Will The Feuds Return With New "90210"?
The Stars Collided Behind The Scenes On The 1990s Hit Show, Now They're More Mature
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Play CBS Video Video 90210 Spin-Off Reunites Stars TV's most popular zip code is back on the block, and some of its brightest stars are returning to the set. Is backstage drama in store? Lara Spencer reports.
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From left, Jennie Garth, Luke Perry, Shannen Doherty, Jason Priestley, and Tori Spelling in a publicity photo for "Beverly Hills, 90210" on Sept. 1, 1990. (AP Photo)
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Photo Essay Aaron Spelling's Spell His face? Maybe you don't know it. But if you grew up watching TV, you certainly know his work.
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After all, who can forget Brenda, the Beverly Hills bad girl? Actress Shannen Doherty - known for creating as much drama behind the scenes as she did on the screen as Brenda - will return, lured back by producers over a very long dinner.
"I didn't know if I was going to get there and if, after two seconds, she was gonna go, 'Get out of here,'" co-executive producer Gabe Sachs told The Early Show. "I didn't know what the environment was going to be, but she was great and we had a great time, so I was pleasantly surprised."
Doherty will play the director of the high school's musical; her former co-star Jennie Garth graduates to the role of guidance counselor. Tori Spelling, who is spending time with her new baby, will appear later in the season as a fashion designer.
"It's a great idea because the parents get to see their old favorites back, the younger people who didn't watch the first series get to see a whole new sexy cast," said TV Guide senior editor William Keck.
Fans were loyal to the original series, despite rumors of backstage battles between cast members.
Doherty now admits that her conduct at the time was "miserable."
But her co-stars say all is forgiven.
"Jennie was a kid when she did that show; she's a grown-up now, and I think she gets it," said Sachs.
"Tori told me she's excited to be back on the show and she seems excited." said Keck. "Shannen's back as well. She knows that people really want to see these characters back together."
Dalton Ross, editor-at-large of Entertainment Weekly, offered some possible reasons for the feuding during the original series.Photos: Aaron Spelling's TV Spell
"The TV set is a very unhealthy place to work," he said. "It's long, long hours. It's hard. People tend to get frustrated, and when they get frustrated, they blow up. It's people fighting for fame. These are actors, people that crave the spotlight. It's an ensemble cast, all fighting for a piece of it."
Ross said that producers of the new show are hitting all the angles to get ratings.
"It's a spin-off; it's a sequel; and it's a re-imagining. It's everything," he said. "You have the new kids that get the younger audience and the old standbys that get you and me watching because we want to see what Brenda and all these characters are up to now."
Ross said he did not know whether Garth, Spelling and Doherty will share episodes or have scenes together. But, he said Garth and Doherty were still feuding up until a year or two ago.
"Beverly Hills, 90210" is just one of many shows from "Three's Company" to "Grey's Anatomy" with problems on the set. But, Ross said, there was one show that, despite the violence on screen, was a peaceful place to work.
"'The Sopranos,'" he said. "You'd think they would have had it because they had contract squabbles with the studio, but it really was a fraternity. People got along very well. Maybe it's because they were all afraid of getting whacked or something. But it all worked for 'em."
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Photos: Aaron Spelling's TV Spell
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Natalie Wachen aka Lauren of TYLER%u2019S RIDE%u2013 is another gorgeous beauty joining the new 90210 cast in the Sept 2nd pilot. Let%u2019s hope she doesn%u2019t get caught in the line of fire.
Many primetime stars are getting their start in webisodes. Catch TYLER%u2019S RIDE on YouTube and see Natalie for yourself: http://www.YouTube.com/tylersride
Natalie Wachen aka Lauren of TYLER%u2019S RIDE%u2013 is another gorgeous beauty joining the new 90210 cast in the Sept 2nd pilot. Let%u2019s hope she doesn%u2019t get caught in the line of fire.
Many primetime stars are getting their start in webisodes. Catch TYLER%u2019S RIDE on YouTube and see Natalie for yourself: http://www.YouTube.com/tylersride