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.
Every Day is Brenda Day
()
If you missed 90210 the first time around, it's hard to explain. It was an instantaneous, un-self-aware camp classic. It was absolutely unwatchable while demanding that you HAD TO WATCH. Tori Spelling, before becoming the wronged daughter, the wedded-and-babied reality show chick, was simply a spoiled, freakishly untalented actress -- who was cast, in her daddy's show, as the eternal virgin (eew!). Ian Ziering, before he danced with the stars, played the cool guy -- until the producers noticed that everyone hated him, and they made him the buffoon.
The producers never noticed how much audiences hated Brenda. Or if they did, they ignored it. Soldier on, they thought, and barged ahead with classic episodes like the time when Brandon's evil girlfriend dosed everyone with Euphoria.
See, it was so camp, they couldn't say even "ecstasy" -- they had to come up with another word meaning "rapturous delight" that also began with an E. Imagine all the doctoral thesis on simulacra that followed. Or don't. We're talking about hating Brenda here.
Support for LAist comes from
Her stupid bangs. Her self-centered outbursts. Her strange penchant for wide collars and prim outfits. Her indecision about Dylan. Her whining. Her teeth. Her dumb dark lipstick (wait, the dark lipstick was cool). Anyway, she was so hate-able that the early zine geniuses behind Ben Is Dead started putting out a newsletter called I Hate Brenda.
The producers might not have noticed, but Shannen Doherty, the woman who brought Brenda to life, did. She tells Entertainment Weekly that she still harbors insecurities from all the hate. But a newsletter -- that wasn't all. Not nearly.
As one fans tells it, the I Hate Brenda newsletter morphed into a CD, "Hating Brenda," eight whole songs worth. It was put together by a bunch of friends of the magazine, all LA musicians, many from bands that seemed to be in the middle of breaking up.
The best track was soon recorded again by a not-broken-up band that included the songwriter, which hadn't performed it on the official hateful CD (long story). You may never get the song -- or vision of the bass player in his dress and wig -- out of your head. To celebrate the revival of "Beverly Hills, 90210," -- which we wouldn't even watch except for that kid from The Wire* -- here is "Every Day is Brenda Day."
* We are so lying. We'll watch anyway. We might have some Euphoria nearby to ease the pain, but we'll watch.
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