REACTION: 9021OMG Episode 25 "Wrap Party" - Live Podcast Virtual Event

The “9021OMG” podcast had its season 1 “wrap party” on Monday, a virtual event fans could watch via live stream.

“9021OMG” launched last November with “Beverly Hills, 90210” stars Jennie Garth (Kelly) and Tori Spelling (Donna) rewatching the series that made them famous. Joined by iHeartRadio personality Sisanie, each week they’ve discussed an episode of season 1… and a wide, wide variety of other topics. Some installments have had guests related to the show, and they previously did a live podcast in February.

Now that they’ve finished the first season of “Beverly Hills, 90210,” Jennie and Tori wanted to host a “wrap party,” as would traditionally be held after a season of a television show wraps production. Of course, such parties typically take place at fancy venues with catered food and hired entertainment. How would Jennie and Tori adapt the concept for a virtual environment?

Well, as of last week, they still didn’t know. So fans were essentially asked to buy tickets ($15 for the stream, $150 for a virtual meet and greet) and go into the event blind. So, here’s what ultimately went down…

9021OMG Episode 25 - Live Virtual Event

• The stream began with “It’s My Party” playing. The actual podcast started about three minutes late with Sisanie doing a voiceover introduction and inviting KTLA reporter Sam Rubin on to interview Jennie and Tori on their virtual “red carpet.” Unlike last time, Jennie and Tori were together. They wore matching pajama shirts with balloons behind them, seemingly in a hotel room. Sam asked fairly typical questions about rewatching the show… and about Tori regretting not sleeping with Ryan Seacrest. Like we really needed to go over that again. Sam bizarrely called Brian “the Pete Davidson” of his era and wanted to give Tori credit for “setting him on his path.” Uh…

  

• Next on the “red carpet” to interview them was Mark Malkin of Variety (and formerly E! Online). Clearly they did this because they want these outlets to write about the event, especially since they got ZERO PRESS out of their first live podcast earlier this year. Know what would’ve been a helluva lot more meaningful for fans? Inviting VIEWERS on to ask them questions. Who wants to pay 15 bucks to watch them get interviewed by journalists? It’s just so run-of-the-mill. I didn’t bother to write down any of the questions and answers because they were so boilerplate.

• Sisanie then joined them… and she was not wearing a matching pajama top. “We made it, one full season. We got nine more to go,” Tori exclaimed. Jennie said this is the first time they’re doing the podcast in person (minus Sisanie, though) and getting to meet some of the “crew.” Jennie confirmed they ARE coming back for season 2 AND they’re starting it next week. Lord help me.

  

• Sisanie asked them what the show’s season 1 wrap party was like. Their response was entirely anticlimactic: Neither of them remembered. Goodness. Jennie tried to give Sisanie a view of the room they were in and Sisanie was panicked that she was going to accidentally unplug something from their podcasting setup. Jennie said the matching shirts were a “last-minute idea.” Like this entire event was a last-minute idea? Sisanie invited fans to submit questions via the chat function, calling it a “free-for-all,” but Jennie requested only questions they haven’t been asked before. Unsurprisingly, Tori and Jennie were drinking and Tori chugged almost her entire champagne glass. Jennie insisted she could “drink anyone under the table” because she “never get[s] drunk.” In contrast, they confirmed Tori gets VERY drunk and turns into her alter-ego, “Teri.”

• Sisanie said fans “requested” a “reenactment scene.” They did a scene from episode 1.06, “Higher Education,” with Jennie and Tori reprising their roles and Sisanie playing “Brenda” as they discussed Brenda’s bad dye job. There was really nothing meaningful to it. They literally just recited the lines and then discussed how their voices have changed since back in the day.

• The first question was from a fan named Rachel, who wanted to know what the cast was told to do while filming the opening credits. Jennie said they were given “no direction whatsoever” and they would be stuck “in front of the camera” and the crew would watch them “like zoo animals.” But Jennie said they “goofed around and did what we thought we were supposed to.” Tori and Jennie attempted to reenact the arm spin they would do at the end of the credits, with Tori calling it a “good luck thing.” The “BH90210” credits were filmed at 3:00am, apparently, with that move included and Jason directing the shot. Jennie cracked herself up trying to pretend she was spinning around on her chair like they did in the intros. Sisanie couldn’t believe they “had to do your own spin move” versus having a real spinning chair. They then discussed how water reflection was used for some of the backgrounds, which they already talked about on a prior podcast. 

