Reboot #90210

reboot

riːˈbuːt

verb

(with reference to a computer system) boot or be booted again. 

restart or revive (a process or sequence, especially a series of films or television programmes); give fresh impetus to. 

noun

an act of booting a computer system again. 

something, especially a series of films or television programmes, that has been restarted or revived. 

On August 7, 2019, a little television show called "Beverly  Hills, 90210" that originally aired from October 4, 1990 through May 17, 2000, aired an original take on the "reboot" of series overly popular in today's media.  BH90210 was a twist, as the original remaining cast members (Luke Perry died earlier that year) gathered together, to create a story that highlighted a heightened version of their own lives, still played out on the pages of the tabloid (some more than others) mingled with the beloved characters they had lived before us.  Loyal Beverly Hills, 90210 fans waited with baited breath for this new rendition, uncertain what to expect, only with a keen interest and excitement for the return.  Not only were we excited for this new update to our beloved childhood series, but we hoped for more afterwards.  BH90210 was not continued thus, at least not yet, however still a reboot or another series is highly wanted among loyal fans alike.  Yet, perhaps a reboot of such is occurring, just not in the way we imagined.

Yes, I know that there was another 'version' of 90210 that ran from 2008-2013, however, the OG cast of Beverly Hills, 90210 has spoken openly about how they don't really see that as a viable or canon within the world of all things 90210 (Sorry to the cast & fans of that show, but that's what has been said, I don't make the rules, the OG BH90210 cast does.)  The show BH90210 not only was an original concept for the reboot, but it was also equally produced by all of the original cast members.  A cast that at a very young age had their world turned upside down in a Beatles-Esque frenzy overwhelmingly taking the control and choice from their lives as their own and giving it to us, the clamoring fans, public at large, producers, directors of the show itself.  So, good for them, to take over the power of their story, their lives, their reboot, to act in it but also to have producer power as well.

In young adolescent and teenage years, among many a fan around the world, (yes, many who chased and mobbed them down in shopping malls and other public spaces), I admired, looked up to, wanted to be like, yes, idolized these actors and their characters, papering the walls of my room with images of them cut out meticulously from Teen Beat, Seventeen, and other similar magazines, staring lovingly while drinking in any news, interviews, on their personal lives.  God, did I love them and still do.  

In addition to the posters on my wall, I looked up to them for life advice, insights, and direction, and still find myself doing.  Not yet having the chance to attend a convention where they appear, I watch as the fans today act quite differently than their younger selves, a lot tamer and more respectful perhaps from the maturity of the mind or even the lack of energy of the physical, no longer does the cast have to worry about breathless, fainting fans mobbing the stage as they flee the stage hurriedly, sometimes in laundry carts (See: Luke & Jason!).  Yet, the interest for their lives personally as well as their characters is still heightened and desired, of which, I think is both a longing for a simpler time evoking the warm fuzzies but also as age ascends upon us, we continue to look up towards them for guidance.  As a young person, they seemed not only glamourous, but so grown up.  Now as a middle-aged woman (what?!?), time has leveled out the playing field and I realize that they are only a few years older my senior.  Yet, similar to the struggles of adolescence, I find myself a wash with questions during this transition of 'rowing north' and such as my younger self, I find myself looking for answers from them once more.

Since the release and then loss of BH90210, fans such as myself have continued to clamor for more in the series, or another reboot on theirs and our show, wanting to know 'where the characters are now'.  However, with their recent appearances at conventions as a full cast or only a few, where fans can ask questions directly about the beloved characters they portrayed and shower praises of gratitude upon them, of which I, not able to attend, watch on Youtube and Instagram, spellbound drinking in their laughter, their love for one another, for their fans, their insights, their stories, their thoughts.  Even during the research for this blog, I found myself getting distracted gazing at their photos lovingly, falling down a rabbit hole of Youtube interviews, a never ending longing for the security of youth and connectivity.  Yet, perhaps a reboot of such is occuring, just not in the way we imagined.  Now, I listen with marked interest as Shannen Doherty details with clarity and truth her past history during the show, her struggles with such, life with Stage 4 cancer on her podcast, "Let's Be Clear", Jennie Garth implores us to, like her, choose and love ourselves on her "I Choose Me" podcast, Tori Spelling spills all in her own voice and her truth, taking back the tabloids sought to slander, on her podcast, "Mis-Spelling", Brian Austin Green, with his fiancé, Sharna Burgess, and friend, Randy Spelling, share insights on ways to improve one's mental health on their podcast, "Oldish".  And as I do, it dawns on me, this is the REBOOT, not what we wanted, but exactly what we needed.

We all have pop culture loves we fan-girl over (regardless of gender), that which brightens our lives with warmth, hope, guidance of sort, a comfort, that which stands the test of time as we progress through life, never wavering in the gift we treasure.   It is vitally important for our wellness journey and soul's evolution that we not discredit such love as minor, less than, or unimportant merely because it is "pop culture", for the value it gave knows no difference inwardly than any other facet of our identity.

My Favorite Song - Songwriterz