LA Times: 90210 Needs To Be Saved

3 02 2009

The Los Angeles Times published an excellent article yesterday on how the new 90210 isn’t living up to expectations.  The best analysis I’ve seen by far!

Here’s a summary:

“‘90210’ is suffering a servere case of adolescent angst.”

American Idol’s return is affecting its audience, so the show will move to 9PM later this season–after a six-week break!

The show is doing well overseas but not in the U.S.

90210 can’t get out of Gossip Girl’s “shadow.”

“The series has floundered creatively and has no irresistible Dylan-Brenda couple to root for.”

The original series is the number one teen drama in history.  I wholeheartedly agree with that.  Even if I didn’t root for Brenda and Dylan.  (And you can read about the show’s origins and how it defined the genre here!)

Jeff Judah and Gabe Sachs have stopped writing for the show after having problems with the network (and they even seem regretful about signing on to the show at all) but they remain on board in other capacities for now.  They won’t be back if there’s a season 2.

“‘I’m not as witty as [‘Gossip Girl’ executive producer] Josh Schwartz and I never will be,'”Judah says.

Dustin Milligan (Ethan) admits he’s unhappy Judah and Sachs’ plans weren’t followed.  It’s one reason the storyline for Ethan to have an autistic brother didn’t play out.

New executive producer Rebecca Rand Kirshner Sinclair admits she needs time to “fix” things.

“Saving “90210” [is] a top priority, but it won’t be easy.”

Jennie Garth (Kelly) is signed on for one more episode.  Tori Spelling (Donna) will have a “limited run.”

CW head honcho Dawn Ostroff is blaming the nostalgia factor for the show’s problems.

Despite all of the above, there most likely will be a season two.

And BREATHE!





Spoiler: Ask Ausiello

21 01 2009

RELEVANT QUESTIONS–DON’T READ IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW!!!
Question: Come on, Ausiello! Give us scoop on Gossip Girl! — Sam
Ausiello:
First let me say that Monday’s episode was an absolute triumph on all levels (acting, writing, directing)…which makes the fact that it was the lowest-rated of the season all the more depressing. (Time to reboot the system, Nielsen!) On the scoop front, I know what brings Georgina (Michelle Trachtenberg) back to town, and it’s not her seemingly indefatigable quest to piss off frenemy Serena. Quite the contrary, in fact. Take it away, exec producer Josh Schwartz! “Certain times a situation is so dire that it requires the assistance of even your most sworn enemy,” he teases. “It just might come to pass that Serena and Blair find themselves in a situation where they have no recourse other than to recruit Georgina Sparks.” In other GG news, the show is casting the possibly recurring role of an “unassumingly cute” 16-year-old male. Sounds like Jenny’s getting a new suitor!

Question: 90210 gets so little attention from you! Got any scoop? — Stephanie
Ausiello:
This season’s 19th episode (airing in April) will be must-see-worthy for two reasons: It marks Tori Spelling’s return as Donna and features the arrival of Dixon’s estranged mother.





Gossip Girl Spin-Off Details!

18 01 2009

Watch with Kristin reports the following:

  • After months of denials, there will in fact be a Gossip Girl spin-off.
  • But even though rumors said it was going to be about Lily and Rufus in their younger years, it’s actually just about Lily…and her sister.
  • The show will be begin with Lily leaving her privileged life to live with her free-spirit sister in the Valley.
  • How does this affect GG?  It doesn’t really.  The spin-off will get its start in a GG flashback at the end of this season but otherwise, the two will have very little in common.  Creator Josh Schwartz promises: “We’re being very, very careful that nothing we do will feel like we are biting off from the Gossip Girl original.”
  • And what about Rufus?  He may make an appearance…if the show lasts more than one season.  “He’s not one of our characters. Maybe at some point” Schwartz says.  LAME!
  • Read the whole article for a couple additional details–and some Chuck/Blair talk.




Article: Josh Schwartz’s New Web Series

7 01 2009

Josh Schwartz keeps adding more to his plate!  Besides Gossip Girl and Chuck, he’s also at the helm of Rockville, CA (ever notice that teen drama titles are often based on location??).

Rockville, CA is a new web series airing exclusively on TheWB.com this March.

Why the web instead of the good ‘ol CW?  These episodes are only 4 minutes long, making them super-convenient.

Also involved is Alexandra Patsavas who you may know from choosing the awesome music on The O.C. and GG.

You can read more about Schwart’z new creation here.