As I delve into the lives of these talented individuals, I can’t help but marvel at the twists and turns their careers have taken. Each one of them has faced challenges, setbacks, and unexpected changes that would leave many feeling disheartened. But, as we all know, Hollywood is a rollercoaster ride, and it seems these folks have managed to find the upside in even the most difficult situations.
For three and a half decades now, I’ve been captivated by the unique vehicles that teenagers in Beverly Hills have been cruising around – just as Brenda and Brandon Walsh were back then.
As I pulled up in my red BMW convertible to West Beverly High’s parking lot, it was evident that Steve Sanders had arrived in his Corvette. The whole scene was a display of luxury and class, making me feel like quite the dedicated follower in this grandeur-filled setting.
Stepping out of my trusty station wagon named Mondale didn’t hinder me, a Minnesota native, from quickly forming friendships with those privileged peers on the first day. This encounter at school paved the way for all the exciting events that unfolded on Beverly Hills, 90210.
The prime-time soap opera debuted on October 4, 1990, on Fox, featuring a cast set in high school (it’s interesting to note that although it was junior year, the following season was technically also junior year). Its final episode aired on May 17, 2000, marking the wedding of Donna Martin and David Silver.
But no, the series’ successor, the CW’s 90210, wasn’t about the Martin-Silver divorce.
We didn’t necessarily hope for the fairy-tale ending that Tori Spelling’s and Brian Austin Green’s characters had in the series finale, but as adults, we can recognize that their tumultuous high school romance—which faced challenges throughout college and even after graduation—was not a recipe for a strong, long-lasting relationship.
Our wisdom of the ages also can’t help but reflect on the star-crossed resurgence of Kelly and Dylan by series’ end, Luke Perry having returned midway through season nine in 1998 after originally leaving the show in devastating fashion in 1995.
Terrible luck for Dylan, as it turned out that after marrying the daughter of the man he initially planned to kill in retribution for his father’s death, his own bride met an unfortunate end when her father’s henchman mistakenly fired at her instead.
It was a whole thing.
In essence, it appears that those fans not supporting Team Brenda likely felt this way. Interestingly, when Jennie Garth and Shannen Doherty, who sadly passed away in July, re-joined the CW’s 90210 in 2008, Kelly was portrayed as a single mom raising her son with Dylan post their separation. It’s worth noting that her relationship with Brenda never fully recovered to its pre-split state due to the events that transpired between them.
If it seems utterly bizarre to you, that’s understandable. I’m merely outlining some fundamental storylines from the Fox drama series, which spanned an incredible 10 seasons (even producing episodes during summer months, can you imagine?), delving into a myriad of intricate topics and adding romantic entanglements and extravagant style to the mix.
In the background of this timeless TV show, set amidst a landscape of sports cars, palm trees, beaches, and seemingly Beverly Hills-esque campuses, there was a flurry of culinary activity happening off-screen. However, in reality, the location was quite different from the glamorous image portrayed. You might also recall that same campus from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and She’s All That. As a lifestyle connoisseur, I find it fascinating how much effort goes into creating the perfect backdrop for our favorite shows.
Here’s a fun fact to celebrate the 34th anniversary of the “Beverly Hills, 90210” premiere! Let’s reminisce on the romantic journey of Donna and David, and uncover some fascinating behind-the-scenes stories from this cherished TV series. Enjoy the ride!
Darren Star, the creator of the show, initially titled it “Class of Beverly Hills”. At one stage, Star, who drew inspiration from his own high school days in Potomac, Md., considered using the temporary title “Potomac 20854”, but eventually decided on the show’s now-famous title.
Initially, Beverly Hills, 90210 struggled to gain popularity upon its premiere in 1990, managing to rank only at No. 118 in the television ratings, which was not helped by being aired opposite NBC’s well-liked show Cheers. However, it eventually went on to become one of the most beloved TV series of the ’90s and played a significant role in establishing the teen soap genre.
However, following the climactic season one finale that delved into Brenda and Dylan’s first time together, Fox savvily commissioned additional episodes for the summer months. This move filled the void of teenage turmoil and soap opera-like drama during a period previously devoid of such content on television.
According to Jennie Garth, we shot all our provocative summer episodes at the beach and broadcast them during the time when other shows were re-aired. This attracted a massive teen audience who were on summer break. Then things really took off.
After that, the show “90210” transformed from a moderately rated indulgence into a cultural sensation, catapulting its previously unrecognized cast members into global stardom.
