Before They Were Teen Drama Stars

17 08 2009

They may have been young when they first entered the teen drama world, but many of the actors had careers in the industry already.

This week I’ll go show-by-show to highlight what some of them were on before they were teen drama stars.

TODAY: Beverly Hills 90210

JASON PRIESTLEY (Brandon)

Seven episodes of Sister Kate.

SHANNEN DOHERTY (Brenda)

Starring role on Little House on the Prairie and Our House.

IAN ZIERING (Steve)

Had a recurring role from 1986-1988 on one of my favorite non-teen drama shows, Guiding Light.

LUKE PERRY (Dylan)

Was in several episodes of Loving and Another World.

BRIAN AUSTIN GREEN (David)

Appeared on seven episodes of Knots Landing.

Was in one episode of Good Morning Miss Bliss, AKA Saved by the Bell: The Junior High Years (pre-Tiffani Amber Thiessen).

GABRIELLE CARTERIS (Andrea)

Several episodes of Another World.

Was in CBS and ABC “after school specials.”

TIFFANI AMBER THIESSEN (Valerie)

Kelly on Saved by the Bell.  Duh!

KATHLEEN ROBERTSON (CLARE)

Starring role on Maniac Mansion.

LINDSAY PRICE (Janet)

Recurring roles on Days of Our Lives, All My Children and The Bold & The Beautiful.

DANIEL COSGROVE (Matt)

Recurring role on All My Children.

VANESSA MARCIL (Gina)

Starring role on General Hospital.

Come back tomorrow for part 2!





Fun Fact

12 08 2009

Remember this for a future trivia question:

Tiffani Amber Thiessen (Valerie, Beverly Hills 90210) is best-known for playing Kelly on Saved by the Bell.

But in the world of 90210, Thiessen’s character is best-known for feuding with a Kelly–this one played by Jennie Garth.

In real life during the 90210 years, Thiessen and Garth were actually best friends.

And, to go in a different direction: Valerie’s frenemy is Tori Spelling’s Donna.

Spelling appeared alongside Thiessen on Saved by the Bell, as the nerdy outsider Victoria Bickerstaff.

Oh, what a tangled web they weave!





Spoiler: Mega Buzz

12 08 2009

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

Any word yet on how they’re going to explain Lucas and Peyton’s sudden absence from the coming season of One Tree Hill now that the actors aren’t returning? It’s killing me! — Samantha D.
ADAM: A show rep suggests that it will involve a bit of rebooting. “Obviously, we have new stories to tell, but at the same time, this season very much feels like classic One Tree Hill.” How so? “Some characters might be in an episode for just one scene, but it’s a scene that serves the story and the serialized nature of our season.” Translation: They haven’t figured it out yet.

Is it true that Liam and Naomi break up this season on 90210? I hope not; I like them together! — Shanti
MICKEY: With all the double-crossing that went on between them, I thought they kind of deserved each other. But I have bad news for you, Shanti. My 90210 moles are rumbling about two new characters who appear to spell the end of Liomi (Naoliam? I’m bad at this). A sexy surfer hottie will spar with Liam on the beach, and Naomi will fake an interest in the environment to snare her new do-gooder, college-aged boyfriend.

What will Tiffani Thiessen do on USA’s White Collar? Is it anything like what she did on Fastlane? Or Beverly Hills, 90210? Or Saved By the Bell?  — Manny
MICKEY: Thiessen plays Elizabeth, wife to Tim DeKay’s FBI Agent Peter Stokes, and she’ll be inspired by Laura Linney’s work in HBO’s John Adams, if executive producer Jeff Eastin is to be believed. (Yes, you read that right.) Eastin asked the actress to watch Linney’s performance as the devoted wife and trusted presidential advisor. “What I loved about Abigail Adams in that show was you had someone who was incredibly supportive of her husband but was a really strong person in her own right,” Eastin says. “That was sort of the catalyst to start molding Elizabeth.” Intrigued?

I love Raising the Bar, and I was wondering if you have any scoop on the final three episodes of the season? — Caroline
ADAM: Monday’s episode will be a battle of the teen-show all-stars, and first prize is Zack Morris’ heart. Jerry’s budding relationship with Bobbi (Saved by the Bell: The New Class vet Natalia Cigliuti) hits yet another snag when he’s wooed by a gang expert played by Meredith Monroe (Dawson’s Creek‘s Andie).

