CW '90210' critic reviews

The early verdict: Most critics had such low expectations due to the CW refusing to send out a screener that they're pleasantly surprised the network has cobbled together a solid-if-tame update ...

>> "The stage is set for a slick and sharply crafted teen soap that pays homage to the first '90210' without wallowing in past, uh, glory. Moreover, Jennie Garth and Shannen Doherty reprise their roles from the original without leaving us worrying that they might be shooting their career in the proverbial foot. For one thing, they look terrific and do fine; for another, better to be typecast than never cast at all." -- Ray Richmond, THR.

>> "A perfectly competent and reasonably seamless revival that understands what made the original tick (and tick and tick), while being infused (occasionally suffused) with enough contemporary touchstones to remind new viewers that this isn't their parents' (or at least older siblings') trusty fave. Fellatio, designer drugs, vendetta blogs, text messages -- yeah, everything's up to date in West Beverly Hills High." -- Newsday.

>> "Neither trainwreck nor masterpiece, the new '90210' was exactly what nobody expected it would be: remarkably faithful in tone and spirit to the original adventures of Brandon, Brenda, Scott Scanlon and company. Outside of the oral sex gag in Ethan's SUV, it was remarkably chaste. The one kid who seems to be using drugs is heading for a Very Important Lesson." -- Alan Sepinwall, Star-Ledger.

>> "What higher praise could "90210" aspire to? It didn't screw up!" ... The most delightful moments of the '90210' opener were courtesy of Jessica Walter." -- AP.

>> "Shannen Doherty and Jennie Garth generated a lot of buzz by reuniting in the spinoff of "Beverly Hills, 90210." But their scenes in the Tuesday premiere of "90210" were flimsy and forgettable. You know the routine: a lot of promotional heat precedes a tepid program ... Everything seemed more extravagant and less believable the second time around ... I'd give it about a year." -- Hal Boedeker, Orlando Sentinel.

>> "The show overall is a decent mix of Mean Girls, The O.C. and Gossip Girl, but isn't quite as charming as any of them. I'm not blown away, but it wasn't quite the suckfest it had the potential to be." -- TV Squad.

>> "You have to have stones to launch your '90210' sequel with the words 'this sucks.' It could be cheeky, it could be ironic or it could be a warning for people who do know the capital of Kansas and not the name of the little guy in 'Superbad.' Either way, it’s right." -- Seacoast Online.

>> "The producers went to the trouble of bringing back original stars Jennie Garth and Shannen Doherty and stranded them with little to do. Their reunion scene frosted up the screen, a product of the actresses’ stormy off-screen relationship. Of all the alleged teens, Wilds and Grimes share the most chemistry, which must be driving the producers crazy, since the two play adopted siblings." -- Boston Herald.

>> " All of it just screamed “unbelievable” to me. The 15- and 16-year-olds appeared, spoke and acted as if they were at least a decade older; the new, “poor” kids from Wichita, Kan., live in a mansion with their gorgeous parents" -- MSNBC.

>> "...seemed to take forever to set up some remarkably bland plotlines -- stories that might have seemed dull even back in 1990, when the original series premiered" -- Boston Globe.

>> ""We wasted a lot of time over the last few years," squeaked Doherty's Walsh, in a line meant to resonate with Doherty's and Garth's real-life fights. Just made me realize how much time I'd wasted waiting for this moment." -- TampaBay.com.

UPDATE: "90210" ratings are in, premiere sets record for the CW

Comments

[Mr. Big]

This show absolutely BLEW! I tried to watch it for about 10 minutes, but the dialogue and acting were pathetically lame and shallow. Of course, what did I expect? If this makes it through an entire season, I'll eat my hat.

[Sonia]

I thought the characters were a little fake and cheesy… Annie is just a little too much into everything and too many emotions over everything that it feels unnatural. The story lines are the usual and miss a little realness and authenticity. But other than that, it’s entertainment for teens and nothing more.

[Rebecca]

I was a bit disappointed with this. I was and still am a HUGE fan of the original 90210 and this new show doesnt have nearly the chemistry the original cast did. The scenes Kelly and Brenda reprised weren't all they were built up to be. Even still, it will be interesting for the old fans to see where they take these characters and for new "fans" (teens, i guess) it will just be a mindless show about sex, drugs, and relationships in beverly hills.

[Tuzzler]

I thought it was great. It had a good feel to it, the actors are talented and it wasn't over the top like OC, One Tree Hill or Hidden Plams. The characters felt very real and you were able to relate to them easily.
Brenda and Kelly will have better scenes in future episodes. Right now they are a side note and the main characters are the new characters.
They have a good base and when the characters start to evolve over the next few episodes we will see some great episodes and have some great moments.

[Allison]

I really enjoyed it.

