Late last month, I had the honor of speaking via Zoom to a University of North Carolina Wilmington advanced comp lit class taught by my friend and TDW reader Vallie Lynn Watson.
My essay on separating Mark Schwahn from “One Tree Hill” was assigned to the students earlier in the semester as part of an examination of how art is reassessed in light of revelations about its creator. Now the students were tasked with writing a personal essay about a pop culture passion and how it has impacted them. During the class, I spoke about how TDW is basically an extended version of that assignment — it is an ongoing essay and examination of my pop culture passion and its impact on my life.
During the discussion, the students were challenged to consider what kind of research I might incorporate into an essay on the teen drama genre and their suggestions were smart. The ideas included looking at viewership data along socioeconomic lines and evaluating how watching these shows affects people’s relationships. This made a lot of sense given how some of the teen dramas are aspirational (“Beverly Hills, 90210,” “The O.C.,” “Gossip Girl,” “90210”) while others seek to depict more average kids (“Dawson’s Creek,” “One Tree Hill”), and given the ways these shows affect how we see physical appearances and relate to one another.
I really enjoyed hearing the topics the students were considering for their own essays. It was also incredibly flattering to have my writing part of the coursework and just as flattering to be invited to speak to the class.
Perhaps I’m finally earning that “professor” title “Beverly Hills, 90210” executive producer Larry Mollin bestowed on me some time ago.
Teen Drama Links for December 13, 2022
Listicle Links
Reminder: All lists and articles relate to the teen dramas or teen drama stars in some way.
“27 TV Actors Who Were Only In One Episode, But Were Extremely Memorable As Their Characters” (BuzzFeed)
“It’s Possible Brie Larson And Phoebe Bridgers Have The Same DNA, And 18 Other Celebrity Lookalikes” (BuzzFeed)
“8 TV Couples I Find Deeply Problematic, But People Stan Wholeheartedly” (BuzzFeed)
“18 Awkward Times Hollywood Refused To Cast Someone New, And Instead Recycled The Same Actor They’d Already Used For A Part” (BuzzFeed)
“28 TV Show And Movie Characters That People Absolutely Despised This Year” (BuzzFeed)
“26 2000s It Girls In The 2000s Vs. Now” (BuzzFeed)
“15 Actors Who Made The Leap From Successful TV Shows To Film (And If It Worked Out As Well As They Hoped)” (BuzzFeed)
“Here Are 19 Actors Who Made A Pretty Decisive Exit From A TV Show, Only To Come Screaming Back” (BuzzFeed)
“Here Are 15 Of The Best New And Returning Shows Coming December 2022” (BuzzFeed)
“This Is What 35 Years Old Looks Like On Different Celebrities Throughout Time, Because Apparently 35 Is ‘Old’ Now” (BuzzFeed)
“40 Pop Culture Moments That Happened In 2003, That Feel Both Like 20 Years Ago And 39 Years Ago” (BuzzFeed)
“25 TV Plot Twists From This Year That Viewers Found So Shocking They Had To Pause The Show And Process For A Moment” (BuzzFeed)
“Throwing It Back: The Best of Early 2000s Teen Dramas and Where to Watch: ‘Dawson’s Creek,’ ‘Gilmore Girls’ and More” (J-14)
“Katie Holmes’s Y2K Jeans Are Straight Out of Dawson’s Creek” (Vogue)
“Adam Brody Has Aged Like Fine Wine in ‘Fleishman is in Trouble’” (Decider)
“One Tree Hill: Why Peyton & Jake Should Have Been Endgame” (Screen Rant)
Uh, no. Peyton and Lucas are one of my all-time favorite couples. (TDW)
“‘John Tucker Must Die’ Cast: Where Are They Now? Jesse Metcalfe, Sophia Bush and More” (Us Weekly)
“Jamie Chung and Bryan Greenberg’s Relationship Timeline” (People)
“Candace Cameron Bure, Blake Lively and More Celebrities Share Their Strangest Holiday Traditions” (Us Weekly)
“15 of the Best New Year’s Episodes to Stream, from ‘Friends’ to ‘Gossip Girl’” (PureWow)
“15 Best Gossip Girl Episodes Ranked” (Looper)
“‘Gossip Girl’ Drains the Fun Out of Hating Rich People” (The Daily Beast)
I largely agree with this piece.
