Page 2-The Michigan Daily-Weekend etc.- March 26,1992
Beverly Hills 90210 is
not simple teen trash
0.
by Sarah McCarthy
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"Beverly Hills 90210" has undeniably put the pop back into pop culture.
No matter how young the target audience may be for the Fox Network, the
latest blockbuster, teenage drama has captured the attention of even the
twentysomething generation.
Okay, so our generation has failed to make a significant mark on society,
but we have made our presence known as avid followers of some of the
worst shows ever to be broadcast on television. We have replaced apathy
with "objective materialism." As the ultimate reflection of the Reagan era,
Beverly Hills 90210 captures the lives of eight self-important teenagers who
solve issues of global proportion in under an hour.
"It's completely ridiculous to think that a small group of teenagers have
to deal with that many of today's problems," said Engineering sophomore
Reshma Pradhan. "It's like that show 'Murder, She Wrote.' There is no way
that lady has so many neighbors who get killed."
"90210" is a miniculture of materialism and pre-pubescent lust. It
exhibits an exaggeration of high school life that proves what many of us
failed to realize until after we've graduated - adolescence is absurd.
In the show, the Walshes, a wholesome family from Minnesota move to
Beverly Hills and encounter a glorious land of people with little depth and
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too much money. But within this plastic population, the twins, Brenda and
Brandon, find alliances stronger than the union between Job and God.
It is the ultimate escape from a troubling existence. These teenagers indi-
rectly face such issues as AIDS, date rape, teen pregnancy, teenage suicide,
drugs and racism. The regular cast never seems to do anything wrong. To
address an issue, an outsider appears and by the next episode the character,
and the problem, are a faint memory.
But how can so many University college students, far from California
life, find enough in common with "90210" to rush to a television set every
Thursday night as religiously as the pope goes to Mass on Sunday?
"90210" has developed a cult-following close to that of the Dali-Lama
right here in middle America. It's difficult to find someone who doesn't
know the names, Dylan and Brenda. You'd be hard pressed to find a frater-
nity which didn't harbor at least one person with those famous sideburns
that adorn the cheeks of almost every male cast member of the show.
Students justify their attraction by pointing to the pure amusement of the
show. Understandably, it's a lot more amusing to watch attractive teenagers
drive cool cars around Southern California than sit through an episode of
Nova. For most, it is the perfect mindless escape from the academic world.
"I think people watch it because it's the way they want their high school
to be," said LSA sophomore Darin Wymer, who bears a striking
resemblance to Brandon.
"But I don't get it. These kids ,with unbelievably clear complexions for
people going through puberty, are standing around at a party that is packed,
without any beer, and they are all still smiling. Yeah, right."
SPE
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Elizc
SPRING Mic
FASHION
I S S U E COP
Mar
19 9 2 Hall
T A F
F
RING FASHION EDITOR
ry Goldblatt
IS EDITORS
abeth Lenhard
bael John Wilson
WEEKEND ETC. EDITOR
Julie Komorn
SITE COORDINATORS
Lari Barager
Melissa Peerless
GRAPHICS
Andrew Levy
COVER PHOTO
Heather Lowman
NTRIBUTORS
k Binelli, Anthony M. Croll, Diane Frieden, Forrest Green Ill, Michelle Guy, Jessie
aday, Stephen Henderson, Doug Kanter, Heather Lowman, Sarah McCarthy,
ette Petruso, Steve Stark, Scott Sterling
Ann
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fling and
Drinking
Sze-CIbuat)
West
M,
" Cocktails
" Dining
. arry Out
. Luncheon
+ Specials
SZECHUAN - HUNAN - MANDARIN
Hours: M-Th, 11:30-10; F, 11:30-11
Sat., Noon-11 pm; Sun., Noon-10 pm
Happy Hour: 4-7, M-Th
2161 W. Stadium (East of Liberty)
Ann Arbor - 769-5722
THANO'S
LAMPLIGHTER
:421East Liberty
(10block west of State)
665-7003
Sicilian Pizza our Specialty
Beer, Wine, and Liquor
Open 7 Days til 2:00 A.M.
1100 E. Catherine at Glen - 761-8996
Open 6 a.m. - 4 p.m. weekdays
6 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sat., 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sun.
Serving breakfast and lunch all day.
Featuring homemade raisin bread
Favorites for over 30 years.
' )tOIEN c V
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Mandarin, Szechuan, and Hunan
Specialties. Exotic Drinks, Full
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Special, Sunday Brunch.
Open 7 days a week.
3535 Plymouth Rd.-665-3591
4905 Washternaw Ave.-434-7978
Students Welcome
GARDEN
Szechuan, Hunan,
and Peking cuisine
Delivery, take-out, dine-in,
cocktails, and Sunday buffet
Hrs: Mon.-Thur., 11:30 am - 10 pm
Fri., 11:30 am -11 pm
Sat., 'noon -11 pm
Sun., noon -10pm
3035 Washtenaw Ave., * 971-0970
Italian Restaurant
Homemade Pastas & Pizza
665-0444 " Take Out
300 Detroit St. at Catherine
(across from Farmer's Market)
Custom Sandwiches, Subs
& Pitas, Mediterranean Cuisine,
Falafel, Chicken Sandwiches,
Fresh Salads, Plus Much More!
Dine-In, Carry-Out, or Catering
715 N. UNIVERSITY - 663-0069
CHEF JAN
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CHEF JAN
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Washington, DC
1201 S. University * 668-2445
PARTHENON
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FU LL COC KTIL MENUV
226 S. MAIN at sa
Liberty. Ann Arbor CALL 994-1012
Great Chinese food DELIVERED
fast & fresh!
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Next to S. Main Market
741-9500
N. Campus Plaza
1753 Plymouth
741-1600.
FREE DELIVERY
TM owned by The Provender Corporation
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