• The next question: If Jennie and Tori could do a show in a new zip code, what would it be? Jennie said Tuscany and asked what the zip code is there. Tori: “Hello, can someone call FOX? Can they make that happen?” Tori said Paris because Darren Star will be there filming “Emily in Paris” and could do “Kelly and Donna in Paris” with them. They were next asked what their longest shoot was. Tori said 17 hours and Jennie said 18 hours. Jennie said she can barely do 10 hours now, but Tori insinuated she can’t make it even that long.

  

• Another fan wanted to know what Donna and Kelly’s “Real Housewives” taglines would be and Tori had to explain what they are to Jennie, as she apparently doesn’t know anything about the series. Jennie: “I got nothing.” Tori tried to come up with something related to “Donna Martin Graduates” or “infamous virgin.” She ultimately said, “I may have graduated, but I’m not going anywhere!” She vowed to have taglines for them next week with the start of season 2.

• Another fan asked about episodes where Jennie, Luke, and Jason were credited as “producers” and what they had to do in those roles. Jennie admitted they were “vanity credits” — they didn’t actually do anything to be producers. (Indeed, Jason was credited as a producer after he left the show, even though he had absolutely no involvement with the series anymore until his cameo in the series finale. As executive producer Larry Mollin told me back in 2010, “That was just a deal. He wasn’t producing.”) Jennie noted how they did each really direct an episode and Tori recounted getting advice from someone (I missed who) for helming her episode. She said she found it “challenging” because she didn’t have a “voice” where she could tell her “peers what to do.” Jennie: “It wasn’t challenging for me.” Tori suggested Jennie was a tough director while she herself was a nervous one. These days, they said, producing is their strong suit and what they “love to do” because of the “creative freedom.” Yeah, and we’ve seen how well that’s worked out.

• Sisanie announced, “We have some rumors to debunk.” The first rumor: Shannen was “always late.” Jennie and Tori said false and Jennie said they’ve all been late… before acknowledging “there was times” with Shannen being late and it was “frustrating in the moment,” but she was “going through a lot” and the cast didn’t realize it at the time. The second rumor: Tori auditioned with a fake name. True, duh, and incredibly well-known. So that’s hardly debunking a rumor. The third rumor: Shannen and Jason dated. They said false. Sisanie said the idea was “gross in my head.” The fourth rumor: Jennie and Jason dated. Also false. Fifth rumor: Jennie and Shannen almost got into a physical fight once. Again, true, duh. Why ask things that have been discussed endlessly over the years? Nonetheless, Jennie gave her “version” of the story and said she’d like to hear Shannen’s, but then said they did talk about it recently. Jennie chalked the incident up to “teen angst” that they needed to get “out.”

• Their “first guest,” at 36 minutes in, was Melissa Rivers. Melissa appeared in one episode of the series, season 1’s “Fame Is Where You Find It.” She showed off the “9021OMG” sweatshirt they sent her. They started off by talking about being old and needing glasses to see and read, and about Tori’s friend doing Melissa’s hair. Really scintillating stuff, I tell ya. They asked Melissa what she was “up to.” She was at home. She said she has her own podcast, “Melissa Rivers’ Group Text,” and said Tori and Jennie need to come on. Melissa said how great podcasting is and Jennie said “it was a little bit of a learning curve for us” and took them time to get into it. Ya think? Jennie said how she thought podcasting would just be “like radio,” but they have to have their makeup done. They got on the topic of the Oscars and Jennie didn’t know what they were talking about at first: “Oh, I missed it.” Of course she did. Melissa plugged her upcoming comedy book, Lies My Mother Told Me, and two scripted projects she’s producing.

• Melissa wanted to know what Jennie and Tori are doing “besides drinking and sitting in your pajamas.” Jennie said how this was their first time doing the podcast in person. Melissa wanted to know the ages of their kids, so Tori ran hers down. Melissa said Tori has “taken having kids to another level.” Tori lamented that Hilaria Baldwin has her “beat by one” and she’s “real mad” about it. Tori is also bothered that Eleanor Roosevelt had more c-sections then her. Melissa forecast a Twitter war with Tori and Hilaria and further said it could be a TV show. Because Hilaria’s youngest was born via surrogate, Melissa said that would only be a “half-point” for her. Oy. Melissa asked Jennie about having more kids and Jennie indicated that was a sore subject. Double oy. She gave the ages of her three daughters, though, prompting Melissa to crack, “That’s a small slice of hell.” Tori’s mind was blown over Melissa’s son being 20. One comment in the chat during this fascinating discussion: “CAN WE GET RID OF MELISSA RIVERTS [sic].”

