9021(uh)0

I’m thinking of using 90210 for my news and mass communication theory assignment later on in the semester. I think it fits into the criteria. We have to analyse some media source or another in relation to feminism, identity or a myriad of different things.

Anyhow I think that you can go into a bit of depth about how 90210 might shape teenage identities and how it treats minority groups etc. There’s a lot to pick apart in the show.

Firstly, the girls in 90210 are twigs, even by actress standards. They could probably hide behind lampposts. I don't think they eat. There is also a certain (somewhat large) degree of fake tan involved. Annie, one of the newcomers to the area, is the most annoying example of this stereotype.

Then there’s the token black kid, Dixon. He (predictably enough) was adopted by Annie’s parents and has previously lived with foster carers who were drunks. He’s well adjusted though and uses his past experience to dole out would-be sage advice. “I know what it feels like....blah blah blah... you have to talk to my dad... I barely know you but I’m going to spill my past to you because you’re Annie’s new friend and I’m probably going to end up dating you later in the show.” Ok, so I added that last bit in. You get the drift.

Apart from the token black kid, we have his adoptive sister Annie who is supposed to come across all perky and fun; their parents who are, well, parents (oh and their dad is the principal at their school); Naomi, the bitch with serious problems; Naomi’s friend who I can’t remember the name of, who happens to have drug issues; Ethan, Naomi’s boyfriend who cheated on her in the first episode and also met Annie a couple years back, when they shared a kiss; Silver, the bitter blogger with a sister from the original show and a drunken mother; and Dickson’s friend who’s into journalism and has a porn director for a father.

In other words, it’s like every other show out there. Stereotypes abound and dubious scenarios fly. Apart at an American high school jocks get blow jobs in front of school in the morning, teens steal from their friends to pay their dealer , it’s not unfeasible to fly across the state for a date and grandmas have drinking problems.

90210 is sort of like Gossip Girl transplanted into LA, thereby making it tackier. (In my inexpert opinion anyhow, having never been to New York or LA. Sorry LA!) It’s like The OC without the wit of Seth Cohen. Might I disclaim that I only really watched part of the first season of The OC. I saw some later and increasingly episodes somewhere along the line. 90210 reminds me of those shit episodes. It’s like Clueless turned into a tv series that isn’t meant to be a comedy.

Whatever happened to good quality drama? Or did it never exist?