Teen Drama Links for July 4, 2023
Sometimes I’m asked what I consider a teen drama.
Longtime TeenDramaWhore readers know I have a core five: “Beverly Hills, 90210,” “Dawson’s Creek,” “The O.C.,” “One Tree Hill,” “Gossip Girl,” and “90210.” The “Gossip Girl” spinoff is technically part of this group too.
But what about “Gilmore Girls”? Or “Riverdale”? Or “All American”? These I’ve grouped into sub-genres within the teen drama genre. “Gilmore Girls” I classify as a family teen drama, “Riverdale” is a mystery / thriller teen drama, and “All American” is a sports teen drama. You get the point.
So I loved when TDW reader Katie recently flagged for me this Instagram post. Check out the last slide.
I’m so in love with these categorizations! Calling “Gossip Girl” the “NYC 90210” totally tracks. Deeming “Saved by the Bell” the “silly 90210” just cracks me up. And don’t get me started on “7th Heaven” being the “Christian 90210.” Each description is just perfect.
Props to Rohita Kadambi. You and your mind are amazing.
Happy July 4th! Before diving into all the goodies below, spend your day off reading Vallie Lynn Watson and CordCutting.com’s “The O.C.” season 2 rewatch content — all edited by me!
“‘The O.C.’ 20th Anniversary: Rewatching Season 2” (CordCutting.com)
“‘The O.C.’ Season Two: The New Characters We Love (and Love to Hate)” (CordCutting.com)
“Unlikely Pairings From ‘The O.C.’ Season 2 That We’re Obsessed With” (CordCutting.com)
“‘The O.C.’ Holiday Celebrations in Season 2, Ranked” (CordCutting.com)
“Ryan’s Top Quips to Seth in ‘The O.C.’ Season 2” (CordCutting.com)
Teen Drama Links for July 4, 2023
Listicle Links
Reminder: All lists and articles relate to the teen dramas or teen drama stars in some way.
“37 Actors Who Openly Criticized Their Movies And TV Shows” (BuzzFeed)
“25 Actors Who Played Teenagers Vs. Photos Of What They Actually Looked Like As Teenagers” (BuzzFeed)
Related: How the Teen Dramas Affect the Way We See Physical Appearances (TDW)
“10 Teen Shows Like ‘Dawson’s Creek’ To Watch If You Miss the Series” (Cinemablind)
“Spilling the Tea: Ranking of Every Iconic Gossip Girl Episode” (Teen)
“Jennifer Lopez Is the Blair Waldorf of the Hamptons in Florals and a Massive Belt” (Glamour)
“The ‘Gossip Girl’ Reboot Was a Failure — Except for This Character” (Collider)
“10 Iconic TV Love Triangles” (Movieweb)
Related: The Essential Teen Drama Love Triangles (TDW)
“40 Of The Best TV Show Intros To Hook You In” (Bored Panda)
Related: The Teen Drama Theme Songs (TDW)
“10 Comfort TV Shows Bound to Cheer You Up on a Bad Day” (Teen)
“8 Shows Like Celebrity You Must See” (TheCinemaholic)
“Need a Break From the Heat? Binge These 7 Summery Shows While Indoors” (TV Insider)
“OMG: It’s Different! Biggest Book to Movie and TV Show Adaptations in Hollywood History: Changes Explained” (J-14)
“The Vampire Diaries: 7 Actors Almost Cast in the Series” (Movieweb)
“Your essential guide to every The Pretty Reckless album” (Louder)
Best of the Rest
Several shows with teen drama connections were nominated for TCA Awards. (TVLine)
I was saddened to hear of the passing of TV critic Marvin Kitman, who in 2000 quoted me in an article about — what else? — “Beverly Hills, 90210.” (Newsday)
Gabrielle Carteris (Andrea, Beverly Hills, 90210) is mentioned in this story about Warner Bros. Discovery head David Zaslav. (The Wall Street Journal)
In a new interview, Dean McDermott’s ex-wife Mary Jo Eustace “refuses to comment on the current status” of his relationship with current wife Tori Spelling (Donna, Beverly Hills, 90210). (People)
“Alaska Daily,” starring Hilary Swank (Carly, Beverly Hills, 90210), was removed from Hulu due to a content purge. (Deadline)
Mother’s Milk, also starring Swank, was acquired by Vertical for an international September release. (Deadline)
Paul Johansson (John, Beverly Hills, 90210 / Dan, One Tree Hill) did interviews tied to God is a Bullet.
