I'd love to say I hate to say "I told you so," but who are we kidding? I love to (and I think perversely, you kinda like it when I do, too). And back in November I told you that by the end of 90210 V. 2.0's freshman year Tori Spelling would likely be back among the fold as former virgin Donna Martin. Now, a show rep confirms that Spelling is in "final negotiations" to return for multiple episodes, adding that her deal could close as early as today.
Reportedly, a big point of contention for Spelling, who's currently in Vancouver shooting her big Smallville return, was the threat of crossing paths again with sworn frenemy Shannen Doherty. But since the artist formerly known as Brenda Walsh has wrapped for the season, the set will be a Shan-free zone when La Spelling reports for duty on the last few eps.
So whad'ya think, folks? Are you psyched that Donna will once again be walking the halls of West Beverly High? Or are you just bummed that David Silver (the notorious BAG) won't be joining her? Sound off below! (Additional reporting by Andy Patrick)
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Color me gobsmacked: Tori Spelling is appearing on a CW show, and it's not 90210. At least not yet anyway. (More on that in a sec.)
Sources confirm to me exclusively that Spelling has finalized a deal to return to Smallville as The Daily Planet's incredibly liquefying gossip columnist Linda Lake. The camptastic character, first introduced in a Jan. '07 episode, is unique among Smallville's long line of villains in one very significant way: She knows Clark's secret.
Now for the other piece of this story: My Peach Pit mole confirms that after numerous false starts, Spelling is once again engaged in "preliminary talks" to reprise her role as everyone's favorite ex-virgin, Donna Martin, on 90210: New Flavor.
As you'll recall, Aaron's little girl was all set to head back to her former zip code earlier in the season, but she backed out in an alleged dispute over moolah. Or was it because she just had a baby? Depends who you ask!
If the 90210 deal materializes, and that's still a big if, I'm told Spelling would likely show up in the spring. Her one-episode Smallville return, meanwhile, is set in stone for early '09.
What say you, Smallville fans? Excited to see Clark's liquid nightmare back? Are you, like me, hoping it's a precursor to a 90210 return later in the season? The comments section awaits your feedback!
It looks like 90210's martini-swilling granny may be headed for another stint in rehab. Sources confirm to me exclusively that Jessica Walter has been dropped as a series regular.
That's the bad news.
The good news is that the MVP won't be leaving the show. Not yet, anyway.
A 90210 insider says while it's true that Walter's contract option was not picked up for the second half of the season, the Arrested Development grande dame has agreed to appear on a recurring basis, her schedule permitting.
"Fans have not seen the last of Tabitha," assures executive producer Gabe Sachs. "We love Jessica."
According to my moles, the decision to take Walter off contract was made purely for financial reasons. As the show continues to evolve, it didn't make sense to, as one 90210 insider puts it, "pay her all that money to utter two funny lines an episode."
Instead, 90210 will continue to invest in headline-grabbing vets like Shannen Doherty, as well as characters that drive story, such as Jessica Lowndes' Adrianna (who was just made a series regular).
Ironically, Walter's status change comes as 90210 is about to morph into a show more worthy of her considerable talents. Upcoming episodes under its new exec producer, Gilmore Girls vet Rebecca Kirshner, have been a "vast improvement," raves a setsider. "The writing is sharper and the characters much more interesting."
And with all the dough they'll save on faux vodka -- not to mention what already has to be a minuscule craft-services budget -- maybe now they'll be able to afford Luke Perry!
Thoughts? I know you have 'em. So share 'em. Below. Now.
More 90210:
Jason Priestley returns...and he's not alone!
Beverly Hills’ original sideburned heartthrob is back! Sort of.
Jason Priestley has agreed to do an episode of The CW’s 90210 later this season, but you won’t see him -- he’ll be behind the camera, working as a director. Sources confirm to me exclusively that Priestley will helm this season's 18th episode, which is slated to air this spring.
Meanwhile, a 90210 insider also reveals that Priestley's TV sis, Shannen Doherty, is nearing a deal to return for two more episodes later this season. Executive producer Gabe Sachs would only confirm that she's "in talks," but my 90210 spy insists "she's coming back. The deal isn't officially done, but it's happening."
Might one of Doherty's two episodes be the Priestley-directed installment? Sachs says that's TBD. "I think it would be a kick for Jason to work with any of his [former 90210 costars], and it would also add something special to that episode," he says. "But we don't know whether that will happen yet."
A more likely scenario has Priestley bossing around his other leading lady, Jennie Garth, who's back for at least six episodes -- despite what the actress herself told me at EW's pre-Emmy party last month. "That was a misunderstanding," whispers a source.
For more on Priestley and Doherty's comebacks, and to get the latest on efforts to lure Luke Perry and Tori Spelling back to the fold, pick up the new issue of EW, on sale this Friday. In the meantime, weigh in with your reaction to what's shaping up to be quite the 90210 veteran logjam later this season.
More on 90210:
Sound bites from last night's episode
As I was perusing The CW's just-released press release announcing the full-season pickup of 90210, I noticed the most peculiar thing: Those crazy kids buried their lead!
