9021-Oh This Was Great!

Lifetime recently aired The Unauthorized Beverly Hills 90210 Story, and I had a chance to watch it last night – and you know what? I liked it.

Lifetime are infamous for their behind the scenes/gossip drama/made for TV movies, and usually they’re nothing more than hilarious fodder. This one was very much that in some respect, but it was also quite informative and as much as I hate to say it – far more entertaining than most of the new fall offerings.

Yes, you read that correctly. I enjoyed the made for TV Shannon Doherty trash fest more than ACTUAL shows that are meant to engage me. You yourself have to admit it, this season has been pretty dull; hence why I’ve not bothered to write anything about the new season thus far. (It’s coming though, don’t worry.)

Anyway getting back to the Hills, if you were ever a fan of this show you should definitely check this little diddy out because I dare say there will be something in it you didn’t know.

Some of my takeaways:

Tori Spelling was almost single-handedly responsible for the show and most of it’s top casting. She recommended Jason Priestly AND Shannon Dorherty for starters.

The FOX network, and possibly TV networks in general at the time, had an “above the waist, below the breast” rule for any on-screen shenanigans.

Shannon really was a brat, and apparently really had it in for poor Jennie Garth.

Van Nuys, California is the porn capital of the state and possibly the world, and 90210 filmed right next door to all that action.

Ian Ziering really doesn’t like it when you pronounce his name E-on. It’s eye-on, dammit!

Gabrielle Carteris lied about her age when she auditioned. Good for her!

FOX junior execs were knobs. Or perhaps that was just a little creative licencing.

The people of Lifetime have a great sense of humor when writing the “where are they now” blurbs.

There’s plenty more in the film, but a lot I did know – like Tori Spelling auditioned with a different name (It didn’t fool anyone, because I mean look at her. She’s the spitting image of her father.), and it was the giant gamble of airing new shows during the summer that made 90210 the monster hit it became.

All in all though, this was a fun way to pass two hours or so, and I have to give credit to the pretty fantastic casting in this. Usually Lifetime opts for “meh that’ll do” when it comes to casting these things, but they actually seemed to make an effort this time. Check out the Jennie Garth actress, she even SOUNDS like her! Well done.

Let me know what you all thought, and if you’ll be watching this week’s Melrose Place Story – I will! Even though I never watched that show when it was on so I’ll just go with the gossip.

This season’s tally:
Lifetime 1 Networks 0