“Interview With Paul Johansson, Star Of ‘God Is A Bullet’” (PopHorror)
Odd that the interviewer says they spent “11 years” watching Johansson on “One Tree Hill” when the show was only on for nine seasons.
Also notable is that when talking about “OTH,” Johansson said, “I want to give the writers all the credit, even when I come up with something brilliant, because I wouldn’t have gotten there without the writers.” How different from the“Drama Queens” ladies!
“Paul Johansson Says His Son Resembles Ex-Girlfriend Cindy Crawford: ‘I Deeply Respect Her’” (The Messenger)
Ashley Tisdale (Nicole, Beverly Hills, 90210) is doing press for a variety of projects and partnerships.
“Ashley Tisdale Admits Having Daughter Jupiter Helps Her and Husband Christopher French 'Stay Present’” (OK!)
“Ashley Tisdale Tells Us Which Scent Of Her Wellness Line Was Inspired By Trader Joe’s” (NBC New York)
“Ashley Tisdale Teams Up With Chase IHG Credit Card To ‘Slowdown’” (The Blast)
Kyle Richards (Anna, Beverly Hills, 90210) and husband Mauricio Umansky addressed reports about the state of their marriage. (Instagram)
Djimon Hounsou, who appeared in the “Beverly Hills, 90210” pilot, has signed with Range Media Partners for management. (Deadline)
Ryan Seacrest, who also appeared on “Beverly Hills, 90210” (although not in the pilot), announced he will be the new host of “Wheel of Fortune.” (Instagram)
My reaction… (Twitter)
Eva Longoria, who also appeared on “Beverly Hills, 90210,” is the cover star for The Hollywood Reporter’s new digital issue. (The Hollywood Reporter)
Also: “In Focus With Eva Longoria: Directing ‘Flamin’ Hot’, Latino Representation in Hollywood & More” (The Hollywood Reporter)
And Steve Young, who also appeared on “Beverly Hills, 90210,” was among the on-air personalities laid off by ESPN last week. (NBC Sports)
Vanessa Lachey (Camille, BH90210) has settled a lawsuit stemming from a 2020 car accident. (10News)
“Dawson’s Creek” will be among the television shows discussed on the Nat Geo docuseries “Rewind the ‘90s.” (The Futon Critic)
I don’t want to jump to conclusions without seeing it but… not “Beverly Hills, 90210,” the show that aired from 1990 to 2000? Instead you’re focusing on the show that premiered in 1998?
The new book Freaks, Gleeks, and Dawson’s Creek: How 7 Teen Shows Transformed Television reveals “Katie Holmes Objected to Original Dawson’s Creek Ending: ‘She Wanted It to Be Pacey.’” (TVLine)
Among the seven shows covered, the book also discusses “The O.C.” In fact, Tate Donovan (Jimmy, The O.C.) is quoted in this excerpt in which he compares his time on “The O.C.” to directing “Glee.” (Literary Hub)
This excerpt also features quotes from Ali Adler (writer, Beverly Hills, 90210).
I plan on reading this later this year for my Cliffnotes series.