“Does ‘Gossip Girl’ Date Itself With Its Pop Culture References?” (Collider)
“Gossip Girl Reboot’s Julien & Zoya Rivalry Can’t Beat Blair & Serena’s” (Screen Rant)
“The Gossip Girl Reboot Still Misses Its Own Georgina Sparks Threat” (Screen Rant)
I don’t think Monet is supposed to be a new Georgina. She’s supposed to be Blair-like. And we don’t need a new Georgina because we’ll eventually be getting Georgina herself.
“The Gossip Girl Reboot Season 2 Is Failing Kate’s Gossip Girl” (Screen Rant)
“Gossip Girl Shakes Up Its Status Quo with Monet’s New Reign of Terror” (CBR)
“‘Gossip Girl’ Reboot Finally Finds Its Groove With Monet’s Villain Arc” (The Mary Sue)
“Grace Just Might Be 1 Of The Shadiest Gossip Girl Characters Yet” (Elite Daily)
“Who Is Mike Texting On Gossip Girl? 5 Theories” (Elite Daily)
My theory, that it’s Georgina, isn’t included.
“Pico Alexander: Everything You Need to Know About ‘Gossip Girl’ Season 2 Star” (Newsweek)
It’s hard for me to believe this is the same Pico Alexander from Home Again.
“Love ‘Gossip Girl’? Apply to These Gigs” (Backstage)
“From ‘The Blind Side’ to ‘Emily in Paris,’ Relive Lily Collins’ Dramatic Fashion Evolution Through the Years” (Us Weekly)
“Lily Collins and Charlie McDowell’s Whirlwind Romance: A Timeline of Their Relationship” (Us Weekly)
“Goodbye, Degrassi: 8 Teen Dramas to Help Make It Through the Reboot Cancellation” (CBR)
“10 Unforgettable TV Show Endings That Changed Everything” (CBR)
“10 Songs That Became Famous Thanks To TV Shows” (Collider)
“10 Best Shows Like ‘Firefly Lane’ To Watch While Waiting For the Next Part” (Cinemablind)
“50 Iconic Movie and TV Roles That Almost Went to Someone Else” (Cosmopolitan)
“The Devastating TV Breakups We Still Can’t Get Over” (People)
“The Best Holiday TV Episodes That Aren’t About Christmas” (Screen Rant)
Related: Being a Jewish Team Drama Fan (TDW)
“Best Hanukkah TV Episodes to Watch This Holiday: ‘Friends,’ ‘The Goldbergs’ and More” (Us Weekly)
“The ultimate list of Christmas-themed TV episodes you should binge on” (Cosmopolitan India)
“AFI Awards Film: ‘Avatar’, ‘Top Gun’, ‘Elvis’, ‘Fabelmans’ And More Make Cut; Streamers Shut Out” (Deadline)
“AFI Awards 2022: Abbott Elementary, The White Lotus Make TV’s Top 10” (TVLine)
“2022 in Review: The 17 Sexiest Scenes” (TVLine)
“2022 in Review: The Scenes We Really, Really Wish We Could Unsee” (TVLine)
“2022 in Review: The Best (and Worst) Weddings We Witnessed This Year” (TVLine)
“The Most Unjust Cancellations of 2022” (TVLine)
“All the TV show premiere dates you need to know: From ‘1923’ to ‘Emily in Paris’ and more” (USA Today)
“‘Emily in Paris’ Cast and Character Guide” (Collider)
“New ‘Emily In Paris’ Character Posters Show Off Fabulously Chic Cast” (Collider)
“New You Season 4 Pics Introduce Joe’s New Frenemies and Latest Obsession” (You)
“The White Lotus Season 3: Which Character(s) Should Mike White Absolutely Bring Back?” (TVLine)
“TBB Talks To … Tell Me Everything Star Lauryn Ajufo” (TBB)
“See Your Favorite Holiday TV Movie Stars at Christmas Con 2022” (People)
Related: 2022 Holiday Movies with Teen Drama Stars (TDW)
“Celebrity Couples Who Starred in Hallmark Channel Movies Together” (Us Weekly)
“Did You Know These Real-Life Couples Have Starred in Hallmark Channel Movies Together?” (E! Online)
“The Top Celeb Beauty Beats Of The Week” (Essence)
“Wait, What? Celebrity Parents! All of the Stars Who You Didn’t Know Have Famous Parents” (J-14)
Best of the Rest
Several projects involving teen drama stars won at the People’s Choice Awards last week. (Deadline)
Also: “Ryan Reynolds Gushes Over His ‘Heart’ Blake Lively in Sweet People’s Choice Awards Speech” (Parade)
The Golden Globes nominations were announced yesterday, with Hilary Swank (Carly, Beverly Hills, 90210), Michelle Williams (Jen, Dawson’s Creek), Seth Rogen (Bob, Dawson’s Creek), Evan Peters (Jack, One Tree Hill), and Sebastian Stan (Carter, Gossip Girl) all scoring nods. (Deadline)
Peters and Stan are competing against each other for Best Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or a Motion Picture Made for Television.
