Did "90210" hold up?
editor
We're
hoping many of you watched the series premiere of "90210" last night
so we can discuss with you. If not, we'll give
you a run-down of what you missed. **Warning: some plot and character appearance spoilers ahead!
The plot:
The Minnesota twins Brenda and Brandon Walsh are redone with Kansas
imports Annie Wilson and her adopted brother Dixon. The family
relocates to Beverly Hills to live with aging grandma Tabitha and
their father takes over as the new principal at good old West Beverly High.
Their first days of adjusting to brats, private jets, pranks
and crushes old and new leave the family with the obvious mindset:
they're not in Kansas anymore.
Kelly Taylor is still around, serving as the
school's guidance counselor and Brenda returns
to direct West Bev's theatrical version of "Spring Awakening." They dine at a
revamped Peach Pit where lovable Nat struggles to work a modern
espresso machine. The times they are
a-changin'!
What we liked:
- BRENDA! We have missed you so.
- "Silver," David Silver and Kelly
Taylor's baby sister all grown up, is by far
the most likable character.
- When Kelly is on the phone insinuating her son, 4-year-old
Sammy, misses his dad. DYLAN?! Is that you???
- Finding out that Mel Silver cheated on Jackie Taylor
(Kelly's mom) with her best friend. We
can't wait to find out what happened next week
when Jackie returns!
- When nerdy Hannah Zuckerman-Vasquez presents the
school's daily news show and the teacher notes
that the girl looks like she's 30. (Andrea
anyone?)
- Ryan Matthews, the cool and HOT English teacher.
- Unlike "Gossip GIrl," the clothes maintain their edge but aren't overly distracting
- Grandma Tabitha Wilson is essentially the same comically bitchy
boozer Jessica Walter played on "Arrested
Development." Nice addition.
- Bringing new tunes center stage via a live musical performance
(Tilly and the Wall), as the original series became famous
for.
- The evil Naomi Clark (think of her a meaner, old school Kelly)
was more than one-dimensional.
- Actress Adrianna has a lot of dark secrets. We're
intrigued.
What we didn't like:
- Dixon Wilson. We actually really like him, but why is the
adopted black kid the only way to get another race into Beverly
Hills?
- The revamped theme song is totally inferior.
- The mom, Debbie Wilson. You'd think "Full House" alum Lori Loughlin would
be an improvement bland old school Cindy Walsh, but her way-too-hip
dialogue annoyed us. You're a
mother--stop saying, "dude."
- Ethan Ward, the cheating-on-his-girlfriend jock, has already
reformed and gone sweet in the first two episodes. We kind of want
him to remain a jerk.
- So many freaking characters! We hope we can get them all
down.
- That it took one hour and 29 minutes for Brenda to appear. We
were getting nervous!
- Thus far, nothing truly groundbreaking. It's hard to come up
with original teen concepts and compete with "Beverly Hills 90210"
which handled serious topics in a way never seen before. But we
have our fingers crossed.
Check out the clip of Brenda's return to her old
zip code and let us know: did the new "90210" hold up?
Related: tv, shannen doherty, jennie garth, cw, beverly hills, 90210
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Posted by CharliesMom Wed Sep 3, 2008 1:03pm PDT
Okay, I am from the original 90210 generation (1990) and I tried to give this new version a chance..but I couldn't go on after 30 minutes.
There was a particular scene done in such bad taste: First day of school for Annie, she's walking in front of her new school, when she sees her ex-boyfriend sitting in his car, they both freeze & look at each other, and then a girl's head rises from his lap! Hello!!? They threw in a b-job scene within the first 10 minutes of the show!! Completely innapropriate & ridiculous!
It's obvious they are desperate to get young people's attention w/ this nasty scene. This show is retarted, period.
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Posted by Melis Wed Sep 3, 2008 1:50pm PDT
ok I was actually excited about this show. Like CharliesMom, I was also an old 90210'er. I was grossed out by the ----- thing, really was that necessary and why did they have to have the only black person be adopted!? Not very creative...
I lasted about 40 minutes and began to watch House. I was so disappointed that I didn't get to see Shannon D. (I guess she came on later...) I didn't even last to see Nat! Boo...
I was pissed that they changed the song! I was looking fwd to that!
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Posted by marlee Wed Sep 3, 2008 5:53pm PDT
I was disappointed too. The "actors" seemed very transparent (I realize they are young). But a plane at 15 years old - and Naomi (Just turned 16?? - going on - what 25). I can't fathom "Brenda and Kelly" living together for a full month either. SORRY.
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Posted by J Wed Sep 3, 2008 6:04pm PDT
I grew up with the original 90210. I tried to watch the new 90210, but just couldn't bear it.
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Posted by Thu Sep 4, 2008 1:40am PDT
Well to be honest, I didn't catch the start of the show and I can't say I'm a 90210 "alumni." Although, I'm quite familiar with the original 90210 and I just have to agree w/Jennifer P,marlee, Melis and CharliesMom. Especially when they all say (not in these exact words) that this new 90210 series just didn't do it for me. Oh Mr.A.Spelling, what were you thinking? Somethings are just better left alone...
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Posted by Mikedawg53 Thu Sep 4, 2008 6:37am PDT
Wow first drama central now, selling sex to young people, what's next.
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Posted by Ashley Thu Sep 4, 2008 6:57am PDT
ok I disagree with all the girls above... As I was an original 90210 girl... I even had the Brenda & Dylan barbie doll.. I had a Luke Perry pillow and I had the 90210 board game(I should have never been allowed to watch 90210 at such a young age!) Anywho... I really liked the new one. Some of the kiddie scenes were a little overdone however, hearing about Kelly and Brenda made it all worth while. When you were talking about Kelly being on the phone with the baby daddy... I think she was talking to Brandon because...... if you remember when Brenda first showed up she goes, my brother wanted me to tell you that you're beautiful and kelly was like... He told me that on the phone earlier from Belize... or something like that... hello!!!!!! They totally clued us in there. I was always a huge Brenda fan so when she left the original show I kinda stopped watching... I really really really really hope Luke Perry decides to appear on the show.
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Posted by Miss G Thu Sep 4, 2008 7:47am PDT
I too am an original 90210 alumni, and this new show, well lets just pray that it gets better!?!?!?!?! I dont like how they redid the peach pit, come on now that place is like a santuary, shouldnt have been touched, and as far as the 'lil rich kids, they have gone way too far. So like i said, hope it gets better, if not im sticking to my old skool recorded VHSes!!!!!
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Posted by Melis Thu Sep 4, 2008 7:52am PDT
ok I sucked it up and watched the rest of it last night. I did like that Keyy and Brenda where temp. living together. I also agree that I think she was talking to Brandon on the phone.
I think Luke Perry had it right that this show just would not be the same with out A. Spelling. I have read that is why many of them decided not to do it. I would like to see Brandon make an appearance. It would be nice if all of them would, but who know's...
I am very undecided about this show. I like seeing the original ppl again. Not asure if I will tune in again...
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Posted by Ann Thu Sep 4, 2008 9:00am PDT
I'm pretty sure Mr. Spelling is dead....so who's to blame now?
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