[nancy]

it sucked all the way I an still a big fan of the original cast of 90210 had cw been smart and linked all the new cast to the old cast someway then it would of cought the viewers of all ages like so and so kid or niece or nephew this show will not make it it's boring and cheezy however I knew it would be the only good thing about it was kelly taylor and maybe her little sister tori spelling was smart in walking away from this it will flop it needs alot of revamping like bringing steave back david brandon andrea it totally sucks!

[Swan]

i loved it. it beat the Gossip Girl premiere last season ten-fold
Chase Crawford is too pretty, Dustin Milligan is just pretty enough.
i was wary about this new series until I heard Jeff Judah and Gabe Sachs were involved i immediately began to see the light.

[YUK]

GET REAL Tuzzler. This show sucks!!!! My head is still spinning and i think i've lost iq points.

[Dan]

Nancy, stop watching TV, put down the crack pipe, and go back to school. Watching actors pretend to go to school does not count as an education.

[M]

I was a HUGE fan of the original 90210 and was shocked when I heard about the "spin-off". I tuned in largely to see Jennie Garth and Shannen Doherty reprise their roles as Kelly and Brenda, which would have been much more satisfying had the writers given them anything to do. As for the rest of the show, well, I feel saying it was a giant suckfest would be kind. Most of the new cast can't act to save their lives, with Grimes (playing the lead of Annie) being, by far, the WORST of them all. Most of the characters seem excruciatingly one dimensional and the dialog is nothing short of embarrassing. I only hope that it is not picked up for another season and that the original Beverly Hills 90210 can rest in peace.

[Lora]

I grew up on the original and to be quite honest, when it first came out, I thought it was cheezy.But as the series progressed, the actors, writers and directors found their groove. In truth, most new series start off a little akward as the actors work torward giving life to their characters. On the onset, they all look like they are "acting", which is exactly what they are being paid to do. But eventually, if the chemistry works, the show becomes iconic.

Look at Friends, Will and Grace and Sex and the City. If you go back to the pilots and first few episodes...not all that impressive but they found their groove.

The new 90210 has great potential and I am very excited to see the characters and story lines develop.

I love that Jennie and Shannen are a part of the series as well. Since I grew up with the original cast, seeing the two of them, made me feel like seeing old faces at my reunion. Excited!!!

I have spoken to several of my girlfriends who also are fans of the original and they gave the new series an affirmitave, " WOW...not bad at all!I am glad it is back"

[Joan Bonanno]

Unfortunatley, it will never replace the original series. I was disappointed that the original characters played such a small role and would like them to have a greater role. Also, it would be nice if the original characters could make guest appearances or be part of new series.

[Lora]

I grew up on the original and to be quite honest, when it first came out, I thought it was cheezy.But as the series progressed, the actors, writers and directors found their groove. In truth, most new series start off a little akward as the actors work torward giving life to their characters. On the onset, they all look like they are "acting", which is exactly what they are being paid to do. But eventually, if the chemistry works, the show becomes iconic.

Look at Friends, Will and Grace and Sex and the City. If you go back to the pilots and first few episodes...not all that impressive but they found their groove.

The new 90210 has great potential and I am very excited to see the characters and story lines develop.

I love that Jennie and Shannen are a part of the series as well. Since I grew up with the original cast, seeing the two of them, made me feel like seeing old faces at my reunion. Excited!!!

I have spoken to several of my girlfriends who also are fans of the original and they gave the new series an affirmative, " WOW...not bad at all!I am glad it is back"

[Milly]

This new series is nothing like the original 90210. The vibe was NOT the same, and I was highly disappointed. I felt like I was watching another O.C. All the teen shows now are just the same.

[SCR]

What an unfortunate revival of an original great series! The female characters in this show were all way too thin. This is setting an unhealthy and unrealistic standard for teens and young women in today's society. I've never seen such an unhealthy-looking group of girls/women performing together.

[shawn]

It made Gossip girl look like the sapranos. It's no Greek.

[annoyed]

I worked as an extra on this show, and I just have to say that from working with the actresses in person, they all are WAY too thin, and all look like they are a pound away from entering the hospital. I think its horrible that they have actresses (who took 5 times longer to shoot their scenes than it should have taken due to their lack of concentration because of malnurisment)setting horrible body "standards" for high school kids- thanx cw

[Mandy-NJ]

Ok, I saw it last night. Sat there for two hours. Honestly had my expectations set very low as I am not particularly keen on them making 're-makes' or 'spin-offs' of anything, especially not of such monumental shows such as 'B.H. 90210'. However, I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised when I watched it. It wasn't horrible, but wasn't great either. I did catch myself wondering what the heck was going on in some of the scenes and/or thinking, was that really necessary? But, i liked it all in all.