Within only a few weeks, we transitioned from being an ordinary group in any typical primetime drama, to becoming true celebrities, as Garth penned in her memoir. Frankly, none of us anticipated the fame that unexpectedly came our way.
Prior to gracing our television screens as one of the most beloved heartthrobs, Luke Perry found himself employed in construction work to make ends meet while awaiting callbacks – even for the part of Steve Sanders, a role that eventually landed on Ian Ziering.
However, once producers noticed they were missing a brooding bad boy character, Perry, who was 27 at the time, received a call. Upon entering his audition, Luke left quite an impression with the statement, “Wow, that’s the person,” as the star exclaimed to Rolling Stone. To them, he appeared remarkably like James Dean, but it wasn’t a deliberate imitation; instead, he was truly being authentic.
At first, Dylan McKay was planned for only a few guest roles, but the instant he arrived in his sleek black Porsche 356 Speedster, it became evident that a new star had emerged. However, Aaron Spelling had to advocate strongly to establish Perry as a series regular. (Imagine their shock when they discovered that 20 people were injured during a riot at a mall during one of Perry’s appearances, with over 10,000 fans turning up?)
From 1995 through 1998, Perry took a break from the show to explore different ventures, but he came back in 1998 and stayed till the finale, frequently being recognized as a featured guest performer.
In March 2019, Perry passed away at the age of 52 following a stroke. At the time, he was acting on the television series Riverdale, where he played Archie’s (KJ Apa) father, a key character. Although he wasn’t due to appear in the revival of Fox’s BH90210 that year, the show honored his memory in its first episode.
To avoid any appearance of nepotism, executive producer Aaron Spelling’s daughter Tori Spelling auditioned using an alias, Tori Mitchell (named after a character Heather Locklear portrayed in a TV movie produced by her father). She read for the roles of Kelly and Andrea before eventually securing the part of Donna Martin.
Ever since my agent mentioned casually, ‘Your old man’s involved in this series,’ I’ve been on tenterhooks, not a whisper about it had reached me. Upon discovering the show’s script hidden in Dad’s briefcase, curiosity took over and I found myself drawn to the role of Andrea. With a secret identity, I auditioned, only to land the part of Donna – a twist I can’t help but think was orchestrated by my dad’s connections.
In various memorable instances, Donna became the focal point, such as during the well-known “Donna Martin graduates!” cheer that ensued when her getting intoxicated at the prom led to her being barred from the graduation ceremony. Interestingly, in his memoir, Jason Priestley disclosed a trick he played on that filming day: Aware that they would reshoot the dialogue later, Priestley persuaded the background actors to chant “Donna Martin practices self-love!” instead, finding the situation too tempting to resist.
Shannen Doherty, who gained fame in the dark comedy “Heathers” set in high school, was labeled as the most diva-like among her peers when she graduated from West Beverly, and Brenda Walsh only appeared for one season during the college years of the series “90210”.
Back in the year 2000, I, a die-hard fan, shared my thoughts with Entertainment Weekly about this talented yet tardy actress. Her habitual tardiness was nothing short of astounding, and her unfeeling demeanor and nonchalance were evident to all. In his own words, Charles Rosin, the former executive producer, expressed it aptly. As for Aaron Spelling, he echoed my sentiments, stating that while she didn’t single-handedly bring down the show, her lateness deeply affected our beloved cast members.
Doherty admitted, “There was definitely a time that I did not want to be there. I was unhappy.”
1994’s season four finale filming proved challenging for producers when they learned that Doherty had decided to cut her hair in the midst of production – a move that represented Brenda’s decision to leave for London to pursue an acting career.
But later Spelling admitted going to her father to expedite Doherty’s firing.
In a 2015 broadcast, an emotional individual stated, “I felt as if I belonged to a significant cause, a wave, that ended up jeopardizing someone’s income. Was she a bad person? Absolutely not. She was one of the finest friends I have ever known.
Following the passing of Doherty at 53 in July 2024, after a long struggle with breast cancer, all her previous co-stars paid their respects. Priestley described her as a “powerful force,” while Spelling reminisced about her as “a rebel during an era when most women didn’t feel comfortable being strong.
After Doherty’s dramatic exit, the pressure was on to find her replacement.
Executive producer Larry Mollin explained to TeenDramaWhiz in 2010 that we thoroughly investigated options for finding a replacement. We explored several potential candidates.
