will 90210 be as successful as the original?

After creating so much buzz around their new “90210” series, the CW network was afraid to offer any episodes in advance for review.

Hoping to earn high ratings, the desperate network did not need any depreciative comments for the new show. Even though the original series was widely popular despite the bad reviews, the new show does not have so many chances to be successful, like every show that is revived several times.

CW and "90210's" production house, CBS Paramount Network Television, e-mailed to critics a statement, announcing them that they “made the strategic marketing decision not to screen '90210' for any media in advance of its premiere.”

This decision is often taken when a movie is bad, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be a commercial success.


The plot of the new series is somewhat similar to the original plot, with the Wilson family moving from Kansas to Beverly Hills, after dad Harry (Rob Estes) accepted the job of principal at the West Beverly Hills High, where siblings Annie (Shenae Grimes) and Dixon (Tristan Wilds) will enroll.

The new writers for the series, Gabe Sachs and Jeff Judah, who previously worked on teen dramas “Life As We Know It” and “Freaks & Geeks,” said they would bring a breath of fresh air to the show, which they hope will be appealing also for those who are used with Aaron Spelling’s style.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Judah said the show was loaded with “real character stories and emotional stories.” He said they hoped people can recognize their real problems and feelings in the series.

“We're trying to tell truthful, emotional stories, but also keep it pretty funny, too,” Judah said, while Sachs added the show will borrow some of the quirky style of “Freaks and Geeks.”

At the same time, the writers were honest enough to express their concern about the series’ success and admit that they are not sure whether it would deliver.

“Trust me, your concerns about Sachs and Judah doing '90210' are the same concerns everyone has had, including Jeff and I,” Sachs said. “We were the first ones to go, 'Can we pull this off?’” That remains for the viewers to decide…

Speaking of which, the CW network hopes to attract not only young audience, but also the older fans of the original series, who are curious to see again the stars that used to play Brenda and Kelly.

Another reason of general interest was the much talked about relationship between Shannen Doherty and Jennie Garth. The matter was widely discussed, with Tori Spelling saying something about a fist fight between the two actresses in her autobiography, and Doherty denying everything and calling Spelling a liar. However, Jennie Garth recalls that starring in Beverly Hills 90210 was “worse than high school” for her, because everybody was so unbearably competitive.

“There was a lot of tension and unnecessary drama on the set, a certain amount of competition, and a certain, probably, anger about different salaries as the years progressed,” Garth confessed.

As for Doherty, she told USA Today that there was no tension when she reunited with Garth on screen. She also mentioned something about growing-up.

“I never felt any tension. I never felt hesitant. Maybe it's because I've grown up. Everybody is a different person when they're 18 or 19 than when they're in their 30s,” she said.

The show premieres tonight at 8, on the CW network. [source]