Advertisement The CW is choosing to bank on an updated version of “Beverly Hills 90210,” with Rob Thomas, creator of “Veronica Mars,” at the helm.
As younger versions of Luke Perry and Jennie Garth for the new show, brilliantly titled “90210,” have been cast, the more interesting tidbits are whether original cast members are coming back. Garth will reprise her role as Kelly Taylor, who now works as a guidance counselor at West Beverly Hills High, and Shannen Doherty and Jason Priestley will return as the Walsh siblings, Brenda and Brandon.
Tori Spelling was expected to return as Donna Martin, who owns a popular boutique, but reportedly backed out due to salary negotiations. Also, not coming back to the famous ZIP code will be Perry, who played rebel Dylan McKay.
So far, inside reports have not confirmed the return of other original cast members: Gabrielle Carteris (brainy Andrea Zuckerman), Brian Austin Green (music lover David Silver) and Ian Ziering (jock Steve Sanders).
Premiering in October 1990 on Fox, the show followed the lives of rich and pretty high school (and eventually college) students tackling issues about love, drugs, sex and much more for 10 years. Although some original cast members moved away and new characters moved in, diehard fans stayed, which prompted the CW to consider an update.
Comparisons will be inevitable, as “90210” will focus on the lives of two siblings (not twins this time around; one sibling is adopted), who recently moved from the Midwest to Beverly Hills. The newcomers will meet stereotypical students at their new school: the jock, the geek, the rebel, the beauty queen, etc.
Using high school as a backdrop and focusing on teen issues obviously worked for Fox and other networks that launched “Dawson’s Creek,” “The O.C.” and “Gossip Girl.” But the same formula didn’t work with other (and more highly praised) shows, such as “Freaks and Geeks” and “My So-Called Life.”
“90210,” which will premiere at 8 p.m. Sept. 2 on the CW, will no doubt receive its fair share of the spotlight, but whether viewers and fans of the original show will choose to watch the updated version remains to be seen. So stay tuned.
Smells like teen spirit
In honor of “90210,” here’s a quick look at past and present TV shows that focus on teens and the angst that every adolescent may have endured at one point or another.
‘My So-Called Life’
Aired: 1994-95 on ABC
premise: The show focused on a 15-year-old girl and her friends who deal with adolescent angst in a fictional Pittsburgh suburb.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS: Critics and viewers loved Claire Danes’ realistic portrayal of Angela Chase, a high school student looking to distance herself from her safe and cozy past. Although Danes won a Golden Globe and the show earned a handful of awards and nominations, ABC decided to not renew the series for a second season.
‘Dawson’s Creek’
Aired: 1998 to 2003 on the WB
premise: The show focused on four friends — Dawson, Pacey, Joey and Jen — who deal with adolescent angst in a small coastal town.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS: Who will Joey choose? In the beginning, she appeared to be Dawson’s “true love,” but then she fell in love with Pacey — until they broke up because Pacey thought she was still in love with Dawson. Then Dawson and Joey started a relationship, but then they broke up because Dawson thought she still loved Pacey. In the end, Joey + Pacey = Forever.
‘Freaks and Geeks’
Aired: 1999 to 2000 on NBC
premise: The show focused on two different high school groups — freaks and geeks — who deal with adolescent angst in a Midwestern town.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS: Critically hailed by critics and adored by viewers, NBC canceled the show after 12 episodes. However, the network aired three more episodes after fans protested the cancellation. The complete series, which includes 18 episodes in all, is available on DVD.
‘The O.C.’
Aired: 2003-07 on Fox
premise: The show focused on a group of wealthy high school students who deal with adolescent angst in the upper-class neighborhood of Newport Beach in Orange County.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS: “Welcome to the O.C., b!t@h!” Will Ryan and Marissa’s relationship survive (insert name here) or Marissa’s battle with (insert addiction here)? Will Seth and Summer’s relationship survive (insert name here) or some life-changing moment?
‘One Tree Hill’
Aired: 2003 to present on CW
premise: The show focuses on a group of high school students who deal with adolescent angst in a small North Carolina town.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS: When will Lucas and Peyton find happiness together? When will Nathan and Haley find happiness together? When will Brooke find happiness with someone? After the gang graduated from high school, the show jumped four years ahead (skipping the college years) because the cast looked a little too old to be in high school anyway.
‘Gossip Girl’
Aired: 2007 to present on CW
premise: The show focuses on a group of privileged high school students who deal with adolescent angst in New York City.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS: Pristine princess Blair Waldorf, the picture of perfection and on-again, off-again girlfriend of constantly conflicted (dad’s an addict) Nate Archibald, loses her virginity to playboy Chuck Bass. The supposedly sweet-as-honey relationship of reformed party girl Serena van der Woodsen and lonely boy Dan Humphrey might explode under pressure after all. And don’t forget about queen-bee-in-training Jenny Humphrey. She might not have the financial backing of her fluid foes, but cute and cunning will get you everywhere.
Most ABC Family shows
“The Secret Life of an American Teenager”: Debuting in the beginning of July, the show focuses on a high school teen who realizes she’s pregnant. Molly Ringwald, teen movie queen in the ’80s, returns to the small screen to play the pregnant teen’s mother.
Other shows: While science-fiction plays an integral part in “Kyle XY,” summer vacation in “Falcon Beach,” a college environment in “Greek” and a horse ranch in “Wildfire,” all shows focus on a young ensemble cast that fights, loves, yells, cries, etc.
