Kickin' it Old School

The new Beverly Hills 90210 premiered last night. I personally only care because of my true love and devotion to the original series. I was in my Junior year of college when the series began. It was on for 10 years. By that time I was married and had a baby, and so did some of the characters. It's like we grew up together ya'll. So all I care about the new series is that my good friends Kelly and Brenda are back on my tv. And I am keeping my fingers crossed that many others will at least guest star too. Luke, Jason, Brian I'm looking at you!

Wanting to reminisce with my old buddies I did a quick google of the digits and I found that CBS has most of the first four seasons right there to watch online. Yeah, huh, they do!
Guess what I did all weekend? Yes I did, every free moment I had, late into the night, I watched. I remembered. I was transported back in time. Oh, the nostalgia I can hardly handle it. Scrunchy socks with high tops, big t-shirts with rolled up sleeves, tight jean shorts and hiking boots, and the hair, the big beautiful hair. And the side burns. Yummy boys with sideburns. I heart the 90s! One thing I had apparently put out of my mind... the overalls with one shoulder off and the plaid MC Hammer pants that Luke Perry was sporting in his first few appearances as Dylan. I'm betting he kinda wishes those could be digitally retouched to make him actually look as bad boy as his character was supposed to be. Thank goodness the wardrobe people helped a boy out after those first couple of episodes.

While watching I was impressed by the numerous "Before they were Stars" Sightings...
Did you know that Brandon's boss at the Beverly Hills Beach Club is none other than Dr Webber at Seattle Grace aka James Pickens Jr.?
In one episode Brandon interviews Chandler Bing... um, Matthew Perry. Oh hell, whoever his character was, for the Blaze. Yeah huh he does!
From the college years, the obnoxious Frat boy John Sears is none other than One Tree Hill's Dan Scott. Paul Johansson has always played asshole well.
Then in the racial tensions episode Vivica A Fox is the hottie new neighbor. Where she moves after that one episode we may never know.

These days of course my perspective is entirely different. In the early 90s when Brenda was losing her virginity with Dylan and Brandon was drinking and driving I was in college, barely 21 myself. Identifying with the teens on the show. Now? Now I am totally loving the parents. Brenda and Brandon's parents handled many teen tragedies over the years with compassion and understanding. They should totally have started the Jim and Cindy Walsh School of Parenting.
Among the courses they could include:
  • Everybody's Doin' IT Teach your teens about safe sex and comfort them when their hearts are broken.
  • The Dreaded Call First, thank your lucky stars they are alive to call even if it's from jail. Then make them pay for and learn from their mistakes.
  • Siblings are People Too Every child is different, it's not only okay, but better for them to treat them as individuals.
  • It takes a Village Not all parents are going to care as much as you do. Take the time to help your teen's friends.
  • Hip to be Square Your teens need you to be parents not friends, set boundaries, teach the the value of hard work, and know their friends.
  • Honey vs Vinegar Learn the fine art of conversation, leave interrogation to the police.
I've been taking good notes myself because of this conversation at dinner Monday night.

Brooke: I wonder what daddy would look like scared.
Breanna: Nothing scares daddy.
Me: Want to know what scares daddy? As he was holding Breanna all of 1 day old in the hospital I saw a terrified look on his face. I asked him what he was thinking. He said "Someday she's going to want to date." You girls dating is what scares daddy.
Girls: Giggling
Me: And driving. You driving scares mommy and daddy.
Breanna: Driving in cars with boys.
Me and Brian: Yes, driving with boys.
Brooke (remember the child is 5!): I'm going to kiss boys in cars.
Then our heads exploded! The end.

9 comments:

Oh my gosh, this is so funny.
I also LOVED this show....the theme song can jump in and out of my brain at will. My friends knew not to call while watching...oh heck they were watching too.
Your girls are funny. I wonder where the idea of kissing boys in the car comes from? hmmmm???
Mom maybe?????
:)

September 3, 2008 at 7:36 AM  

ROFL!!! Oh, we all knew she was trouble but really that may have been the best yet!!!! Perhaps as you have recounted your stories over the years she was listening better than assumed!!! Yeah, she is gonna be fun!!!

September 3, 2008 at 8:22 AM  

she said what?????

September 3, 2008 at 8:23 AM  

I tried to watch it. I really did. But I kept getting distracted. The lights! The music! The impossibility of the bad acting!

It really WAS like the original, except I wasn't 16 years old anymore. And also? Preg-head. Everyone looked the same to me, if you know what I mean.

September 3, 2008 at 8:38 AM  

This, my darling, is WHY I LOVE YOU!!!! (Are you sure we were not twins, separated at birth?)

September 3, 2008 at 9:47 AM  

Javier and I watched both hours of the season premiere. Definitely not the same as the original. Things seemed way more over the top than before. Or maybe I just don't have my teen rose-coloured glasses anymore.

September 3, 2008 at 10:22 AM  

The sprog still thinks that girls are crazy. HOORAY!

September 3, 2008 at 10:26 AM  

Great post! Thanks for the heads-up about watching the original series online (you know what I'll be doing for the next 48 or so hours! LOL)

I can totally relate to the parents, too now. Isn't that funny? I guess that means we're grown up!

September 3, 2008 at 9:03 PM  

That's quite a plan she has!

September 3, 2008 at 11:09 PM  

Newer Post Older Post Home