Beverly Hills, 90210

From 90210pedia

The original cast lineup of Beverly Hills, 90210

Beverly Hills, 90210 was an American-produced prime time television drama that aired on the FOX network from 1990 until 2000 for a total of 10 seasons (as well as two shorter arcs known as the summer seasons). It is the first series in the Beverly Hills, 90210 continuity. The numbers in the title refer to the zip code in which the show is set.

The series initially centered around the friendships, romantic issues, and other personal matters of a group of high school students in Beverly Hills, California. The show followed many of these figures into early adulthood as it progressed, while also introducing several new characters and new relationships.

During the peak of its success in the early 1990s, Beverly Hills, 90210 gained mainstream worldwide popularity—making its ensemble cast famous, launching spin-offs, and becoming a television icon.

[edit] In the beginning

When veteran American producer Aaron Spelling watched a few episodes of the classic Degrassi series (1987-1991), which was about teens in high school, he offered to buy the popular teen drama. After the creators declined his offer, Spelling decided to produce his own series, and was subsequently partnered with Darren Star, who created the basic outline of the show. Among the series' many writers were Charles Rosin (also an executive producer), Karen Rosin, John Eisendrath, and Steve Wasserman.

In the autumn of 1990, FOX issued press releases for a show called Class of Beverly Hills—a title that was later applied to the first episode of the series that became Beverly Hills, 90210. The show’s now-iconic theme music was not always present in the first airings; initial viewers remember an entirely different, somewhat calmer tune that was also heard during the end credits. Furthermore, this tune was accompanied by opening and ending scenes that were eventually excluded from the Season 1 montage. In addition, actor Luke Perry did not appear until the show’s second episode.

[edit] General overview

Beverly Hills, 90210 began with the introduction of the Walsh family—parents Jim and Cindy (played by James Eckhouse and Carol Potter), and their teenage twins Brandon (Jason Priestley) and Brenda (Shannen Doherty). As a result of Jim’s job reassignment, the family moved from Minnesota to Beverly Hills, California.

Perry, Doherty, and Priestley on the cover of Rolling Stone

The series followed the lives of Brandon, Brenda, and several new friends they met at the West Beverly Hills High School: Kelly Taylor (Jennie Garth), Steve Sanders (Ian Ziering), Andrea Zuckerman (Gabrielle Carteris), Dylan McKay (Luke Perry), David Silver (Brian Austin Green), and Donna Martin (Tori Spelling). The character of Scott Scanlon, a supporting player portrayed by Douglas Emerson, was written out in the second season.

The story initially presented Brandon as a flawed boy scout, Brenda as a good-hearted rebel, Kelly as a good-natured snob, Steve as a laid-back thrill-seeker, Andrea as a strait-laced smart girl, Dylan as a sensitive loner, David as a geeky musician, and Donna as a quirky, socially awkward girl. Several of these characters were developed over time, revealing subsequent layers as they matured. In addition, many new characters were introduced during the course of the series' run, and several guest stars appeared in recurring roles.

Throughout the show's high school and college years, stories largely centered around the love lives, academic matters, career aspirations, and parental issues of the younger cast. Among the topics covered were adoption, estrangement, safe sex, substance abuse, romantic affairs, love triangles, race-related school incidents, and budding romances between longtime friends.

As the show grew in popularity, several successful musicians of the '90s contributed to Beverly Hills, 90210: The Soundtrack. Additionally, their accompanying music videos aired during the end credits of various episodes. Among these artists were Shanice, Jeremy Jordan, and Vanessa Williams & Brian McKnight. In addition, the music video for "Hold On" by Jamie Walters, who starred in the series as Ray Pruit, was also featured.

The final episode of Beverly Hills, 90210 was aired on May 17, 2000. The series outlived its first two spin-offs, Melrose Place and Models Inc., and would spawn additional spin-offs—90210 and a new Melrose Place—in 2008 and 2009.

[edit] Cast

Jason Priestley as Brandon Walsh
Shannen Doherty as Brenda Walsh
Jennie Garth as Kelly Taylor
Ian Ziering as Steve Sanders
Gabrielle Carteris as Andrea Zuckerman
Luke Perry as Dylan McKay
Brian Austin Green as David Silver
Douglas Emerson as Scott Scanlon
Tori Spelling as Donna Martin
James Eckhouse as Jim Walsh
Carol Potter as Cindy Walsh
Mark Damon Espinoza as Jesse Vasquez
Tiffani Thiessen as Valerie Malone
Joe E. Tata as Nat Bussichio
Jamie Walters as Ray Pruit
Kathleen Robertson as Clare Arnold
Vincent Young as Noah Hunter
Hilary Swank as Carly Reynolds
Lindsay Price as Janet Sosna
Daniel Cosgrove as Matt Durning
Vanessa Marcil as Gina Kincaid

[edit] Seasons