BH90210 | Wednesday, 9 p.m., Fox
Ian Ziering says playing rich kid Steve Sanders in the 1990-2000 Fox series “Beverly Hills, 90210” was a great “launch point” for his career. “Being on a globally successful television program for 10 years certainly does lend itself to creating future work,” said Ziering, 55. That includes playing a semi-fictional version of himself in the reboot “BH90210,” which reunites original cast members Gabrielle Carteris, Shannen Doherty, Jennie Garth, Brian Austin Green, Jason Priestley and Tori Spelling. (Luke Perry died following a stroke in March.) The series takes shots at Spelling’s rumored financial issues, Ziering’s rocky divorce from Playboy Playmate Nikki Schieler, the cast’s perceived disdain for Doherty, and alleged backstage hookups back in the day. Since the original show, Ziering struck gold starring in Syfy’s cheesy “Sharknado” franchise, and on Saturday he followed that up with another sci-fi spectacle, “Zombie Tidal Wave.” (Guess what that’s about?)
Ziering lives in Los Angeles’s Hollywood Hills with second wife, Erin Ludwig, and their two daughters, Mia Lauren, 8, and Penna Mae, 6. He recently spoke by phone with The Post.
The reboot alludes to cast flings on the original series. Were there a lot of off-camera hookups?
I can’t speak for others, but it’s something that I was very sure not to get involved in. I’m one of the few people on the show who had gone through college and I made the mistake of kissing a girl on my dorm floor. It never turned into a relationship, but it did turn into an awkward situation every time I passed her in the hallway. I kinda learned … you don’t, uh … What’s the term?
Don’t s – – t where you eat?
Yeah. [Laughs.] While I found all the women on the show to be very attractive, I kept it professional.
In the reboot your on-screen wife accidentally FaceTimes you while having sex with someone else. Is that based on reality?
We want the audience to guess what’s real and what’s not . . . It’s no secret I was divorced — whether that was the reason or not, it certainly makes for good TV, that’s for sure!
After the original series, you and Luke remained close. What would it have been like with Luke involved in the reboot?
He never signed on to do it — he was very involved in “Riverdale” — but I’m sure he would have found a way to do a cameo. It would have been a welcome addition for us and the fans. Today I find it difficult to reconcile the loss of my friend, to talk about it without getting a little choked up. It’s hard to believe.
What do you miss about him?
I just, uh … I just miss my friend.
You’ve made six “Sharknado” movies, and now you’re starring in “Zombie Tidal Wave.” What’s your fascination with sci-fi?
Oh, my God — I’m a huge science-fiction fan! Ever since watching “Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy” and the early-morning creature features I was weaned on by my brothers. It is kind of like a dream come true.
Though these are tongue-in-cheek, too.
It’s a completely different genre. It’s not a romantic comedy, a drama, an action-adventure — it’s a fun movie where everyone is in on the joke.
When planning your “Sharknado” follow-up, were there any ideas you dismissed?
Yeah. “Frog-pocalypse.” [Laughs.] Frogs in a total cataclysmic storm — it just didn’t work but, man, did I laugh my ass off.
— Eric Hegedüs
And here’s what else to watch this week:
City on a Hill | Sunday, 9 p.m., Showtime
Season finale. Jackie (Kevin Bacon) revels in his moment in the spotlight following the foiled Brinks truck robbery. Decourcy (Aldis Hodge) considers the best course of action to bring justice for the dead guards.
Succession | Sunday, 9 p.m., HBO
Roman (Kieran Culkin) and Kendall (Jeremy Strong) do a “routine health check” of a new media brand. Meanwhile, Shiv (Sarah Snook) brings Tom (Matthew Macfadyen) in the loop about her future at Waystar and with Gil’s (Eric Bogosian) campaign. Also starring Brian Cox.
Serengeti | Sunday, 8 p.m., Discovery
The anticipation of the annual Great Migration is being felt by all of the Serengeti’s families as they wait with desperation for it to arrive. The land continues to get hotter and hunger starts to bite as food becomes even more scarce.
Why Women Kill | Thursday, CBS All Access
Beth Ann (Ginnifer Goodwin) attempts to spice up her marriage.
The Righteous Gemstones | Sunday, 10 p.m., HBO
Series premiere. Upon returning from a baptism marathon in China with his televangelist father Eli (John Goodman) and brother Kelvin (Adam Devine), Jesse Gemstone (Danny McBride) receives a video from blackmailers seeking to sully his reputation. Eli moves forward with plans to expand the family’s empire as he continues to mourn his late wife, Aimee-Leigh (Jennifer Nettles).
Snowfall | 10 p.m., FX
Andre is forced to ask for Franklin’s (Damson Idris) help. Julia proposes a new plan to Teddy (Carter Hudson). Gustavo (Sergio Peris-Mencheta) clears the way for his own vision.
A Summer Place | Tuesday, 8 p.m., TCM
A wealthy man rekindles a romance with a former flame while vacationing at a resort off the coast of Maine. His daughter experiences the pangs of young love. Starring Troy Donahue and Sandra Dee.
