Welcome to the BH....

     As promised, I re-watched the first episode (of a 2-part premiere) of Beverly Hills, 90210 and have listed my unabashed thoughts below. Please note, I am seeing this after many years and using a  "I've seen too many 90's teen movies" lens.

Image from Quotesgram.com

Meet the Twins/
Entering West Beverly High: 
1. I immediately yelled Whoa Joey Lawrence! when I saw Brandon Walsh's hair.
2. Did I miss it, or did they explain that Brandon and Brenda are twins?
3. Why did they move there?
4. It sounds like Brandon was more popular than Brenda in Minneapolis. I'm sticking with this theory.
5. The opening credits: Why are the paparazzi with business suits? Do kids in BH really drive to school with surf boards in their cars? They're a bit far from the beach.
6. Locking your car remotely was a big deal in 1989.
7. Some girl is wearing a way too short mini skirt to school. Where are her parents?
8. Is there really a high school radio station playing everywhere? This explains She's All That.
9. This is the Buffy the Vampire Slayer school! Torrance, CA shout-out!
10. Why is Steve cool???? Why did Kelly date him? Was she that hideous before the nose job? 
11.Like the boys in the Gossip Girl pilot, Andrea takes the public bus to school. This means she is poor and the whole story will probably change in the next episode.
12. Did anyone sit at legitimate lab desks in high school? We had desks and a counter space ran the outside of the room facing the walls.
13. Is Spanish 2 entirely in Spanish? Even my college level French classes had English components.
14. Steve might be a racist to the Spanish teacher.
15. Newspaper too serious at this school.
16.  Andrea is wearing a men's double-breasted suit jacked instead of a blazer. Tragic!
17. They just went on about pool parties around the year and the cheerleader is wearing a long-sleeved sweater in California, in September.

The Parties:
18. This house party is the start of all my unrealistic expectations about high school.
19. Again, where are the parents?
20. Who has cater waiters at a teenag party?
21. David Silver is the patron saint of nerds: post Anthony Michael Hall and pre-Superbad) and he dressed like Duckie in Pretty in Pink. 
22. Steve has rape culture written all over his forehead fr the first few minutes.
23. I honestly think Steve had no possibly to be redeemed.
24. Steve is so lame, and also the jerky jock. How is this possible?
25. Brandon met the poor little rich girl. she seems to have two personalities (shy loner and throwing stuff in the pool) and I don't believe there will be any payoff to this relationship.
26. Drunk Steve being driven home by 14-year-old David just makes me mad.
27. Steve will not redeem himself. I hate him.
28. Kelly chalks ID's. It is the worst thing I've even seen and I once witnessed someone trying to chalk an ID.
29. Why does the Spanish teacher dance in the hall with headphones? Why is the principal interested? Why is the plot to Clueless showing up before Clueless is written?
30. What 15 or 16 year old is allowed to stay out util midnight? Even with parents, Brenda and Brandon  have way too much freedom.
31. This club looks like a Paula Abdul video people in mesh shirts or and tuxedos grinding on each other.
32. All the girls get turned away from the club except Brenda. This reminds me of The Baby Sitters Club movie where Stacey and Claudia go out with 17 year old Europeans and they are only 13. Thirteen!!
33. Only teenage girls order pineapple colada drinks in a non-tiki bar!!! Red flag, bartender lady!
34. This "nice guy" is a total liar. 

Happy 90210 Day!

Image courtesy of Tumblr.

Today is the 26th anniversary of the first airing of FOX's seminal teen drama,  Beverly  Hills, 90210. Teen twins Brenda (Shannen Doherty) and Brandon Walsh (Jason Priestly) were forced to move from boring old Minneapolis to West Beverly, where they clearly did not fit in. But as most adaptable teens, they "kaught up with the Kardashians*" pretty quickly. Like two frenemies showing up to the formal with the same velvet cocktail dress or a pal stealing your boyfriend, the sun-soaked 10-season show has many memories a-flowing. It also sparked a lifetime movie about the behind the scenes gossip.  In honor, I will be reliving and live blogging the premiere episode later this week.
Stay Tuned!

