Happy 20th Anniversary, 90210!

If you are under the age of thirty, this post probably doesn't apply to you.  I am sure you have watched the reruns of this amazing show, but to understand the epic of Beverly Hills, 90210, you had to be there.  The hysteria, the fashion, and the cult of the Brenda Years.  It will go down as one of the few shows I gathered around the TV for with friends, snacks, and a rush of excitement.  It was before the days of DVRs, the internet, and the spoilers that ruin each season finale these days.  The show premiered twenty years ago today:  October 4, 1990.  Eventually, the show was paired with the soapy drama, Melrose Place, and it put the FOX network was firmly on the map. (It's hard to imagine that FOX was a very young network at the time and consistently in 4th place in the ratings.)  I obsessed over everything Kelly Taylor and I was firmly in the Kelly/Dylan corner during the infamous Brenda/Kelly/Dylan love triangle.

Mom Jeans!

It's a little horrifying to look back at the fashions because the early 90's were a slow recovery period from the obnoxiously fluorescent 80's.  We still wore Mom jeans, bigger hair, and loud prints, but I think the 90210 crew was the epitome of cool in the early part of the decade.  It's almost laughable to think now that Shannen Doherty was our generation's version of Lindsay Lohan.  She was tough, she liked to get married over and over, and she was often in trouble with the law.....minus the Lohan drugs and SCRAM bracelet.  Shannen's antics actually seem tame and rather quaint in comparison. Ah, how times have changed.

Naughty Shannen

It has been a thrill for me since moving to LA in 2000 to see the locations where some of my favorite episodes of the series were shot and I was honored to interview Executive Producer/Show Runner, Charles Rosin, last year for his online show, Showbizzle.  The behind the scenes gossip he gave me is priceless.  I appreciate him satisfying the 90210 nerd in me.   I've seen Shannen Doherty in person and she is tiny, but her features are a lot softer looking in person. I think some of her edginess is an act.  I saw Tori Spelling at a wine and cheese party with her first husband and they made sure to take the cheese that they brought with them home in a doggy bag.  Isn't that weird?  Luke Perry is super short, short enough to ruin all of my 1990 Dylan fantasies--I like my men tall.  While I have yet to run into the rest of the Brenda years cast, I did interview Brenda's replacement, Valerie Malone AKA Tiffani Thiessen.  She's a dream to interview and simply a genuine, lovely person. I'm still waiting to interview Jennie Garth, but I will keep you posted when that happens.

Not the worst example of '90's fashion....

Tori's 1st or 2nd nose is featured in this photo.

Where to start?  Jennie's boxy blazer?  Brian's Tetris shirt?  Ian's fro?  Ah, the '90's.

They always dressed Steve Sanders in the worst of the worst.  It's like he got the wardrobe leftovers.

Remember those sideburns?

The horror!  Brenda and Kelly have the same dress.  It really didn't matter, Brenda's dress was coming off soon in a hotel room in with Dylan.

Donna, Donna, Donna....will she graduate?

Phew. "Donna Martin Graduates!"

Happy 20th Anniversary, 90210!  What's your favorite 90210 memory or episode?  Let me know in the comments below.

Behind the Scenes of Showbizzle!

Ah, what does a classic 90210 fan do when you meet Charles Rosin, the Brenda Years Executive Producer/Show Runner? Geek out! I was thrilled when Gennefer Snowfield orchestrated the introduction and eventual interview with Charles and his daughter, Lindsey. They have created an unique entry into the web series world called Showbizzle. We had the opportunity to shoot at Urth Cafe in Beverly Hills, thanks to Charles. It's always a treat to shoot The Web Files in a location that is identifiable to the web series. I honestly think that some of our strongest shows feature the series locations because it becomes a subtle marketing tool by branding the show on another level.

Uh, does this photo look any different than the one above? We sure are consistent!

I will go on record to say that this was our quickest interview ever. Normally, our shoots last 30-40 minutes. We had about 18 minutes to get it all on camera because Lindsey had a last minute conference call with one of the studios. As a young writer, this is a GREAT problem to have. Showbizzle has become a great launching pad for Lindsey and I think actors should take a closer look at this series. The Rosins are huge supporters of young talent in Hollywood and the Showbizzle community pages truly demonstrate that. If anyone understands what it is like to work with young Hollywood, trust me it is Charles. He helmed the hottest show of the early 90's with Shannen Doherty, Jenni Garth, Luke Perry, and Tiffani Amber-Thiessen during the height of its popularity. Lindsey is on the other end of the spectrum where she sees the highs and the lows of the entertainment industry since she is in the early part of her career.

The Rosins are a dynamic father-daughter team aiming to take the interactive part of Showbizzle to the next level. So, head on over and visit Showbizzle, check out their monologues, learn a tidbit or two from an industry veteran, and get engrossed in the world of the bizzle. With some of the stories, you just may be able to relate. My favorite quote from the show defines Hollywood to a tee: "There's always someone hooking up, screwing up, breaking up all while chasing their first big break........Heard any good stories lately?"

On to the gossipy bits: While this question did not make the final cut, I asked Lindsey if the characters of Lydia and Jackson were based on real-life reality show "actors". She would not admit anything on camera, but I really think it is the ultra-annoying Heidi and Spencer AKA "Speidi". Also, is Lindsey the narrator, Janey, and is Janey actually Lindsey? You will have to wait until all 23 episodes play out, but I think there is autobiographical moment or two in the show. And, yes, I did talk to Charles about the 90210 days off-camera with Shannen, Jenni, Tiffani, and the boys, but it was all off the record. Ask me about it over a cocktail, maybe you will get a tiny morsel of juicy 90210 dish.

If you missed our interview with Showbizzle, just click here: Showbizzle.