Exclusive: Cress Williams on Being 90210’s Basketball Star and Prison Break’s Hit Man

22 11 2009

Over the course of 13 episodes in 1993-1994, Cress Williams added drama, humor, athleticism and, perhaps most importantly, color to Beverly Hills 90210.  As D’Shawn Hardell, we saw Williams challenge Brandon (Jason Priestley), woo Donna (Tori Spelling) and show off some pretty smooth skills on the basketball court.  Since then, I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Williams appear on one of my favorite non-teen drama shows, Prison Break.

Williams was kind enough to discuss both with me:

TeenDramaWhore: When you joined Beverly Hills 90210 way back in October 1993, were you familiar with the show?

Cress Williams: I knew the show existed, but I had never seen the show. After I got the job I watched an episode. I was in the middle of finishing college, so I didn’t watch a lot of TV.

TDW: Your last appearance was just over a year later.  Did you keep up with the show after you left?

Williams: Other than watching it that one time to get a sense of it, I never really watched it again. After I finished on the show, I was done with school and fully involved in life and career.

TDW: On the surface, D’Shawn was just a basketball player who hassled Brandon.  In reality, you brought some much-needed diversity to the show.  Did that cross your mind at all?

Williams: Most definitely. I knew there wasn’t really any people of color on the show. In fact, when I met the assistant casting director at a little seminar before ever auditioning for the show, I pretty much blew it off because I didn’t think I had much of a chance of being on a show like that.

TDW: Are you actually skilled at basketball or was it the “magic of television”?

Williams: Basketball was and is my favorite sport. When I was younger I played a lot. So at the time of doing the show, I was in good shape and played it a lot. All the basketball stuff was me, not movie magic.

TDW: Do you have a favorite memory or episode?

Williams: 90210 was my first professional job, so all of it was a new experience for me. Mainly I just remember being a trained actor and knowing about acting, but not knowing about acting on television. Everyday was a learning experience.

TDW: Are you still in touch with the cast?

Williams: Not really.

TDW: Last year, you were on another one of my favorite shows, Prison Break.  What was it like joining a series that you know is in its last season?

Williams: Like 90210, I have done a lot of work on shows that had been in production for a while. I know how to step in and fit in on the fly. I really enjoyed playing a character so different from me and what I have played in the past.

TDW: Did you have to catch up on the complicated back story and conspiracy?

Williams: Not really. My character was a hired gun who was simply called in to clean up. A lot of the crew were big fans of the show, so they helped to give me any back story I needed.

TDW: You played a hit man, who ironically had his own unexpected death.  How do you approach a character like that?

Williams: Well, I saw the character as a man who didn’t really do what he did because he enjoyed it. I saw him as someone who killed because it was simply a part of who he is. He took no pleasure in it, and he never took it personal. It was all business. He was so good at what he did because he had a distance from what he was doing. I felt like if he could, he would love to be normal, but he couldn’t change who he was. So I tried to keep what I did acting-wise very simple.

TDW: What projects are you working on now?

Williams: Recently I just finished an episode of Cold Case, which [aired] in October. I am currently working on writing a future TV series of my own with a couple of friends. I hope it makes it to the small screen someday.

TDW Interview Index





Six Degrees of Teen Dramas

21 11 2009

New to Six Degrees of Teen Dramas? Here’s how to play!

Last Week: Leonardo DiCaprio

This Week:

Cameron Diaz

Have at it!





News Roundup: 90210, One Tree Hill, Gossip Girl and More

21 11 2009
  • Brian Austin Green (David, Beverly Hills 90210) will be returning to Smallville.
  • There’s a small feature on Brett Claywell (Tim, One Tree Hill) in the Dec. 1 issue of Soap Opera Weekly (my old stomping grounds!).
  • Leighton Meester (Blair, Gossip Girl) was a presenter at mtvU Woodie Awards.
  • Rachel Bilson (Summer, The O.C.) is mentioned in this article on How I Met Your Mother.
  • MTV has an interview with Olivia Wilde (Alex, The O.C.)
  • News Blaze has an interview with Nikki Reed (Sadie, The O.C.)
  • Variety says Busy Philipps (Audrey, Dawson’s Creek) might “break through.”
  • I should’ve mentioned this a while ago: Julie Bowen (Aunt Gwen, Dawson’s Creek) is one of the leads in Modern Family.




