REACTION: 9021OMG Episode 24
The “9021OMG” podcast finally reached the season 1 finale of “Beverly Hills, 90210” on Monday.
After launching in early November, it took Jennie Garth (Kelly) and Tori Spelling (Donna) 24 weeks to make their way through 22 episodes with iHeartRadio personality Sisanie. As announced last week, the trio will be celebrating next week with a “wrap party” — a live podcast for which tickets cost $15. The virtual meet and greets, for which they were charging a ridiculous $150, are sold out.
But today was all about the last episode of season 1, “Home Again.” In the season-ender, Jim (James Eckhouse) gets a promotion that requires the Walshes to move back to Minnesota. Brenda (Shannen Doherty) is crushed over having to leave Dylan (Luke Perry) while Andrea (Gabrielle Carteris) wants to lose her virginity to Brandon (Jason Priestley) as a going-away present.
The episode was written by Amy Spies and directed by Charles Braverman, both of whom scripted and helmed other episodes during this first season. So, what was Jennie and Tori’s take on the finale? You know they had thoughts… and you know I had thoughts on their thoughts.
9021OMG Episode 24, “Let’s Stay in Beverly Hills”
Jennie: “Oh my gosh, you guys! It’s the last episode of season 1!” Jennie admitted she thought last week’s episode was the finale because it “felt” like one. Then she flubbed the title of this episode, but said, “This was a good one.” But before getting into it, she wanted to promote the wrap party because they “really want you guys to come and celebrate with us.” Apparently we’re going to “walk the red carpet” virtually, but Jennie promised “something bigger and better” for “next year.” But for this year, literally one week from today, they still don’t know who the guests will be. Sisanie cracked that they’ll “know the day before.” Still, Jennie insisted, “You guys are gonna love it.” She added, “We’re so happy this is our wrap party for season 1.” Tori teased that they’ll share stories from wrap parties past and they joked about someone getting too drunk during the live stream to watch the next episode. Tori also urged everyone to get merch “to wear to the live event.” Tori was apparently showing off the merch she was wearing and nearly flashed Jennie and Sisanie in the process, but it didn’t matter much since no one else could see.
Jennie: “Speaking of OMG, somebody was in a magazine in a bathing suit recently.” According to Jennie, Tori “made a list of sexy ladies in their one-piece bathing suits.” Tori liked that it showed that one-pieces are “really cool and sexy.” Jennie said Tori should “be very proud” to be featured. Jennie thought the magazine was InStyle, but apparently it was Us Weekly. They joked about Tori sucking it in and “not breathing” when she posed for the photo.
Jennie then gave the episode air date and title, while Tori read the synopsis, which again was taken word-for-word from the episode’s wiki page. Jennie gave the director and then wrongly said it was “written by Darren Star and Amy Spies” when — must I explain this for the upteenth time? — Star is credited as the creator, not the writer, for this episode. It even says Amy’s name solo right on the wiki page where they stole the synopsis from.
90210.fandom.com/wiki/Home_Again
Jennie said the episode felt “like a second finale to the season” after “Spring Dance.” Tori agreed “because you always think of finales as big episodes and the ‘Spring Dance’ was a big episode.” Tori said this was a “quieter episode,” though Jennie said it “started out with a bang” with Steve’s fight scene, which she thought “looked really real.” She then wondered if it was the show’s first fight scene thus far and she and Tori speculated that Ian must’ve been excited and wanted to do his own stunts. Jennie: “Of course Brandon comes to break it up because he would.” She was perplexed why no teachers or security guards broke it up. Jennie: “Apparently they didn’t have any background actors that day to fill that role.”
Jennie was thrown off by Jim being asked to dine in an “executive dining room,” but said she knows they do exist because her ex-father-in-law worked in one. Tori: “Like the Soho House for executives.” Jennie: “Soho House without the fun.” Jennie was also puzzled over Anna being “back” because she thought, for reasons unclear to me, that she got a different job. Jennie called it “messed up” that Anna didn’t really have any lines. If only she knew this is also Anna’s last appearance.