In the final sentence of the bulletin, the network quietly mentions that veteran Gilmore Girls scribe Rebecca Kirshner is joining the series as an executive producer.
And it gets better.
After I did some digging, a 90210 source confirms to me exclusively that Amy Sherman-Palladino's longtime collaborator will not just be sitting in the show's writers room, she'll be running it. (And yes, contrary to speculation, the show does have one of those.) Gabe Sachs and Jeff Judah, meanwhile, will continue to serve as show's day-to-day showrunners.
In announcing the 90210 pickup, CW prez Dawn Ostroff says, "The successful addition of 90210 has taken The CW another step forward in building a cohesive schedule that defines this network as a destination for young women with shows that get our audience talking -- and watching. We're very excited about the chance to watch this ensemble of newcomers and familiar faces coalesce and grow together as we move forward."
Exactly how many familiar faces will be sticking around 90210 remains an open question. As I reported over the weekend, Jennie Garth is denying that she has agreed to stick around beyond her initial six-episode stint. "Nothing's confirmed at this point," she told me. "It's still totally up in the air." (That noise you hear is Dawn Ostroff telling her assistant to get Tori Spelling's reps on the phone.)
Is the infusion of some Gilmore blood the best thing to happen to 90210 since Shannen and Jennie agreed to bury the hatchet? I say, "Damn straight, it is!" But what do you say? Comment away!
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Remember that story I ran about Jennie Garth agreeing to extend her stay in the zip code that made her famous? You know, the one that was later confirmed by both The CW and producer Paramount? Here's how good I am -- I wrote it before it was even official! So the erstwhile Kelly Taylor told me herself at last night's EW pre-Emmy soiree.
"I was signed on to do four [episodes], I ended up doing six, and I guess it broke that I was doing more," she said.
"But nothing's confirmed at this point," she added. "It's still totally up in the air."
Natch, I also got the Dancing With the Stars hoofer to weigh in on the controversy surrounding 90210's stick-figure starlets (covered at length in this week's EW)."I wish they'd stop saying that about me!" she joked. "Why can't I get that [criticism]!"
All kidding aside, the mother of three said, "It's not my place [to address that issue]. I'm not a producer on the show. I just go in and do my thing and leave. I obviously care about the girls, but they seem healthy and happy, and they love what they're doing.
"If it would make it better," she continued, "I will certainly make some cookies and take them to [the girls]."
Finally, with Doherty finished in Bev Hills (her final episode airs this week), Garth had some very interesting things to say about her former rival. For more on that, check out my entire video interview with Garth below. And keep checking EW's Emmy video hub for the rest of my interviews from last night, including one-on-ones with Kate Walsh, Lost's Emily de Ravin, Kathy Griffin, Lisa Edelstein, Jon Hamm, Zach Levi, and more.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to go press my monkey suit for this evening's main event!
Just like Brandon, Dylan, Steve, Colin, and Matt before them, 90210's producers just can't get enough of Kelly. So, my sources tell me, they've signed Jennie Garth to appear in five episodes on top of the six to which she originally agreed.
So now we're gonna get the Kelly-Brenda rematch we've all been waiting for, right?
Erm, no. Though Shannen Doherty may return later in the season, for now it appears that the first four episodes she signed on for will also be her last (the second of those episodes airs next week). "They asked me to do a lot more," she says, but "I'm in the middle of pitching a show, [so] I couldn't commit to more than [I did]."
That being the case, the powers that be might want to reconsider ponying up the big bucks to get Tori Spelling back on board as Donna. Though the update's second eppy kept it Tuesday's highest-rated show with women 18-34 (2.9/8) and women 12-34 (2.5/7), its overall numbers took a hit opposite stiffer competition, including the premiere of Fringe.
What do you think? Does 90210 2.0 need Garth and Doherty to make the grade? Or are the new characters appealing enough to make the grade on their own merits? The comments section below is yours for the filling. (Additional reporting by Jessica Shaw)
Since Shannen, Jennie, Tori and even Nat have all agreed to appear on the new 90210, at least one more comeback seemed inevitable. Are you with me here? The show just wouldn't have been the same without her.
No, not Gabrielle Carteris!
Um, no, not Tiffani Thiessen, either.
Or Kathleen Robertson, Vanessa Marcil or Lindsay Price.
It's Ann Gillespie!
(Crickets)
She played Kelly's Mommie Dearest, Jackie Taylor, remember? She married (and divorced) David's dad, Mel, and had a daughter, Erin, with him. Odd then that the redo's resident vixen, whose surname and nickname is Silver, is really named Daphne, not Erin. (Update: I've just been informed that the character's name was changed to Erin months ago, so ignore that bit about Daphne. All is right with the world!) Regardless, sources confirm to me semi-exclusively that Gillespie is on board for at least one episode.
So what do you think -- are you looking forward to more mother/daughter showdowns between Jackie and Kelly? Or are you still holding out for a return by Carol Potter? Sound off below! (Additional reporting by Andy Patrick)
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!