News Roundup: Gossip Girl, 90210, The O.C. and Dawson’s Creek

19 11 2009




Weekly Poll

19 11 2009

In last week’s inagural Weekly Poll, voters were almost evenly split on the questions “Should Brooke have accepted Rachel’s apology?” and “In light of the threesome, do you hope Dan and Vanessa get together?”  But the third question, “Should Dixon be mad at Debbie?” had clear winner with most people thinking Debbie was just trying to protect him.

Voice your opinions in this week’s polls.





News Roundup: 90210, One Tree Hill and Gossip Girl

18 11 2009
  • Monday’s One Tree Hill (2.6 million viewers) dropped ever so slightly and Gossip Girl (2.2 million viewers) dropped a bit more in the ratings compared to last week.
  • Last night’s 90210 ( 2.1 million viewers) stayed the same in the ratings compared to last week.
  • For some reason, this week (both Monday and Tuesday) The CW only had 94 percent coverage instead of 95 percent. But I’m not sure how much difference that actually makes in the ratings. I’ve been told it was 94 prior to this season so it’s possible that will be the norm again.
  • The CW sent out a press release, however, touting this week’s ratings for all 3 shows, as well as how the network did overall during the sweeps period as well for this season in general compared to last year.
  • It was comforting to read the comments on EW.com’s 90210 recap and see many other original fans with similar complaints to the Jackie-Kelly storyline as I have.
  • TV Guide Magazine has a spoiler-filled interview with Matt Lanter (Liam, 90210).
  • Greg Vaughan (Cliff, Beverly Hills 90210) tweeted that his new role on 90210 will begin in January and that it is recurring.
  • Tristan Wilds (Dixon, 90210) is reportedly dating Rihanna.
  • Zimbio has an interesting look at the hairstyle Jennie Garth (Kelly, Beverly Hills 90210) had at the New Moon premiere.
  • PEOPLE.com and EW.com have brief recaps of Kellan Lutz (George, 90210) appearing on The Ellen DeGeneres Show today.
  • Kristin has major spoilers for Gossip Girl.
  • GQ named Leighton Meeter (Blair, Gossip Girl) their Obsession of the Year.
  • PEOPLE.com has more details from Meester’s Glamour UK coverstory.
  • Meester says she is collaborating with Lil Wayne on one of her songs. Wayne recently had a baby with Lauren London (Christina, 90210).
  • MTV has an interview with Jessica Szhor (Vanessa, Gossip Girl).
  • Michelle Trachtenberg (Georgina, Gossip Girl) is partnering with Coach on a jewelry line.
  • Hilarie Burton (Peyton, One Tree Hill) is featured in the new SoGoPro prodcast.




Fun Fact

18 11 2009

Did you know SoapNet airs 54 hours of teen drama each week?

(8 hours per weekday X 5 weekdays) + (7 hours per weekend day X 2 weekend days)

40 + 14

54!

Add in the 3 hours each week we get on The CW, and that’s a whopping 57 hours of teen drama goodness in a seven-day period!

This includes Beverly Hills 90210, The O.C., One Tree Hill, Gossip Girl and 90210.

Imagine if we could add in Dawson’s Creek!

Some might call this teen drama overload.

I just call it bliss!