Image courtesy of TV Guide article. 

* In the 90's, one would have said "kept up with the Joneses".

A Love Note About Grey's

Greys is back! I am really loving this season so far! And EW is too!

ADDENDUM 11.08.10
On the other hand, 90210 tried to pull a Meredith Grey-style thoughtful about life voiceover. Not cool. Meredith would denounce you. Imitation is not always the sincerest form of flattery. Don't try to pull a Meredith!

A Note About I-Raining....

Again, I cannot believe I'm watching 90210. This epic episode has stolen cheesy plots from everything. and the dialogue?? appalling.

HERE IS THE WORST OF THE EPISODE:

NEWSFLASH: Teddy is gay.

OTH Boy Auction flashback: guys in fire uniforms dancing and being sold off to their classmates. Well, I think they wore basketball uniforms on One Tree hill, but close enough. They looked like they were posing for a 98 degrees poster circa 1999.

Liam has a half-black brother? Please no! No more fake half-siblings allowed.

Adrianna is still selfish? Nothing new here.

Fight in the school! Really? Saved By the Bell.

Teens selling their eggs for money cause mom is broke.

Creepy older women stalking high school boys.

The spread of the HIV.

At least the teacher is still somewhat hot..........

A Note About Teen Dramas with No Original Plots

AKA 90210.

As a note, I must say my interest in this show has downgraded from interest to 'passing interest- there's nothing else on tv.'

I caught the last half hour of the season premiere, just in time to see 90210 stealing a plot line from something besides its predecessor, the beloved Beverly Hills, 90210.

There was an earthquake that would change lives happening just in time to start off senior year, oddly reminiscent of the plot line of the Sweet Valley High books, yeah, the 90s popular book series, and the following series SVH: Senior Year.

Other bad plot decisions: apparently Teddy is suddenly going to be gay this season. And dad/principal Walker (Rob Estes) has moved out from home, (and hopefully off this sinking ship).

A Note About Pregnant Teens on TV

I'm so done with seeing pregnant teens on television, but since I've been reading more glee scoop, I can't help but think of the comical pregnancy of McKinley's former head cheerleader, Quinn Fabray. Here is list of the best pregnant teens on TV:

10. Amy Jurgens (Secret Life) The only reason Shailene Woodley's whiny and obnoxious is on this list is because her hysterics are so dramatic it's to the point of comedy. Next time the drummer in the school band hits on you, follow Nancy Reagan's advice and JUST SAY NO!

9. Adrianna Tate-Duncan (90210) Jessica Lowndes' trampy Beverly Hills teen might be the worst teen mom ever. she was taking tons of drugs during her pregnancy, drinking, and wasn't sure who the daddy was. By the time she got her life together and found sweet Navid, she was considering not giving up the baby for adoption. Looks like she's lost a lot of sleep over not keeping her kid since then. (NOT!)

8. Corey Conway (7th Heaven) Alicia Leigh Willis, known as Courtney from General Hospital, first brought attention to the plight of pregnant teen athletes when she befriended Mary Camden. Plus she married teen father Wilson much later on in the series.

7. Cordelia Chase (Angel) Not only was Cordy pregnant at 18 after a one night stand with a demon, but a few years later she gave birth to one of the ultimate evils and paid the ultimate price, slipping into a coma she never recovered from.

6. Jen Linley (Dawson's Creek) It happened in the five year forward jump of the last episode, but Jen finally completed Gram's worst nightmare, getting pregnant and left by some horrible dirtbag. Of course, BFF Jack was there to step in and help raise the baby.

5. Tess Harding (Roswell) Long before she played pregnant Aussie Claire on lost, Emilie de Ravin was ruining relationships by secluding alien leader (and apparently her husband/alien king from a previous life) Max. One night yielded baby Zan, and finally sent Tess out of Max's life and back to the home planet.

