This post was originally published in September 2013.
I know yesterday’s post was sad and deep and a little heavy. To lighten the mood a bit, I thought a silly – and, if you ask me, long overdue – post was due.
So here it is.
Confession: I am a bit obsessed with “Beverly Hills, 90210.” Not the crappy new remake. The old school version from the 90s. C’mon, who doesn’t do a fist pump when they hear this?
Here’s how nuts I am: When 90210 re-runs air on the Soap Network, I have the disturbing ability to determine – based solely on the first 15 seconds of the episode when they show the names of the guest stars – which episode it will be. That’s how many times I’ve seen every single episode.
Yes, it’s a little scary. And a little sad.
I don’t know what it is about the show that just draws me in. It’s definitely not the acting (oh, Tori Spelling, a thespian you are not, my friend).
Or the writing (although Brenda’s line, “I like your butt. I mean, your bike.” will go down as one of my favorite TV lines. Ever).
Or the story lines (Kelly has an eating disorder! Kelly was burned in a fire! Kelly joins a cult! Kelly has a miscarriage! Kelly was a cokehead! Kelly has a stalker! Kelly got shot! Kelly has amnesia! Kelly was raped! Kelly killed her rapist!)
At one point in time (read: high school), I’m sure I liked it for the style and fashion (although, looking back at it, the mid-90s really brought us some heinous fashion trends, like this) and I guess I related because the kids were only a year or so ahead of me in school (not counting the fact that they did their junior year twice … but who’s counting). So, in some ways, we went through our teenage angst years together.
Plus Brenda and I shared the whole heavy bangs look.
But maybe now I enjoy it because it’s a little welcome distraction from the craziness of my life as a busy momma. Maybe it’s an escape? Maybe I like how the show brings me back – just temporarily – to a time when life was easy and simple?
Whatever it is, I am a 90210 junkie and proud of it. What can I say, we all have our wacky vices, our guilty pleasures. This is one of mine.
In honor of my “coming out” as a 90210 addict, I thought I’d share my top 10 favorite episodes from the time of the show’s launch in 1990 to the year the gang graduated from college (in 1997).
Because, to be honest, the “post-grad” years were kind of a snoozefest, and only got worse once Val and Brandon left, and they added a whole bunch of random characters (Noah, Gina, Matt, Janet, etc.)
So here they are, in no particular order:
1. “Spring Dance” (Season 1): Brenda gives it up – yet returns to the spring dance with her updo still perfectly coiffed. Amazing.
2. “Things to Do on a Rainy Day” (Season 2): The kids meet Color Me Badd (and Donna learns her mom is a two-timer). Anyone else find these guys a little creepy?
3. ‘Wildfire” (Season 2): The “meet Emily Valentine” episode. Also known as the episode where Brenda, Kelly and Donna do their best Robert Palmer girls impersonation and lip sync “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do.” Bonus? A Brenda/Dylan reunion scored to Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Games.”
4. “Isn’t it Romantic?” (Season 1) Brenda and Dylan have “the talk.” You know, S-E-X.
5. “Beach Blanket Brandon” (Season 2): Uh-oh, Brenda thinks she’s knocked up.
6. “Slumber Party” (Season 1): Random new friend Amanda is abusing diet pills because she can’t be as skinny as Kelly. And Donna doesn’t have any problems yet, but when she does, she’s gonna need your shoulder to cry on. So be prepared.
7. “Higher Education”(Season 1): Brenda’s awful dye job (AKA the worst wig ever used on television). And, as you die-hards know, this is the episode with the “butt and bike” line.
8. “Too Little Too Late/Paris” (Season 3): I am a HUGE fan of all the Paris episodes (plus, Brenda’s never looked better, IMO). And I still giggle when the girls almost order brains at a French restaurant because I nearly made a similar mistake in Brussels (except I almost ordered reindeer. And I’m a vegetarian.)
9. “Something in the Air” (Season 3): Donna Martin graduates!
10. “One Wedding and a Funeral” (Season 6): Poor Toni Marchette. We hardly knew ye. Although you do have some pretty gorgeous hair. (I think I secretly like this one because of Luke Perry’s, um, dramatic sobbing scene at the end of this episode. “OH MY GOD!” I still cringe watching him try to flex his acting chops.)
‘Fess up, friends: Whether it’s “Melrose Place,” “Dawson’s Creek,” “Gossip Girl” or the Real Housewives franchise, we all have a TV guilty pleasure. What’s yours? C’mon, I told you mine.
Michele C. says
OMG I LOVE LOVE LOVE the old 90210. I am the same way – I have seen EVERY episode at least 100 times. So glad I’m not the only obsessed one 😉
Jessica says
We should start a support group! LOL.
Jodi says
Oh I am right there with you girl! I actually still compare real life situations to similar storylines on 90210. Like what would Kelly do? Oh and I most definitely based my Friday school outfit around something they wore. Not including Clare or Donna. Worst 90’s fashion victims on tv!
Jessica says
I love it. WWKD? It’s the new catchphrase!! 🙂 Oh, and I probably bought more babydoll dresses than I care to admit, thanks to the Bev 9-er girls.
Chelley @ AIsForAdelaide says
If there’s a broup, I’m in! I love 90210!!! And I love the heavy bangs. Yours are way better 🙂
Aimee says
Oh I love this post and needed it so much!
I can’t hear Wicked Games without thinking of Dylan and Brenda!
Donna Martin and I graduated the same year, these people, and their bangs, are my life!
Sharon - MomGenerations.com says
This is one awesome post! I am one entire generation above 90210, BUT I did watch every episode (maybe a million times over) with my daughters Audrey and Jane! I can’t believe I remember these when I can’t remember what I had for lunch! Thanks for sharing…
Liky says
Oh my I am completely beyond obessed! I watch it everyday. Atleast 4 episodes!
Mari says
So I came across this post because I was searching for “whatever happened to Kelly’s burn marks” hahha. I am just like you! I can watch this show every single day and I do! And yes things got a little wonky once they graduated from college…I hated Matt! Lol. Our top 10 lists are pretty similar; I also love the episode that Brenda is held at gun point in the peach pit and has that screaming scene during class hahha
Jessica says
Ohh, that is a classic one! And good call about Matt, I feel the same way!