The word down at the Peach Pit is that the updated version of Beverly Hills 90210 may just have Brenda Walsh to kick around again. According to Entertainment Weekly's reliable TV gossip-hound Michael Ausiello, actress Shannen Doherty has been talking with producers Gabe Sachs and Jeff Judah about reprising her former teen role as the tempest from the Midwest.
Of course, some might remember that, back then, not all the drama was in front of the cameras when Doherty was around. The actress was a fixture in the gossip columns for her reportedly diva-like attitude and feuds with costars Tori Spelling and Jennie Garth (both of whom may also appear in the new show). She was eventually written out of the program, and Brenda left town for good. (Tori's dad, producer Aaron Spelling, hired Doherty back to star in Charmed -- until she was written out of that series as well.) Garth, for her part, is taking a mature stance on the matter: She told EW that "I'm a big girl.... I'd have no problem with her coming on the show."
What do we think? Well, it'd be fun to watch the show just to see if the old sparks fly... but the new 90210's success will depend on the teen actors, not the adults. As with The O.C. and Gossip Girl, if kids find the high-school-age characters sexy and interesting and fun, they'll watch. If not, they'll go right back to American Idol and Grand Theft Auto.
Below: Brenda catches Dylan with Kelly. It must have made sense at the time....
Previously:
C'mon, Admit It -- You Watch Teen Shows