• Jennie, eight minutes into Melissa’s appearance, said they should talk about Melissa being on “Beverly Hills, 90210.” What a good idea. Melissa said she had big hair and brought jeans to the set from a cool girl she knew and wore them in her scene. Melissa recalled seeing Jason and Luke out clubbing back in the day, calling them “all way too cool for school.” Melissa said they were “big stars” while she herself was “just starting out.” Jennie noted they didn’t get to work with Melissa on the show. Melissa said she “adore[d]” Jason and she was about to say something poignant about Luke when Tori awkwardly sneezed loudly and ruined the moment. When everyone regained their composure, Melissa said she always thinks of Luke when she puts on her perfume because when she would run into him, he would tell her she smelled good. Tori said Luke “had the best little nuzzle.”

• Jennie asked Melissa to tell them about her podcast. She explained how she had group texts that were different in topic and seriousness and that inspired the concept of her podcast — conversations both “shallow” and “deep.” Jennie: “You gotta go deep sometimes.” (I was amazed Tori didn’t make a “That’s what she said” joke here.) Jennie told everyone to check the podcast out and Melissa reiterated that they need to come on it. When Melissa hopped off, Jennie pointed out that her mother was “the late, great Joan Rivers.” Tori: “The apple does not fall far from the tree.”

• The next guest was Christine Elise. Jennie: “Aka Emily Valentine, for those that don’t know.” If you’re watching this and don’t know that… I just can’t. They liked Christine’s “COVID hair.” Jennie held up a piece of paper showing Christine’s platinum hairstyle circa “BH90210” and the sheet appeared to be some kind of CliffNotes for them. Jennie said Christine came on “Beverly Hills, 90210” in season 2 and Tori said she “changed the world” of the show. Christine said it’s “kind of standard” for guest stars to bring their own clothes to set and wear them. Christine took credit for Emily’s look and said the initial “prototype was basically Julia Roberts.” But she went in “as myself and they changed her visually to be me.” Christine pointed out that Emily didn’t play guitar, sing, or ride a motorcycle after her first episode because she herself couldn’t really do any of that. Christine lamented having to sing “Mercedes Benz” a capella and was grateful it was cut from the DVDs. Jennie: “Cheers to you. We really miss you, Chris.” Tori said the genesis of Emily’s character was a movie her dad Aaron Spelling produced with Julia. Christine said she never knew that.

• Jennie wanted to know how many episodes Christine was on because of course she had no idea. Jennie: “And then, you came back for ‘BH90210.’” Christine called that show “one of the most pleasant experiences in my entire life,” but said it “wasn’t pleasant for everyone there.” Yeah, I’ve gathered that. Christine said how they all learned to call her “Chris” because Jason did and it made her feel like she was at a “family Thanksgiving” and made her “verklempt.” Tori: “Well, you certainly didn’t have to wear your own clothes at that party. She had the best wardrobe!” Jennie wanted to know if Christine is still doing her vegan cooking videos. Christine said she is, but has been “very inactive on it.” She then said how she gets attacked online and it’s “taken the wind out of my sails.” Tori and Jennie insisted Christine is a “delicious cook” and they said that as non-vegans. I’m 1,000 percent positive no fans tuned into this expecting a tangent about Christine cooking vegan food (or anything with Melissa Rivers, for that matter). Tori: “Nobody can beat you down! You’re Emily fucking Valentine!” Jennie: “We want you to cook food for us very soon.” 

• Tori: “Will you come back, though, when Emily Valentine premieres?” Christine said, “Of course I will.” Tori reiterated that they’re starting season 2 next week and added she wants “all the juicy gossip” about Christine and Jason. Christine said there’s no gossip, that it’s all “wholesome,” and Jason’s wife is “like my best friend.” Tori confirmed this, and Jennie said for those who didn’t know — and who didn’t know?! C’mon! — that Jason and Christine really did date off-camera. Tori called it “inspirational” how close Jason and Christine have remained. Jennie said she wants to “get into” the Jason stuff and “unpack” their “love story” in the future. Christine said she’s also doing another reboot of sorts with the new “Chucky” series (as I’ve shared in “Teen Drama Links”). Jennie and Tori praised her for scoring that, and Tori further praised Christine for being “memorable for two iconic roles.” Jennie asked where they could watch the new show and Christine said it’ll be on SyFy and USA in the fall and volunteered to come back to talk about it then. Tori said she’s a horror fan and was a fan of Christine for that before they met. They plugged Christine’s cooking show and Tori vowed, “If you write mean comments, we will come kick your ass.” Christine also plugged the book she wrote a few years back. Since everyone is plugging things, I might as well plug my own 2009 interview with Christine.

