"90210": Can It Save the CW?
To say that the fate of a network rests on a single show seems a little far-fetched.
Unless that show is “90210.” And then, nothing could be closer to the truth…
The CW is totally counting on “90210” to turn things around. But are they putting too many eggs in one basket?
Honestly, yes…
The show is not bad, it just lacks the zip necessary to save a network…
If you missed it, “90210” returns to West Beverly High, the scene of its parent “Beverly Hills, 90210.” Harry and Debbie Wilson (Rob Estes and Lori Loughlin) move to Beverly Hills from Kansas to care for Harry’s mother, Tabitha (the fabulous Jessica Walters). In tow are their daughter, Annie (the gorgeous Shenae Grimes), and their adopted son, Dixon (Tristan Wilds).
The show has all the traditional teen drama elements. There’s the popular mean girl, Naomi (Annalynne McCord) with the popular boyfriend, Ethan (Dustin Millegan). And there’s the slightly quirky friend that doesn’t quite fit in, though in this case there are two—Silver (Jessica Stroup) and Navid (Michael Steger).
Also around are the English teacher Ryan (Ryan Eggold) and guidance counselor Kelly Taylor (Jennie Garth). Harry is the school’s new principal, who apparently hooked up with every chick in the school when he was a teenager.
The storylines stay close to teen drama clichés. Annie and Ethan must deal with their past relationship, especially when Annie catches him cheating on Naomi. Dixon struggles to make the team (in this case, lacrosse) and Naomi has to write a paper or fail English class. Plus Naomi’s friend, Adrianna (Jessica Lowndes), has to steal to pay for drugs. And Annie steals the spotlight from her in the spring musical.
Meanwhile, Silver, who is Kelly’s sister, uses her blog to get back at people, including her ex-best friend, Naomi, who she hates for telling everyone her father was having an affair.
The cast is actually quite good. Grimes is a revelation as Annie and she and Wilds have a great chemistry. Loughlin and Estes are perfect as the main parents and Walter is always fantastic (They really need to give her more to do.). But even the cast can’t lift the show above the same old clichés—that is until the show delivers its first bombshell. Harry and Naomi’s mother have a child together that he didn’t know about that she gave up for adoption.
That bombshell compelled me to stick around for the second hour, but unfortunately it didn’t live up to the first. And the addition of Shannen Doherty only made it worse, as she seemed totally out of place. Plus, we added even more clichés including a prank against a rival school and a rich guy taking Annie on a jet for their first date.
And, of course, there’s a love triangle as Ethan breaks up with Naomi and considers rekindling things with Annie, only to see her with Ty (Adam Gregory).
As I said, the show is really not bad, but what “90210” doesn’t seem to understand is that today’s young people are different than they were in the “Beverly Hills” days. They need more than just pretty people and good music. They need snappy dialogue and refreshing storylines. Give them the same old, same old and they’ll turn off their TVs.
And that could spell the end of the CW…
“90210” airs Tuesdays at 8 PM on the CW. You can see the first episode at www.cwtv.com...