As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but reflect on the thrilling casting tale of the ’90s! While Alicia Silverstone, Alyssa Milano, and Drew Barrymore were all rumored to be in the running, it was none other than Tiffani Amber-Thiessen, famously known for her role as Kelly Kapowski on “Saved By the Bell,” who captured the role of Valerie Malone in “90210.” While Kelly was always cheerful and optimistic, Valerie was anything but – a perfect contrast that added depth to the show!
The producer, Rosin, shared that they desired a bold female character, and Tiffani indeed embodied that edge due to her sensual nature as expressed in an interview with EW. In her debut episode, she subtly displayed this rebellious spirit by smoking marijuana. This scene was intended as a symbolic message. While it’s notable that she deftly rolled a joint using only one hand, a stunt double was used to execute the act on screen.
Viewers instantly connected with the character, yet there was one co-star who wasn’t fond of Thiessen during filming – it was her real-life partner at the time, Brian Austin Green.
According to Mollin, it turned out that Brian was deeply hurt when she was cast in the role. It was as if he felt deceived! As it turned out, we had no inkling of this. But then, once we understood, it all made sense: other actors were going to be kissing…his girlfriend!
It’s quite common that when you gather a group of youthful, good-looking, single individuals and keep them working closely together for a significant duration, romantic connections may develop among them over time.
In his memoir, Priestley revealed that numerous relationships between people occurred throughout the years, which later validated fans’ assumptions. Later on, he disclosed that his mature, long-term relationship was with Christine Elise, also known as Emily Valentine, and they were together for a period of five years.
As a lifestyle expert, I’d rephrase it like this: In a recent truth-telling examination on Celebrity Lie Detector, Spelling boldly admitted to having a brief summer romance with Priestley, confessed to dating Green (expressing that she had always been smitten by her on-screen sweetheart), and even shared an intimate moment with Perry. However, Priestley chose to keep his thoughts private, stating via Twitter, “I’m not delving into this… It’s none of anyone’s business… Regardless of the outcome…
Following a long period with Thiessen, Green then began dating Vanessa Marcil, portraying one of David’s romantic interests other than Donna, named Gina Kincaid. They parted ways in 2003 and have since co-parented their grown son, Kassius.
If spectators found Brenda and Kelly’s rivalry fierce, they hadn’t seen anything yet. The real conflict occurred off-screen between Doherty and Garth, where Shannen Doherty frequently tried (but ultimately failed) to act as a mediator.
In Garth’s 2013 memoir, she states that when three teenage girls gather, there’s an inherent truth that trouble will likely ensue. Even if it meant coming across as harsh or rude, she wrote this. Unfortunately, the youngest girl among us, Tori, often found herself in the middle of our squabbles and would strive to reconcile us, but her attempts usually fell short.
The argument between the two individuals escalated to such an extent that they nearly resorted to physical violence (with some versions suggesting actual blows were exchanged). The reason for the altercation was disclosed by Garth, as the other male cast members intervened to cool things down: Doherty had lifted Garth’s skirt during filming. In Garth’s words, describing themselves as “gasoline and a spark,” they exclaimed, “I did lose my temper and I shouted at her something like, ‘Let’s take this outside!’
Fortunately, Doherty and Garth ultimately reconciled.
In an Instagram post following Doherty’s passing, Garth expressed that our bond was genuine and sincere. Despite being frequently portrayed as adversaries, this public image didn’t align with the authentic nature of our true relationship, which was forged on a foundation of mutual respect and adoration.
In the early ’90s, it may seem surprising, but 16-year-old Brenda having her first sexual experience with Dylan at the spring dance caused quite a stir. The loudest reactions came from local affiliates, or those who wrote in to express their disapproval, as they were taken aback that Brenda’s first time was deemed acceptable.
Star disclosed to The New York Times that they were firmly encouraged to pen a series exploring the aftermath of a significant sexual encounter. Consequently, the initial episode of the second season portrays Brenda ending her relationship with Dylan, as their bond had grown too deep and complex.
As Kelly Taylor dealt with cults, drug abuse, love complications, and memory loss on-set, Garth faced personal struggles with anxiety, a fact she disclosed in her autobiography at the age of 19.
She noted that she felt at ease amidst many workers during the day, yet grew anxious when strangers approached her in the evening. Even routine activities like shopping, visiting the mall, or getting gas turned into daunting experiences where she had to remain alert, while her preference was to retreat and avoid interaction. This situation led to an escalating level of anxiety that at times left her almost incapacitated. When panic attacks occurred, she withdrew further still.
