BH90210 is one of the most bizarre, meta shows … possibly ever to hit television. The premise is not unlike HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm — real life people playing “heightened” versions of themselves that are thrown in situations that both mimic the actors’ real lives but are also complete fiction at the same time.
The show features the actors from the original Beverly Hills 90210 — Jason Priestley, Gabrielle Carteris, Tori Spelling, Jennie Garth, Brian Austin Green, Ian Ziering, and eventually Shannon Doherty — and their lives post-series. The group ends up reuniting at a fan expo, and as expected old flames rekindle, drama ensues, and we’re sorta kinda brought back to the vibe and atmosphere that made the original series an American TV institution.
The problem here is twofold. First, none of the characters here are even remotely likable. They’re all miserable, self-centered, and past their prime. They both hate the fact they were ever on the series, yet lust for the fame and fortune it brought them. Now this should make for an interesting premise. However, this series is not interested in emotion, or depth, it’s here for the superficial drama. Anytime we’re given a moment where we could possibly connect or feel sympathy for a character they do something that’s completely repugnant — like cheating on their spouses, berating their fans, or spewing bile at each other.
For example, there’s a scene where Garth admits why she’s been so cold to Priestley. It’s because Priestley was able to womanize and party and still get good roles, and be treated like America’s best boy while she was intensely criticized at every turn for an outfit she wore, or the way her hair was styled. This is a lot deeper than I thought this show would go, but before anything could come of this — Garth and Priestley are in a hotel bedroom having sex — oh, and they’re both married. So this kneecaps any sort of sympathy you have for Garth, and Priestley looks a complete asshole.
The second issue is the undeniable undeniable cringe factor that permeates the premiere. Most of the cringe comes from the winks and nods to the real life issues each of the actors has. Most of this revolves around Tori Spelling, and her money issues and Garth’s marital issues, and their scenes together talking about these issues are just painful to get through. Also, there are a lot of references to the late Luke Perry which feel just really forced and just derail entire scenes.
To make matters worse, by the end of the episode we find the characters heading to a reboot (within this reboot) of the original show, there’s four cases of infidelity, one character questioning their sexuality, a potential stalker or illegitimate child storyline, and the return of Shannon Doherty. All of this, combined with the stifling sense of desperation that washes over the show and the characters just makes for an absolute nightmare of a premiere episode
Sadly, the desperation of the characters in BH90210 to be relevant unintentionally mimics the current desperation of the big television networks. These companies are desperately pouring money into countless reboots and revivals in order to draw someone, anyone back to their airwaves. And that desperation is so palpable you could bottle it and drizzle it on pancakes.
Combing through social media, it’s easy to tell that the ratings for this premiere will be strong. However, a big problem with the premiere (as evidenced on social media) is most people just wanted the further adventures of Donna, Brenda, Dylan and company. They didn’t care about “heightened” versions of the actors thrown into soap opera fodder. And that’s going to be the struggle for this show to survive — will its original concept engage with an audience, or will the warm feeling of nostalgia fade away, and the audiences with it?
Listen, if you love Beverly Hills 90210, and you just want to see these people on your screen again doing whatever, you’re going to eat BH90210 up like Sunday Brunch. However, if you’re expecting a continuation of the original series, or something fun and entertaining, or remotely good, this is not the show for you.
BH90210 airs Wednesday nights at 9 p.m. on FOX
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDr2sxzlVg0
