The CW network is the channel that has brought us such hits as Hidden Palms, Aliens in America, and Online Nation. If you don’t recall those television shows don’t worry, no one else did either – even when they were on the air. This network was the reheated remains of the corpses of the WB and UPN networks (birthplace of Homeboys in Space - thank god they went bankrupt). It’s only successes to date being Smallville, Supernatural, Everybody Hates Chris, and America’s Top Model each from the old networks that went out of business.
So in search of new ideas that might sustain this still miserable network there has been an nearly unending hype about the new 90210. Yes sheer joy will fall from the heavens and ratings records will be set anew when the sequel to the original 1990’s television show hits the airwaves. Or so the CW keeps using all kinds of media to let us know.
Honestly, do they think that the return of Jennie Garth, and Shannen Doherty will cause some kind of uproar? Neither of these women have had a success in years. Unless you count the short stint Doherty had on Charmed (before she reportedly was fired and the series really took off) or her season of work on “Sci-Fi” Channel’s Scare Tactics [which has nothing to do with scifi and does not deserve to be on the channel]. That says nothing of the fact that the fan base left their teens over a decade ago.
But let’s look at what the show has to offer the youth of today.
The most notable change to the show is that suddenly the Beverly Hills area has a touch of color. And I do mean A touch. Tristan Wilds will play the adopted brother of Shenae Grimes – essentially the Brendan and Brenda of the old show.
So the only way that a Black kid can get into Beverly Hills is via an adoption, or so the show seems to present. Because the original certainly had as many Blacks as were to be found on Happy Days, The Brady Bunch, Friends, Seinfeld, and E.R. combined. Oh wait, that’s not true because there was 1 African American on E.R. at it’s start. Well at least the new show follows the far more enlightened and standardized format of 1 Black, 1 Latino, and at least one woman. (Well at least one of the women in the show looks sortof Latino so that counts right? And Asians? They don’t exist in America)
Well it won’t matter. The show has good looking rich people (everyone can relate to that right?), and they have Youtube in the show too (they are just like you, just in a Ferrari - if you are also White). It must be cool. And just for added effect they threw in an alcoholic/addict grandmother (because who doesn't have one). It's just a good wholesome television show, with drugs, and drinking, and sex, and paparazzi, and clothes that cost more than what most parents make in a year.
I think Brian Austin Green, who is among virtually all the old cast that refused to be on this program – except for Tori Spelling who dropped out because she thought she was worth more money like she has an acting career now that nepotism is not an option – stated it best
“The new ['90210'] could be good. Or it will suck terribly."
The odds stack up that it will suck. But in a world engorged with American Idol and ‘reality’ television shows, drivel might just pass for drama and entertainment. Unrealistic views of American population or success, a deep need to exploit real issues, and a drive to suplant style for substance. No wonder why I avoid broadcast television.
10 comments:
I am really appalled that there is one black kid on the show 9021 who is male of course. Even on Gossip Girls, there isn't any black females, and shall we mention One Tree Hill where there are two black dudes(One was shot) and no black females.
Did I mention no black females?
I am so pissed I can't explain it in words. Is CW telling me that they hate black women so much that in 90210'd rather cast the black kid in an adopted family instead of in a strong black family? What is up with that bull?
The part I hate the most is that I love these shows and I don't know whether to continue watching it or not. It would be nice for the world to realize, "hey black women can be rich and beautiful too."
Oh well.
There are black women on CW. They may not be main characters, but one is successful. Jenny's boss on Gossip Girl is black. I think it is almost anti black for there to be a token black character. Give us some good parts! Oh wait, Everybody Hates Chris.
Not to sound weird, but have you ever been to a High School in Beverly hills? If they are making a realistic show, having tonnes of black people everywhere would simply be inaccurate.
It would be like putting a tonne of white people in a school in central LA, it wouldn't be realistic.
It's not racist, it's realistic.
And don't even get me started on the 30 shows that UPN carried that didn't have a single white cast member. Try and tell me that all of those upper-class people in those shows wouldn't have a single white friend or neighbor.
I love people, I love all people, I have no racist intent in what I say. I just wanted to set people straight.
We as black culture do need to become less sensitive to these small matters.
Only 1.77% of the demographic in Beverly hills is black. So by my count, we've done pretty good here.
Fresh prince of bel-air was as popular as any show. All blacks, and this was during a time when black power was lower than it is today.
We have a black man running for President... I think it's time we stop trying to blame the white man for everything. And we start cleaning this country up. White,black,Hispanic,Asian.... we all need to take responsibility for this country now. Let's collectively stop worrying about 90210, and start worrying about why 22% of the children in this country can't afford lunch.