At a certain stage, she admitted that she had given up on going to the cinema, shopping for clothes, or participating in other typical activities of young adults. Instead, she would only leave her home after it was very dark. She didn’t quite reach the point of having full-blown agoraphobia, but she came extremely close.
In the set, Ziering generally steered clear of any drama, but during season four, he confessed that he experienced an emotional collapse following the removal of a particular storyline for Steve’s character.
In an interview with HuffPost Live in 2015, he discussed an incident where Steve was falsely accused of rape. However, he felt that a significant amount of compelling content was removed from the show. This was the first time he had prepared some strong statements on the matter, and after rehearsing them, he felt he delivered well. Unfortunately, these words did not make it past the editing process.
Feeling deceived by the producers for not informing him about the omitted scenes beforehand, Ziering became visibly upset.
In an unexpected disclosure, I found myself meticulously sifting through the wardrobe area, seeking to uncover some clarity. The hours we’ve invested into crafting these characters, only to be left in the dark…It wasn’t a typical response from me, for I am known for my patience and composure. However, after pouring so much effort into this specific episode, I couldn’t help but feel that my team wasn’t fully aligned with me on this occasion.
Following his portrayal of the charming nice guy Brandon, Priestley yearned to break free from the saintly image in reality. Consequently, he embraced wild partying as a means to demonstrate that he was distinct from the virtuous Brandon Walsh, as expressed in his memoir. (During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live! in 2014, Priestley admitted that he was the most notorious partygoer among the cast members.)
In simpler terms, he said, “When you’re young, it feels like you’re constantly running on a hamster wheel without getting anywhere. You spend most of your time spinning that wheel and living in that small world. Many people praise you excessively, which can make you believe their compliments over time.
After experiencing significant changes, largely due to his bond with co-star Elise, Priestley transitioned into a role as a show producer and director of episodes. Consequently, Brandon’s unexpected departure from the series during its ninth season left him feeling disappointed at that moment in time.
He shared with the Guardian that he performed the initial scene of the day, working alongside a new actor who took over his role. After that, it ended. He bid farewell to the crew, gathered his belongings, got into his car, and left. There was no celebration or goodbyes, just a quiet departure. He felt as though he had squandered nine years of his life.
In a farewell video, Brandon expressed his congratulations to Donna and David on their wedding day, which was featured during the final episode of the series in the year 2000.
Gabrielle Carteris originally auditioned for the character Brenda, thinking that being a real-life twin might give her an advantage. However, she eventually secured the role of Andrea after falsely claiming to be 29 instead of the 16-year-old academically inclined character she was playing. An interesting tidbit: Robyn Lively, who later became Priestley’s girlfriend, initially declined the part of Andrea before Gabrielle Carteris took it on. (Did you know that Robyn Lively is the sister of Blake Lively, who starred in “Gossip Girl”?).
She shared with Access Hollywood that she had consulted a legal professional regarding signing these contracts while concealing her true age to participate in the show. The lawyer advised her that it would be permissible, provided she merely states that she is over 21 years old.
For five seasons, one of the key actors was Carteris. Producers decided to incorporate her real-life pregnancy into the storyline, making Andrea pregnant and marrying her character to Jesse Vasquez (Mark Espinoza’s character). However, by the end of season 5, the producers believed that Andrea’s time in the iconic zip code had ended, so they wrote her off with her family to Yale University.
Mollin expressed that it didn’t enhance our experience much. Instead, it made things less enjoyable as we had to deal with adult responsibilities. Eventually, we felt it wasn’t feasible.
After securing two Oscars, Hilary Swank hasn’t let go of the disappointment she felt when she was let go from Beverly Hills, 90210 in the past.
In the eighth season, Swank played the role of Carly Reynolds for 13 episodes. Unexpectedly, she was let go even though she had signed a two-year contract. This news left her feeling crushed when she discovered that the audience didn’t seem to appreciate her character’s pairing with Steve Sanders.
In a conversation on Conan, Swank explained that the producers said, ‘It seems to be failing,’ to which she responded, ‘I couldn’t budge. I was thinking, ‘What exactly isn’t functioning? Is it me? Does this mean I’m not good enough? Could it be because I’m not good?’
However, when a door shuts, another one often swings open. Shortly after being let go, Swank found herself in the Oscar-winning role for the movie “Boys Don’t Cry” in 1999.
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2024-10-04 14:21