4. Andrea Zuckerman (Beverly Hills 90210) The original teen mom, played by Gabrielle Carteris, was top of the class at West Bev. College came, she got a little irresponsible, and she had to leave the show (and the Bev Hills area) after getting pregnant and married. She ended up divorced :-(

3. Quinn Fabray (Glee) Dianna Aragon's pregnant cheerleader continued to make quippy comebacks until her water broke at regionals. Plus she pitted babydaddy and bad boy Puck against her dumb but sweet boyfriend Finn.

2. Lane Kim (Gilmore Girls) Keiko Agnea's lovable Lane Kim showed that you can be a rock and rolling teen (ok, maybe 21-year old) and still be a parent. It took moving into a house with her bandmates to get Lane to break her mother's tight control over her life. Soon after falling in love with bandmate Zach, three wedding ceremonies and twin baby boys followed.

1. Haley James Scott (One Tree Hill) After a season-long romance with the star of the basketball team,"tutor girl"became "tutor wife" then by graduation she was married "tutor mom". Seven seasons later, she and Nathan are still together and expecting a second child.

A Note About WB Stars Making TV Appearances

     The WB stars of the past and present, mostly the past in this case, have long made TV appearances together on new shows. They're popping up everywhere. Here are 10 great WB reunions in other shows and movies and 3 WB prequel friendships.

Reunited, and it Feels so Good

As part of their packaged deal, I'm convinced, WB stars make TV deals to be in future TV shows with other stars. Here are ten examples:

1. 2010, Life Unexpected 
1. (Shiri Appleby- Roswell and Kerr Smith- Dawson's Creek), as radio cohosts and engaged parents raising her long-lost teenager.
2.  2010, The Vampire Diaries 
1. (Paul Wesley- Everwood, Bianca Lawson- Buffy)
3. 2010, Pretty Little Liars 
1. (Holly Marie Combs- Charmed,  Lucy Hale- Privileged, Bryce Johnson- Popular, Bianca Lawson- Buffy)
4. 2008-2010, Bones 
5. (David Boreanez- Angel, and Brendan Fehr-Roswell)  as his brother.
6. 2008, 90210 
1. (Lori Loughlin- Summerland, Jennie Garth- What I Like About You) and including Shannen Doherty and Greg Vaughn- Charmed, Scott Patterson-Gilmore Girls, and Sarah Danielle Madison- 7th Heaven 
7. 2007, Samantha Who?
1.  (Barry Watson- 7th Heaven, Melissa McCarthy- Gilmore Girls)
8. 2007, Greek 
1. (Appearances by Charisma Carpenter - Buffy/Angel & Jesse McCartney- Summerland)
9. 2006, What About Brian?
1.  (Barry Watson- 7th Heaven, Amanda Foreman- Felicity, and Matthew Davis (The Vampire Diaries)
10. 2006, The Bedford Diaries 
1. (Penn Bagley- future Gossip Girl star, Milo Ventimiglia- Gilmore Girls)
11. 2006, Heroes 
1. (Greg Grunberg- Felicity, Milo Vetmingilia-  Gilmore Girls)
12. 2005, How I Met Your Mother
1.  (Alyson Hannigan- Buffy, and Bob Saget- Raising Dad)                                            with guest appearances by Amy Acker-Angel, Joanna Garcia- Reba, Alexis Denisof-  Buffy/ Angel, Tom Lenk- Buffy, Harry Groener-Buffy)
13. 2004, Fearless (Unaired WB pilot)
1.  (Ian Somerhalder, Bianca Lawson, and Rachel Leigh Cook- honorary WB star).
14. 2004, Jack and Bobby
1.  (starred Bradley Cooper, who links to many proijects with other WB stars, including Greg Grunberg (Alias) , Emma Caufield (I Wanna Marry Ryan Banks), Nick Brendan (Kitchen Confidential)
15. 2003, Veronica Mars
1.  (Guest roles by Alyson Hannigan- Buffy & Charisma Carpenter- Buffy/Angel)
16. 2003, Supernatural 
1. (Jared Paladecki- Gilmore Girls, Jensen Ackles- Smallville)
17. 2002, What I Like About You
1.  (Simon Rex- Jack & Jill, Leslie Grossman- Popular, Jennie Garth - 90210)
18. 2001, Lost 
1. (Emilie de Ravin- Roswell, Daniel Dae Kim-Angel  & GS Greg Grunberg- Felicity)
19. 2001, Alias 
1. (Jennifer Garner- Felicity, Greg Grunberg-Felicity, Amanda Foreman-Felicity, Kevin Wesiman, Felicity)
20. 2000, Gilmore Girls
1.  (Keiko Agnea- Felicity, Danny Strong- Buffy, Chad Michael Murray- One Tree Hill)

