Teen Drama Links for August 27, 2024

Are the Brat Pack and the movies of the 1980s responsible for the teen dramas of the 1990s and 2000s?

That’s what I was left wondering after finally watching the documentary Brats a few weeks ago.

There’s a moment a little over an hour in when Rob Lowe connects the Brat Pack and the teen movies of the ‘80s to the pop culture of today. If not for them and that, he argues, there’d be no “Glee” and no The CW today.

We take them for granted today, but there was a time things like that didn’t exist.

And so I wondered... would there even be a teen drama television genre if not for those ‘80s teen drama movies?

“Beverly Hills, 90210” premiered in 1990. In his recent Vulture interview, creator Darren Star recalled, “Movies like The Breakfast Club and even teen magazines had a level of acknowledgment about teenage sexuality and what their lives were like.” But in contrast, “There was nothing relevant on TV” and “no one had written a show about teenagers from a teenage point of view” — until “Beverly Hills, 90210.”

“Beverly Hills, 90210” then begat “Dawson’s Creek.” “Dawson’s Creek” begat “The O.C.” and “One Tree Hill.” And so on.

I consider “Beverly Hills, 90210” the start of the teen drama television genre. It set the blueprint. Now I’m thinking more about what came before it... at least in film.

It’s also impossible not to recognize that the hysteria surrounding the Brat Pack in the ‘80s is not dissimilar to the hysteria those TV shows’ casts experienced in the ‘90s and early aughts.

Bringing things full circle, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that Brat Pack member and Brats director Andrew McCarthy has a bona fide teen drama connection far more solid than the theory I’ve presented here.

McCarthy appeared in one episode of “Gossip Girl” as Lily’s father Rick and directed six episodes of the series across three seasons.

Would he see a through-line from the Brat Pack and ‘80s movies to “Gossip Girl” and the way that show and its cast captured the zeitgeist? What would he think of how New York magazine treated the “Gossip Girl” cast with its 2008 cover story versus how the Brat Pack was treated in their infamous 1985 cover story?

Maybe that’ll be his next documentary.

Vacation alert: There will be no “Teen Drama Links” next week due to my annual extended Labor Day weekend trip to the O.Henry Hotel. “Teen Drama Links” will return on September 10 with an extra-long edition.

Teen Drama Links for August 27, 2024

Listicle Links

Reminder: All lists and articles relate to the teen dramas or teen drama stars in some way.

• “Tori Spelling and Brian Austin Green’s Quotes About Each Other: ‘Beverly Hills, 90210,’ Parenting, More” (Us Weekly)

• “Celebrity Parents Share Their Kids’ 2024 Back to School Photos: Tori Spelling, Jana Kramer and More” (Us Weekly)

• “Relive the 1999 Teaching Mrs. Tingle Premiere with Photos of Katie Holmes, Seann William Scott and More” (People)

• “Star sighting: Busy Philipps at Walt Disney World” (Orlando Sentinel)

• “Where Have You Seen the Stars of Gossip Girl Onstage?” (TheaterMania)

• “Happy Birthday Blake Lively: Exploring Her Top 10 Movies And TV Shows As Actress Turns 37” (Pinkvilla)

• “Kelly Rutherford’s 2 Kids: All About Hermés and Helena” (People)

• “10 Classic Teen Shows That Have Aged Poorly” (Collider)

  • There are some inaccuracies here…

• “10 Flawless First Episodes of Incredibly Flawed Shows” (CBR)

• “10 Canceled TV Spinoffs That Never Got To Air” (Screen Rant)

  • Related: The Teen Drama Spinoffs (TDW)

• “10 Actors Who Would Play Britney Spears Perfectly In Her Upcoming Biopic” (Screen Rant)

• “Emily in Paris Season 4 (Oui, Emily in Paris Season 4!) Is Perfect Television” (GQ)

• “The Best and Worst Deals of the Peak TV Era” (Puck)

• “Wilmywood is back: Film industry is heating up in southeastern North Carolina” (WECT)

  • Spot the mistake here?