Jennie and Sisanie laughed over Steve wearing an eye patch, but Tori didn’t understand why he was wearing one and thought something might’ve actually happened to Ian in real life and that it was written into the show. Jennie started going along with that, speculating he had pink eye or a stye. Tori: “We should ask him.” Jennie liked Steve and Kelly’s “evil banter” about the patch. Tori liked that Cindy was doing earth / garden / recycling stuff. Tori: “I didn’t know they recycled in 1991… see, this show was always ahead of the curve.”
Tori said she would “freak out” if she was Brenda and Brandon and Jim dropped the Minnesota bomb on her. Sisanie thought it was interesting that Jim wanted to make it a “family decision” (at least he did initially), cracking, “Is that real life?” Jennie said it wasn’t for her as a kid, but now she gives her own kids “way too much power” and wants them to “feel heard.” Jennie liked Brenda saying, “Just because someone knocks doesn’t mean you have to open the door.” She then mocked Jim for doing a blind ballot and they commented how even Cindy wanted to stay in Beverly Hills with her one friend (Anna).
Jennie said Jim liked the money “too much.” Sisanie wished they shared the actual salary amount and Jennie wondered what kind of “magnificent manor” they would have in Minnesota with that kind of money. Jennie: “Maybe with an indoor bowling alley.” Tori: “I don’t know anything about that.” Superfan Sisanie: “Is that your dream?” Jennie: “It’s not my dream, it’s just her reality.” Tori: “It’s how I grew up. We had a bowling alley.” Tori said she hadn’t realized at the time that her dad was a big bowler. She said Randy was super into it but she thought it was “embarrassing.” Jennie and Tori bantered about Shannen getting to bowl there, but not Jennie. Superfan Sisanie: “What other fun perks were in the manor?” Tori: “There was an arcade. There was a doll museum.” Sisanie: “I’m sorry?” Tori: “I know. Me too.” She then explained about her mom’s collectible dolls. Jennie wanted to know if it was an actual “museum.” They continued this tangent, which had oh-so-much to do with the episode. (Not.) Tori: “Okay, back to the Walshes.”
Jennie: “What about our girl, Andrea? Offering up her flower, basically.” Tori: “I cannot believe you just said that. That is so gross.” Jennie thought Andrea was “so cute” on the carousel. None of them remembered whether Andrea had confirmed she was a virgin, but Sisanie thought it was said in “Slumber Party.” Jennie had no recollection, quipping, “I’ve already released that episode from my memories.” They were again confused about Andrea’s family — Tori said she didn’t know Andrea even had a dad — and whether she lived with her grandmother, until Tori pointed out that maybe she just uses her grandma’s address to go to West Beverly. Ding, ding, ding, Tori. Superfan Sisanie apparently remembered that there’s a “future episode” where Andrea has to “fake her whole living situation.” Jennie: “We haven’t gotten to that yet.” Tori: “Sorry, spoiler!” Jennie then bragged how they got “lightning-speed confirmation” about Andrea’s residence. Not really sure that’s something to brag about when you should’ve known to begin with.
Jennie said it “didn’t work for me” that the Peach Pit was closed on a Sunday. Tori thought Brandon and Andrea should’ve had a friend’s house to go to or rented a motel room. Sisanie thought it was “weird” that Brandon agreed to Andrea’s offer after finding out Brenda was having sex. Jennie called it “suspect.” They all laughed over Andrea trying to schedule the hookup. Tori thought it was “very un-Brandon” when he pushed Andrea to move things forward with them and kissed her, but she liked it. Tori said there were not only a lot of kisses this episode, but “loud” ones. Jennie said it was “all the face-squished kisses.” Tori said she was ready to “vomit” after listening to Andrea and Brandon’s kissing noises outside the Peach Pit. Sisanie and Tori were confused on whether Andrea knew about the going-away party and whether Kelly tricked her.
Jennie said her husband was watching with her and apparently Dave “can’t help himself from critiquing whenever Dylan goes surfing.” Tori said “my husband” watched the episode with her as well and Dean’s only comment the whole time was that you could tell it wasn’t Luke surfing. Tori thought it was weird that that one shot of Dylan surfing is used in the opening credits again and again when you can tell, at least in her eyes, that it’s not Luke doing it.