     Hold your hats, here we go on some deep dives!

• The appearance of James Van Der Beek on One Tree Hill (2008-2009 season) as a coke-snorting director brought the WB/CW (WC for short) full circle. VDB's director came to Tree Hill to try to direct a movie of Lucas's life story, and the former WB golden boy and resident moody dreamer finally passed on his crown to the WB's reigning golden boy and moody dreamer (CMM), before he left at the end of that season. Now if only VDB had come home  (both shows filmed to Wilmington, N.C.) as his WB character, director Dawson Leary, the earth as we know if would explode. If only....
• Some WB stars were friends before they came to the glorious network, like Lori Loughlin and Bob Saget, who starred as in-laws and co-hosts on Full House. FH stars Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen were in a classic episode of 7th Heaven where Simon and a friend go on a double date with the daring twins. The pair also anchored a season of Two of a Kind on ABC, where their uncle was played by Sabrina cast member, David Lascher.
• The original 90210, the one that started it all, starred Shannen Doherty (Charmed, 90210) and Emma Caulfield (Buffy).
• The 1995 Clueless movie and subsequent 1996 TV show starred Elisa Donovan, who went on to play Morgan on Sabrina, and Donald Faison, who played Tracy on several seasons of Felicity. Rachel Blanchard, who played Cher in the TV series, later went on to play Kevin's police partner on 7th Heaven.
• The WB's less publicized shows such as Jack & Jill and Zoe, Duncan, Jack and Jane (aka Zoe...) launched the careers of other WB stars such as Michael Rosenbaum (Smallville, Lex Luthor), Ivan Sergei (Paige's husband in the last season of Charmed), and Simon Rex (Felicity once slept with him).

A Note About Teen Dramas

Take this with a grain of salt, it's not intended as a rant against these shows . . .

I'll be the first to admit, my guilty pleasure is teen dramas. There's something about watching them that makes me think, "I wish that had been my high school experience", and other times when I'm relieved it wasn't.

I'm also guilty of being a viewer of The Secret Life of the American Teenager. Why, you may ask? Simple. I was looking for a new show to watch that fateful summer it premiered. And I couldn't stop. It was addictive like a drug, the all-too familiar 7th Heaven producing team, complete with the same high school set, same hangouts, same corny music, and same didactic lessons. but yes, I got sucked into the teen life of Amy Juergens, pregnant at 15. At times, it's kept me entertained, although I stand by my belief that the only character without fault is Tom, but that is another story.

So, I confess, less horrifyingly, that I also watch 90210, the re-launch of the popular 90's teen drama that started it all, Beverly Hills, 90210. Same music, same eerily familiar plot lines, a new generation of kids tainted by popularity and money. And occassionally, guest starring roles by former West Bev alums. Somewhat against my better judgment, and after almost two seasons, I cannot stop watching this show. Even if I miss an episode, I keep right on watching.

I guess I'm a creature of habit. I follow shows like they're children of a person I admire, hoping the same qualities have rubbed off. But recently remarking about my addiction to these stepchildren of formerly glorious teen shows to my mother I put it like this, "The more I watch Secret Life, the more classy 90210 gets."

Watch them for yourself. . .