“Tell Me a Story,” created by Kevin Williamson (creator, Dawson’s Creek), has been removed from Paramount+ amidst a content purge (Deadline)
Hal Ozsan (Todd, Dawson’s Creek / Mr. Cannon, 90210) revealed he’s engaged. (Facebook)
Here’s video of the interview Ben McKenzie (Ryan, The O.C.) gave at the Bloomberg Invest summit. (Bloomberg)
McKenzie also spoke recently about why he’s against the use of AI in Hollywood. (NPR)
Autumn Reeser (Taylor, The O.C.) was on the “Some Kind of Mystic” podcast. (YouTube)
The Dirty South, starring Willa Holland (Kaitlin, The O.C. / Agnes, Gossip Girl), was acquired by Cineverse for a U.S. fall release. (Deadline)
Olivia Wilde (Alex, The O.C.) is among the signatories on a letter to SAG-AFTRA affirming they are prepared to strike if a fair agreement isn’t reached with the studios. (Deadline)
With more than 1,000 actors and actresses signing the letter, it’s quite likely others with teen drama connections are among the signatories, but the full list of names hasn’t been released.
Watch Cam Gigandet (Volchok, The O.C.) in the trailer for Schrapnel. (YouTube)
Nikki Reed (Sadie, The O.C.) announced in an Instagram Story that she and husband Ian Somerhalder have welcomed their second child. (Us Weekly)
Bella Thorne (Young Taylor, The O.C.) “Reveals Explosive Debut Short ‘Paint Her Red’, Talks Tapping Oren Moverman For Voice-Over & Her First Feature Plans.” (Deadline)
Also: “Bella Thorne Branches Out To Curate ‘Influential Shorts’ Event Featuring Khaby Lame, Adriana Lima & Nina Dobrev Films & Directorial Debut ‘Paint Her Red’” (Deadline)
Kat Graham (Kim, The O.C.) will star in Tyler Perry’s Black, White and Blue. (The Hollywood Reporter)
Adele Lim (producer, One Tree Hill) is doing press for her directorial debut, Joy Ride, which she also produced alongside Seth Rogen (Bob, Dawson’s Creek).
“For ‘Joy Ride’ Director Adele Lim, Raunchy Comedy Is a Palate Cleanser” (The Hollywood Reporter)
“‘Joy Ride’ director Adele Lim wants more ‘nasty’ stories from the AAPI community” (San Francisco Chronicle)
“The creative team behind ‘Joy Ride’ talks about new movie and AAPI representation” (MSNBC)
Cullen Moss (Junk, One Tree Hill) is the latest “One Tree Hill” cast member to sign on for Friends With Benefit’s September anniversary event. (Facebook)
Missed this a few weeks back: Colin Fickes (Jimmy, One Tree Hill) and Renee Vincent (Mrs. Edwards, One Tree Hill) will join the other announced “One Tree Hill” stars at September’s Fab Five convention. (Fab Five Events)
Evan Peters (Jack, One Tree Hill) has joined the cast of Tron 3, also known as Tron: Ares. (The Hollywood Reporter)
The movie will also star Jodie Turner-Smith, wife of Joshua Jackson (Pacey, Dawson’s Creek). (The Hollywood Reporter)
The aforementioned Wilde starred in the second Tron.
Kevin Levy, who helped schedule “Gossip Girl” and other shows for The CW, is leaving the network. (Deadline)
Speaking of, “Gossip Girl” is returning to Netflix in some markets. (What’s on Netflix)
Blake Lively (Serena, Gossip Girl) has launched Betty Booze to complement her Betty Buzz line. (The Spirits Business)
But: “Blake Lively Sparks Debate For Launching Alcohol Brand As A Non-Drinker” (Access Hollywood)
“Single Drunk Female,” starring Sofia Black-D’Elia (Sage, Gossip Girl) and featuring Busy Philipps (Audrey, Dawson’s Creek), was canceled by Freeform. (Deadline)
The network also canceled “The Watchful Eye,” for which the aforementioned Seacrest was an executive producer.
Dustin Milligan (Ethan, 90210) will star in the movie Operation Taco Gary’s. (Deadline)
Beth Tate (location scout, 90210) will receive the Trailblazer Award at the Location Managers Guild International Awards in August. (The Hollywood Reporter)