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OK. I have avoided this controversial subject for too long. I have very strong opinions on this matter, and I know a lot of people have intense feelings over it. It can be an issue that divides us all or possibly bring us together, but right now it just makes me uncomfortable.

I’m writing, of course about the new 90210 spin-off/remake whatever you want to call it. In my own biased view of the world created by Mr. Aaron Spelling, this will actually be the third installation of the show. You see, I see the original 10 - season series as two distinct shows. Where did the change occur? We’ll call it ‘the post-Brenda years’. As far as i’m concerned, the entire feel of the show changed after that sad day when Shannen D left Beverly Hills. Beverly Hills 90210 was a wonderful teenage drama that had real, 3 dimensional characters and dealt with a lot of the hot button issues of the time. We saw the gang deal with racial issues, socio-economic diversity, teenage sex, adoption, boyfriend stealing, parents being blown up in cars, coke-head mothers, blended families, and 30 year olds masquerading as juniors - for two years in a row. After Brenda left (and who wouldn’t with the shitty way her friends treated her and the way her parents clearly favored her twin brother - more on him later) the show changed. It became ‘90210′, a prime-time soap opera where the virgin dressed like a whore, the lame princess became a saint after surviving a fire, a coke addiction (apple, tree…not so far), and having dated Brandon Douche-bag Walsh. She chose herself. I chose not to watch anymore. There were more external characters than regular characters, and everyone slept with everyone else. Except for Donna. She didn’t sleep with anyone, and so she was THROWN DOWN THE STAIRS. Eventually, yes she slept with David in a scene that will forever be burned into my brain as one of the most revolting moments in television. Donna, in a hideous (even by 1990’s standards) white lace virgin/whore ensemble, waited in bed for David behind what looked like a giant menorah. When David asked “how did I get so lucky?” Donna responded with “you waited”. Um, what? No, actually he didn’t. He screwed that Ariel chick in the back of a limo while at a carnival with you. Then he did the sex with Valerie (who slept with your abusive boyfriend Ray). Oh, let’s not forget about when he was sleeping with your roommate, Claire, in the room he used to live in when you were his girlfriend/roommate. SO, no Donna, David did not wait for shit. But I digress. I’ve recently been re-watching the show in all forms from the beginning. I am now well into season 5. Brenda is long gone. Dylan too. Even Andrea Zuckerman-Vasquez got her ass out of the BH. Thank goodness for Nat. And Steve Sanders. I will always love Steve Sanders. I’m still a little mad at him for spreading that rumor about Brenda, but he keeps it real for the most part.

In the high school years, the friends really stood by each other. Donna Martin graduates!!!

In college, they all became selfish, whiny, victims. Valerie was never really my favorite character, but at least she had some depth. And she antagonized Kelly Taylor. The only one who grew into a better person throughout the years was Steve Sanders.

Another thing i’ve learned while re-watching the show from the beginning: Brandon Walsh always was and always will be a douche bag. A self-righteous, sanctimonious, stupid haired, boorish douche bag.

Wow. I didn’t mean to go on so much about the original series. On to the new. I’m holding out SOME hope for this show although it’s hard. From what I see, there is no Nat, no Peach Pit, no Peach Pit After Dark, NO BRENDA, no Steve Sanders, no Dylan Mckay and nobody’s living in the Walsh house. Who is returning? Kelly Taylor. My only comfort is that since there is no talk of Luke Perry being on board, we will hear about the fact that Kelly and Dylan are no longer together. I have already erased that part of the series finale from my memory. Dylan and Brenda are living together in London. That’s it.

Please tell me how you feel about the new show. There’s a clip of the new promo below.

First, watch the clip that scarred me for life.

Here’s a clip of the opening sequence of a show about a fun-loving group of kids you could actually like and relate to.youtube was being bitchy, so i had to make this a link.

and here’s the promo for the new show.  eh.  the characters look like cliches.  But there’s Jessica Walter who I love.

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