News Roundup: One Tree Hill, Gossip Girl, 90210 and More

17 11 2009
  • Be sure to check out The CW’s site for all the new video content this week.
  • We don’t have ratings yet for last night’s One Tree Hill and Gossip Girl as Nielsen (the company responsible for them) had technical difficulties today.
  • The CW Source has podcasts for last week’s OTH and GG.
  • MTV has an article on the Blake Lively (Serena, Gossip Girl) feature in Nylon.
  • Gossip Girl and 90210 are included in TVGuide.com’s sweeps roundup for this week.
  • The Los Angeles Times has a spoilish interview with Jessica Stroup (Silver, 90210).
  • PEOPLE.com has a short blurb on the Silver storyline in tonight’s episode.
  • EW.com has a spoilish interview with AnnaLynne McCord (Naomi, 90210).
  • AdAge has an article on 90210’s partnership with Ford for the Warriors in Pink campaign.
  • Modern Salon has an article on copying 90210 hairstyles, but only includes Stroup and Shenae Grimes (Annie).
  • Kellan Lutz (George, 90210) said he turned down the lead role in Twilight.
  • In an article on Heather Locklear’s return to Melrose Place, 90210 is mentioned a bit. And this one mentions Laura Leighton (Sophie, Beverly Hills 90210).
  • E! Online has an interview with Jennie Garth (Kelly, Beverly Hills 90210).
  • In the new issue of Entertainment Weekly, McCord’s Naomi is made their list of Top TV Bitches. The EW.com version also includes: Brenda (Shannen Doherty, Beverly Hills 90210), Julie (Melinda Clarke,  The O.C.), Busy Phillips (Audrey, Dawson’s Creek) for her role in Freaks & Geeks and Jessica Walters (Tabitha, 90210) for her role in Arrested Development.
  • There’s been conflicting reports that The CW will air the remaining episodes of The Beautiful Life, which starred Mischa Barton (Marissa, The O.C.).
  • PEOPLE.com has an interview with Nikki Reed (Sadie, The O.C.).




Spoiler: Korbi TV

17 11 2009

RELEVANT QUESTIONS–DON’T READ IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW!!!

Jasper on “90210” is awesome! Is he going to kill Annie when he finds out that she totally murdered his uncle? -P
Ha, no. Actually, he’s going to discover the truth sooner than later, but it seems his passionate, crazy love for Miss Wilson will keep him from ratting her out… that doesn’t mean she won’t get caught though. The writers aren’t going to leave her hit-and-run storyline hanging too much longer.

What are Liam and his friends going to do to get back at Naomi’s sister on “90210”?! If they do get back at her, do you think Liam will get back together with Naomi?! -shreya
Naomi’s sister Jen is going to get what’s coming her way. Finally. As for Liam and Naomi, listen up…

Credit: Zap2it





Live-Blog: 90210 2.10

17 11 2009

Last Week’s Live-Blog

Keep refreshing this page throughout the show for plot developments, quotes and commentary.

