The Phenomenal Rise and Lasting Influence of Beverly Hills 90210

The Rise of a Cultural Phenomenon: Beverly Hills 90210

In the early 1990s, a new teen drama burst onto television screens and captured the zeitgeist of a generation. That show was Beverly Hills 90210. Debuting on Fox in 1990, the show followed twins Brandon and Brenda Walsh as they moved from Minneapolis to glamorous Beverly Hills and enrolled in the fictional West Beverly Hills High School. Along with friends like Dylan, Kelly, Donna, David, Steve, Andrea and others, the show documented their trials and triumphs as wealthy teenagers coming of age in one of LA's most exclusive zip codes.

The Magic Formula

So what was it about Beverly Hills 90210 that resonated so deeply? Perhaps it was the potent mix of teen angst, California dreams, hot talent, soap opera storylines and a willingness to tackle serious issues. The show dealt with things like date rape, HIV/AIDS, teen pregnancy, alcohol abuse and college admissions mania. Yet it also left room for steamy romances, love triangles, parties, catfights, consumer excess and sunny beach getaways. Throughout it all, the core cast radiated youthful charisma and off-the-charts chemistry.

The Perfect Casting

That charismatic cast was carefully curated for crossover appeal. Jason Priestley brought brooding sensitivity as Brandon Walsh. Jennie Garth and Tori Spelling delighted as lifelong besties Kelly Taylor and Donna Martin. Ian Ziering and Brian Austin Green kept things light as lovable chuckleheads Steve Sanders and David Silver. Luke Perry smoldered as the damaged rebel Dylan McKay. And Shannen Doherty broke new ground as driven feminist Brenda Walsh. Together, they made Beverly Hills 90210 appointment viewing for teens and adults alike.

Cultural Touchstones

The influence of the show quickly seeped into wider pop culture. The sideburns and floral prints that Luke Perry sported as Dylan ignited global fashion crazes. Jennie Garth’s various hairstyles were widely copied and requested at salons. The show’s West Coast vibe and carefree lifestyle offered escapist fantasy for Middle America. Key lines, scenes and characters became stamped on the public consciousness. “Donna Martin graduates!” remains an iconic rallying cry. The characters themselves turned into archetypes: the nice Midwestern transplant, the spoiled rich girl, the brooding rebel, the geeky square, etc.

Lasting Legacy

Though the original Beverly Hills 90210 ended its 10-season run in 2000, it lives on through syndication and streaming. It also spawned the 2019 meta-revival “BH90210” reuniting the original cast. More importantly, the show pioneered a genre. The messaging mix of issues and escapism, angst and eye candy, soaps and stability codified a formula that successors from Dawson’s Creek to The O.C. to Riverdale would replicate. Scrolling through today’s glut of teen dramas, it’s clear they all owe a debt to the project that first brought the ups and downs of adolescence in a glitzy setting to primetime. Decades later, the Walsh twins and the West Beverly gang still own a piece of pop culture real estate. For a generation, they ARE Beverly Hills 90210.

FAQs

Why was Beverly Hills 90210 so popular?

Beverly Hills 90210 struck a chord with its mix of teen drama, romance, serious issues, glamour, fashion and its core cast of beautiful, talented actors that had incredible chemistry. It created an escapist world that felt aspirational yet relatable.

What fashion trends did Beverly Hills 90210 popularize?

Luke Perry's sideburns and floral prints became wildly popular for men after Dylan McKay sported the style. The various hairstyles of Jennie Garth and Shannen Doherty also sparked major hair trend requests.

What main characters were in the original Beverly Hills 90210?

The core ensemble included Jason Priestley as Brandon Walsh, Shannen Doherty as Brenda Walsh, Jennie Garth as Kelly Taylor, Ian Ziering as Steve Sanders, Gabrielle Carteris as Andrea Zuckerman, Luke Perry as Dylan McKay, Brian Austin Green as David Silver, Tori Spelling as Donna Martin and Carol Potter as Cindy Walsh.

Did the original Beverly Hills 90210 cast reunite?

Yes, in 2019 the living original cast members reunited for a six-episode meta-revival called BH90210 which had the actors playing exaggerated versions of themselves trying to get a reboot made.