“The White Lotus,” created by Mike White (producer, Dawson’s Creek), is also nominated.
Jennie Garth (Kelly, Beverly Hills, 90210) and Tori Spelling (Donna, Beverly Hills, 90210) were on “In the Spirit with Lindsay and Curtis” with Lindsay Price (Janet, Beverly Hills, 90210) and her husband Curtis Stone.
Jennie’s post… (Instagram)
Tori’s post… (Instagram)
Lindsay’s post… (Instagram)
Curtis’ post… (Instagram)
This is an eye-opening story about the dubious practices of Dr. Daniel Amen, whom Garth often promotes — including just days ago. (The Daily Beast)
AnnaLynne McCord (Naomi, 90210) has also promoted Amen and his questionable work.
Spelling’s stepson Jack McDermott wrote in a since-deleted Instagram post about alleged drama between his mom Mary Jo Eustace and dad Dean McDermott, who recently partnered on a podcast. (People)
Offside: The Harold Ballard Story, directed by Jason Priestley (Brandon, Beverly Hills, 90210), premiered at the Whistler Film Festival last weekend and will air on the CBC next month. (Instagram)
Myles Jeffrey (Zach, Beverly Hills, 90210) was on the “Beverly Hills 90210 Show” podcast last week. (YouTube)
This was super enjoyable for a few reasons. It might be the first interview I’ve ever seen with Jeffrey, he was so young when he had such a substantial role on the show, he worked with future two-time Oscar winner Swank, and he and Swank left the show under controversial circumstances. It was so great to hear about it all and see him all grown up.
Darren Star (creator, Beverly Hills, 90210) and Lily Collins (Phoebe, 90210) spoke about the new season of “Emily in Paris” at the show’s world premiere event. (Variety)
See more with Collins below.
Starr is a new investor in the resale site Resee. (WWD)
Katie Holmes (Joey, Dawson’s Creek) has signed with UTA for agency representation. (Deadline)
Here’s another interview James Van Der Beek (Dawson, Dawson’s Creek) did for his Libby’s Vegetables and Meals on Wheels partnership. (Romper)
Busy Philipps (Audrey, Dawson’s Creek) is starring in a comedic shopping special for QVC+, called “Busy for the Holidays,” that premiered on Monday. (Variety)
Jodie Turner-Smith spoke about her marriage to Joshua Jackson (Pacey, Dawson’s Creek) in a new interview. (Bustle)
Kevin Williamson (creator, Dawson’s Creek) reflected on the 25th anniversary of Scream 2 in new interviews.
“Scream 2 at 25: Kevin Williamson remembers his second stab at screenwriting the iconic series” (Entertainment Weekly)
“‘Scream 2’ at 25: Writer Kevin Williamson Talks Fake Endings and Jessica Simpson’s Audition” (The Hollywood Reporter)
“Monarch,” executive-produced by Jon Feldman (co-executive producer, Dawson’s Creek), was canceled by FOX. (Deadline)
Gail Berman, who was a FOX executive during “The O.C.” days, was also an EP on the show.
