Steve Granitz/WireImage
I need help. I don’t know how it happened, but I agreed to review 90210 for no real reason other than it was getting a lot of buzz before it premiered. I watched it and thought it was mediocre, but not unbearable, so I decided to keep on reviewing it. Then something horrifying happened: I started to get sucked in. Maybe I was lulled into believing it was good because Rob Thomas (who brought us the glory that is Veronica Mars) created it. Perhaps I was just hypnotized by all of the jutting bones and freakishly large teeth. In any case, I found myself writing the following statement in my last review: “Instead of just watching 90210 and just being kind of confused, I was actually really into this week’s episode. What can I say? It’s ridiculous, but this show is kind of growing on me.” WTF, me? What were you thinking?
I don’t know what I was thinking, or exactly what my deal was. What I do know, is that now it’s over. Why? Because they’re getting rid of Lucille Bluth! Jessica Walter, who plays the Wilson family matriarch, Tabitha, is losing her series-regular status. Apparently, the decision is purely financial, as producers are busy spending all of their money on Shannen Doherty and Jennie Garth. Walter will still appear on the show, but only as a recurring character.
Sure, as an Arrested Development fan, I love any reason Jessica Walter has to be on television, but my disappointment goes beyond that. This news made me realize that the reason this is depressing is because she is the best part of that show. She’s the only character who made me laugh or think, “I want to see more of her.” If this were The Golden Girls, there wouldn’t be a problem. However, for a teen soap? It’s a really bad sign.
As fascinating as Peter Gallagher’s eyebrows were, I didn’t watch The O.C. for Sandy Cohen. As pretty and birdlike and not-annoying as Kelly Rutherford is, I don’t watch Gossip Girl for Lily van der Woodsen. Silly teen soaps aren’t about the olds! They’re about skinny twenty-somethings unconvincingly portraying teenagers!
Granted, the news out of 90210 is that since hiring Gilmore Girls vet Rebecca Kirshner as their new executive producer, the writing and overall quality has shot way up, but I’m hesitant to believe it. I mean, ordinarily, I would totally buy that, but I’ve got to be strong. I can’t let this watered-down remake control my mind any longer. I need to stop identifying with my mental captor, right? I guess we’ll find out on Tuesday, when I review the next new episode. Either I’ll be talking about how ridiculous this show is, or I’m going to need a few of you to stage an intervention, because this is not healthy.
Clacked by Kona Gallagher 
on Oct 16, 2008 @ 14:48 EST5EDT
It will be difficult for me to stage an intervention when I am right there with you. I watched the first two-hour episode only because my sister yelled at me. Fine! Fine, I’ll watch it FOR YOU, I said. Oops!
I’m totally into it. The stories are much better than I expected. The characters aren’t one dimensional. For the most part, the kids can act. There’s not a Tori Spelling in the bunch.
Oh well…I’ve certainly been suckered into worse!
I am in the same boat as you. I started reviewing the series for my own site because of the buzz and the fact I was a fan of the original. I didn’t know if this one could live up to the original, and it really hasn’t yet. I’m enjoying seeing Brenda and Kelly all grown up. The appearances from Nat brought back the nostalgia factor for me. Getting rid of grandma though might be a mistake. I think she really adds something to the series. I know she will still appear somewhat, but in my opinion they need her around more than just once in a while.
Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaame.
Buster, go get her a vodka.
i dont think that the new episode is on until the week of halloween. at least thats what i says on wikipeida which makes me mad because i dont like house to much but there is nothing else on at that time.
I love Jessica Walters and think she is very funny on the show. But I have to say if it’s a choice between keeping Jennie Garth and Shannon Doherty or having JW on every episode I’m going to vote Brenda and Kelly every time. It’s not like JW won’t be on the show, just not every week. I love Kelly and Silver’s relationship and want to see more of them together. I want Brenda to get her own story line. And maybe it can free up some money so Tori Spelling can come for an episode –cause if Donna is living in town there is no way Kelly and Brenda wouldn’t hang out with her(and if Fox cancels T:SCC then we could see David, cause he’d be involved in his sisters lives).
And I’m addicted with the show – was an original BH90210 fan and love seeing Kelly back walking the halls -plus I find myself really liking the characters on the new show. I liked that in the original they were all friends – a group of 8, here we have 5 friends, 2 mean girls (though I think Naomi is softening) and some extra guys but it’s true not every one gets along in high school
okay I could go on and on but I need to stop — yes I’ll miss that JW isn’t on screen as much but love that JG is on more
just my thoughts
Jennie Garth was my entire reason for tuning into the remake and far and away Silver is my fav of the new characters. So I second everything you said in your comment.
And yes, I’m as addicted as the rest of you. At least we’re in it together.