From: morrison@eng.auburn.edu (Kelly Morrison)
Newsgroups: alt.tv.bh90210
Subject: Beverly Hills "911"20
Date: 26 Aug 92 21:10:36 GMT
Reply-To: morrison@eng.auburn.edu
Distribution: usa
Organization: Auburn University Engineering


***   What kind of show is 90210 supposed to be? 
***   An issues-oriented show or a soap?

The first episodes were fresh & interesting, probably because they seemed
to focus on issues and the characters' reactions to them. I particularly
remember the episodes with Brenda's breast cancer scare (something I had
NEVER seen covered on TV for this particular age group), the date rape
episode where Brenda and Andrea were working the crisis hotline, and the
episode where the girls played the "Truth or Dare" game and the show 
touched lightly on eating disorders.

   The fluff of the last few weeks does NOT compare favorably with these
episodes!!! It's a cute, teeny-bopper soap now, and I can't remember the
last time I actually looked forward to an episode (probably the flawed
"shooting" episode was the last). Does anyone know if Fox is exerting 
greater control over the content of the show now, or are the writers just
running out of ideas?

   But enough complaining! If I ran a "911" service for TV shows, here's a 
list of possible treatments I would apply to this rapidly deteriorating
show:

1. In one episode, we found out Donna had a learning disability. Let's see
an episode where this causes some major problems for her.

2. Kelly seems to be incredibly patient, almost too good to be true, in
fact: (she fell for (Bobby?), Brenda & Brandon's cousin, in spite of his 
handicap; she's put up with her mom's alcoholism and late pregnancy; and
she's handled problems like rape and attempted rape stunningly well). Let's
see her get into a situation that she CAN'T handle in the space of a 5
minute episode resolution. Kelly would be an excellent choice for another
take on the teenage suicide issue; outwardly, she has everything going for
her: she's a Beverly Hills Laura Palmer :), but we know there's a lot 
tearing away at her.

3. Andrea's always been portrayed as the class brain and activist, and you
get the feeling that the reason she pushes herself to such lengths is 
because it lets her feel superior to her well-heeled friends. Let's see her
get soundly trounced in some kind of academic pursuit by one of her friends
(Brenda would be good for this -- in the pilot, it was shown that she was an 
excellent student) and see her reaction.

4. Brandon and Brenda have a better brother/sister relationship than any 
I've ever seen. Let's see a major conflict between them.

5. How 'bout an episode where Brandon gets in a serious automobile accident,
killing or seriously injuring his date? How would Mr. I've-Got-My-Act-Together
handle that? 21 Jump Street did something similar to this with their episode 
"Orpheum 3.3" (sp?), and it became one of their best. How would it affect 
Brandon if he had a living, breathing reminder in school every day that he is 
not perfect? 

   That's a start -- most of these are rather grim, but then again, the show
already has all the cutesy-poo, "feel-good" subplots it needs...  :)

   ---> That's my two cents worth! Beats grading exams!!! :)