Parents' Guide to

90210

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Famous ZIP code gets an edgy, entitled remake.

TV CW Drama 2008
90210 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 14+

Based on 11 parent reviews

heyyyyyyyyyyy5556678
heyyyyyyyyyyy5556678 Adult
September 24, 2018
age 12+

the best show ever!!!!!!!

this show is so good, if you dont mind all the sex and the language it is amazing!!! it talks about a friend group of teens going from high school to collee and them finding themselves. whether it be that they decide theyre gay, or they want to be a singer, or they dont want to go to college, or they decide to sstop hooking up with every guy they see, its really the best. i relate to most of the characters though different things, but ong i love ths so much. i have watched it 2 times and im on my 3rd time right now.

This title has:

Great messages
Too much sex
lucy4
lucy4 Adult
September 6, 2016
age 11+

Great Show

It's a very good show for kids to watch because it includes tons of life lessons.

This title has:

Great role models
See all 11 parent reviews

What's the Story?

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).

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (11 ):
Kids say (33 ):

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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the messages that this show sends to teens. Are these characters -- both teens and adults -- realistic? Do they face relatable issues and deal with them in believable ways? What would the real-life consequences of their behavior be?

  • Parents, watch with your kids and make this show a teachable moment about issues like materialism and underage drinking and sex.

  • Families can also discuss how this show compares to other teen soaps, as well as to the original series.

TV Details

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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