90s TV We Loved - 90210
March 25th 2011 00:25
Featuring Dylan, Kelly, Donna, Steve, David, Andrea and twins Brandon and Brenda and the fabled West Beverly Hills High School (zip code 90210). Brandon and Brenda Walsh and their parents, transplants from Minneapolis were the stable nuclear family, their home a safe haven for the whole gang and the centre of much of the drama.
Produced by Aaron Spelling, 90210, was the first in a string of programs geared toward adolescent audiences who were attracted to glamour and issue driven drama.
The show set clothing and hairstyle trends and the program dealt with everything from learning disabilities to divorce, sexuality and drug use.
Because it dealt with these realistic issues, the show naturally had a keen mix of detractors but overwhelmingly more fans.
Yet despite its 'realism' critics pointed to the the stereotypical representations of the cast who were almost completely white, upper income.
Non-whites appeared almost exclusively in episodes dealing with prejudice or difference. They were also almost always lower income, from a zip code outside Beverly Hills.
Yet in spite of criticisms and differences, Beverly Hills 90210 was a rating winner and just as 21 Jump Street injected the cop drama with a dose of hip, Beverly Hills 90210 infused the primetime soap with youthful energy.
It seemed everyone could either identify with or have some form of crush on each of the main characters - be it the ever so cool yet tormented Dylan or Gabrielle Carteris as Andrea Zuckerman - typecast by Spelling as the brainy Jewish girl.
The program ran in total for 10 seasons before a sad attempt to revive the series last year failed in dramatic circumstances in spite of the appearances of former classmates Jennie Garth and Shannon Doherty in more 'senior' roles.
It was classic pop culture television in the making and most (if not all of us) were there to see it unfold - hence its place as 90s TV we loved.
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Comment by James Rickard
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Angling Fish
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Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
The new series was canned here after four episodes - which speaks volumes - mind you I didn't think it was all that bad - probably past its use by date with today's audience.
The original is most certainly the preferred option though.
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