Those of you who know me know that nothing brings me more happiness than a good, old-fashioned Shannen Doherty item. So it seems only fitting that I should kick off my new EW gig with a juicy yarn about the legendary Hollywood hellraiser. And it’s not just any yarn, either — it’s the best yarn ever!
Multiple sources confirm to me exclusively that Doherty is currently engaged in formal talks to — wait for it, wait for it — reprise her role of Brenda Walsh on The CW’s breathlessly anticipated 90210 update!
(The crowd roars. The crowd’s on their feet! The crowd.. is… me!)
According to my Peach Pit mole, Gabe Sachs and Jeff Judah, the producers behind el nuevo 90210, recently met with the tempestuous tabloid mainstay to gauge her interest in returning to the zip code from which she was banished in 1994. And by all accounts, she is interested. “But,” whispers an insider with close ties to the reboot, “she wants to know what the story is going to be first.” She also wants more money than they’re apparently offering.
Yet creative/financial issues may not be the biggest obstacles standing in the way of Doherty’s homecoming. The anger-management poster gal has left a long list of enemies in her wake, among them once and possibly future co-stars Tori Spelling and Jennie Garth. Doherty and Garth, in particular, got along so badly, they were like a ’90s version of Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. (A fistfight between them was even chronicled in Spelling’s recent memoir.) So while Doherty’s willingness to return suggests she’s ready to let bygones be bygones, the feeling may not be mutual.
“There’s still some animosity there,” acknowledges a source, who says Garth wasn’t exactly jumping for joy upon learning of Doherty’s potential hiring. However, counters Garth, “A lot of time has passed, and I’m a big girl. I’d have no problem with her coming on the show.”
That still doesn’t resolve the pesky issue of Doherty’s less-than-stellar rep. “They should demand good behavior and get rid of her quick if they don’t get it,” muses one top TV producer. “The danger is that the show becomes a big hit, and her participation is seen as essential. If that happens, and she’s still a disruptive, dysfunctional actor, then they’ve got a big mess.”
But nearly everyone seems to agree on one thing: It’s a risk worth taking. “This is a win-win for all parties,” points out a 90210 source. “Shannen has a shot to get back in the public eye and make things right with the show that gave her her career, and the CW can generate some much-needed buzz and guarantee some major sampling of 90210.”
Not to mention the fact that I’ll get to write more Shannen Doherty stories!
So, what do you think? Does Shannen need 90210 more than it needs her? And would you be more inclined, less inclined or as inclined to watch 90210 with Doherty on board? Sound off in the comments section below!
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Whooo Hoooo!!! Welcome back Mike.
Although I love, love, love Rob Thomas and pretty much think everything he does rocks, I hadn’t planned on watching this reboot, since the original never floated my boat. But now–heck yeah! It’ll be like straining to see a car wreck–I know I’ll probably see something I don’t want to, yet I still won’t be able to turn away.
Glad to see you here, Michael. Looking forward to all the luscious, juicy scoopage.
Welcome back Mike
I was in withdrawel mode!
Welcome back Mike! I’ve missed getting my scoop from you!
Mike, this is the best news I’ve ever heard. I’m glad Brenda and Shannen will be coming back. The original show sucked without her and the spinoff will be better with her.
Welcome! More scoop, Please. Preferably OTH.
Im definitely going to tune into 90210!
She probably needs it more than it needs her, but yeah, at the same time, the show needs some serious attention just to be sure it makes it. So this is proabably good news for both parties.
Michael I’m so happy you are back doing what you do best giving us some awesome scoop. Tv without spoilers has been such a disaster for me, sitting and watching a show without knowing what was going to happen has been so lackluster. Congratulations on the job here at Ew, Don’t screw it up. officially we are now 2 hours into July 2, wheres my Smallville scoop, don’t tell me you are slacking this early, lol.
I will follow you anywhere my friend. I have missed you and am so glad you are back. So get busy already.
michael, i have never read your blog before, but i officially love you! i love all brenda/shannen lovers and i never thought i would ever see this day. this…is…so…awesome. i will say, though, that i have this whole parental thing going in regards to shannen. i love her unconditionally, but i’m always in the background wincing and praying she doesn’t screw it all up!
i would watch anything with Shannen D. 90210 sucked after she left. Long live Brenda. Curses to Kelly.