EPISODE 2.10: To Thine Own Self Be True

  • Previously on: Naomi wants to go to CU and is using Richard to get in, Naomi likes Jamie who is Richard’s roommate, Adrianna starts doing drugs who are given by Jasper, Jasper tells Annie he’s not a drug dealer and tells Navid not to mess with him, Annie sleeps with Jasper, Silver finds Jackie unresponsive
  • This is the third and final episode of the sweeps period.
  • We pick up with Jackie being rushed into the hospital.
  • I already want to cry.
  • Silver is freaking out but they tell her they will “find her when there’s news.”
  • Naomi tells Navid she wants to join the Blaze so she can “pad her resume”
  • Navid worries she’ll be a flake
  • Naomi says she needs it to get into CU.
  • He relucantly agrees.
  • She wants a segment called “Clarke After Dark”–for sex advice
  • I miss the real After Dark. Sigh.
  • Navid tells her he thinks Adrianna is back on drugs.
  • Naomi then confronts her and Ade says she’s clean.
  • Naomi asks why Navid would say it if it weren’t true.
  • Adrianna says things are weird with them and maybe he’s mad she moved on.
  • Naomi points out the Ade has lied to her about doing drugs before.
  • Adrianna swears clean and says Naomi should know how she acts when she’s on coke–and this isn’t it.
  • Um, maybe it’s because she’s doing pills this time?
  • Adrianna says she will talk to Navid and straighten this out
  • Kelly comes to the ER waiting room.
  • Silver explains Jackie went into cardiac arrest and they got her heart beating again but now she doesn’t know what’s going on.
  • This is exactly what happened with my aunt in March. Not sure I can handle this.
  • A nurse comes in and tells them Jackie is too weak to fight much longer but she’s conscious and they can go into see her.
  • Kelly says she can’t go in to see her.
  • Silver is disappointed and goes without her.
  • Dixon is still giving Debbie and Harry the cold-shoulder.
  • Harry tells Debbie he’ll get over everything eventually.
  • Annie is chipper, though, and her parents notice. They want the “dirty deets.”
  • She says she’s seeing a guy named Jasper.
  • Annie says he’s an amazing filmmaker who is like a “genius.”
  • Harry jokes that he’ll check his transcript.
  • They want to meet him and Annie says she wants him to come over for dinner.
  • Debbie says it’s a great idea.
  • When Annie leaves, Debbie’s happy she’s seeing someone and Harry’s happy she’s telling them about it.
  • Jasper is in Annie’s bedroom!  I guess he snuck in. Was her there overnight?!
  • Debbie knocks and Jasper hides.
  • She wants to know what he would want for dinner. Annie quickly answers and she leaves.
  • Q1: Should I come in through the window for dinner or should I use the front door?–Jasper
  • Weird to see Annie so happy. She’s been happier for weeks now but this is a whole new level.
  • Apparently Ivy’s mom has a recording studio.
  • Dixon tells Navid and Liam he wants to use it to somehow get revenge on Jen.
  • He explains that they can have Ivy say what Jen said in the recording Liam had, and then they mix it to sound like Jen and play it for Naomi.
  • Ivy joins them. She really is one of the guys. I don’t really enjoy her even aside from that.
  • Dixon spies Annie with Jasper.
  • Navid tells Dixon to keep an eye on her since Jasper is a drug dealer.
  • Naomi is practicing for her sex segment
  • First topic: reaching ecstasy.
  • She’s actually at Jamie’s dorm room. They’ve been dating.
  • Navid calls but she ignores it.
  • Q2: I think Katie Couric got her start unpacking crap.–Jamie
  • Richard walks in on Naomi and Jamie. And his mom–the Dean–is with him!
  • She insults Naomi for supposedly being with Richard but she’s clearly with Jamie.
  • Jen and Ryan are getting ready for a fancy night out.
  • Ryan says they’ve spending a lot of time in her “world” but he wants to bring her into his.
  • She assumes she means West Bev but he means his life outside of it.
  • He suggests going camping: hiking and sleeping under the stars.
  • She reluctantly agrees.
  • Jamie notices Naomi is upset and asks her what’s wrong.
  • Naomi said she thought Richard wouldn’t be around.
  • Jamie says it was going to come out sooner or later.
  • Naomi says she wishes she knew he was coming with her mom.
  • Jamie doesn’t understand why it’s a big deal.
  • He then put 2 and 2 together: she was using Richard to get to the Dean to get into CU.
  • He’s taken aback that Naomi could do something like that.
  • Naomi says she knows she made a mistake and her dream was to meet someone like him and now she has.
  • Jamie is still POed. He says Richard has been devastated, not understanding why Naomi is treating him this way.
  • Q3: You’re a user.–Jamie
  • You tell ’em, Jamie!
  • He doesn’t want to date her anymore. She’s floored.
  • Navid is filming promos for the Blaze.
  • He realizes how boring they are and wonders if he should let Naomi do her sex segment.
