'Saved' star to perform in Union

Dustin Diamond, better known as "Screech Powers" from the television sitcom "Saved By the Bell," has transformed from mismatched dork to a goatee-sporting, stand-up comic and will be bringing his post-adolescent humor to IU on Feb. 27 in the Indiana Memorial Union's Alumni Hall.\nTickets for the show go on sale today and are $5 for students and $10 for non-students. Those attending the performance will be able to greet Diamond after the show and obtain autographs.\nDiamond has been touring the college circuit for some time now entertaining students and selling out shows. \n"He's a big seller, and the venue we have him in will be very personal and very close-up," said Claire Tramm, Union Board director of marketing.\nDiamond was discovered at the age of eight while imitating a mannequin in a department store. Still-life performances soon became a thing of the past once he put a squeaky voice to his character and headed for live entertainment.\nHis first role had him playing Screech on NBC's Saturday morning sitcom, "Saved by the Bell," which is still showing in 105 countries, 16 times a week.\nAfter playing "Screech" for 10 seasons, Diamond moved into other arenas of entertainment becoming a movie actor, rock musician, stand-up comic and a blind date.\n"I would like to see what he is made of," said Bloomington resident David Sanford. "It would be interesting to see how he sizes up to other comedians I've seen, like George Carlin and Jerry Seinfeld."\nDiamond has appeared in 17 feature films which include "Big Top Pee-Wee," "Made," "Big Fat Liar" and the new David Spade movie, "Dickie Roberts." \nIn addition to taking movie roles, Diamond plays bass for a band called "Salty the Pocket Knife." The band's self-titled debut album should be on shelves early this year.\nTelevision has called Diamond back more than a couple of times since his departure from "Saved by the Bell." Last year he beat up "Horshack" from the sitcom "Welcome Back Cotter" on "Celebrity Boxing," and more recently he went out with two different women on the reality show "Star Dates." He has also appeared on MTV's "Beach House" and "Wrestlemania."\nMusic and acting aren't Diamond's only natural abilities. He is also an avid chess player. His two-tape, four-hour instructions teaches chess to anyone who has never played before or just wants to get better by incorporating comedy into the instruction.\nUnion Board Comedy Director Adam Hitchcock said in a statement that the show will be "a great opportunity for the students to see a great show and meet a star from their childhood." \nTickets for the event go on sale at 10 a.m. today and are available at the Student Activities Office in the IMU, the IU Auditorium box office and at all Ticketmaster locations.