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78 MIAMI LIVING ML EXCLUSIVE! Speaking of high school, the whole Saved by the Bell gang, minus Dustin Diamond, just had their highly-anticipated reunion in an August issue of People—the teens we all adored, all grown up. "It's nice to see everybody— it's like going to a regular high school reunion." But it's not like the cast had been estranged. "I see them every once and awhile. Just like regular high school, you seem 'em when you can see 'em. I see Mark-Paul (Gosselaar) every once in awhile. I talk to Elizabeth (Berkley) more than all of them." Dustin's nonattendance from the shoot was a cause for gossip and the rumor mill was spinning. "I'm disappointed he wasn't there," Mario says of Dustin's absence. Rumors have been flying about Dustin writing a tell-all book about the cast and their time during SBTB. "I've been hearing that rumor for awhile, so I don't know what to believe. I've heard a bunch of stuff, but I have no idea. I don't know what he's going to say 'cause there's nothing. If he's telling the truth, it'll be boring 'cause we're all just good kids." Saved by the Bell put Mario in the spotlight, but with all his hosting gigs you have to wonder if he's still into acting. Absolutely! Fans can watch him demonstrate his acting chops on this season's Nip/Tuck. As for the silver screen, Mario mentioned that he has been talking to Tyler Perry (screenwriter/director/actor/ producer) about this. "Hopefully later this year that will be able to come to fruition." Mario is also producing another show for ABC Family. "I really want to get into that more. There are a couple of pilots on TV and a few projects in development…" But that's all he would say, at least for now. "I don't want to jinx it." So, does Mario prefer hosting to acting? "I like doing it all. I like being busy, whether it's acting, hosting, producing or writing. If I had to pick, hosting is probably #1, because it's the easiest and the most fun. I just love hosting, whether it be at a barbeque or a national TV show. You get to be your self." Mario's prolific career has brought him recognition and riches, but he hasn't forgotten where he comes from —San Diego, which is where you'll find him enjoying the holidays. "I have a huge family, so we get together in San Diego and spend time with the family. Big Mexican Thanksgivings and Christmases, lots of kids, food and drinks, and a lot of gambling going on — we play cards and stuff," says Mario. Mario is very close to his family and recently teamed up with his sister to write a children's book titled, "Mud Tacos." "We're really excited about it. We're hoping to make it a cartoon," Mario states enthusiastically. Before this article went to press, Mario was getting ready to begin the book tour for "Mud Tacos" (which was set to be released in October). Mario is also writing a diet book to follow-up "Mario Lopez's Knockout Fitness." It's astounding how Mario does it all and still manages to stay in such jaw-dropping shape. You'll have to pick up his books for those secrets, but he did reveal that he does alternate between the gym and the great outdoors. "I like mixing it up, I stress that in my book. Keep changing, keep your muscles guessing— swimming, boxing, running, biking..." And music is essential. "I ran a marathon without an iPod and couldn't believe it. Now I'm going to do a triathlon and I'm going to have to have an iPod." He recently downloaded 100,000 songs from his buddy's library, so he has quite the selection to choose from. What gets this powerhouse pumped up for a workout? "I gotta get my 80's playlist going." ML