  • Adrianna interrupts asking why he told Naomi she’s using.
  • He says again that he saw her buying drugs and has seen her demeanor change since they broke up.
  • Q4: I’m perfectly fine. And you know why? Because you really weren’t that hard to get over. The more I thought about things, I realized we were only together because I needed you. And that wasn’t love. So yeah I’m over you. And that’s not drugs. I guess I was never really in love with you.–Adrianna
  • Um, ouch? We don’t believe her, right? She’s just mad he knows the truth.
  • I still think they’re endgame. Maybe I’m wrong.
  • Jen has like 6 suitcases filled with designer camping equipment.
  • Q5: I point a knife so sharp I could butterfly you in 15 minutes.–Jen
  • Ryan says they can’t bring any of it–including the fondue set–because the point is to just live simply.
  • Kelly brings coffee in Silver garage/bedroom thing back at Kelly’s.
  • Silver thanks Kelly for staying at the hospital and bringing her home.
  • She tells Kel that she always took good care of her and she worries
  • Silver urges Kelly to go to the hospital and see Jackie.
  • Kelly says they don’t have much of a relationship anymore and she’s OK with that.
  • Silver said they can work it out.
  • Kelly says she has 20 more years than Silver of bad memories with her mom. She cites her mom never accepting her and urging her to diet and change her looks.
  • Water under the bridge, Kel. Especially since they solved all those issues in BH90210. Grrr!
  • Naomi goes to see Richard. She wants to apologize for “a lot.”
  • Richard says it’s OK if she likes Jamie.
  • Naomi admits she was lying all along. She only wanted to date him so she could get to his mom.
  • She explains she always wanted to go to CU and thought dating the Dean’s son would get her in.
  • He’s shocked and disgusted.
  • She says she would “take it all back if I could.”
  • He tells her just to stop.
  • Annie tells Harry not to tell “stupid jokes” during dinner.
  • He says he already checked Jasper’s transcript.
  • Annie says Jasper is sweet and sensitive, not like other “typical high school boys” and has really been wanting to meet them.
  • Dixon comes in and says he’s going out with Navid.
  • Debbie and Harry want him to stay for dinner.
  • Dixon calls Jasper weird and Annie retorts that at least he’s not 40.
  • Dixon then accuses Jasper of being a drug dealer, according to Navid.
  • Annie says Navid doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
  • Debbie and Harry are shocked. Any more back-and-forth and they’ll have whiplash!
  • Cue the doorbell. It’s Jasper. Awkward!
  • Jen and Ryan are sitting by the campfire.
  • Q6: I’m just happy your idea of roughing it includes a bottle of Pinot Gregio.–Jen
  • Ryan’s about to start a fire when thunder rumbles.
  • Jen asks if he checked the weather. He says it never rains in Los Angeles.
  • It starts to pour.
  • Jen is completely POed and stomps back to the car.
  • Navid tells Liam he should try to seduce Jen and get her to admit what happened, as Naomi watches from beyond a curtain. LOL
  • Liam rejects the idea.
  • Annie, Jasper, Debbie and Harry are awkwardly sitting in silence in the living room, eating dip.
  • Annie says she and Jasper are working on a film together. She again calls Jasper a genius.
  • Jasper says Annie is his inspiration.
  • Harry asks him what else he does besides filmmaking.
  • He says nothing really.
  • So Harry asks who else he’s friends with.
  • Annie answers for him, saying the kids are West Beverly “suck” and are “lemmings.”
  • Debbie says just because she had a falling out with her friends, doesn’t mean everyone there is bad.
  • Annie starts to freak out more but Jasper calms her down.
  • Debbie and Harry excuse themself.
  • Jasper says he’s “blowing it.”
  • Annie explains that Dixon told them the drug dealer “rumor.”
  • Jasper tells Harry and Debbie he’s had trouble fitting in but his life has changed with Annie.
  • He says he’s devoted to Annie and wants what’s best for her.
  • Debbie says they
  • Naomi shows up to help Navid unpack the Blaze stuff, and instead encounters Liam with ahevy box.
  • He asks her for help but he drops the box and injures his hand.
  • Sexual tension to the max as she puts his hand on her knee and puts ice on it.
  • Q7: If I could take back what happened last year, I would. I think about it every single day.–Liam
  • Hello Ryan Atwood and Marissa Cooper!
  • Navid interrupts their moment.
  • Kelly is at the hospital calling Silver on her phone. She says she was waiting in her car outside but Silver never came out.
  • So now she’s waiting outside Jackie’s room.
  • But the room is empty. Kelly is stunned and starts to cry.
  • Ryan is drenched in the rain, packing everything up as Jen sits in the car drinking wine.
  • Why am I not surprised?
  • Jen wants to go home but Ryan says the rain will stop soon.
