The cast of the CW's "90210"
The revamp of “Beverly Hills, 90210″ debuted Tuesday, September 2nd, on the CW to the channel’s highest premiere ratings ever, 4.9 million viewers. In now appears to be the powerhouse of the network, acheiving higher ratings than “Gossip Girl” and “America’s Next Top Model.” I am proud to say that the show films at my old high school, just as the original did. Unfortunately, I doubt “90210″ will remain a hit because of how lackluster the series premiere was.
The show needs serious renovation if it wants to be as buzzy, entertaining, and critically praised as “Gossip Girl.” A major issue with the new series is the likability and consistency among the teenage main characters. Annie, the supposedly innocent Kansas girl, is hopelessly clueless and dorky. Her performance during her impromptu audition for West Beverly’s Spring Awakening musical was unintentionally hilarious. She also obliviously hands her paper to queen bee Naomi, who was obviously going to copy it. How can you root for a goody two-shoes heroine who seems to have no flaws except for her lack of common sense?
Her adopted brother, Dixon, has an interesting storyline, but so far he’s been fairly dull and a little exaggerated and awkward in his scenes. As for Naomi, it’s hard to have sympathy for an ambiguous cheating ice queen. And her boyfriend, how can he be seen as the series’ Prince Charming if his first scene, at the beginning of the premiere, had him getting a blow job from another girl in his car in front of school? Annie promptly caught him, yet she seems to still be attracted to the brainless man-whore. And another thing: for a show marketed to tweens and airing at 8 pm on a major network, wasn’t that scene inappropriate?
Hopefully, the characters will become better developed, and the storylines will be sharper and more drama-filled. As for the adults in the series, they weren’t given too much screentime, but they were definitely the most entertaining. Annie and Dixon’s grandmother was the most intriguing character, a rich, sarcastic, alcoholic matriarch. I was too young to see the original series, but Jennie Garth as Kelly seemed sweet and adult, as does her potential suitor, the English teacher Ryan. Why can’t they just make it “90210, All Grown Up” and just focus on the adults’ lives?
Grade: C
