90210 (CW)

Almost 20 years after Brenda and Brandon Walsh first arrived in Southern California in Beverly Hills, 90210, a new generation of Midwest transplants is following in their footsteps. The Wilson family -- teens Annie (Shenae Grimes) and Dixon Wilson (Tristan Wilds) and parents Harry (Rob Estes) and Debbie (Lori Loughlin) -- arrive from Kansas to move in with Harry's aging mother, boozy former actress Tabitha (Jessica Walter). Living in the trendy new ZIP code is both exciting and challenging for Annie and Dixon as they build friendships and gain enemies among their good-looking, privileged classmates at West Beverly High -- including spoiled Naomi Clark (AnnaLynne McCord), popular lacrosse player Ethan Ward (Dustin Milligan), aspiring journalist Navid Shirazi (Michael Steger), free-spirit Silver (Jessica Stroup), and the troubled Adrianna Tate-Duncan (Jessica Lowndes).

While edgier than the original series, 90210 still features the signature soapy drama that made the original show famous. Adding to the drama is the temporary reintroduction of former characters like Silver's older sister Kelly Taylor (Jennie Garth) and visiting drama teacher Brenda Walsh (Shannen Doherty). And like the original, characters cope with the ups and downs of friendships, romance, and other, more sensitive issues, including addiction, divorce, and adoption.

While they receive some limited guidance from adults, these young folks seem to operate within their own private universe. The show’s over-the-top plotlines and idealistic images of posh teen lifestyles will also be attractive to teen viewers. The show’s references to original series in early episodes make watching the show a fun, nostalgic experience for older viewers, too. But, as in shows like Gossip Girl, a lot of 90210's material is edgy and unrealistic. Sure, it's a guilty pleasure, but it's not a guilt-free one.