After a break, Jennie wanted to talk about “Brandon on the beach wearing all of his clothes… and Steve is also dressed fully.” She was “confused” by it and Tori said she rather see Steve in his “tankini.” Tori said there was “another un-PC moment” with the “m-word,” which to her was proof that its use in “Spring Dance” was scripted and not ad-libbed. Tori also didn’t like that Steve was mocking heights because Brandon is shorter than him.
Jennie said Brandon’s dream was an “OMG moment” and she thought it was really happening at first. Tori loved Andrea’s look in it apart from her hair. Tori wondered if it was “intentional” that Jason and Jennie had a similar dream sequence in “BH90210,” asking, “Did we plan it that way?!” Jennie said no, adding, “I never knew this scene existed, Brandon’s dream about Andrea, but I liked it.” Tori said she was hoping they would “go at it” on the counter. Jennie: “I don’t think they’re tall enough to get up there, honestly.”
Tori: “I thought it was interesting he had a sexual-ish dream and he woke up face-down because we know what would’ve been happening if he woke up face-up. That’s all I’m saying.” Jennie: “Ew. That’s all I’m saying.” Tori: “What do you mean? The sleep erection is a real thing. Men can’t control it.” Jennie: “I don’t want to see that on my program. I don’t want to see Brandon’s boner.” Tori: “I was looking for it.” Jennie: “Keep looking.”
Superfan Sisanie: “Does that happen?” Jennie: “Oh my god, Sis. I can’t believe you’re asking this question.” Tori thought Sisanie was talking about waking up aroused when she actually wanted to know whether actors get aroused during love scenes. Jennie said she thought Sisanie had asked this before and just wanted to “talk about it some more.” I think Sisanie previously asked if they would get into the makeout scenes and whatnot, but not specifically about the guys getting excited. Tori said she herself asked Jennie about this when Jennie and Jason had their “BH90210” scene. Tori said it “has to happen” because men can’t control it and she feels “sad for them” and “it’s gotta suck” because the guy is probably worried about getting in trouble.
Tori said she’s never been in that situation, but Jennie said “it’s happened” to her “a number of times.” Sisanie: “Now you’re bragging.” Jennie said it’s “so awkward,” though. Sisanie: “I’m turning red for you.” Tori: “What’s wrong with me then? I’m so mad right now.” Jennie: “Maybe you just didn’t feel it. You didn’t notice it.” Tori: “Like it was a micro-boner? What do you mean?” Jennie then promised her they would “create a show and get you some actor boner.” She then added, “I can’t believe we’re talking about this. I can’t.” I can’t either.
Superfan Sisanie proudly said she could tell Brenda and Dylan’s beach scene was dubbed with ADR and Jennie said they “had to do that a lot on the beach.” She also said that as she was watching, it was “so fun to know how they shoot it” and realizing which scenes were on location. Tori: “Wait til we get to the beach club episodes! I can’t believe they never thought of that — like ‘let’s do a whole… season… of outdoor shots at the beach.’ ADR must’ve been so expensive for that.”
Tori made an observation about Brandon and Cindy both wearing purple shorts. Jennie pointed out Cindy was wearing a Magic Mountain hat and Tori called it “so L.A.” of her, but neither of them thought it was a place Cindy would actually go to. They also thought there was a weird exterior shot before Brenda and Dylan were seen in bed together. Tori thought it looked “like a restaurant” and she wondered if a “scene got cut… and they forgot to take the exterior shot out.” Jennie wondered if the actual sex was cut out because it was already “risque at the time to show two high school teens post-coital.” Tori thought Shannen was “really good” in that scene and they commented on her “big tears.”
Sisanie said she was still “so invested” even though you knew the Walshes weren’t actually going to move. Jennie: “I was so in it, I actually cried at the end when they decided to stay. Like I didn’t know that was going to happen. I was like, ‘Why am I feeling emotional right now? I know there’s another season. I know there’s nine more seasons.’” Tori: “I didn’t cry, but I was so happy for the gang.” Jennie said she also teared up over the video messages: “Who knew it would be a tearjerker?” Sisanie called it “cute” and a “good ending for a first season” with a “little mini cliffhanger.”
