Page 2-The Michigan Daily-Weekend etc.- March 26,1992 Beverly Hills 90210 is not simple teen trash 0. by Sarah McCarthy I "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 i *o co ('4 0 I i'I 7 -, 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 Hen - ART 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 I, 1 1n !,till '_i DI l r+ t . 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 L Chinese Restaurant Mandarin, Szechuan, and Hunan Specialties. Exotic Drinks, Full Bar. Carry out, Quick Lunch 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 is the TOP GOLD MEDAL WINNER of Detroit Cobo Hall National Contest CHEF JAN is the "Best Chef Award" winner, Washington, DC 1201 S. University * 668-2445 PARTHENON FINE GREEK FOOD GYROS & SHISHI KABAB SSANDWICHES 1 CARRYOUT SERVICES CHICKEN " STEAKS." PASTA LAMB CHOPS. LAMB SHISH KABABS MOUSAKA. PASTISO "DOLMADES -SPINACH PIE GREEK SALADS & PASTRIES. COMBINATION PLATES FU LL COC KTIL MENUV 226 S. MAIN at sa Liberty. Ann Arbor CALL 994-1012 Great Chinese food DELIVERED fast & fresh! i1 625 S. Main Next to S. Main Market 741-9500 N. Campus Plaza 1753 Plymouth 741-1600. FREE DELIVERY TM owned by The Provender Corporation 0 r I