Well, honestly, everyone that really didn't like it, or was disappointed, it seems to me that you were mostly disappointed because you were waiting for Brandon, Brenda, Kelly, Dylan, Steve, David, Donna & Andrea to walk into the scene and they didn't. You wanted that feeling that all of us '90210 lovers' feel when we watch the re-runs of 90210 during the week on the soap network. Waiting all day to rush home to watch a new episode when it was still on the air. You feel like you know these people, like they are part of your past, they were part of your life... You have to remember, it is what it is... you are not going to see that and probably won't feel that either with this new show. These just aren't the same people. TV is what it is nowadays... But as for me, i'll definitely watch again. Enjoy! :)

[WTG]

WAY to create a diverse cast this time- oh wait i guess there was one brown person so the show must have met its quota. this show won't make it.

[Teres]

90210!!

It is still the fast pass life still show... going head not behind....Love it! Love having the original cast...Great job

[amy]

I think the show is great! There could never be another 90210 as good as the first but in my opinion this is as close as it gets. I love the old characters and wish luke perry would reconsider, and would love to see Donna, Steve, Brandon or any other original characters.

[Bambi7385]

The show is ok but I bet the reason why it is a "hit" so far is because all the original Beverly Hills 90210 viewers tuned in! I'm a firm believer that if you do bring back more of the original cast and give them more story lines your viewing audience would double! This show has the ability to be a show for all ages that the entire family can enjoy! I personally hope to see more Kelly, Brenda, Brandon, Dillon, Donna and David!!!!!! Why not....it can't hurt?

[layla]

Personally, I had high expectations for this show but when I first tuned in, I was very DISAPOINTED! The ensemble is great but the lead, Annie, has no talent and is waaaaaay to skinny. Is this what america wants teens to think they have to live up too? They almost had me when they performed "Spring awakening" as their play but hearing Annie's voice ruined it for me. I feel bad the show is being brought down because of only a few select people.

Apparently there is no food in Beverley Hills anymore. Or any acting lessons available. But lots of drugs. The chicks are anorexic, i hope theres a hospital nearby the school. Why is everyone over-the-top? I mean, Jennie Garth was soooo hot in the original, but she could still act

And why do all the actors look 29? Shouldn't they be planning their 30th birthday parties rather than their sweet 16ths?

Shows are boring when they are predictable and similar to every other teen show. I felt like i knew what was going to happen in this show before the actors did.

If you're going to make a show this bad, PLEASE dont attach it to a great classic like Beverley Hills 90210 (the original). sooo disappointed.

ps. the guys arent hot in it at all

[Crikey]

Aaron Spelling would have been livid by this choice in actress for this part. This lady cant act for s@#t!!! Im have always been a dedicated 90210 fan and have watched every episode of the original series when I was younger. Gotta give Jennie Garth and Shannon Doherty credit, their performances are still awesome, even Ann Gillespie still has it, but this choice of Shenae Grimes for lead they need their heads read. She is so fake, her actings appalling, you don't believe a word that comes out of her mouth and her stupid little giggles like shes trying to be nice grrr, its like someone scraping their nails down the blackboard. I just hope Tori comes back and has some say in this, seeing it was her Dads show Shenae is destroying and throws her ass right out of there before the show ends up as another failed remake. Grimes is right...Grimee performance!

[Crikey]

Aaron Spelling would have been livid by this choice in actress for this part. This lady cant act for s@#t!!! Im have always been a dedicated 90210 fan and have watched every episode of the original series when I was younger. Gotta give Jennie Garth and Shannon Doherty credit, their performances are still awesome, even Ann Gillespie still has it, but this choice of Shenae Grimes for lead they need their heads read. She is so fake, her actings appalling, you don't believe a word that comes out of her mouth and her stupid little giggles like shes trying to be nice grrr, its like someone scraping their nails down the blackboard. I just hope Tori comes back and has some say in this, seeing it was her Dads show Shenae is destroying and throws her ass right out of there before the show ends up as another failed remake. Grimes is right...Grimee performance!

[cha]

I think the oral sex scene in the 1st part of the piot was tacky and poor taste. I hate to think that teenagers are really perceived as being so casual about doing it.Agreed,the actress who plays Annie has
no talent and hurts the show. But having seen som of these actors in other roles e.g. Dustin Milligan Iknow some are really talented. So where exactly are the problems and how can they be resolved?

I hope they bring back more of the original characters and actually give them lines. That is what will perk this show up.

[FRB]

I expected the show to be a big hit, and it did. But what i didnt expect was for the show to send a great percentage of bad influence to teenage girls! This character, Annie is way too skinny! And the part where she was about to loose her virginity to guy that she barely knew? Teenage shows are supposed to send the teenage girls a good message, but unfortunatley this show is unrealistic.

[ACF]

I agree with most of these comments that the show isn't the greatest. The cast is unreal and the fact taht they try to be "PC" makes it more unbelievable (a white child and a black child). This is not the traditional family that most families will want to watch. I am not a racist, but you could have incorporated the african american as a firend, instead of a sister.

[Elle]

I LOVE IT.... I'm totally addicted.