Shannen might be back!!! Brenda Walsh owns a piece of my childhood, and if she’s in the spin-off, then I’m guaranteed to watch every episode. Too bad Luke has said no to the project. I’d love to see a Brenda and Dylan reunion. Smart move by producers. Shannen will bring the buzz, big time.
Ausiello, you ROCK! Welcome to EW!
thats why i looooove EW!! it would be perfect to have her again in 90210 xP
Thank. You. God. I will most def tune in now. They need to spice up her on screen character though. I am so tired of actors not being able to work with “difficult” people. The rest of us in the real world have to work with difficult people all the time, so why can’t actors learn to do it? Check out a self-help book and deal. She’ll probably only last 1 season, but you know it will be the best. Go Shannen!
I watched 90210 all the time growing up and this is what I have to say she caused so many problems for her cast members that they should think twice and I also watched her on charmed and she got fired from that due to the fact that she dose’nt work well with other females that she thinks are taking the spot light from her so no I don’t think that is a good idea.
Okay, I thought this new 90210 was supposed to be about the new generation. But, it seems that most of the real buzz is about the old cast. I grew up on the original 90210, but if the new generation can’t make it on its own – then why bother with it at all. Not to mention that almost any show that comes on the CW network is going to be pretty lame to begin with. If you people would read beyond blogs – and maybe take a look at the financials – you might find that the CW network might not even exist after this coming season. Either CBS or Time Warner (which makes up the CW) is already considering pulling stakes on this money pit. Most of the really good shows that were pulled in from WB and UPN are either gone or into their 7th and final seasons. The highest rated shows that are being pushed by CW (Gossip Girl) only average about 2.4 million viewers. That’s horrible compared to 13-35 million viewers on other networks. Better enjoy the first episodes, because it won’t last long.
Mike AND Shannen back…. could life get any more perfect (we already know it is for Mike cause there’s diet raspberry snapple in the vending machine!)
Good to have you back, Mike. Your whole aushole gang had defected with you!
Slowly but surely the whole 90210 gang seems to be coming to the CW. I can’t wait to watch!!
He’s baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaak!
Let the good times roll!!!!
Doherty deserves to be back on the show. She ignored EVERY reality show opptuniry and thos would be a perfect homecoming. And Kind of a Score against Alyssa Milano how “Charmed” wanted to continue with Milano instead, on the same network ironically. Now look who gets the last laugh! Doherty. She can teach that new Brenda wannabe of ho to live in the original ‘Hills.
She needs the show more than they need her. They should do it without her. She is already asking for more money. Her acting stinks anyway!
yayyyyyyy!!!!!!!!! pay her whatever she wants! she made the show in the first place!
Welcome back, Michael!!
Missed you so much.
And what a story to start with! Great news, can’t wait to see the new/old show.
Welcome Back Shannon! She made 90210 worth watching. I hope the rumors are true
Now if they make the character of Kelly a saint again I wil puke!
OMG combining two of my fave things on the net EVER – ausiello AND EW (which i am constantly promoting as one of the best entertainment sites – seriously no one can get enough of their countdowns) well done mike. this is so fantastic and ps of course lauren would rem you. that woman may be talented but nothing beats press pounding WWW coverage
u forgot 1 reason. ew has sexier photoshoots. wink wink nudge nudge
I think Shannen needs a solid acting gig so this is a great opportunity for her. That being said, I had no interest in the new 90210 until this news. I was always a Brenda-girl.
Welcome back, Michael. You were missed.
Shannen wasn’t fired from Charmed. She quit. And only after hearing about Milano’s “Either she goes or I go” ultimatum to the producers. Milano had the issue. Shannen quit. Remember she was also still friends with Holly Marie Combs after she left. So it looks like Eva Savealot was the one who “doesn’t work well with females”.
thank god you’re back!! i couldn’t live without my ausiello scoop
yay, Michael is back! and i soooo missed Shannen on 90210 AND Charmed. i really hope she’ll be on the new show.