Peace and love.
whether you or I like it or not, whether it has any black people or not (note: it has a black girl in every episode), gossip girl has been a success on CW. it has groundbreaking pop cultural significance (again I will repeat myself, whether we like it or not).. if you want to inform people via blogging, inform people correctly and completely without discounting anything because it doesn't appeal to you or that it doesn't show black people enough. they are just trying to keep things factual and that is factual in the upper east side private schools. and in high school, private or public, people tend to form cliques and tend to stick to their own race whether you or I like it or not. It is reality. stop being so angry... media is nothing but an exaggerated mirror held up to society.
as for brian austin green, he has megan fox and is a happy happy guy who can just live off of her transformers earnings and probably won't do anything ever. lmao.
How many white people were on Sister, Sister or Smart Guy, or Fresh Prince, or My Wife and Kids, or Bernie Mac, or Family Matters. Black people just need to stop complaining, my goodness just shut up about it. Oh and all of you black people who think you are so much like your 'brothers and sisters' in Africa; I know several African's and after they were told about how the majority of blacks act in the United States, their response was "Why do you think we sold their ancestors to the European's for so cheap." HA! So come on black people of the US, stop acting like animals.
I love how so many feel a guilt and desperate need to convince me that the presentation, acting, and storylines in the new 90210 are fair and good. Thou dost protest too much.
There are those that want to give me the like it or not examples. I’m from a major city, and know people from around the world. Yes there are cliques in high school, but to proclaim that they are racially motivated is a stupid excuse in favor of racism.
I am told how I should write my blog and what I should discuss. Bollocks.
I’m told that television is a mirror to reality. Are you kidding. Television is the warped desirous view of a selected small group of people on how they wish life were. And because that view promoted ideals held predominantly by one race in America, the majority one, it’s considered “normal”. If television had any sense of reality we would see diverse cities, Asians and Latinos, and minorities of various levels of economic status and style. Instead we get stereotypes of every group except for Whites – with the exception of the occasional negative view of Italians, and recently Russians. (Which actually goes back to political views from WWI and a bit before)
I really love when I have people count down every Black show as an example of how fair television is. Sadly they miss the fact that before 1972 there were none. They miss the fact that up until the 1990’s there were all of 3. They miss the fact that television has been around for 5 decades and Blacks shows did not become a norm until almost 2000. And they omit the fact that of the over 500 programs on a day of television (without HDTV which will increase the numbers) less than 2% feature, and less than 6% contain African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Asians, and every other minority combined.
Some people can’t get beyond the fact that television wants to promote the view that minorities barely exist and are overall of no consequence. Maybe because they are the right color to be on the good side of such a view. But those who are not and pay attention see reality for what it is.
I’m told I should just give up. I’m sure some would like that. Then they could live without guilt or excuse. They could enjoy their preferential treatment without concern. But I won’t. Because their eyes need to open up.
I’m not angry, I’m honest. And in a media world that is dedicated to pulling the wool over your eyes that is a harsh thing to do to people coddling their security blankets. But sometimes the grey matter needs a bit of exercise and moral honesty.
I really love how some want to tell me about my ancestry. Telling me about Africa. That’s so nice, except I am an American. But if we want to talk about lands of origin you need do nothing more than search this site for Slavery and you will learn more than any class ever taught you I‘d wager. And if you want to talk about how those overseas view Americans I can tell you a great deal about my life overseas.
Only the most arrogant of people would want to tell me about how other nations view me. Like I care, I’m American. I speak to American issues and concerns 98% of the time. But if you want to talk about racial slurs and crude jokes look no further than the mirror.
90210 is a horrible show. Its ratings suck, and most of the old cast knew it would. It won’t last long and that’s a good thing. And if you don’t like that opinion and want to be rude on my blog, you can imagine what I’d suggest you do.
uhh i love this show!
and even if theres only one black person and hes a guy. who cares. when you go to Beverley Hills you dont really see alot of black people walking around. mostly white.
also gossip girl, vanessa is black and shes on the show alot-- actually she may be a regular now.
yaa I love this show!!!
and I cant wait for January for the new episodes, Silver is supposed to be bipolar, (a new teen issue) and someone is Bisexual,idk who but ya Its good, not as good as Shenae's last show, Degrassi:TNG buuuut, its still watchable, and people need to stop comparing the two shows so much, the old show was in the 90's, so much has changed sense 1990, to 2008, so ofcourse, there is going to be DRUGS, SEX, YOUTUBE. duhh.
and Im black, and I dont really have a problem with there only being one black person on the show, there arnt that many black people in beverly hills, lol.
so ya. I dont think this show will last TEN years, but it will last as long as ONE TREE HILL has. I hope
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