White did a featurette and an interview for ‘The White Lotus” season finale.
“‘The White Lotus’: Creator Mike White Unpacks Season 2 Finale Deaths, Ties Loose Ends & Teases Season 3” (Deadline)
“Making a Splash: Jennifer Coolidge and Mike White Discuss the ‘White Lotus’ Finale” (The New York Times)
Also: “‘The White Lotus’ Season 2 Finale Checks In Double The Audience Of Season 1 Closer” (Deadline)
Here are more interviews with Jon Kasdan (writer, Dawson’s Creek) about “Willow.”
“‘Willow’: Jon Kasdan on Elora Danan and How H.P. Lovecraft Influenced the Series” (Collider)
“Jon Kasdan Talks Balancing Fantasy and the Contemporary in ‘Willow’” (Whisky + Sunshine)
HBO Max, through which you can stream “The O.C.,” “One Tree Hill,” and the new and old “Gossip Girl,” is now available via Amazon Prime Video. (The Futon Critic)
Doug Liman (executive producer, The O.C.) will direct a movie called The Instigators for Apple. (Deadline)
Mischa Barton (Marissa, The O.C.) will finally be on an upcoming installment of “Welcome to the OC, Bitches,” as teased in an Instagram Story (that’s no longer available) from Melinda Clarke (Julie, The O.C.).
Rachel Bilson (Summer, The O.C.) reposted Clarke’s story on her own Instagram Story.
At the convention Barton and Clarke both attended back in August, Barton said she’d be willing to do the podcast.
Ben McKenzie (Ryan, The O.C.) will testify before the Senate tomorrow about cryptocurrency. (The Wall Street Journal)
Cam Gigandet (Volchok, The O.C.) did interviews for Black Warrant.
“VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: Cam Gigandet On ‘Giggle Sessions’ With Tom Berenger On ‘Black Warrant’” (uInterview)
A clip specifically about “The O.C.”… (YouTube)
“Interview: Cam Gigandet on latest action film Black Warrant, being waterboarded, and intimidating co-stars” (The AU Review)
Also: “Exclusive: Cam Gigandet Refuses to Be Intimidated in Black Warrant Clip” (Movieweb)
Olivia Wilde (Alex, The O.C.) made the “2022 Women in Entertainment Power 100” list. (The Hollywood Reporter)
The honorees also include Eva Longoria, who appeared on an episode of “Beverly Hills, 90210,” and Dawn Ostroff, who used to run The CW when “One Tree Hill,” the original “Gossip Girl,” and “90210” were all on. Sarah Schechter, who works with Greg Berlanti (executive producer, Dawson’s Creek) at his production company, also made the list.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Joe, The O.C.) did another interview about his upcoming Walking Dead spinoff. (Entertainment Weekly)
Ashley Benson (Riley, The O.C.) is seeking a restraining order against an alleged stalker. (The Blast)
The Sundance Film Festival next month will premiere movies with Bella Thorne (Young Taylor, The O.C.) and Tavi Gevinson (Kate, Gossip Girl spinoff). (Deadline)
Here’s another interview with Sophia Bush (Brooke, One Tree Hill) for Deborah. (The Mary Sue)
Bethany Joy Lenz (Haley, One Tree Hill) did an interview to promote the “Dark Sanctum” podcast. (KTLA)
While on a Christmas Con panel with Lenz last weekend, Chad Michael Murray (Lucas, One Tree Hill) said he “Still Won’t Watch ‘One Tree Hill’ : ‘It’s a Section of My Life That I Deleted.’” (People)
Paul Johansson (Dan, Gossip Girl) did interviews for Detective Knight: Redemption.
“Paul Johansson talks about his new movie ‘Detective Knight: Redemption,’ working with Bruce Willis” (Digital Journal)
“Exclusive: Paul Johansson on Detective Knight: Redemption and Working Alongside the Legendary Bruce Willis” (Movieweb)
Bevin Prince (Bevin, One Tree Hill) spoke about her husband’s passing on “GMA.” (Good Morning America)
Like last week, a lot of outlets are wrongly saying this is Prince’s first interview since the tragedy and that she’s “breaking her silence” with this interview. That isn’t true. Her first interviews were published last month, as I previously shared. To ABC’s credit, the network notes this is her “first on-camera interview” — that is accurate.