Tori liked that they were “thinking ahead” by incorporating David in the party and “setting it up, like ‘here’s our main cast going forward,’ and Scott was not there.” Tori said Jennie was “so adorable” in her video message: “I felt like I was watching little baby Jennie.” Tori also really liked Donna’s outfit, though it “felt a little more like a Brenda outfit.” Jennie thought Brenda’s style was “a little more subdued” throughout the episode “and more Shannen than Brenda.” She and Tori then made a crack about Shannen refusing to wear things and how they (Jennie and Tori) would always give in and wear whatever they were told to.
Of Jim saying “home is where the heart is, not the highest paycheck,” Tori sighed, “That’s not true.” Jennie didn’t agree either and said Jim has it “good” with his company paying for things. Tori questioned how Jim could turn down the offer and not lose his job. Sisanie said it sounded like he would’ve found another job and done “whatever it takes to make it work.” Tori liked how Brandon volunteered to get a second job and how Brenda offered to get a job “but she didn’t mean it.”
Jennie: “Every season has a cliffhanger, right?” Wrong. Not all of the season finales had cliffhangers. But Tori then prodded Jennie to “explain what a cliffhanger is in case the audience does not know.” Jennie gave her explanation but said she didn’t know how it got its name. She thought the episode’s cliffhanger “came up so quickly and felt shallow in a weird way.” In her view, it didn’t “feel like enough of a cliffhanger for the whole show, the whole season of the show to anchor on, to go into season 2.” Tori agreed and thought it would’ve been better if the ending was the Walshes seemingly leaving Beverly Hills: “Should we go back 30 years and rewrite history?” Superfan Sisanie: “It should’ve been both!” Jennie: “Apparently they didn’t care about our input.” Sisanie, however, also argued that viewers want “comfort” in a season finale and said people wouldn’t have felt that if the episode showed the Walshes heading out of town. Jennie thought the party was the “comfort” and then they could’ve still gone to the airport. Tori “would’ve loved” to see an airplane scene with Dylan rushing to her. Jennie suggested Brenda could’ve held up a sign through the plane window that said, “I’m late!”
Sisanie wanted to know if anything else “stood out” to them about the episode, otherwise she would go to fan questions because she had “pretty good” ones. Jennie thought it was a “pretty good episode start to finish.” Superfan Sisanie “liked it a lot.” Tori called it “chock full of fun and emotion.” Jennie liked seeing the group together. Tori wanted to know why Donna didn’t offer to let Brenda stay with her like Kelly did.
After another break, Sisanie gave the first fan question from someone named Rachel: “For any show / movie, are character names chosen at random? Some of these parallels are just crazy to me… Jennie Garth played Kelly in ‘90210.’ At the same time, Tiffani Thiessen played Kelly in ‘Saved by the Bell,’ which I know Jennie tried out for as well. Then when Tiffani started in season 5 of ‘90210,’ she played Valerie. Fast-forward to Jennie starring in ‘What I Like About You’ and her character name is Valerie. Then fast-forward to 2007 when Alice Upside Down is released, which stars Luke Perry and his movie love interest is named Kelly.” Tori was amazed by this and Jennie thought it was “so interesting.” I’ve pointed out the Kelly / Valerie / Jennie / Tiffani thing before, just because it’s odd, but it’s really nothing more than that. To think any of that was done purposely… or that Luke’s movie had any connection to Jennie or her “Beverly Hills, 90210” character… I wish Charles Rosin was here to give his deadpan, “No.”
Tori and Jennie agreed that it was “coincidences,” with Jennie adding, “Because who could see the future?” She also pointed out that there was another “Kelly” character in that era with “Married with Children.” Tori: “It must’ve been a popular name at the time.” But Jennie admitted that she did think it was “weird” her “WILAY” character was named Valerie, though “they’re two totally different Valeries.” Tori: “Good question, Rachel!” Superfan Sisanie: “I thought that was really good!”
