrs. Hatcher is played by another one of these acting everywhere ladies:

Patrika Darbo

This is Patrika Darbo. Yes, you have seen her around. Her most notable appearances come from a rather lengthy stint with "Days of Our Lives." I won't list her other things because she has some other curiosities to steal our attention. First, she was voted as one of TV Guide's Sexiest in 1999 for her sultry depictions on her soap. Next, she has penned a book about being a plus-sized actress in Hollywood called "365 Glorious Nights of Love and Romance." She talks about her struggles growing up and then talks about feeling sexy with who you are. Sounds nice. I haven't read it. Moving on.

Now, one thing I couldn't help but notice was that Ed Alonzo (curses) was in this episode and the quality of the production was incredibly grainy. So, we dealt with another first season holdover. I think the thing that stood out the most from this little chronal anomaly was how easily the kids broke character in two parts.

While searching for the baby, Screech just busts into this huge, goofy grin. Do you see Lisa's face, Mr. Powers? This is serious business - looking for babies in lockers.

Next:

Remember this? Where Zack and Jesse both start chuckling for no apparent reason? My going theory is that Zack's arm gets stuck - which is plain to see he is struggling - on Jesse's boob and they both get nervous and break character. It is awkward.


Now, speaking of this baby: Who in the world let their kid pass between six teenagers in one scene? And let Slater yell in their baby's face. And not only that, but we get a peak at the kid's undercarriage. Twice.

What an odd, odd choice in using this kid. Another odd choice: Not giving the kid a credit. Instead, the credit - and voice, mind you - goes to Tom Williams. Mr. Williams is a man with more baby voice-over credits than I thought ever possible. It seems like it's all he does. (It's not. He does other voice-over work, too. Like a dog. He is seriously the barking dog Farfle on "Seinfeld.")

One last curiosity: Slater says a river should be named after Mr. Belding. None actually exist, but a river does run through Belding, MI. Close enough?

Feel free to share what stood out to you in the comments below.