***

Some notes…

What both the rep and Adam fail to mention is that the show is skipping ahead one year, which will help explain Leyton’s absence and transition to the new storylines.

Pretty sure that surfer girl ends up with Dixon, not Liam.  And isn’t Naomi pretending to be who she’s not the same thing she did with Liam?

Lastly, Natalia Cigliuti was also on Beverly Hills 90210 as Chloe.





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

8 08 2009
  • TVGuideMagazine.com has a short interview with Tiffani Amber Thiessen on reuniting with her Saved by the Bell co-stars.
  • Tori Spelling says she’d support her hubby Dean McDermott if he was on Dancing with the Stars.  Coincidentally, both Jennie Garth (Kelly, Beverly Hills 90210) and Ian Ziering (Steve, Beverly Hills 90210) have already competed on the show.
  • The trailer for The Lake, directed by Jason Priestley (Brandon, Beverly Hills 90210) and starring Elisa Donovan (Ginger, Beverly Hills 90210), is on YouTube.  The first webisode premieres Monday on TheWB.com.  I’d be lying if I said it didn’t remind me of Dawson’s Creek…
  • The L.A. Times has a short  but interesting article on a recently controversy about possibly changing the zip code of Beverly Hills,  Calif., 90210.  The AP has a story on it as well.
  • You can still vote for our teen drama stars in the Teen Choice Awards.
  • The Daily Mail has an article about Tyra Bank’s upcoming appearance on Gossip Girl.  Banks also tweeted about being on the set.
  • The CW Source posted another One Tree Hill podcast.
  • There’s a new vlog with Hilarie Burton (Peyton, One Tree Hill) on SoGoPro.
  • Examiner.com has an article criticizing the make-up used on The O.C.
  • Ian Somerhalder, star of the upcoming show The Vampire Diaries, says Dawson’s Creek creator Kevin Williamson “reinvented television for teens” with DC.




News Roundup: Gossip Girl, 90210 and Dawson’s Creek

1 08 2009
  • In the August 10 issue of PEOPLE, there’s a picture of Blair (Leighton Meester, Gossip Girl) and Chuck (Ed Westwick, Gossip Girl), as well as Kelly Rutherford (Lily, Gossip Girl), Kellan Lutz (George, 90210), and Rumer Willis (Gia, 9021o).
  • The same issue has a quote from Busy Philipps (Audrey, Dawson’s Creek) talking about Coachella.
  • And, lastly, that issue is the one with the Saved by the Bell cover story featuring an interview with Tiffani Amber Thiessen (Valerie, Beverly Hills 90210).  She doesn’t mention 90210 at all, just shares SBTB memories.
  • Enjoyed this part of an interview with Diane Kruger: “She’s also a regular on the fashion circuit, often accompanied by her longtime squeeze, Joshua Jackson, better known to a generation of women as Pacey Witter off Dawson’s Creek. What’s it like living with Pacey, then? ‘You know what, I’ve never seen Dawson’s Creek, because my mum didn’t really let us watch TV,’ she laughs. ‘He couldn’t believe it. He was, like, You’re the perfect girl for me, because you never saw me with pimples.’ Hasn’t he got a box set he could show you? ‘Well, yes, but I’m not sure if I should watch it. It might change my perception of him. When I met him, he’s a man, you know? I’m not sure I want to see his awkward teenage mode.'”




News Roundup: 90210, One Tree Hill, Gossip Girl and The O.C.

29 07 2009




News Roundup: 90210, One Tree Hill and Dawson’s Creek

25 07 2009
  • Finally watched Wednesday’s Today Show, the last one Tori Spelling (Donna, Beverly Hills 90210) co-hosted.  She showed off her children’s clothing line and was the answer to a trivia question–who played Violet Bickerstaff on Saved by the Bell?
  • Star News has photos from recent One Tree Hill filming.
  • Sophia Bush (Brooke, One Tree Hill) supposedly now has an official site.  Honestly not sure though–also looks like it’s just a fan site.
  • BuddyTV has an article speculating on who will narrate OTH episodes this season.
  • Katie Holmes (Joey, Dawson’s Creek) is receiving a lot of flack for her So You Think You Can Dance performance.
  • Watch James Van Der Beek (Dawson, Dawson’s Creek) tomorrow night in the first part of The Storm miniseries, 9pm on NBC.  Luke Perry (Dylan, Beverly Hills 90210) also stars.




