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Beverly Hills, 90210

(Rated TV-PG, Drama, Starring Shannen Doherty, Jennie Garth, Jason Priestly, Where to watch: SOAPnet, DVD, Download)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 14.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Classic '90s teen soap with famous a zip code.

updated 07.04.08

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–16

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    This series presents an unrealistic portrayal of teenagers, but it deals with the very real issues that teens face. Discussions about socioeconomic class are frequent, since some characters aren't as wealthy as others. Some members of the group do work and participate in volunteer activities. Not all characters are good or nice, and not all bad behavior is presented as having negative consequences. Characters frequently cheat, scheme, and manipulate. Despite the large ensemble cast, there are only a few characters of multicultural background featured, including Jesse Vazquez, Andrea's Latino boyfriend/husband.
  • Violence:

    Some of the plotlines feature characters surviving violent crime, including physical abuse, shooting, and rape. A character is murdered in a later season.
  • Sex:

    Frequent scenes of teens kissing and "making out." Frequent references to sexual activity. Discussions about teen pregnancy and sex are also featured, including discussions about virginity (particularly Donna's) and unexpected pregnancy (Andrea's). The episode in which Dylan and Brenda had sex for the first time was a big deal when it first aired.
  • Language:

    Pretty mild: "Damn," "hell," "bitch," etc.
  • Consumerism:

    Many (but not all) of the characters are presented as wealthy, materialistic members of the upscale Beverly Hills community.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Teen cigarette use (accompanied by a clear discussion of their consequences). Alcohol and drug abuse (including steroids) are shown to have clear negative consequences. But the underage characters still do plenty of drinking outside the context of abuse.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Beverly Hills, 90210

Parents need to know that while producer Aaron Spelling's soapy 1990s teen melodrama was about as realistic in its depiction of everyday teen life as The Brady Bunch was back in the '70s, it did address some serious topics, including alcoholism, drug abuse, premarital sex, gambling, teen pregnancy, and teen suicide. Characters are constantly coping with the dramatic ups and downs of their friendships and romantic relationships. Many of them are wealthy, and few have strong or even positive relationships with their parents. Parents may want to preview before allowing young tweens and young teens to watch.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how teenagers are presented on television. How realistic are the lives of the teens you see on television vs. the teens in your family or at your school? How have TV teens changed over the years? What do Brenda, Brandon, and co. have in common with today's TV teens? How are they different? Do you think real teens' lives would be as much fun to watch on TV? Why or why not? Families can also talk about some of the difficult issues teens have to deal with today. Who are the people you can go to if you or someone you know has a problem?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer
    Age 14
    Anonymous
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 15 and give it 5.0

    love the show

    my big sis watched it in her room one after noon and she got me hooked.This show has alot of detail but it rox.

  2. Teen Reviewer
    Age 14
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

  3. Kid Reviewer
    Age 12
    Anonymous
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    i love it

    my big sister got me started on this show and now i love watching it whenever i can find it on. it deals with a lot of the same problems we deal with in school. seeing someone elses life more messed up than my own is good.

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