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The CW In Talks with Rob Thomas to Write "90210" Spin-off?!?

I had to reread the following story because, at first glance, it seemed completely 100 percent fabricated: netlet the CW is developing an updated spin-off of Beverly Hills 90210.

Before you start to get images in your head of Brandon and Brenda's Minnesota cousins moving to BevHills and enrolling at the local lycee under the tutelage of, say, Gabrielle Carteris' Andrea, let's pause for a second to remember that one of the all-time great primetime soaps--Melrose Place, natch--was a spin-off of the hallowed zip-code series that could and didn't feature any characters from the original flagship series. (Though remember how Jennie Garth's Kelly turned up at first following Jake around like a lovesick puppy?)

While Beverly Hills 90210 creator Darren Star won't be involved with the series, The Hollywood Reporter says that the CW is in talks with Veronica Mars creator Rob Thomas to write the pilot script. And if anyone knows the sophisticated teenage class warfare of California like the back of his hand, it's Thomas. And the man can write intelligent, complex teens as evidenced by Veronica and Co.

So why does this news rattle me? For one, I want to see the networks doing some groundbreaking original work for a change and not just remaking foreign scripted formats or spinning off or dusting off old series (Knight Rider, anyone?) like this. (Are there exceptions to that rule? Sure. Just look at Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel.) I understand that the CW needs to have a bona fide hit on their hands and what better way than to capture an audience than to use the powerful lure of nostalgia, along with a recognizable household brand? But reviving 90210, really? Why not just spin-off super-snarky Gossip Girl--already a brand associated with the CW--and set it in sunny California?

Also, while I am desperate to see Rob Thomas' name on the marquee again, I would rather see him doing something original and different, something wholly created from the ground up than a series that's clearly intended to cash in on the 90210 franchise for CBS Paramount and slot into an appropriate timeslot companion for Gossip Girl.

The CW will decide by the end of the month if it will order a pilot for the untitled 90210 spinoff. In the meantime, let's just hope this return to Beverly Hills doesn't involve a trip to the Peach Pit...

Comments

Ugh. Is this really necessary? It wasn't that original of a formula to begin with (though, don't get me wrong...I was a big fan). Couldn't they just come up with another teen show without it having to be a spin-off? The only good news about this is Rob Thomas' involvement. No one writes quippy teens like Thomas.
Anonymous said…
Aaawwcckk... this sticks in the craw. I hope this is only temporary insanity on Rob Thomas' part. Can someone give him a writer/showrunner spot on Friday Night Lights instead?
Unknown said…
I admit (confess?) that I watched every season of 90210 and Melrose Place and I loved Veronica Mars, but I don't think I'd watch even the pilot of this.

When will writers get creative? Movies based on old TV shows (Bewitched) and comics Iron Man), TV shows based on old movies (Terminator), when will it all end??
Anonymous said…
Ummmm.....

Ok, I was a huge 90210 devotee. I watched most of MP. I LOVE Rob Thomas, but...

but...

No. Just no.

What happened to Cupid?
Anonymous said…
what a bunch of negative douchebags. I think it sounds plenty cool. Why is there always some whiny critic bashing anything and everything that isn't "the same ole shit"
Anonymous said…
Anonymous, did you read the same article that I did? The whole point he was making is that this spinoff IS the "same ole shit." Why is there always some annoying troll who refuses to leave their name on every message board who attacks the viewpoints of people who don't fawn over the shit the networks throw at us? Idiot.

This sounds awful. Let 90210 stay dead.
Jace Lacob said…
Ally, funny you should mention "Cupid." Expect a pilot order by the end of the day... ;)
Unknown said…
Maybe tori spelling will be cast in the new spin off since she apparently has money problems. There's an interview up on the internets that talks about how she was almost poor. Yeah, almost poor as in she couldn't eat gold spaghetti for brunch anymore.

http://www.236.com/feed/2008/03/11/tori_spelling_was_almost_poor_5058.php
Anonymous said…
Mr. Rob, forget 90210... it was good then but what u need to do is... continue veronica mars... her character is something teenage girls could look up to and idolize... please... bring back miss mars!!! give her a very modern agency to run, and introduce us to new spywares, let logan be an on again off again love, so she gets to act with other handsome guys, and NO, u can NOT replace miss Bell, she's the only one who can play VM...
Anonymous said…
i was a huge fan of the original 90210 and melrose place but come on i don't know what happened to the spin off it's so boring, the cast is ugly and the girls are too skinny they look anorexic. i think rob thomas could have done better. the show is too predictable. it could never compare to the original. it's not worth watching. next.......

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