Teen Drama Links for December 28, 2021

It’s the last “Teen Drama Links” of the year!

But before we dive into this week’s news roundup, I thought I’d highlight some of the year’s biggest teen drama stories. Here’s a look back at what stood out to me in 2021…

Donald Trump Targets Gabrielle Carteris

When the former president sent a not-so-nice resignation letter in February to Gabrielle Carteris, then the president of SAG-AFTRA, he claimed he was “not familiar” with the actress’ “work.” Among other issues with the letter, I pointed out why that assertion was a blatant lie.

Vanessa Marcil vs. Tori Spelling & Jennie Garth

In March, after Vanessa Marcil spoke out about her experience on “Beverly Hills, 90210,” Tori Spelling and Jennie Garth didn’t have the greatest response on the “9021OMG” podcast. I gave my thoughts on the apparent feud here.

Tori Spelling’s April Fool’s Prank

Spelling faced widespread backlash, and rightfully so, after doing a fake pregnancy announcement for April Fool’s Day. The actress later defended her stunt instead of offering a straight apology. I broke down the missteps here.

“Welcome to the OC, Bitches” Debuts

Following in the footsteps of Garth and Spelling, Melinda Clarke and Rachel Bilson started a rewatch podcast for “The O.C.” in April. Both stars did a lot of interviews to promote the project.

Mischa Barton Claims She Was Bullied

In May, a few weeks after “Welcome to the OC, Bitches” started, Mischa Barton alleged she was mistreated on the show’s set. Bilson, in particular, seemed to take Barton’s comments quite personally, and she and Clarke later responded on their podcast in June.

“Drama Queens” Launches

As if two teen drama rewatch podcasts weren’t enough, Hilarie Burton, Bethany Joy Lenz, and Sophia Bush joined the marketplace in June with “Drama Queens.” When the “One Tree Hill” podcast was officially announced, I detailed my concerns about the endeavor.

The “Gossip Girl” Spinoff Premieres

The pandemic-delayed “Gossip Girl” spinoff dropped its first episode in July, prompting a special “‘Gossip Girl’ Spinoff Edition” of “Teen Drama Links.” After streaming for six weeks, there was a hiatus before the last six episodes of the new show’s inaugural season were released in late November.

Rust Production Tragedy

Just days after I highlighted Jensen Ackles (CJ, Dawson’s Creek) being cast in Rust, production came to a tragic halt in October after an accidental on-set shooting left director Joel Souza injured and director of photography Halyna Hutchins dead. Ackles posted an emotional statement in the aftermath, in which he noted he and wife Danneel Harris (Rachel, One Tree Hill) contributed to the “the AFI scholarship fund in [Hutchins’] name and to the go fund me.” There were several other teen drama connections to the tragedy as well.

What will 2022 bring? The only thing I’m comfortable predicting is that we’ll get a heckuva lot more teen drama content! And I’ll be back every week with “Teen Drama Links,” which will remain free for all readers, along with all new TDW content. If you’d like to show your support for TeenDramaWhore, contributions of all sizes are greatly appreciated here.

Teen Drama Links for December 28, 2021

• “When You Hear These Names, Do You Think Of The Same TV Characters As Everyone Else?” (BuzzFeed)

• “I’m Genuinely Curious If You’d Actually Wear These TV And Movie Prom Dresses” (BuzzFeed)

• “29 Times Teen Shows Referenced — And Sometimes Totally Dissed — Another Teen Show” (BuzzFeed)

• Leftover Christmas stories involving the teen dramas…

  • “35 Best Christmas Episodes of Your Favorite TV Shows to Make Holiday Binge-Watching a Breeze” (Parade)

  • “Here are the best Christmas episodes from ‘The O.C.’” (We Got This Covered)

    • I found this odd / funny because it’s not like “The O.C.” has a lot of Christmas episodes. There are only four of them. “One Tree Hill” has even less. In comparison, “Beverly Hills, 90210” has nine.

  • “Festivus, Chrismukkah and Other Fictional TV Holidays You Can Celebrate” (People)

• Jason Priestley (Brandon, Beverly Hills, 90210) and Jennie Garth (Kelly, Beverly Hills, 90210) appeared on the “Beverly Hills 90210 Show” podcast last week in prerecorded “StorySlam” plays. (YouTube)

  • Remember, back in October, when I was cast in one of these radio plays? I recorded my part that month and have been waiting for it to premiere on the podcast. That was until Charles Rosin (executive producer, Beverly Hills, 90210) called me last Monday to tell me he recast the part and rerecorded my role with a professional actress. That’s showbiz… I guess.

• Darren Star (creator, Beverly Hills, 90210) did a lot of press for season 2 of “Emily in Paris,” which stars Lily Collins (Phoebe, 90210).

