Eric SamulskiSame Zipcode, Same 90210 Drama
September 5th 2008 15:59
The CW premiered their updated version of 90210 this week and while the cast may have changed, the problems haven't. You still have your old tales of drug use, cheating, lying friends, broken hearts and disappointed parents. Except now the kids are getting in trouble for sending text messages, flying on jets unsupervised and other dilemmas meant to highlight the modern era.
To catch everyone up in a few sentences, the new show centers around the Wilson family. Harry Wilson (Rob Estes) moves back to his hometown of Beverley Hills with his family to take over the principal job at West Beverley High School. His wife, Debbie Wilson (Lori Loughlin, still most famous from Full House) is a photographer and does not have a big fan in Harry's mom, played by the only actress now who seems to be cast as drunk grandmothers, Jessica Walter (Arrested Development). In tow they bring their moral, but beautiful daughter Annie (Shenae Grimes) and their adopted, athletic star son Dixon (Tristan Wilds from The Wire).
Because its a new show, in a new era of extravagance and outlandish TV behavior, the new 90210 couldn't allow itself to be outdone by the show that took California teen drama to new heights, The OC. With Marissa's drug addiction, Ryan's constant fights, Seth's quest to fit in, spoiled parents who can't control their kids and crazy surfer villains, the OC raised the bar on west coast, rich-kid drama. Not to be outdone, 90210, has upped the spoiled, extravagance of its characters by having a first episode conflict consist of whether a girl can finish a term paper on time because she has to plan her Sweet 16 party and get fitted for a dress. They up the ante by giving a handful of these kids' parents ridiculous jobs, such as the Biggest X-Rated Movie Director in the world, that allow the kids access to film sets, private jets and seemingly unlimited budgets.
Another new aspect of the show is the racial angle that hangs over the casting. While the show hints at it a few times (lines such as "I think it was racially motivated" make their way into the first episode) it's unclear whether the racial aspect will become a talking point in the show or not. As it stands, we know that Dixon is adopted by the Wilson family, making him stand out as the only African-American in the core family. Add to that Dixon's best friend, Navid Shirazi (Michael Steger) and you already have more diversity than we saw on the original series. It's good to see realistic casting, as long as the characters don't turn into caricatures or stereotypes.
But some things remain the same. For instance, Jenny Garth is back for more, reprising her role as Kelly Taylor, but this time she's the schools new guidance counselor. And in the second episode, who does she happen to get a visit from? None other than Brenda, played again by Shannon Dougherty, who has been hired to help with the school play. Oh, did I mention that Kelly is a single mother, raising a child that she had with...yup, you guessed it, Brandon. Odd than, that the child has bright red-hair, but that's another story.
Another thing that remains the same is the Dawson's Creek model of having actors in their mid-20s play 15 and 16 year olds. It starts with Ty Collins (played by Adam Gregory) who is 20, but looks not a year under 25. It gets better with Shenae Grimes and Tristan Wilds who are19, but play 15 year old Annie and Dixon. AnnaLynne McCord, who plays bitch, with an undercover good side, Naomi is 21 and Dustin Millagin, who plays Ethan (the guy we know Annie will end up with) is 23. It just makes you wonder whether with all the actors in their teens in Hollywood why they never get cast in these roles.
All in all, the show is on par with the later years of the OC. It's enjoyable and entertaining, but not as clever and witty as the first few seasons of the former California smash hit. It's not going to win any Emmy awards, and isn't for people who like to think of themselves as sophisticated, but if you just want to kick back and relax with a show that has beautiful scenery and good-looking people in over-the-top dramatic situations, you've got a friend in the new 90210.
To catch everyone up in a few sentences, the new show centers around the Wilson family. Harry Wilson (Rob Estes) moves back to his hometown of Beverley Hills with his family to take over the principal job at West Beverley High School. His wife, Debbie Wilson (Lori Loughlin, still most famous from Full House) is a photographer and does not have a big fan in Harry's mom, played by the only actress now who seems to be cast as drunk grandmothers, Jessica Walter (Arrested Development). In tow they bring their moral, but beautiful daughter Annie (Shenae Grimes) and their adopted, athletic star son Dixon (Tristan Wilds from The Wire).
Because its a new show, in a new era of extravagance and outlandish TV behavior, the new 90210 couldn't allow itself to be outdone by the show that took California teen drama to new heights, The OC. With Marissa's drug addiction, Ryan's constant fights, Seth's quest to fit in, spoiled parents who can't control their kids and crazy surfer villains, the OC raised the bar on west coast, rich-kid drama. Not to be outdone, 90210, has upped the spoiled, extravagance of its characters by having a first episode conflict consist of whether a girl can finish a term paper on time because she has to plan her Sweet 16 party and get fitted for a dress. They up the ante by giving a handful of these kids' parents ridiculous jobs, such as the Biggest X-Rated Movie Director in the world, that allow the kids access to film sets, private jets and seemingly unlimited budgets.
Another new aspect of the show is the racial angle that hangs over the casting. While the show hints at it a few times (lines such as "I think it was racially motivated" make their way into the first episode) it's unclear whether the racial aspect will become a talking point in the show or not. As it stands, we know that Dixon is adopted by the Wilson family, making him stand out as the only African-American in the core family. Add to that Dixon's best friend, Navid Shirazi (Michael Steger) and you already have more diversity than we saw on the original series. It's good to see realistic casting, as long as the characters don't turn into caricatures or stereotypes.
But some things remain the same. For instance, Jenny Garth is back for more, reprising her role as Kelly Taylor, but this time she's the schools new guidance counselor. And in the second episode, who does she happen to get a visit from? None other than Brenda, played again by Shannon Dougherty, who has been hired to help with the school play. Oh, did I mention that Kelly is a single mother, raising a child that she had with...yup, you guessed it, Brandon. Odd than, that the child has bright red-hair, but that's another story.
Another thing that remains the same is the Dawson's Creek model of having actors in their mid-20s play 15 and 16 year olds. It starts with Ty Collins (played by Adam Gregory) who is 20, but looks not a year under 25. It gets better with Shenae Grimes and Tristan Wilds who are19, but play 15 year old Annie and Dixon. AnnaLynne McCord, who plays bitch, with an undercover good side, Naomi is 21 and Dustin Millagin, who plays Ethan (the guy we know Annie will end up with) is 23. It just makes you wonder whether with all the actors in their teens in Hollywood why they never get cast in these roles.
All in all, the show is on par with the later years of the OC. It's enjoyable and entertaining, but not as clever and witty as the first few seasons of the former California smash hit. It's not going to win any Emmy awards, and isn't for people who like to think of themselves as sophisticated, but if you just want to kick back and relax with a show that has beautiful scenery and good-looking people in over-the-top dramatic situations, you've got a friend in the new 90210.
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Comment by TimmyH
Tech News
Can you HACK it?
Genyration
You just have to look at British shows like Skins to see where the real talent lies