With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
DVD Review: Beverly Hills 90210 - The Second Season
()
by special guest reviewer, Carolyn Kellogg
Watching the second season of 90210 is Euphoria. Make that Ecstacy. Make that U4EA. Aw, heck, put that DVD in and let's go.
When it comes to TV series about bratty So Cal high schoolers, 90210 is OG to The OC. Season one started with a classic hook: normal teen bro-and-sis from Minnesota find themselves attending Beverly Hills High when Dad gets a new job. Realism it wasn't -- the teens, Brendan (Jason Priestly) and Brenda (Shannen Doherty), were twins, and instantly popular -- but it sure made for fabulous eye candy, showing the early '90s in all their high-waisted, front-pleated, shoulder-padded glory. Plus it launched Tori Spelling's career!
Support for LAist comes from
There were also the moral lessons: Brenda kicks off season two with a pregnancy scare -- and she's only had sex once! Kelly (Jennie Garth) throws at herself at a guy -- and he says no! (Gay, of course. It's not about you, Kelly!) David (Brian Austin Green) rejects his uncool childhood friend -- and the guy blows his brains out! On accident, kinda! David feels bad but gets to social climb without his geeky buddy hanging around! And you know where that ends (Tori Spelling, of course).
So when, in season two, Brandon's new girlfriend (Christine Elise) drags him to an underground club and doses him with a happy-making drug, it goes by the laughable pseudonym U4EA. "I think it's THE BEST episode of all the 90210 episodes combined," Elise says in the DVD extras. "I think it's hysterical."
()
It is hysterical, Elise. It demonstrates that 90210 can make what would be the jump-the-shark episode for any other show into just another delicious leap in a series that's all about jumping the shark.
Feeling euphoric yet? Ecstatic? How about these fabulous '90s nuggets from the DVD set to get you going?
- "If it weren't for these VCRs, I might never get to catch up with my programs," says Henry, the beach club manager.
- Kelly's car phone: bigger than a breadbox!
- Extravagant tanning!
- Floppy disks!
- Tori Spelling's perky size As!
If that's not enough, consider Ian Ziering. He must have really pissed off the costumers: the floppy purple tank top and yellow dolphin shorts were one of the more palatable outfits they let him wear.
Support for LAist comes from
At some point, even the glorious camp of 90210 can start to feel as strained as mama Walsh's smile. Which is when it's time to tune in to the Colton & Aboud commentary. Their acid take on the candy-colored Beverly Hills of 90210 -- from a set built to look frighteningly like the Peach Pit -- might just give you the strength to go back for more.
Carolyn Kellogg is the editor emerita of LAist and currently blogs at Pinky's Paperhaus and is the founding editor of Metroblogging Pittsburgh
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Immigration raids have caused some U.S. citizens to carry their passports to the store, to school or to work. But what documents to have on you depends on your citizenship. -
The historic properties have been sitting vacant for decades and were put on the market as-is, with prices ranging from $750,000 to $1.75 million. -
Users of the century old Long Beach wooden boardwalk give these suggestions to safely enjoy it. -
The Newport Beach City Council approved a new artificial surf park that will replace part of an aging golf course. -
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits. -
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high.
Best of LAist