• “Today in History: Wednesday, August 21, 2024” (Programming Insider)

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Best of the Rest

• “90s Con,” which Shannen Doherty (Brenda, Beverly Hills, 90210), was scheduled to attend before her passing, will host a live taping of the “House of Halliwell” podcast in tribute to her. (Us Weekly)

• Jason Priestley (Brandon, Beverly Hills, 90210) did another interview about “Börje — The Journey of a Legend” in which he spoke about Doherty’s death. (Evening Standard)

• Tori Spelling (Donna, Beverly Hills, 90210) will guest-star in season 2 of “House of Villains,” as revealed by the trailer. (YouTube)

• Spelling was on the “Old-ish” podcast, hosted by Brian Austin Green (David, Beverly Hills, 90210) and her brother Randy Spelling (Kenny / Ryan, Beverly Hills, 90210). (Apple Podcasts)

  • Might this lead to Green finally appearing on “9021OMG”…?

  • Related: Podcasts Hosted by Teen Drama Stars (TDW)

• Green is co-starring in Perfectly Imperfect, for which first-look pictures just came out. (Deadline)

• Shawn Christian (Wayne, Beverly Hills, 90210) married fellow soap star Arianne Zucker. (Instagram)

• Jessica Alba (Leanne, Beverly Hills, 90210) is doing press to promote the new season of “Honest Renovations.”

  • “Jessica Alba on ‘Honest Renovations’: ‘I cry at every reveal’” (Today)

  • “Jessica Alba, Lizzy Mathis talk Season 2 of ‘Honest Renovations’” (Today)

  • “Jessica Alba on Creating Honest Renovations, Crying at Monster Jam and Potentially Being a Hoarder” (Late Night)

  • “Jessica Alba Shares Heartwarming Insight Into Family Life With Her and Cash Warren’s 3 Kids” (E! Online)

  • “Exclusive: Jessica Alba shares rare glimpse into ‘messy’ family home with three kids” (HELLO!)

  • “Jessica Alba & Lizzy Mathis on Exploring Design with ‘Honest Renovations’” (Collider)

  • “Jessica Alba, Lizzy Mathis: ‘Honest Renovations’ build families, too” (UPI)

  • “Jessica Alba and Lizzy Mathis on All Things Home Decor, Functional Design and Family Matters” (Elle Canada)

  • “How to have the best Sunday in L.A., according to Jessica Alba” (Los Angeles Times)

  • …and more.

• Lucy Liu (Courtney, Beverly Hills, 90210) opened up about working on the Emmy-nominated “The Pirate Queen.” (Deadline)

• Eva Longoria, who appeared on “Beverly Hills, 90210,” participated in the Democratic National Convention last week in two notable ways.

  • “2024 DNC roll call taps Lil Jon, DJ Cassidy, Eva Longoria” (The Washington Post)

  • “Actress Eva Longoria’s full speech at the Democratic National Convention” (USA Today)

  • Gabrielle Carteris (Andrea, Beverly Hills, 90210), Busy Philipps (Audrey, Dawson’s Creek), and Sophia Bush (Brooke, One Tree Hill) were also in attendance. (Instagram / Instagram / Instagram)

• “The Waterfront,” created by Kevin Williamson (creator, Dawson’s Creek), is seeking background actors in the Wilmington area. (Port City Daily)

• Greg Berlanti (executive producer, Dawson’s Creek) will receive the Television Academy’s 2024 Governors Award at the Emmys next month. (Deadline)

• Berlanti and Rina Mimoun (co-producer, Dawson’s Creek) are executive-producing “The Grays,” a Netflix adaptation of The Picture Of Dorian Gray. (Deadline)

• Anna Fricke (writer, Dawson’s Creek) will executive-produce “Look What You Made Me Do” for NBC. (Deadline)

• Michelle Williams (Jen, Dawson’s Creek) will receive the Deauville Talent Award at next month’s Deauville American Film Festival, while Sebastian Stan (Carter, Gossip Girl) will receive the Hollywood Rising Star Award. (Variety)

• Watch Joshua Jackson (Pacey, Dawson’s Creek) in another teaser trailer for “Dr. Odyssey.” (YouTube)

• Jane Lynch (Mrs. Witter, Dawson’s Creek) did a few interviews for the new season of “Only Murders in the Building.”

