Melrose Place + 90210

 SPOILERS

A rather short review for good reasons. These shows, like their predecessors, have some of the most erratic plot lines. If I remember correctly, Kelly (Jennie Garth), from the original 90210, got addicted to diet pills, caught in a fire, raped, pregnant, apparently had amnesia, shot her rapist, had a miscarriage (from said pregnancy), joined a cult, and dated about a dozen or so men. In the 90s. In the era where television was just starting to emerge from family friendly (and Full House was finally going off the air). In the 2000s, however, sex, violence, and swearing (bleeped out on Southland, allowed on cable) are abundant on television. So what would you expect from reboots of two of the 90s naughtiest shows?



Just the right amount of campy fun, mischeif, and Sydney, naturally (played by one of the original Melrose Place castmembers, Laura Leighton)

 Word of Advice: If you're going into this expecting Emmy fodder, you're on the wrong show. And perhaps the wrong channel. No offense to The CW, but it's not the best channel for quality TV. It's just fun, and there's nothing wrong with that.

That's exactly what these two reboots are: light, airy fun. They're escapism from life's actual drama. You get fired? Annie (Shenae Grimes) hooks up with Naomi's (AnnaLynne McCord, deliciously catty) boyfriend, gets kicked out of a prom party, and runs over somebody. Somebody breaks up with you? No worries, just forget your troubles and tune in to Melrose Place, currently taking the "Clue" route and solving the murder-mystery of former resident/cougar Sydney.

And although the two series are incredibly similar, I have to say that if I were to actually watch one of these the entire season, I would go with 90210. Now in its second season, it's overcome the doldrums of its first, quickly becoming one of the best guilty pleasures on television. Its cast, as waifish as they may be, are delightful and gorgeous, one of the stellar qualities from the original.

Not to say Melrose Place is bad. It just isn't as fresh. Given that this was only the pilot, I will give it the benefit of the doubt. It just didn't give me any time to connect. Plus, killing off the best character in the series within the first act may not play out well for the rest of the season. Or it could bring out the best in the other characters. Either way, people are hooked. It may not become a mega hit like the original, but it shouldn't be doomed to repeat last year's Privileged, a show to good to have been cancelled so abruptly.

90210: B
Melrose Place: B-