'90210' Shannen return: 5 pros (and cons) for bringin' on the Brenda

Now that we've had time to consider the news of Brenda Walsh's possible return to "90210" on the CW's reboot of the series this fall, it's time to evaluate whether this is a good or bad thing.

Our first reaction is good: It would mean Shannen Doherty reuniting with co-stars such as frenemy Jennie Garth, who’ll be back as Kelly Taylor, the girl who peaked in high school-turned-guidance counselor, and Tori Spelling, whose Donna Martin will be working in … wait for it … the fashion industry.

But who knows whether Doherty will actually seal the deal. She's reportedly already demanding more money and wants to see the final script before signing on (a true method actress!).

So while we wait, we've prepared a pro-con list. Would Brenda’s return be a career-reviving move for Doherty or spell doom for the CW?

GOOD: We get the scoop on Brenda’s whereabouts for the last couple of decades. Doherty left the cast so much sooner than her peers and, well, we could use the closure. Last we remember, she was supposed to be living happily in London with Dylan, but we also recall some discussion that they had broken up during the series’ final season.

BAD: Don’t count on a Dylan-Brenda reunion. Luke Perry (a.k.a. Dylan McKay) has already said he’s out. “It’s just not something I’ve thought about to be quite honest. I don’t see it happening,” he told Access Hollywood in June. And as the cast stands now, Brenda’s either going to be a singleton or a cougar. (Wait, that could be a good thing…)

GOOD: Maybe she could seduce a French student. Then we’d be able to hear that illustrious French accent of hers once more. (Surely you remember her charming the socks off of Dean Cain with it. Here, let’s reminisce: "Ah, yoo doo not need zee book."

BAD: Brenda could be, like, a mom now. And older “bad girls” that work, such as Amanda Woodward of "Melrose Place," are hard to come by. Doherty should know. She was a late addition to the cast of flailing Fox soap “North Shore,” but her character, the long-estranged sister of Brooke Burns’ character, wasn’t the show-saver that Locklear was for “Melrose Place.”

GOOD: Another possible fisticuffs between Doherty and Garth. It would blow Lauren vs. Heidi out of the water. US Weekly could give us regular updates. And it could so happen: Creator Aaron Spelling wrote in his memoir that the two came to actual physical blows after an argument on the set during “90210”’s heyday.

BAD: The dissolution of Doherty’s bad girl rep. She and Jennie could mend fences. The character of Brenda might be tame and boring now that she’s older and wiser. We’re not into boring. One of our all-time favorite Brenda moments was when she destroyed a science lab with a group of animal rights activists.

GOOD: Because we were sad when Oxygen ended “Breaking Up with Shannen Doherty.” It was like Brenda meets “Cheaters.” She’d help jilted girlfriends and boyfriends break up their bad relationships. A shame that not many can find Oxygen on their cable box. Her job as host of “Scare Tactics” was also pretty terrific.

BAD: What inane fashion trends might she spark this time? Once upon a time, Brenda helped push the bangs, the Seattle grunge flannel, the oversized blazers and scrunchies. Heaven help us from seeing Brenda rock leggings underneath a dress, espadrilles or polka dots. (We’re almost free of them!)

GOOD: She could save the CW. And, by extension, “Gossip Girl.” Think of a “90210”-“Gossip Girl” crossover! Blair meet Brenda, Brenda Blair. The thought alone makes us shiver. In a good way.

BAD: We might get attached. And then she’ll just up and ditch us again. She ditched Dylan, then she ditched her “Charmed” sisters. Who’s to say she won’t up and leave town again? We just don’t think we could take that kind of rejection.

-- Denise Martin

Photo: (top) Getty Images; (bottom) Associated Press

Comments

[Bill Wallace]

Shannon Doherty,has talent,looks,and a body,but her arrogance,gets the best of her,and her temper.Even on Charmed,which I liked up to the middle,or so of that seires,Shannon did well in a first,and the younger replacement was not her.

[Allie Hampton]

I don't think the Brenda character was "living happily with Dylan..." - didn't *Kelly* and Dylan end up together at the end? Her lawyer BF sperminated his dead brother's wife and he went off to be a Dad...?

[linda]

I think its going to be a BIG mistake bringing her back.She always causes trouble,just look at her now. She is already demanding more money and it isnt even inked yet. I dont think she will be good for the show. Where ever she goes trouble follows. She has created this image for herself as a trouble to work with so why take the chance on bringing her back to the very place where she was once fired from. Lepords dont change their stripes.

[John K]

Why would we want either (90210 or Doherty) back? Both are the bottom-feeders of talent and character.

[MC]

I'm already hooked with Kelly and Donna coming back. Brenda would just be icing on the cake.

[sandi]

the idea of brenda's character coming back makes me want to really watch. The only reason some of the original cast members can't come back is probably due to the fact that they have aged alot . Plus I think it be nice if this time brenda's character can
steal kellys man. They always made kellys character look like a angel when in fact she slept with all the guys on the show except for david. But no valeries and brenda characters were classified as bad girls . Shannon deserves to get what she wants she made 90210.

[Editor Jax]

Ah, Dean Cain before he became a has-been with man boobs.

[issac]

You wouldnt reuse a condom, would you. Throw 'er out and keep moving. plenty of talent in the world. give someone else a chance.

[Dina]

Great article~love the pros and cons list. You certainly know your 902010! I am in favor of Brenda returning~give her a shot she is a great actor and all the Brenda fans were totally disappointed in how she left the show~never returning and practically never mentioned~even by her brother Brandon. LET HER RETURN AS AN ADULT~Everyone deserves a second chance. I will only watch if she returns!!

[Mrs. Brooks]

That was not the real Editor Jax that posted yesterday. That comment was posted with a stolen username and the person doing it needs to stop immediately.

[Tom]

I would watch the show and put CW back on my channel selection only if Shannen Doherty is in. No Shannen, no 90210, no CW! By the way, in my opinion, she's the hottest "Charmed" one of all time!

[jimmy]

Why wouldn't we want her back ! Everyone knows 90210 was not the same without her! Her character was a huge part of the show. The drama, sarcasm, and the bitchness, we loved her and as fans we want closure! What has brenda been up to all these years>> Here's our chance to find out!! Give fans what they want bring her back!!!!!!!!!!

[Kara Kiebala]

I wish that Shannon Doerhty come back It would be nice for her to make a good statement she also made for the show she does change alot after the show has canceled she made alot of progress. She worked really hard to be the part of the show she made it happen but i think that the whole cast should for gave her what she did the past just be friends try to get along you guys should let Shannon the part of the show. It made for her she made it happen you guys let her come back she wants to proof to you guys that she did good things. Be frirends. For get the past look for the future you guys made it happen together. Always forever.

[rick]

Shannen Doherty is so cute,one of the most beautiful women ever!Not to mention a very talented actress.I'm only 21 so I really young when this show was peaking in popularity.But shannen should return.A very beautiful woman!

[cva]

I agree in having Shannen back. She was the bread-and-butter of 90210 and it wasn't the same after she left. I was disappointed that she didn't return in the final season of the series at least for a cameo. She was headstrong, outspoken, and not afraid to show her emotions, whether it was good or bad and I believe that same character would spice up the return of 90210.

[Asp]

"I would watch the show and put CW back on my channel selection only if Shannen Doherty is in. No Shannen, no 90210, no CW! By the way, in my opinion, she's the hottest "Charmed" one of all time!"

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