California might’ve been a hip setting for trendy TV over the past couple decades, but for the love of drama queens everywhere, it is seriously time to move on.

Before The OC and The Hills, there was Beverly Hills 90210. The CW, currently home of hit shows like Gossip Girl and America’s Next Top Model, recently premiered 90210, a remake of the popular ’90s show.

The two-hour premiere on Sept. 2 was filled with plenty of the expected cheese and teenage drama. The scandalous sexcapades of the characters were put front and center in the first five minutes, but combined with acting fit for the Disney Channel.

The idea of “rich kids with problems” has manifested on different networks over the years, but so far, the new 90210 seems tired, boring and totally expected. The first two episodes covered issues like cheating at relationships, cheating at school, drug addicts, stealing, lacrosse team fights, bad parenting, missing curfews…the list goes on and it’s hard to take seriously. It’s one thing to be hip, edgy and controversial, but there should be a fresh take on the theme — or at least let the audience get attached to the characters enough to care.

The show appears to be reaching for a new high school audience that wasn’t attached to shows like The OC or the original 90210. College students who want to reminisce over high school days of crazy cracked-out drama and bad fashion should be sure to tune in.

Despite the hype — a performance by Tilly and the Wall, appearances by minor L.A. celebs Cory Kennedy and Mark “The Cobrasnake” Hunter, and a Nylon magazine cover — the only proven benefit to watching is to compare how well original Beverly Hills 90210 stars have held up. Chances are, the only real entertainment will be off-screen when Shannon Doherty starts up some of those old catfights with Jennie Garth.

— jvanzale@asu.edu