  • Jen says they should cut their losses.
  • Ryan says the whole thing was a mistake. He says he makes “sacrifices in the relationship” but Jen doesn’t.
  • Q8: I walk around on eggs shells and it’s not fun.–Ryan
  • But, he says, he does it because it what she wants to do.
  • Jen says she had no idea and thought he was enjoying himself.
  • He says they can’t drive down the mountain in this weather so when it stops, he’ll take her home.
  • Silver finds Kelly crying in the hallway.
  • She tells Silver she was right–she should’ve said goodbye when she had the chance.
  • Silver says it’s not too late–Jackie is just in a private room now.
  • Annie tells her parents she knows the first half of the night was awkward but it got better.
  • She thanks them for giving Jasper a second chance.
  • Harry tells Annie they don’t want her to see Jasper anymore.
  • She freaks out and says the rumor is a lie.
  • Debbie says it’s more than that.
  • Q9: “Jasper is odd.”–Debbie
  • Debbie points out that Jasper has no friends.
  • Annie again says that the kids at school suck.
  • Debbie says she’s not a “loner” and Annie screams that they don’t know who she is.
  • Jackie tells Kelly she’s glad she came. She apologizes for being a “terrible mother.”
  • You weren’t Jackie! Don’t you worry! Stupid new 90210.
  • She tells Kelly that she turned out so well and learned to be a good mother to Silver.
  • Um, what about Sammy?
  • She tells Kelly she’s amazing and beautiful and strong and caring. She says she’s proud of her and sorry for everything that has happened.
  • I’m crying because it’s sad and because this whole thing shouldn’t be happening.
  • And because not everyone does get to say goodbye. I didn’t.
  • Kelly says she forgives her.
  • Jackie says she’s been tired but had to hang on until Kelly came to her.
  • Q10: I love you, Kelly.–Jackie
  • Naomi sees Jamie at the beach club. She asks why he’s there.
  • He says he knows she apologized to Richard and he’s “impressed.”
  • She says he was right–she needed to be honest.
  • Jamie now chalks up what she did to a “mistake” and says he overreacted.
  • Q11: It’s hard to stay mad at the girl I’m falling for. And I am, Naomi. I’m falling for you.–Jamie
  • Naomi says she needs to be honest with him, too.
  • She says she did want to meet someone like him but she’s “hung up someone else,” someone she thought she was over.
  • Q12: I hope he’s worth it.–Jamie
  • He gets into his car and leaves.
  • Annie is on the phone with Jasper.
  • He thinks it went well the second-half, too.
  • She says her parents say she can’t see him.
  • Jasper tells her to calm down. He says getting mad won’t help anything and “what’s done is done.”
  • He says they’ll figure out a way to be together.
  • His calmness is so strange.
  • Not anymore though! He hangs up and throws his phone.
  • Naomi barges into Adrianna’s room.
  • She says she had the perfect guy but ended it.
  • She turns her back and sees Adrianna hide something.
  • Naomi pulls it out: a bottle of pills.
  • She realizes Ade lied to her…again.
  • She asks her if she’s “ever gonna stop this.”
  • Q13: You know what? Do what you want. I’m over it.–Naomi
  • She storms out and Adrianna takes some of the pills.
  • Ryan wakes up in the car and sees Jen has set up the whole campsite.
  • Oasis’ Wonderwall is playing in the background. Not sure if it’s the Oasis version, though. I like it either way.
  • Jen apologizes for forcing Ryan to do what she wants.
  • She’s surprised he was so honest and says people in the real world aren’t honest.
  • Ryan says there’s nothing she can say that would lead to him liking her less.
  • Q14: I’m broke and living off Naomi.–Jen
  • Ryan doesn’t care. WTF, Ryan?!
  • He says he’s not dating her for her money, but in spite of it.
  • He asks her how she lost her money.
  • She says she lost it while with her husband, who she is divorcing.
  • Ryan is shocked. He asks why she didn’t tell him she was married.
  • Jen says she didn’t tell him because he would ask why the relationship ended.
  • Here comes the waterworks. From Jen, that is.
  • And she says it ended because he cheated on her.
  • Ryan says he would never cheat on her.
  • Silver and Kelly are on either side of Jackie’s bedside, all holding hands.
  • Jackie flatlines.
  • Kelly reaches out for Silver’s hand.
  • They both cry over Jackie’s body.
  • Why aren’t they fading to black? Should end it right there.
  • At West Bev, Jasper pushes Navid into a wall and he falls down the stairs, hitting his head HARD on the floor.
  • The bell rings and everyone comes out of class. Jasper blends in with the crowd.
  • Ivy and Liam see Navid and run over.
  • Now we fade to black.
  • Preview: *In two weeks* They are planning to take Jen down. Jen say she’s slept with a lot of men and Liam was the most boring. Naomi overhears.

Those are my thoughts. What’s yours?