Another fan named Andrea wrote in, “Love seeing that your friendship has lasted so many years. What is the best trip / vacation you have taken together?” They said they’ve never actually vacationed together, but apparently Alaska came up recently as a possibility, as did Cabo. Jennie: “I would love to go to either with you.” Tori: “I would go anywhere with you.” Jennie said Israel came to her mind as a “wild” and “crazy” trip they had for work. Jennie: “It was last-minute and we just jumped on a plane and went to Israel.” Tori then detailed the whirlwind of it all, but Jennie thought they “carved out time to see a psychic.” Tori explained that her old psychic was in Israel and came to see them before they departed. Jennie at first didn’t remember what the psychic told her, but then recalled she said Jennie was going to have another baby… which she hasn’t. Awkward. Jennie: “That bitch was wrong.” Tori said they wrote it down on a piece of paper and Tori ate it to make it come true… but it obviously didn’t. There was a debate about whether you’re supposed to eat your fortune or burn it. Tori: “The fact that I was willing to eat paper for you says a lot about our friendship.”
Jennie went on to gush about traveling together, but then they each complained about the other being a fast walker (Jennie) and a slow walker (Tori). They told another story about Tori’s luggage being overweight for their 24-hour trip to Israel and rushing to make the flight and Jennie noted how they were alone, just the two of them, which usually isn’t the case when they travel. It was another glorious tangent. (Not.)
After that, Jennie wanted to go back to the episode and talk favorite lines. ‘Cause that makes total sense after wrapping up the episode discussing earlier. She liked Steve saying, “Here today, gone to Minnesota.” Tori liked Cindy saying, “Did that SOB fire you?!” Sisanie questioned Brandon saying “people are getting axed right and left” because she thought it should’ve been “left and right.” Tori agreed with her, but Jennie thought it was “dealer’s choice.” Really important stuff, guys.
Jennie then wanted to know their favorite fashion moments. Sisanie “appreciated” Cindy’s v-neck shirt at the party. Tori, however, thought Cindy’s fashion changed in a bad way throughout the season and she felt “more mom” here. Tori liked Brandon’s “unintentional homage” to the Lakers with his purple-yellow combo and Jennie liked Dylan’s wetsuit. Jennie: “I said to my husband, ‘You can see his abs through his wetsuit!’ I guess I shouldn’t have said that.”
Tori: “It was a fun one. I liked talking about that episode. A lot of fun moments.” Jennie: “That’s a wrap on season 1, you guys. Next up, our wrap party and season 2, episode 1, ‘Beach Blanket Brandon.’” The podcast ended with Sisanie reminding everyone to get their tickets for the live podcast.
Let me start by giving credit where credit is due: Congrats to Jennie and Tori for making it through the first season of “Beverly Hills, 90210” with their rewatch podcast. I mean that sincerely. It’s an accomplishment no matter how you slice it. Even with the seemingly endless list of constructive criticism we could give (and I give plenty), they still achieved something. So congratulations to them.
I am taken aback, though, by their apparent intention to go right into season 2, though it was unclear to me whether they will be discussing “Beach Blanket Brandon” during the wrap party or as the podcast topic the following week. (The latter would make more sense, but you never know with this trio.) I’m admittedly disappointed because, short of the podcast ending entirely, I at least wanted a break between seasons. Perhaps they don’t want to lose whatever momentum they have. Perhaps they realize just how long it’s going to take to get through nearly 300 episodes. But I think this is a wasted opportunity to regroup, learn from this first batch of episodes, and improve before you get back at it again.
Why not take some time to go through every single piece of feedback you’ve received? Why not take time to relisten to the podcasts you’ve completed and see what you can maybe do better in the future? I think some genuine soul-searching and strategizing could really help things, but it doesn’t seem like professional growth is one of their goals. I also think by immediately diving into season 2, they risk getting burned out. Doing a weekly podcast — and yes, doing a newsletter with multiple posts a week — is no joke. It is a lot of work and is a big time commitment. What’s going to happen when they just don’t feel like recording one week? What’s going to happen when one of their acting commitments gets in the way? For all they’ve accomplished thus far, that in no way means it’s smooth sailing ahead.
But I suppose we first have a wrap party to get through. I (begrudgingly) bought my ticket and will be watching and taking notes live, just like last time. Stay tuned for my reaction post later that night.
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