I wrote about my thoughts on the premiere of 90210 over on the birth parent blog. But it’s still bugging me. Andy wrote about it on her blog as well. And she sums up my feelings quite well:

I realize that TV shows are written to the level of the lowest common denominator, and that they are written to be sensational so that they sell. This is not a documentary on ethical adoption, it is a Prime time drama. But just once I wish that there could be a positive open adoption story put out there for people to see.

Right? She’s smart. I like her. And she’s right. Television shows, even supposedly non-fiction ones (that all have story boards and “scripts”, mind you), are written for that schmuck who won’t get off the couch and do anything about his world. He just sits there. Watching the pretty screen flash things at him.

Do I think open adoption will ever be accurately and/or positively portrayed on a television show? Heck no, I don’t. Why? An open adoption in which parents are respectful of one another and we find things actually working is straight up boring. Do you really want to watch a television show that boring? As an example, I’ll just use our family.

Scene #1: I sit at the computer, laughing. Zoom in on instant message screen. D and I discuss America’s Next Top Model, the weather and workout shoes. This goes on for two hours as we’re both reading blogs, working and doing laundry at the same time. Fade to black.

Scene #2: I cuss at the printer because a photo I’m printing for the Munchkin’s monthly package jams. Eventually I get everything right, seal the envelope and go to the Post Office. I get a coffee on the way home. Fade to black.

Scene #3: My oldest son prays for his sister before he goes to bed. Fade to black.

I mean, sure, it’s heartwarming in a way. But not really interesting, right? Sigh. Instead, we need murderers! And drugs! And baby stealing! And drama drama drama!

It’s frustrating. I know we’re boring. But we’re real. Doesn’t anyone care?

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.