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

9 06 2009
  • The drama beteween Tori Spelling (Donna, Beverly Hills 90210) and her mother Candy is still going on, according to PEOPLE.
  • Spelling spoke with Extra about her views on the Gosselin family, and whether she’ll ever participate in Dancing with the Stars. (Ian Ziering [Steve, Beverly Hills 90210] and Jennie Garth [Kelly, Beverly Hills 90210] have already competed!)
  • EW.com posted an adorable clip of Garth and husband Peter Facinelli (from Twilight and Nurse Jackie) on Cheslsea Lately back in February. (Also worth noting that Facinelli co-starred with Tiffani-Amber Thiessen [Valerie, Beverly Hills 90210] on the series Fastlane back in 2002!)
  • Thiessen got a shout-out on last night’s Jimmy Fallon Show when “Zack Morris” made an appearance to discuss the proposed Saved by the Bell reunion.  Thiessen, who played Kelly Kapowski, hasn’t agreed to it yet.
  • Jacksonville.com has an article on the “90210 effect”–the new trend of remaking once-popular television shows.
  • The CW Source has a video interview with Shenae Grimes (Annie, 90210).
  • The short-lived hook-up between Chuck (Ed Westwick) and Vanessa (Jessica Szohr) is up for “sex scene that made you want to throw out your TV” in the Tater Tops Awards.  (Ironically, the couple is still going strong in real life.  I’m just full of fun facts today!)
  • Westwick told E! Online that the craziest rumor he’s heard about himself is that he is having weight troubles.
  • Westwick, Leighton Meester (Blair, Gossip Girl) and Jackson Brundage (Jamie, One Tree Hill) are all included in SoapNet’s Our Favorite Overlooked Actors gallery.
  • Autumn Reeser (Taylor, The O.C.) shared her wedding details with PEOPLE.com.




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

17 03 2009
  • Newsday called Gossip Girl “one of the smartest shows on television” and rated this season an A.
  • Last night’s Gossip Girl was based on the film/book, The Age of Innocence.  The New York Post provides a side-by-side comparison.
  • Sebastian Stan (Carter, Gossip Girl) has one of the lead roles on Kings, a new series airing on NBC.
  • EW.com is asking readers why you love Gossip Girl and 90210.  One staffer just doesn’t see the appeal.
  • BuddyTV ranked the different parts of last night’s One Tree Hill.
  • Mark Schwahn previews next week’s episode in this video.
  • You can customize your iGoogle homepage with a One Tree Hill header.
  • Chad Michael Murray (Lucas, One Tree Hill) gives one-word plot twists in a new video interview: dog, baby, heart, cash, hospital and love.   Also, did you know he’s is a painter in his spare time?!  Who knew?!
  • James Lafferty (Nathan, One Tree Hill) will play in a Battle of the Sexes celebrity basketball game.
  • Tori Spelling’s (Donna, Beverly Hills 90210) new book, Mommywood, will no longer go head-to-head with her mother Candy’s memoir.  I’ll still be buying both!
  • SoapNet is airing commercials with Spelling talking about different Donna moments.  Really just promos to get you to watch the repeats.  Would be cool if they did this with all the characters!
  • Ryan Eggold (Ryan, 9021o) said he didn’t watch the original show growing up, choosing ninjas and Saved by the Bell instead.
  • Love this “open letter” praising Josh Schwartz.
  • The New York Times compares Schwartz’s Rockville CA to The O.C. and Gossip Girl.




YouTube Video of the Week

22 02 2009

Tiffani Amber Thiessen (Valerie, Beverly Hills 90210) is one of the few teen drama stars–if not the only–to have had a prior significant teleivsion gig.

As Kelly Kapowski on Saved by the Bell, Theissen worked her way into the hearts of adolsecents across the country.  It was hard to find a young girl who didn’t want to be her and a young boy that didn’t want to date her.

The following clip highlights some of Thiessen/Kelly’s best cheerleading moments.

Have another favorite Thiessen/Kelly moment?  Or like another teen drama star’s other work?  Post in the comments!

(It’s also worth mentioning that Tori Spelling (Donna, Beverly Hills 90210) appeared in several SBTB episodes as Violet, while she was on 90210.  You can watch a clip here!)

Trying to get unrestricted access to the first video.  For now, just click twice to watch in a new window.








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