  • “Jane Lynch Says It’s ‘a Lot of Fun’ Getting to Mirror Steve Martin on OMITB: ‘I Have to Stay on My Toes’” (People)

  • “Jane Lynch Talks Mimicking Steve Martin for ‘Only Murders in the Building’” (The Hollywood Reporter)

  • “Jane Lynch Shares Why She’s Feeling Blissful” (AARP)

• Paula Cole, who performs the “Dawson’s Creek” theme song, shares “the story of her comeback and the songs that have steered her through life.” (The Line of Best Fit)

  • Related: The Teen Drama Theme Songs (TDW)

• Autumn Reeser was on the “Broad Ideas” podcast, hosted by Rachel Bilson (Summer, The O.C.). (Apple Podcasts)

• Ben McKenzie (Ryan, The O.C.) spoke about the possibility of a revival of “The O.C.” while at Fan Expo Canada. (Collider)

  • Related: I’m Begging: No More Spinoffs, Reboots, or Revivals (TDW)

• Morena Baccarin (Maya, The O.C.), McKenzie’s wife, was also at the Fan Expo convention and spoke about starring in the upcoming “Sheriff Country.” (Collider)

• Chad Michael Murray (Lucas, One Tree Hill), Paul Johansson (Dan, One Tree Hill), Tyler Hilton (Chris, One Tree Hill), Evan Peters (Jack, One Tree Hill), Vaughan Wilson (Fergie, One Tree Hill), Drew Seeley (Vegas, One Tree Hill), and Jaeden Earle (Lydia, One Tree Hill) have all signed on for Friends with Benefit’s “21TreeHill” event. (Facebook)

• Johnathon Schaech, ex-husband of Jana Kramer (Alex, One Tree Hill), was on the “I Choose Me” podcast, hosted by Jennie Garth (Kelly, Beverly Hills, 90210). (Apple Podcasts)

• Ed Westwick (Chuck, Gossip Girl) and fiancée Amy Jackson were married in Italy. (Instagram)

  • Westwick and Jackson opened up about their big day and shared more photos. (People / Vogue Italy)

  • Also: “Gossip Girl’s Kelly Rutherford Gives Speech at Ed Westwick’s Wedding — And It’s So Lily and Chuck” (Us Weekly)

• Chace Crawford (Nate, Gossip Girl) stars in a new ad campaign for Apex Legends. (DesignRush)

• Jessica Szohr (Vanessa, Gossip Girl) opened up about her wedding and shared photos, including ones featuring Crawford. (The Knot)

• Kelly Rutherford (Lily, Gossip Girl) did another interview about fashion and her style. (Elle)

• Melissa Fumero (Zoe, Gossip Girl) was also on the “Broad Ideas” podcast. (Apple Podcasts)

• Betty Halbreich, who assisted with the costumes on “Gossip Girl,” has died at age 96. (Vogue)

• Laura Benanti (Katherine, Gossip Girl spinoff) will perform during Westport Country Playhouse’s “The Best Is Yet to Come” benefit next month. (Westport Country Playhouse)

• AnnaLynne McCord (Naomi, 90210) “Talks DAYS And Her DID Connection to Abigail.” (Soap Opera Digest)

• McCord is mourning the loss of her grandmother. (Instagram)

• Ryan Eggold (Ryan, 90210) will guest-star on “Law & Order.” (TVLine)

• Rumer Willis (Gia, 90210) revealed she and partner Derek Richard Thomas have split. (People)

• Watch Lily Collins (Phoebe, 90210) in the trailer for part 2 of “Emily in Paris” season 4. (YouTube)

  • Reminder that “Emily in Paris” was created by Darren Star (creator, Beverly Hills, 90210).