Peters and “Dahmer” creator Ryan Murphy “Confront Victim Backlash, Netflix’s LGBTQ Tag and More” in a new interview. (Variety)
I missed this one a few weeks ago: “What Evan Peters learned after 10 months in Jeffrey Dahmer’s head” (Los Angeles Times)
On a related note: “Fans Blast ‘Dahmer’ as ‘Disgusting’ After Evan Peters’ Golden Globes Nomination: ‘The Golden Globes Can Rot For This Nominee’” (Decider)
Here’s a super-short interview in which Ed Westwick (Chuck, Gossip Girl) “talks ‘Gossip Girl’ and switching up his accent.” (Brut.)
In addition to the Golden Globes nod mentioned above, Stan also received a Critics Choice Awards nomination for “Pam & Tommy.” (TVLine)
Matt Doyle (Jonathan, Gossip Girl) is in a new Audible theater play. (Playbill)
The article also notes that the recent production from Jason Gotay (Rafa, Gossip Girl spinoff) is also now available via Audible.
Elizabeth Hurley (Diana, Gossip Girl) did more press for Christmas in the Caribbean.
“Elizabeth Hurley reveals the secret to staying youthful, talks new holiday movie” (KTLA)
“At 57, Elizabeth Hurley Is Prioritizing Self-Love And Her Wellness Practices More Than Ever” (Women’s Health)
“Elizabeth Hurley Recalls the ‘Very Surprising’ Controversy Over Her Iconic Versace Gold Safety Pin Dress in 1994” (Variety)
Here are more cast and crew interviews tied to season 2 of the “Gossip Girl” spinoff…
“The cast of ‘Gossip Girl’ on Season 2, navigating scenes with an intimacy coordinator, and more” (The Hindu)
“Thomas Doherty, Emily Alyn Lind & Evan Mock Talk ‘Gossip Girl’ Season 2” (MTV)
“Thomas Doherty Just Wants to ‘Make Cool Sh-t’” (Harper’s Bazaar)
“Take A Trip To the Pyramids with Thomas Doherty” (V Man)
“‘Gossip Girl’ star Evan Mock wants Tom Holland to guest star on the show: ‘I love him’” (Insider)
“‘Gossip Girl’: Whitney Peak Says Zoya and Shan Are ‘Wreaking Havoc,’ but Not in a ‘Detrimental Way’” (The Wrap)
“‘Gossip Girl’ Showrunner Drew From Arthur Miller and Shakespeare for Season 2” (The Wrap)
“Hunter Harris Spills on ‘Gossip Girl’ and How She Got Her Dream Job” (The Daily Beast)
Reminder that
writes my favorite Substack newsletter, .
“‘Gossip Girl’ Revives Blair Waldorf Headband and Packs a ‘Fashion Punch in the Face’ With Nods to Original Series Costumes for Season 2” (WWD)
“XOXO, ‘Gossip Girl’ Season 2 Beauty Secrets You Should Know” (PopSugar)
Laura Benanti (Katherine, Gossip Girl) will be performing at the White Plains Performing Arts Center in January. (Patch)
Kathryn Gallagher (Heidi, Gossip Girl spinoff) released a new song. (JustJared)
Gallagher’s father is Peter Gallagher (Sandy, The O.C.).
Skai Jackson addressed a leaked video of herself seemingly auditioning for the “Gossip Girl” spinoff. (Twitter)
Here are additional interviews Collins did about the new season of “Emily in Paris.”
“Lily Collins Teases ‘Emily in Paris’ Season 3 Ends on Twist: ‘Feels Like Five Episodes in One’” (Entertainment Tonight)
“Unfiltered with Lily Collins” (Porter)
“Lily Collins Talks New Season Of ‘Emily In Paris’ And Reuniting With Cast In Paris” (The View)
“Lily Collins talks season 3 premiere of ‘Emily in Paris’” (Good Morning America)
So glad you could join! My class loved meeting one of their authors, and very much appreciated your words and writing guidance. Looking forward to having you again, next semester!