TEEN angst is getting the 2.0 treatment with a new spinoff of the classic youth soap “Beverly Hills 90210.”
The CW is developing an updated version of the show, set in the world of “90210” but with a twist reminiscent of the other “Beverly Hills” spinoff, “Melrose Place.” Details about the new show are still being set – including a new cast.
“Veronica Mars” creator Rob Thomas is in talks to write the pilot, which has been put on the fast track by the network in hopes it can be ready by fall.
Directors from other CW teen dramas, Like “Gossip Girls,” have been approached to participate, as well.
The original “90210” aired on Fox for 10 years, starting in 1990.
Typically, spinoffs feature some sort of tie-in – however obscure – to the original show. Tori Spelling, for instance, appeared for a short while on “Melrose Place.”
Redoing classic television has become all the rage this year in Hollywood. The ’80s reality show “American Gladiators” is back, along with a retooled “Knight Rider,” in which the original character’s son follows in his father’s footsteps by driving a high-tech car around on top-secret missions.
Yesterday, Spelling, now 34 and a mother of two, told “Good Day LA” that she wanted to appear on the new show as a sexy suburban mom. “They should give me a call,” she said. “Every teen drama needs a MILF, right?”
During its decade-long run on Fox, “90210” was among the most popular television shows on any network and helped establish Fox as a major force in the TV industry. All of its stars became household names and even inspired trends in fashion, music and other aspects of popular culture.
But since “90210” ended, its stars have been hard-pressed to recapture the magic.
Spelling has tried several times for her own slice of primetime, most recently with a reality show.
Brian Austin Green wrapped up a successful turn on Fox’s “Terminator” series, “The Sarah Conner Chronicles,” earlier this month.
Jennie Garth and Ian Ziering appeared on “Dancing with the Stars.”
Jason Priestly and Luke Perry have been in a string of middling movies and TV shows. And Shannen Dougherty, whose tempestuous relationship with Aaron Spelling was gossip fodder for years, convinced him to take her back in 1998 for the hit series “Charmed.”