  • “How ‘Emily in Paris’ Season 2 Will Be Different” (E! Online)

  • “‘Emily in Paris’ Creator Darren Star on Season 2, Collaborating with Lily Collins, the Versailles Fashion Show, and Season 3 Ideas” (Collider)

  • “‘Emily in Paris’ Boss Talks Finale’s ‘Major Decision’ and Why Emily Shouldn’t Write Off [Spoiler] — Plus, Grade It” (TVLine)

  • “‘Emily in Paris’ Season-Two Finale: Creator Darren Star Answers All Your Questions” (Glamour)

  • “‘Emily in Paris’: Lily Collins, Darren Star Dish on the Big Season 2 Cliffhangers (Exclusive)” (Entertainment Tonight)

  • “Lily Collins on ‘Emily in Paris’ Season Two: ‘Amp Everything Up But Really Keep It French’” (The Hollywood Reporter)

  • “Want to Dress Like ‘Emily in Paris’? The Show Is Launching Its First Official Collaboration” (Vogue)

  • Related: “‘Younger’ Creator Darren Star Talks Possible Movie or Spinoff Series (Exclusive)” (Entertainment Tonight)

    • “Younger,” of course, starred Hilary Duff (Olivia, Gossip Girl).

• Ashley Tisdale (Nicole, Beverly Hills, 90210) and “Love, Victor,” which features Sophia Bush (Brooke, One Tree Hill) in a recurring role, are included in “2021 in Review: Underrated Actors, Saddest Cancellation, Most Improved Series, Lamest Cameo and More.” (TVLine)

• Joshua Jackson (Pacey, Dawson’s Creek) reflected on his auditions for “Dawson’s Creek,” calling the process “so crazy.” (Smashing Interviews Magazine)

• Busy Philipps (Audrey, Dawson’s Creek) “Looks Back on Audrey‘s Christmas Car Crash in ‘Dawson’s Creek’: She ‘Really Hit Rock Bottom There!’” (Us Weekly)

  • Yes. Yes, she did.

• I loved this: “Five Scenes from ‘The O.C.’ that Reflect Why the Ryan and Marissa Tandem is Our OTP.” (TVOvermind)

• In the wake of the recent mini “One Tree Hill” reunion at a holiday party hosted by Lenz, check out “‘One Tree Hill’ Cast Reunions Through the Years: See Their Sweetest Moments.” (Us Weekly)

• Evan Peters (Jack, One Tree Hill) is showcased in “The 20 Best Performances of 2021” for his work on “Mare of Easttown.” (TV Guide)

• A dress Blake Lively (Serena, Gossip Girl) wore in 2017 was featured on the aforementioned “Emily in Paris.” (People)

• “Motherhood Quotes — 21 Of The Best Mum Sayings From Celebrities Like Jennifer Lawrence And Meghan Markle” includes a quote from Lively. (Elle UK)

• Not sure how much I buy into this, but… “The ‘Gossip Girl’ Character You Are Based On Your Zodiac Sign.” (Looper)

• If you like reading, here are “Delectable Dramas for Teens Tuned into the ‘Gossip Girl’ Reboot.” (School Library Journal)

• The “Gossip Girl” spinoff is both praised and criticized in “The Best and Worst Reboots and Revivals of 2021.” (TV Fanatic)

  • Also on the list is the “I Know What You Did Last Summer” series, which was created by Sara Goodman (executive producer, Gossip Girl).

• A song in the trailer for the new “Gossip Girl” is celebrated as one of the best “Needle Drops of 2021.” (Decider)

• Several articles involving the “Gossip Girl” spinoff made this list of “Fashionista’s Favorite Stories of 2021.” (Fashionista)

• The new “Gossip Girl” is also mentioned in “The Biggest Style Stories of 2021.” (Harper’s Bazaar)

• The “Gossip Girl” spinoff is briefly discussed in “Why so much Obama-era pop culture feels so cringe now.” (Vox)

• “Gossip Girl” spinoff characters, along with Ryan Eggold (Ryan, 90210) and Collins, are included in “2021 in Review: Best Couples, Most Overdue Breakup, Wasted Guest Stars, Wildest Fight, Worst Parents and More.” (TVLine)

• Evan Mock (Aki, Gossip Girl spinoff) confirmed the “Gossip Girl” spinoff will resume production in January. (office)

• Tavi Gevinson (Kate, Gossip Girl spinoff) wrote a piece about performing Stephen Sondheim songs in Assassins. (The New Yorker)

  • Gevinson co-stars in the show with Adam Chanler-Berat (Jordan, Gossip Girl spinoff).

• “31 Stars Share Their Favorite Lipsticks & Lip Glosses: Jennifer Garner, Olivia Rodrigo, & More,” including Savannah Lee Smith (Monet, Gossip Girl spinoff). (E! Online)

• Thoughts of a Colored Man, co-starring Tristan Wilds (Dixon, 90210), has been forced to close on Broadway due to the latest COVID-19 surge. (The New York Times)