Please pause while I beat my head on the table here. Okay, much better.
First off, I was just old enough to watch 90210 upon first airing and just young enough not to understand a few things here and there. I was old enough, however, to know that when Brenda threw away the pregnancy test in the house trash that she was a complete moron. While I might have liked the show more if I had been older (because Dawson’s Creek, when it came out, was my super show!), I always liked it. In college, I watched reruns in the mornings. Good times.
And so, I was initially excited when I heard that a years-later spin-off was coming to the fall lineup. They’ve announced stars and what not, including Jennie Garth who remains a favorite of mine. Though, really, I didn’t like Kelly Taylor too much on the show but Garth redeemed herself in my eyes when she did the show What I Like About You with Amanda Bynes. I like cheesy shows. Sue me.
ANYWAY, what does this have to do with adoption? This announcement post.
The show will center on the Mills family when they move to Beverly Hills because of the drunken exploits of grandmother Tabitha Mills (Jessica Walter), a has-been Hollywood starlet. Lori Loughlin will play her daughter-in-law Celia, while granddaughter Annie (Shenae Grimes) and adopted grandson Dixon (Tristan Wilds) maneuver the hallways of West Beverly High.
And? If you think they’re not going to address any adoption issues or that they’re going to play it off as neither a big deal or “hide” the adoption, the answer is wrong. Why? Tristan Wilds is the only African American actor in the main cast! *headdesk* (Though, oooh, as I’m reading his info, he was in The Secret Life of Bees which is currently in post-production. Did anyone know they were turning that into a movie? Ooh.)
I can hope (right?) that they will handle the topics of transracial adoption with a sense of dignity. I can hope that they will really strive to show this in the real light instead of overly happy-cheesy or overly doom-and-gloom. But a part of me is sitting here thinking, “What episode will they wait for until they bring in the crazed birth mother storyline?” Or? Will they surprise us all and go the open adoption route? That seems doubtful being based in LA, no?
Anyway, just passing the word on so that others may watch or avoid as they deem fit!
ETA: Just found on CWTV’s website that the character of Dixon was adopted after the family “took him in” as a foster child. So much for open adoption but that leaves the door wide open for even more storyline ick.
8 Responses to “90210 & Adoption”
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My name is Jenna. I blog here, 
Hmm…interesting stuff. I might have to TIVO it. When is it being aired?
Overwhelmed With Joy!’s last blog post..The time is drawing near to let go of Baby Bug.
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It’s a new show for the fall lineup… I think! :)
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So, did they take the easy way out by avoiding open adoption and making it a foster adoption? Or, will they actually address transracial adoption? Somehow I doubt it. If anything I think they will make it out to be one of those foster situations wherein the birth mother comes from the “slums” and they saved him from a life of despair, just like the OC.
Oh, what wonderful things rich people do for the misfortuned.
I’m totally with you on 90210 though…I was a freshman in high school when it started and I was addicted.
pickel’s last blog post..My Summer Fear: Mosquitoes
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Hmmm I never watched that show but I may keep an eye out for it to see how/if they handle adoption in it.
I never watched soap operas either but I’ve become addicted in the past 2 days to watching the Bold and the Beautiful on their website – they’ve got a ‘OMG you’re not my son!!’ rejecting-found-mother storyline going on right now.
Theresa’s last blog post..E is for Excruciating Decisions
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From what I remember of 90210, I don’t recall them ever having any black characters. Is this maybe an easy way for them to do the fish out of water thing?
I might try watching it some since my son was adopted and is a different race (we’re white, he’s biracial). I agree that it has potential to be negative, but I think it could go two possible ways–the “rich family saves the world scenario, or the “white people can’t be good parents”/cultural genocide scenario.
Either would disgust me.
Katie’s last blog post..Protected: Proof He’s OK
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I’m not against trash/cheese/etc. on television. However, if you are expecting 90210 version 2.0 to be sensitive or real you are likely in for a craptastic time.
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I really find that to be an off-base argument. “It’s just a movie.” “It’s just TV.” When we demean other large groups of people, television shows and movies are boycotted and writers issue apologies. When it’s people in the adoption world? Pfft. Who cares! Reform doesn’t stop at the agency’s door, the judge’s gavel or with how ads are placed on the internet. If people didn’t push whole reform for their causes, what would be the point?
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chiming in as an adotive mom to give you a high five. wasn’t planning to watch because I never watched the original.
that girl’s last blog post..That Girl Reviews: Indiana Jones (B-)
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