• After Christine logged off, Jennie and Tori called her “awesome” and a “riot.” Tori further called her “so beautiful” and “flawless” and said her “body is unbelievable.” Um, okay. Tori said it was interesting how Christine went from guest-starring to Jason’s girlfriend but they never spent time together back then. Tori said she admitted to Christine recently that she was “scared” of her because she thought Christine was too cool. But then with “BH90210,” they developed a real friendship and had “mushy moments.” Tori gushed about loving her so much. Jennie: “That’s what happens when you get older, you appreciate people more.”

• Sisanie said it was “goody bag time,” and Jennie and Tori showed off “9021OMG”-branded beach bags. Inside was a “Beverly Hills, 90210” watch, a Donna doll, a script for an episode that Jennie puzzlingly couldn’t name, a Peach Pit shirt with Donna’s name and Tori’s autograph that apparently they got from eBay for $160, a 1992 “Beverly Hills, 90210” calendar, a “Beverly Hills, 90210” lunch box, a “Jennie & Tori” tour candle, cup, and apron, and “9021OMG” cookies. Someone posted in the chat, “stop teasing!!” Another fan posted, “Does anyone else keep hearing a mans [sic] voice in the background?” Yep. Somebody was filling them in about the stuff in the bags. Wouldn’t be surprised if it was Jennie’s manager, who I’ve surmised is also off-camera during the weekly podcast recordings but telling them things via the chat. Jennie thanked iHeart for getting them the goody bags… but what are they doing to do with them now? Have a giveaway for fans? Nothing was said. A tease indeed. A bizarre one at that.

• Sisanie said the next episode is “Beach Blanket Brandon” and Tori said she’s “so excited” for the beach club. Jennie mocked Tori for shouting. Jennie: “Well, we’ve had such an amazing time with our first season of ‘9021OMG’ and I’m thrilled to say we’re coming back for another season.” Jennie then flubbed the episode title, calling it “Beach Blanket Bingo,” even though she seemed to be reading prepared remarks. Tori bit into one of the cookies and said she may have broken a tooth. Sisanie: “Say goodbye, ladies!” And then it ended, around 9:13pm, with Color Me Badd’s “I Wanna Sex You Up” playing.

I’m going to be blunt (as if I’m ever anything but). This was utterly pointless. You’d think with a season 1 wrap party, they’d reflect on the season — perhaps share favorite episodes, scenes, moments, storylines. Perhaps they’d bring on a producer or a writer or a main cast member. Or at least a guest star that had a more prominent role than the two minutes Melissa Rivers was in. But nope. I could maybe understand bringing Christine on to tease season 2, but they barely did that. And with neither Melissa nor Christine did they bother to play their “rapid-fire” game. It was just a piss-poor Q&A and conversations that (surprise, surprise) veered far off topic. So what did fans get out of this? Just the chance to watch them live? Well, that’s how they should be doing the podcast every week. And if not live, at least on camera, like plenty of other podcasts do.

So, just like the first live podcast that they charged for, this was nothing but a cash grab. I’m sure some viewers still found it enjoyable. I’m sure those who shelled out $150 for virtual meet and greets were ecstatic for a private few minutes with Jennie and Tori. But was there any “worth” to this besides that? They didn’t even mention part of the proceeds going to charity this time. And I would even venture that there were far less people watching tonight than the first event. The chat box was way less active than last time, when I could hardly keep up with it as messages came in fast and furious. Not the case tonight… so where was everyone? And I can only imagine that fans who did tune in and were speculating before the stream began who the special guests would be — specifically writing how they were hoping for Ian or Jason — were left sorely disappointed. It also makes you wonder why they’ve yet to be able to book either of them, or Brian, for the podcast.

So, how can we sum this all up? I’d say, “Things that make you go hmmm.” And that’s putting it politely.

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