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.

2009 in Review: September

Darn, back to 10 photos for September 2009's review. That's okay, a few of you have asked for more photos, so you are definitely accommodated in this entry. I bit off more than I could chew for September. Take a closer look.......

So, I know I have a month long gig in Dallas ahead of me, so we decide to renovate our home. Most of the renovations happen while I am out of town, but packing in this mess wasn't easy.

So while the renovations are driving everyone at home nuts, I spend my days on an outdoor entertainment stage with a JumboTron at the State Fair of Texas. Turns out to be the wettest fair they have ever had.

Before I left though, we had to shoot The Web Files episodes. In fact, we had to stockpile the episodes in order to get through 6 weeks due to my travel schedule. Here is the cast and crew of one of 2009's most anticipated web series, Compulsions. Episode: Compulsions.

Ah, Tim Street. We freaked people out when he took his glasses off for the interview. This episode remains one of the most informative for the web community that we have ever shot for The Web Files. If you missed the episode, check it out here: Tim Street.

I really enjoyed shooting this episode with Dirty Bomb Diaries in a utility closet at an emergency supply company. Seriously, have you ever shot an episode in a closet? Sandra did a great job with set dressing this one. Rumor has it that there is a Season 2 coming your way in 2010. Episode: Dirty Bomb Diaries.

Showbizzle creators, Charles and Lindsey Rosin. A father/daughter team in the web space, but I have to admit, I was a bit excited to hear the 90210 gossip from the Brenda years. Charles kindly answered my questions off-camera and he delivered with some juicy stories. Episode: Showbizzle.

Somewhere in between all of this madness of Dallas and The Web Files, I found time to fly to Atlanta and work with one of my regular corporate clients, LG Electronics, at the CEDIA convention.

Two NYU alums get into a room to discuss Web TV! Go Violets! Marc Ostrick of eGuiders and I had a good time reminiscing about the old days in the Village when NY was truly dirty and delicious. Episode: eGuiders.

Another one of the most anticipated shows of 2009, The Cabonauts. With a cast including Nichelle Nichols and Hayden Black, I must carryover my anticipation to 2010. Episode: The Cabonauts.

On the set with Asa Shumskas-Tait and Rick Castañeda for the show Coma, Period. We had a blast running through the halls on their little go-karts and a rematch is set for 2010. Episode: Coma,Period.
So, there you go, September in 10 photos. October will be filled with lots of rain, mud, and some more rain and a side of mud. See you tomorrow!

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.

It's Your Turn!

We just finished a huge round of interviews for The Web Files and I am really excited to share those episodes with you from Dirty Bomb Diaries to Showbizzle to Tim Street to Compulsions to The Cabonauts. There will be a lot of exciting news in the coming months, so keep checking back to hear the latest.

Our next round of interviews begins in mid-October and I decided to open the floor to you, the viewer. Who would you like to see on The Web Files in the coming months? Remember, we are open to anything to do with new media: web celebs, podcasts, web series, vloggers, animated web series, TV festivals, red carpet events, launch parties, etc. The only rule right now is that it has to be Southern California based. Featuring East Coast shows is on our list of things to do, but for now, please keep it on the Left Coast. So, comment below and tell us who needs to be the next featured guest on The Web Files.

**UPDATED** Due to the overwhelming response, we are going to do a "Viewers Choice" episode of The Web Files. So, keep the comments coming. We want to know which show you want to learn more about!

Thanks for watching!

PS If you haven't seen our show yet, you can find The Web Files here: Blip.tv

The Web Files Weekly Update

Hanging with Hayden before the interview......

A very Barbra Walters set-up. Did I make Marc cry? Find out soon.......

Shhh....What's behind the Psychic Bunny door? You'll find out on Wednesday!

The Web Files team was incredibly busy with interviews with some top web movers and shakers. Part of the reason for the craziness is my travel schedule....Atlanta, Vegas, and Dallas all in the next 5 weeks. Phew! We want to make sure we continue to bring new episodes to you each Wednesday, so we are banking a few interviews in The Web Files vault.

The week started out with the Psychic Bunny crew on the eve of their web series launch for Coma, Period on Strike.tv. It was a hot day, but it was even hotter two days later with the cast of The Cabonauts. Hayden Black hosted us in the secret location of Salford Studios where The Cabonauts was filmed. I sat in the cab, so I feel kind of like the cool kid for being allowed to do that. Finally, Friday brought us to the world headquarters of eGuiders with Co-Founder, Marc Ostrick, a fellow NYU grad. Go Violets! We are taking this week off from shooting, but we will come back with a vengeance the following week with Showbizzle, Dirty Bomb Diaries, This Week in YouTube, and Compulsions. Exciting line-up, right?

In other news, we have had a terrific response to this week's episode including write-ups from Mathieas McNaughton over at LG15 Today and Michelle Denise Norton from Lonelypond. Thanks for the feedback, we appreciate it!

Only two more days before we show you a behind the scenes look at the offices of Psychic Bunny, so catch up with The Web Files and Episode 9 and then head on over to MYMHM with Juan, Lee, and me as we discuss one of my favorite Oscar-winning performances, Joan Crawford as Mildred Pierce. See their show here: MYMHM. Happy viewing, we will see all of you on Wednesday!

The Web Files interview: Episode 9